Leslie Massey
Austria is a popular destination for skiers, with a wide range of ski resorts suitable for travellers of all abilities. It offers a mix of beginner slopes, black runs, and mountainside culture, all surrounded by marvellous winter landscapes. The book 'Where to Ski in Austria' by Chris Gill and Dave Watts is a detailed guide to Austria's top resorts. It covers 80 resorts, including the Ski Circus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrenn, one of Europe's finest, with 70 lifts and 270km of pistes. The book is well-structured, with clear and concise reviews, and includes a fold-out map of Austria and piste maps. It is a trusted resource for anyone planning a ski trip to Austria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Authors | Chris Gill and Dave Watts |
| Publisher | Where to Ski and Snowboard |
| Binding | Sewn |
| Maps | Fold-out map of Austria and piste maps |
| Coverage | Austria's top 80 resorts |
| Photos | Yes |
| Resort Details | Size, snow reliability, bars and restaurants |
| Resort Suitability | Families, party town, slopes access |
| Resort Write-up | Clear, concise, brutally honest |
| Resort Analysis | In-depth |
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What You'll Learn
Resort suitability for families, partygoers, and skiers of all abilities
Austria is known for its excellent ski resorts, offering a wide range of options for travellers. The country has a mix of beginner slopes, black runs, and mountainside culture, catering to fun-seeking families, partygoers, and skiers of all abilities.
For families, the Schmittenhohe peak in Zell am See-Kaprun is a great option. It boasts a dragon mascot, Schmidolin, who is often spotted on skis and adds a touch of whimsy to the Narnia-like setting. The resort also offers floodlit tobogganing until 10 pm and the reliable glacier at Kitzsteinhorn for spring skiing, ensuring family fun for all ages.
Partygoers will not be disappointed with the legendary après-ski scene in Austria. St. Anton, one of the largest ski resorts in the Arlberg region, is known for its lively après-ski offerings and advanced ski slopes. Saalbach, one of Austria's prettiest ski villages, also offers a vibrant atmosphere with its annual roster of events and the famous Electric Mountain Festival, where celebrations are accompanied by plenty of Red Bull and champagne.
Skiers of all abilities will find suitable terrain in Austria. The Ski Circus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrenn, one of Europe's finest resorts, boasts 70 lifts and 270km of pistes, catering to both beginners and experts. The SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser and Schladming-Dachstein are also worth considering, with their modern lifts and diverse slopes. Additionally, the Arlberg region, with 300km of pistes, and the Pitztal Glacier, with an altitude of 3,440 meters, offer challenges for advanced skiers.
When planning a ski trip to Austria, it is recommended to book early, especially if travelling during peak season, which runs from late December to early March. February is particularly busy, and popular resorts may reach full capacity.
To find the best resort for your specific needs and preferences, consider consulting guides such as "Where to Ski in Austria" by Chris Gill and Dave Watts. This book provides detailed and unbiased reviews of Austria's top resorts, including information on family suitability, party scenes, and slope access, ensuring you can make an informed decision for your winter getaway.
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Resort authenticity and apres-ski
Austria is known for its excellent ski resorts, and its mix of beginner slopes, black runs, and mountainside culture works for everyone—from fun-seeking families to hardcore off-pisters. The country offers a wide range of ski resorts for travellers, from some of the highest in the Alps to expertly maintained beginners' slopes set in historic mountain villages.
Austria's ski resorts are served by the world's best lift systems, and the country comes a close second to France in the UK ski holiday market. The book 'Where to Ski in Austria' by Chris Gill covers Austria's top 80 resorts in detail and is a great resource for anyone planning a family trip or a week of hopping from one cosy mountain hut to another. The book is clear, concise, and at times, brutally honest. It includes scores of photos and 30 mountain maps and is designed to be used, with sewn binding and cover flaps for convenient page marking.
The medieval Tyrolean town of Kitzbühel is one of Austria's most exclusive resorts, with 233km of pistes and the world's longest ski circuit, the KitzSkiWel. St. Anton is great for advanced skiers and is popular for its lively apres-ski scene. The Ski Circus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrenn is one of Europe's finest, with 70 lifts and 270km of pistes. Saalbach is also known for being one of Austria's prettiest ski villages, with its onion-dommed church surrounded by timber houses.
The Zillertal Arena brings comfort to the slopes with its new 8-seater Teufeltal chairlift and the Duxer X-Press 6-seater chairlift, both featuring heated seats and weather-protection covers. In February 2025, the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships will be held in Saalbach, and the 10th anniversary of Sölden's Electric Mountain Festival will be celebrated with plenty of drinks.
