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Austria is known for its luxurious ski resorts, which offer everything from gourmet restaurants to lavish hotels and spas. The ski season in Austria usually runs from December to May, with snow generally reliable across resorts between December and April. However, some resorts in Austria open as early as September, such as Solden, which has two glaciers, Tiefenbach and Rettenbach, that offer skiing from the end of September. Other resorts with reliable early-season snow include Hintertux, which offers skiing 365 days a year, and Obergurgl, which has one of the longest seasons in the Alps, running from November to May.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Season | December to May |
| Resorts with longer seasons | Hintertux glacier, Solden, Obergurgl, Kaprun, Kitzbuhel |
| Resorts with early season openings | Solden, Hintertux, Obergurgl, Obertauern, Ischgl |
| Resorts with high-end experiences | Lech, Aurelio Lech, Griggeler Stuba |
| Best resorts for a ski weekend | Igls, Seefeld, St Anton |
| Best resorts for beginners | Niederau, Mayrhofen |
| Resort with the longest ski season | Hintertux glacier |
| Resort with the highest altitude | Solden |
| Resort with the highest ski area | Kaprun |
| Resort with the highest altitude (non-glacial) | Obergurgl |
| Resort with the most snow-sure entirely non-glacial ski area | Obergurgl |
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What You'll Learn
The best resorts for a ski weekend in Austria
Austria is celebrated as one of the cradles of skiing, with over 400 ski resorts to choose from. The majority of its top resorts are easy to get to, less than two hours from Salzburg or Innsbruck airports. So, if you're looking for a quick ski weekend, Austria is the place.
Most Austrian ski resorts open in December, although some higher resorts open in November depending on snow conditions. The end of the season is usually late March or April, with higher resorts staying open later.
Igls and Seefeld
These resorts offer swanky bars, relaxing spas, plenty of pistes for a weekend, and a speedy 30-minute drive from Innsbruck airport.
St Anton
St Anton is known for its challenging terrain and world-class après-ski scene. The resort attracts advanced skiers and snowboarders with its storied off-piste terrain and lift-accessible backcountry terrain. It is also easily reachable within an hour of landing in Innsbruck.
Kitzbühel
Kitzbühel is one of Austria's most exclusive resorts, with 233km of pistes and the world's longest ski circuit, the KitzSkiWelt Tour. 'Kitz' is particularly popular with luxury travellers and is sometimes called the 'Crown Jewel of the Alps'. However, there is a range of accommodation options available for all budgets.
Lech
Lech is a renowned village and resort connected to the greater Ski Arlberg region. It is where the rich and famous go, renowned for its luxurious boutique shopping and gourmet dining. Lech is in the heart of the Ski Arlberg region, allowing easy exploration of St Anton, Zürs, and Warth Schröcken. The village has a user-friendly layout and terrain, making it an excellent choice for families seeking a classy and luxurious ski vacation.
Obergurgl
Obergurgl is a non-glacier resort with one of the longest seasons in the Alps, from November to May. Its north-facing slopes mean that snow conditions stay optimal when it’s slushy elsewhere.
Solden
Solden enjoys an average of 4 days of snow per week, with pistes for all abilities winding down from 3,209m. Its two Tiefenbach and Rettenbach glaciers are often snowy enough to open for skiing as early as September.
Zell am See
Zell am See is a 4-star hotel that provides accommodation with a terrace and private parking. Guests can enjoy activities like hiking, skiing, and cycling, as well as access to an indoor pool, fitness centre, sauna, and hammam.
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The resorts with the longest seasons
When it comes to Austrian ski resorts with the longest seasons, there are several options to consider. The Hintertux glacier, located in Mayrhofen, offers year-round skiing and snowboarding, with altitudes reaching up to 3,250 meters. It provides a range of slopes for all skill levels and is a popular choice for both recreational skiers and professional athletes.
Another resort with an extended season is Obergurgl, which is open from November to May. With lifts going up to 3,082 meters, it offers one of the longest seasons in the Alps. Solden, with its Tiefenbach and Rettenbach glaciers, often opens for skiing as early as September, providing an average of 4 snow days per week.
Kaprun, with its Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, is another top choice for a long ski season. The glacier is usually open until the end of July and offers 18km of red and black runs, along with a snow park. The Kaunertal Glacier, with slopes up to 3,100 meters high, also offers a long season with 55km of slopes for all skill levels.
Lastly, Kitzbuhel is renowned for having one of the world's longest seasons, and St. Anton is known for its ski-hard-play-hard atmosphere, making them excellent choices for extended ski seasons in Austria.
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The top resorts for families
While the ski season in Austria generally runs from December to May, some resorts offer skiing all year round. The best ski resorts for families offer varied pistes, gentle slopes, ski schools, and leisure activities for children. Here are some of the top family-friendly ski resorts in Austria:
Niederau
Located in the Ski Juwel area, Niederau offers accessible slopes and great ski schools, some of which are geared towards beginners.
