Damon Mcknight
Austria is a winter wonderland, with its cities and towns blanketed in snow and its ski resorts offering some of the world's most advanced ski lifts. The country's capital, Vienna, is a must-visit, with its Christmas markets, ice rinks, and impressive historical landmarks. Beyond Vienna, there's Innsbruck, with its picturesque Old Town and medieval Gothic architecture, and Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, with its impressive Salzburg Cathedral. Skiers and snowboarders will love the Salzburger Sportwelt, with its 155 miles of skiing, and St. Anton, in Tyrol, known for its serious skiing and partying. For a more relaxed ski experience, visit in spring, when temperatures are warmer, and enjoy the spring festivals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Capital city | Vienna |
| Cities | Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, Linz, Klagenfurt, Hallstatt |
| Christmas markets | Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Hallstatt |
| Christmas carols | Oberndorf bei Salzburg |
| UNESCO World Heritage Sites | Schönbrunn Palace, Graz Old Town |
| Palaces | Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace, Mirabell Palace |
| Zoos | Schönbrunn Zoo |
| Skiing | St. Anton, Ski Arlberg, Ski Amadé, Stubai Glacier, SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, Zell am See-Kaprun, Sölden, Obergurgl-Hochgurgl |
| Ski shuttle services | Available from nearby train stations or airports |
| Ski lifts | High-tech lifts in Stuben |
| Ski slopes | 155 miles in Salzburger Sportwelt, 500 miles in Ski Amadé, 200 miles in Stubai Glacier, 145 miles in KitzSki, 170 miles in SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, 180 miles in Ski Arlberg, 120 miles of off-piste trails in Ski Arlberg |
| Ski resorts | 7 resorts in Salzburger Sportwelt, 13 resorts in Stubai Glacier, 14 resorts in Ski Arlberg |
| Food | Gröstl, goulash, apple strudel, kaiserschmarren, schnitzel, potato salad |
| Drinks | Glühwein, locally brewed beer, schnapps |
| Music | Mozart concerto in Salzburg, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Year’s Concert, Mozart dinner concert in Salzburg, Mozart Festival in January |
| Transport | Buses, rental cars, ski shuttles, taxis, trains |
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What You'll Learn
- Vienna: the capital city is known for its Christmas markets and festive atmosphere
- Innsbruck: a picturesque city with a ski pass covering 13 resorts
- Salzburg: Mozart's birthplace, with a lively arts and culture scene
- St Anton: a resort in Tyrol, known for its serious skiing and partying
- Zell am See-Kaprun: a lakeside spa town with impressive views and winter sports
Vienna: the capital city is known for its Christmas markets and festive atmosphere
Vienna, Austria's capital city, is a beautiful destination to visit in the winter. The city is known for its Christmas markets and festive atmosphere. The Christmas markets in Vienna are a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, when in 1296 Albrecht I granted the citizens the right to hold a December Market or "Krippenmarkt".
Today, there are over 20 official Advent markets across the city, with the main markets in central locations such as Rathausplatz Square and Stephansplatz. The markets offer a wide range of seasonal gifts, crafts, decorations, and delicious treats, including traditional Christmas baking, hot punch, and toasted almonds. The aroma of these festive treats fills the air, along with the scent of mulled wine (Glühwein) and the sound of Christmas music. The markets are dominated by natural materials such as wood, straw, glass, and fabric, adding to the magical, fairy-tale atmosphere.
One of the most popular markets is the Viennese Dream Christmas Market in front of the City Hall, with its tall arched gateway and romantic lighting. The Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz is another highlight, with over 70 booths offering traditional handicrafts and gifts, set against the backdrop of two renowned museums. The Christmas Market on Campus is a great option for families, with a children's railway, an old-fashioned carousel, and curling lanes.