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Resort size, snow reliability, and nearby amenities
Resort size varies across Austria, with the largest ski resorts offering up to 300 kilometres of slopes. St. Anton/St. Christoph/Stuben/Lech/Zürs/Warth/Schröcken – Ski Arlberg, for example, offers 300 kilometres of pistes. The medieval Tyrolean town of Kitzbühel is one of Austria's most exclusive resorts, with 233 kilometres of pistes and the world's longest ski circuit, the KitzSkiWel. The Ski Circus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrenn is another large resort, with 70 lifts and 270 kilometres of pistes.
When it comes to snow reliability, Austria's ski resorts are generally well-regarded. The season usually runs from December to late March or April, with higher resorts sometimes opening in November and staying open later. The end of the season is typically dependent on snow conditions, and some resorts offer year-round skiing, such as Stubai and Kitzsteinhorn. The Pitztal Glacier is one of the highest ski resorts in Austria, extending up to an altitude of 3,440 meters.
As for nearby amenities, Austrian ski resorts offer a range of options, from self-catering accommodation to guest houses and five-star spa hotels. The resorts themselves often have a charming, authentic feel, with historic chocolate-box villages and well-maintained slopes. The apres-ski scene is also worth noting, with a mix of cosy mountain huts, bars, and restaurants. Saalbach, for example, is known for its pretty timber houses and onion-domed church. For a more exclusive experience, Kitzbühel offers a sophisticated atmosphere and the world's longest ski circuit.
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Resort accessibility and transport
Austria's ski resorts are known for their excellent accessibility and transport options, with efficient lift systems and a variety of ways to get to and from the resorts themselves.
Resort Accessibility
Austria's ski resorts are easily accessible from major cities in the country, such as Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz, and Klagenfurt, which have increased flight connections. Resorts are served by the world's best lift systems, with modern infrastructure and well-maintained slopes.
Transport Within Resorts
The resorts themselves offer a range of transport options for skiers, including ski lifts, cable cars, and ski buses. The Ski Circus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrenn, for example, boasts 70 lifts, while the Zillertal Arena has introduced an 8-seater chairlift and a 6-seater chairlift with heated seats and weather protection covers for added comfort.
The SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser and Schladming-Dachstein resorts have also invested in new, ultra-modern lifts, and the Brixental resort will soon be home to the world's most powerful detachable chairlift, the solar-powered Eibergbahn.
Transport to and from Resorts
When it comes to getting to and from the resorts, there are various options available. Many resorts offer ski passes, equipment rental, and transfer deals, and it is also possible to book package deals from the UK with providers such as Inghams and Crystal Ski.
For those looking to book their own transport, there is the option to hire a car and drive to the resorts, with many resorts offering parking facilities. Alternatively, some resorts can be accessed by train, providing a more sustainable travel option.
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Resort accommodation and package deals
Austria's ski resorts offer a wide range of accommodation options, from self-catering apartments to guest houses and luxurious five-star spa hotels. The standard of accommodation is generally high across the board.
If you're looking for a package deal, Inghams and Crystal Ski are two of the longest-running providers in the UK. Many hotels also offer their own deals on ski passes, equipment rental, and transfers, so it's worth checking with your hotel directly if you prefer to book things separately.
For those seeking a more sustainable ski holiday, there are plenty of options to choose from. You can book environmentally certified hotels, hire eco-friendly ski equipment, and opt for sustainable mobility options within the ski resorts.
When it comes to choosing a ski resort, Austria has something for everyone. The diverse range of resorts includes some of the highest in the Alps, as well as beginner-friendly slopes set in historic mountain villages. Traditional villages and high-altitude glacier skiing are also part of the Austrian ski experience.
To help you decide, the book 'Where to Ski in Austria' by Chris Gill provides detailed and impartial assessments of Austria's top 80 resorts. The book includes scores of photos, 30 mountain maps, and convenient page-marking features. It covers everything from the size and snow reliability of the resorts to the bars and restaurants available.
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Frequently asked questions
The "Where to Ski in Austria" book is written with the average British skier in mind and covers Austria's top 80 resorts in detail. It includes scores of photos, 30 mountain maps, and is designed to be used with sewn binding and cover flaps for convenient page marking. The reviews are clear, concise, and brutally honest.
The reviews cover everything from the size and snow reliability of the resorts to the bars and restaurants. They also give detailed descriptions of each resort and what it is like to stay there, including whether it is a party town or suitable for families.
The book is ideal for anyone planning a family trip or a week of travelling from cosy mountain hut to cosy mountain hut.