Mayrhofen
Mayrhofen has a great learning area at the top of the Penken gondola, and almost all of the resort is linked by blues. The Hintertux glacier in Mayrhofen has a medley of beginner-friendly blues, long reds, and challenging blacks, which can be open 365 days a year.
Bregenzerwald
The idyllic Bregenzerwald region is known as the 'Schneereich' (snow realm) and receives an average of 9.30 meters of snow each winter. Families can enjoy quiet villages covered in deep snow and cosy farmhouse parlours.
Katschberg-Aineck
The Katschberg-Aineck ski area connects Carinthia and SalzburgerLand, offering wide slopes and a variety of activities off the slopes.
Tyrol
The Tyrolean family ski regions offer perfectly groomed pistes, child-friendly ski schools, professional childcare, and numerous leisure activities away from the piste.
St. Anton
St. Anton has a large interlinked area, but it is not considered beginner-friendly. It is known for its ski-hard-play-hard atmosphere and can be easily accessed with a one-hour transfer from Innsbruck Airport.
Solden
Solden enjoys an average of four days of snow per week and has pistes for all abilities. Its two glaciers, Tiefenbach and Rettenbach, often have enough snow to open for skiing as early as September.
Obergurgl
Obergurgl is a non-glacier resort with one of the longest seasons in the Alps, running from November to May. Its north-facing slopes ensure optimal snow conditions.
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The best resorts for early snow
While most Austrian ski resorts open in late November at the earliest, some open as early as September. The key to the country's best early-season ski destinations is altitude and snow-making capabilities. As the easternmost of the main Alpine countries, Austria enjoys a more continental climate than its western neighbours, with colder winters and less humidity, which generally makes for easier snow-making and better snow preservation.
Hintertux
The Hintertux glacier offers skiing 365 days a year and is extensive, varied, and challenging. Hintertux also has a considerable amount of non-glacial terrain that opens up during November.
Obergurgl
Obergurgl is widely acknowledged to be the most snow-sure non-glacial ski resort in Austria, if not the Alps. It has a high altitude, sitting at 1930m and topping out at over 3000m. Its location close to the main Alpine ridge means it taps into both northerly and southerly (Mediterranean) tracking storms. It also sits in the centre of the Alps, where maritime influences are reduced and humidity is low, which is perfect for artificial snow-making.
Solden
Solden has two glaciers, Tiefenbach and Rettenbach, which are often snowy enough to open for skiing as early as September. The resort offers excellent snow preservation thanks to its high average skiing height and central Alpine location. Solden also has comprehensive artificial snow-making capabilities.
Obertauern
Obertauern has superb early-season snow records, allowing it to open towards the end of November. The resort has top-class snow-making facilities and a high altitude of 1,740m-2,313m, which makes for great snow at the beginning of the season.
Ischgl
Ischgl is a high-altitude resort set deep in the Alps, making it less vulnerable to the warming effects of the gulf stream than resorts closer to the northern foothills. Despite having lower average snowfall than some other Austrian resorts, it is more reliable for snow, particularly early in the season, as it is less prone to rain and sudden thaws.
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The resorts with the highest altitudes
While the opening dates of ski resorts in Austria vary, snow is generally reliable across the resorts between December and April. Some resorts, such as Solden, Obergurgl, and Hintertux, offer skiing opportunities even earlier in the year, with Solden's glaciers sometimes being open for skiing as early as September.
When it comes to altitude, the Pitztal Glacier (Pitztaler Gletscher) stands out as the highest ski resort in Austria and the Austrian Alps. With a peak elevation of 3,440 meters, it boasts the highest ski slope and ski lift in the country.
Another resort with impressive altitudes is Ischgl, located high in the Tyrolean Alps. The ski area extends well above 2,000 meters, reaching a maximum height of 2,812 meters at the Piz Val Gronda peak.
Kaprun is also worth mentioning, with pistes winding down from 3,209 meters, offering skiing opportunities for all skill levels.
Obergurgl, despite not having a glacier, is renowned for its high altitude of 1,930 meters and the quality of its snow, allowing for one of the longest seasons in the Alps, often running from November to May.
For those seeking a challenge, Lech and Zurs offer some of the steepest and snowiest descents, with top snow depths reaching around 7 meters in Lech and over 10 meters in Zurs.
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Frequently asked questions
Ski resorts in Austria usually open between December and May. However, some ski resorts, such as Solden, open as early as September.
Some ski resorts in Austria that are suitable for early snow include Hintertux, Obergurgl, and Obertauern. Hintertux and Obergurgl are known for their high altitudes, while Obertauern has a superb early season snow record.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Austria implemented various restrictions for accessing ski resorts. These included requiring proof of vaccination or recovery, wearing FFP2 masks in lifts and queues, and following country-wide restaurant curfews. It's best to check local government advice before travelling.
Niederau, in the Ski Juwel area, and Mayrhofen are known for being family-friendly. They offer accessible slopes and great ski schools for beginners.