For a more unique experience, the Christmas Market at Spittelberg, a revitalized heritage district, offers objets d'art, ceramics, jewellery, and warm jumpers. The Christmas Market on Stephansplatz provides a tranquil atmosphere with around 40 booths at the foot of the iconic Stephansdom cathedral. The Art Advent on Karlsplatz features arts and crafts, along with organic food options, while the Christmas Village Belvedere Palace combines fine arts and crafts with a stunning baroque setting.
In addition to the Christmas markets, Vienna has much more to offer during the winter. The 18th-century Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-see, with its beautiful gardens and nearby zoo. The Hofburg Palace, former imperial residence of the Habsburg dynasty, is now home to several museums. With its stunning architecture, festive lights, and abundance of cultural experiences, Vienna is a magical winter destination.
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Innsbruck: a picturesque city with a ski pass covering 13 resorts
Innsbruck is a picturesque city beneath the Austrian Alps, making it one of the most picturesque places in Europe. The city offers a unique combination of city comforts and outdoor adventures. Within an hour of leaving the city centre, you can stand on a mountain peak, go snowshoe hiking, or ride a toboggan. The city's Old Town, with its incredible medieval Gothic architecture and maze of narrow streets, transforms into a fairytale setting under the snow.
Innsbruck is also home to the Olympia Ski World, a ski area with nine resorts easily accessible from the city via a free ski bus. The Ski Plus City Pass covers 13 resorts, including the Stubai glacier, offering over 200 miles of pistes and routes. The resorts are suitable for everyone, from experienced skiers and snowboarders to beginners.
Innsbruck also has a vibrant cultural scene. The Altstadt Christmas market, set in the heart of the Old Town, is a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike. Here, you can enjoy hot mulled wine, browse stalls selling ornaments, candles, pastries, and local handicraft products. The city also offers a range of culinary delights, including locally brewed beer, schnapps, and traditional dishes such as potato-and-meat fry-up gröstl, bowls of goulash, apple strudel, and kaiserschmarren (shredded pancakes).
Innsbruck is a great starting point for exploring the rest of Austria. From here, you can easily travel to other popular destinations such as Salzburg, Hallstatt, and Vienna.
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Salzburg: Mozart's birthplace, with a lively arts and culture scene
Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace, is a charming city nestled against the stunning backdrop of the Alps. The city's historic centre, also known as Salzburg Altstadt, is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. It boasts breathtaking Baroque architecture, cobblestone streets, cathedrals, domes, and open areas. The Altstadt is particularly enchanting during the winter months, with snow-covered roofs, magical Christmas markets, and the delightful aroma of Gluhwein (mulled wine).
Salzburg's rich cultural scene is highlighted by its association with Mozart, and the city proudly celebrates its musical heritage. Two houses where Mozart lived have been transformed into museums, and Mozart concerts are regularly held across the city. Salzburg is also renowned for its coffeehouse culture, including Café Tomaselli, one of Mozart's favourite coffeehouses, located in the heart of the Old Town.
The city offers a plethora of artistic and cultural experiences throughout the year. The Sommerszene Salzburg festival, held in June, showcases contemporary performance art, theatre, dance, music, film, and visual arts. It has evolved into an internationally acclaimed festival, unique within Austria. Szene Salzburg, another platform for contemporary stage performance and music, has become an international producer, offering residencies for artists from Austria and abroad.
For film enthusiasts, Salzburg is a must-visit destination as it served as a backdrop for numerous scenes in the classic movie ""The Sound of Music." Visitors can embark on tours that take them to iconic locations from the film, such as Hellbrunn Palace, Mirabell Gardens, and St. Michael's Basilica.
In addition to its cultural offerings, Salzburg provides easy access to ski resorts. The Salzburger Sportwelt connects seven resorts and offers 155 miles of skiing. It is also part of Ski Amadé, a vast network of slopes and lifts that includes standout areas like Hochkönig. Many of these resorts are within day-trip distance from Salzburg, making it convenient for visitors to combine skiing with the city's cultural attractions.
