Damon Mcknight
Austria is home to some of the world's largest ski resorts, with stunning Alpine views, excellent slopes, modern cable cars, and charming mountain huts. The Arlberg region in Vorarlberg tops the list with 300 kilometres of slopes, making it one of the five largest ski areas in the world. Other big ski resorts in Austria include SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Ischgl, Sölden, and Kitzbühel. These resorts offer a wide range of pistes for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced skiers, as well as a vibrant après-ski scene and breathtaking panoramic views.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ski resorts with the largest areas | Arlberg, SkiWelt, Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Ischgl, Kitzbühel, Sölden, SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, Schladming-Dachstein |
| Number of ski resorts in Austria | 439 |
| Number of villages in Arlberg | 5 |
| Number of lifts in Arlberg | 87-89 |
| Length of pistes in Arlberg | 300-305km |
| Altitude of Arlberg | 2,811m |
| Altitude of Ischgl | 2,300-3,000m |
| Length of pistes in Saalbach-Hinterglemm | 270km |
| Length of pistes in SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental | 244km |
| Length of pistes in Kitzbühel | 179km |
| Length of pistes in Schladming-Dachstein | 230km |
| Altitude of Sölden | 3,340m |
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What You'll Learn
The Arlberg region in Vorarlberg
The area is renowned for its long winter sports tradition, with the Arlberg ski club founded in 1901 and the first club competition held two years later. The first general Arlberg race took place in 1904, and the famous Arlberg Kandahar races commenced in 1928. The ski school Arlberg, the first ski school in the region, was established in 1921 under the leadership of Hannes Schneider. In 1937, the first ski lifts were built in St. Anton and Zürs by Konrad Doppelmayr and Sepp Bildstein.
The Arlberg region boasts 305km of downhill skiing, with a range of varied runs to cater to skiers of all levels. The ski area is covered by a single lift pass, and a state-of-the-art lift system allows for easy navigation. The Ski Arlberg area includes the villages of Lech, Oberlech, Zürs, and Zug, which were linked to Warth and Schröcken in 2013-2014. The area features 15 aerial tramways, 45 chairlifts, and 28 drag lifts. The White Ring, the world's longest ski circuit at 22km, is located within the Ski Arlberg area.
The Arlberg region is not just limited to skiing, offering a range of other outdoor activities. The dense forests, alpine meadows, and crystal-clear mountain lakes provide the perfect setting for hiking, golfing, mountain biking, and other outdoor pursuits. The region is also known for its charming mountain villages and Alpine pastures, offering relaxation and activities such as snowboarding and mountaineering.
Vorarlberg is easily accessible by rail, with the Vorarlberg railway line's southern terminus at Bludenz, where it connects with the Arlberg Railway to Tyrol. The region also has a well-developed road network, including the 14-kilometre-long Arlberg Road Tunnel between Langen and St. Anton, which opened in 1978.
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Saalbach-Hinterglemm
The town of Saalbach-Hinterglemm has a lively atmosphere, with Hinterglemm being known as the party town, while Leogang and Fieberbrunn are more suitable for families. The resort hosted the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 1991 and has also been the venue for the British University Snowsports Championships and the British Royal Air Force Championships on several occasions.
The ski area offers a wide range of usually wide-open runs, with mountain restaurants covering the slopes. The lift system generally works well, with very little queuing, although there are a few places where skiers need to be mindful of their approach to avoid a long walk to the next lift. The resort features 6- and 8-man chairlifts with heated seats and retractable covers for bad weather.
The SkiCircus challenge is a 72km circuit that links the five villages of the ski area. The addition of the Zell am See gondola connection to Zell am See and Kaprun means skiers can access a total of 408km of slopes, making it the biggest ski area in Austria. However, the route back from Zell am See involves a short bus ride, so it misses out on the title of the biggest ski resort.
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Ischgl in Tirol
In addition to its impressive ski infrastructure, Ischgl boasts a lively atmosphere with a variety of entertainment options. From the Schatzi Ice Bar to the Pacha nightclub, there is something for everyone when it comes to apres-ski activities. The resort also hosts several well-known ski festivals, such as Rock The Mountains and Top Of The Mountain, which take place at an altitude of 2,300 meters.
The village itself is picturesque, offering a blend of traditional and trendy alpine lifestyles. Visitors can expect to find a wealth of experiences, including cultural activities, fun diversions, and delectable culinary delights. The Hotel Tirol, a family-run four-star accommodation, is a popular choice for travelers, known for its proximity to great restaurants and attractions, as well as its family-friendly environment.
Ischgl truly comes alive during the winter, with sparkling glitter snow and an enjoyable atmosphere. The resort provides a range of accommodations to suit different tastes and budgets, from cozy suites to luxurious spa experiences. Visitors can take advantage of ski passes included in room rates, making for an attractive and convenient holiday option. Whether you're a skier, snowboarder, or just looking to enjoy the winter wonderland, Ischgl in Tirol has something for everyone.
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St. Anton
The ski area is covered by one lift pass and the state-of-the-art lift system makes it easy to get around. The area includes 85 lifts and cable cars, more than 300km of slopes, and 200km of open terrain. The Galzig, Rendl, and Nasserein cable cars, including their restroom facilities, are wheelchair accessible. The Galzig Restaurant, Verwallstube, Bella Vita, and Rendl Restaurant are also wheelchair accessible.
In addition to its winter sports offerings, St. Anton am Arlberg and the neighbouring villages of Pettneu am Arlberg, Schnann, Flirsch, and Strengen are unique and stunning recreation destinations for the whole family, with beautiful summers.
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SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental
The resort offers 275 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes with a unique panoramic view of over 70 3,000-metre peaks, including the Großglockner. Skiers of all levels can enjoy 81 modern lifts, 3 fun parks, adventure slopes, 3 floodlit toboggan runs, and Austria's largest night skiing area. The 80 huts and mountain restaurants are family-run and offer sun terraces and traditional Tyrolean cuisine.
The SkiWelt area also includes nine idyllic villages, including Brixen im Thale, Ellmau, Going, Hopfgarten, Itter, Kelchsau, Scheffau, Söll, and Westendorf, which serve as direct entry points to the ski resort. A free ski bus to SkiWelt runs daily from the nearby town of Kufstein, which is just 20 kilometres away.
In addition to skiing, SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental offers a variety of summer activities. The Wilder Kaiser-Brixental summer lifts provide access to the mountains, where visitors can enjoy nature and explore seven mountain theme parks: RiesenWelt Brixen im Thale, Ellmi's Zauberwelt Ellmau, Astberg Pony Alm Going, Hohe Salve Hopfgarten Söll, KaiserWelt Scheffau, Hexenwasser Söll Hohe Salve, and Alpinolino Westendorf. The Bergbahn Erlebnis Sommercard, a summer season ticket, offers unlimited use of up to 14 mountain lifts and seven BergErlebnisWelten from May to November.
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Frequently asked questions
The Arlberg region in Vorarlberg is the biggest ski resort in Austria, with 305km of pistes. It is also one of the five largest ski resorts in the world.
The Arlberg region is known for its altitude, which reaches 2,811m, making it one of Austria's most snow-sure ski resorts. It is also known for its challenging runs and incredible off-piste skiing.
Some of the other large ski resorts in Austria include SkiWelt in the Tyrol region, Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Ischgl, Sölden, and SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental.