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St Anton: a resort in Tyrol, known for its serious skiing and partying
St Anton, a village and ski resort in the Austrian state of Tyrol, is revered for its serious skiing and partying. It is part of Ski Arlberg, Austria's largest connected ski resort, which includes St Christoph, Stuben, Zürs, Warth, Schröcken and Lech. Lech was once popular with members of the British royal family. St Anton itself has more than 180 miles of pistes and 120 miles of off-piste trails, with slopes to suit all levels. It is also famed for its après-ski entertainment, with slope-side bars on the Steissbachtal trail.
The resort is easily reached by car on the A14 motorway, which runs from Vorarlberg in the west of Austria. It can also be accessed by train, with a station in the village centre. St Anton is serviced by high-speed trains from all over Europe. The village is small enough to navigate on foot, with ski lifts and the pedestrianised main street just a few steps from the station.
St Anton has a long history of skiing. Ski instructors from the area helped to popularise the sport in the US in the 1930s. It was the host of the Alpine World Ski Championships in 2001 and is frequently listed as one of the world's top skiing resorts.
The village has accommodation options for all tastes and budgets, from cosy chalet hotels to stylish, modern establishments. There are also plenty of restaurants serving hearty mountain fare, including potato-and-meat fry-up gröstl, bowls of goulash, apple strudel and kaiserschmarren (shredded pancakes).
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Zell am See-Kaprun: a lakeside spa town with impressive views and winter sports
Nestled in the mountain landscape at the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, Zell am See-Kaprun is a lakeside spa town in SalzburgerLand, south of Salzburg. It is known for its wondrous views, winter sports, and impressive ski resorts.
The town promises a true mountain village experience, with the iconic Kaprun Castle and the "Top of Salzburg" at 9,937 ft offering spectacular views. The "Kaiserblick" viewing platform, at nearly 6,561.68 ft, provides another opportunity to take in the surrounding glacier, mountains, and lake.
Zell am See-Kaprun is the only glacier ski resort in the region, with one of the longest winter seasons in the Alps. Skiing is guaranteed as early as October, and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier attracts winter sports enthusiasts with its excellent piste conditions. The region offers 250 miles of pistes for skiers of all abilities, with slopes in Kitzsteinhorn, Schmittenhöhe, Skicircus Saalbach, Hinterglemm, Leogang, and Fieberbrunn. The 7.5-mile lift network is the longest, fastest, and highest in the Eastern Alps, providing easy access to the slopes.
In addition to skiing, the region offers a variety of winter sports and activities. There are five snow parks on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier and one on the Schmittenhöhe, catering to all skill levels. For the daring, there is a 492-foot superpipe on the Kitzsteinhorn, frequented by top international athletes. Cross-country skiing is also popular, with diverse tracks for beginners and advanced skiers. The Ronachkopf mountain is dedicated to ski touring and winter hiking, offering a challenging descent for those willing to work for it. Tobogganing is another fun option, with runs like the all-season Maisi Flitzer on the Maiskogel and illuminated night tobogganing trails.
The town also hosts weekly activities and events, such as icy yoga sessions, snowshoe hikes with experienced mountain guides, Christmas markets, and a nostalgic ski race on historic skis. Visitors can explore the historic old town of Zell am See, stroll along the lakeside, and enjoy the culinary delights of the region, ranging from cosy inns to top-tier restaurants.
With its impressive views, winter sports, and charming town, Zell am See-Kaprun is an ideal destination for a winter getaway in Austria.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ski resorts in Austria, including St. Anton, Ski Amadé, Ski Arlberg, Kitzbühel, and SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental.
You can visit the Christmas markets in Vienna, Innsbruck, and Salzburg, go ice skating, or take a toboggan ride. You can also visit the Silent Night village of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, explore the Old Towns of Graz and Innsbruck, or visit the Salzburg Cathedral.
It is recommended to dress in layers, book accommodations in advance, be aware of holiday closures, and respect the environment. If you plan on visiting multiple museums and attractions, consider purchasing a sightseeing pass for Innsbruck, Salzburg, or Vienna.
