Damon Mcknight
Austria is known for its excellent ski resorts, and February is peak time. Families from around the world head to Austrian ski resorts during this time, and despite it being busy, ski conditions are still brilliant, and the atmosphere will be fun and lively. If you're looking for a quiet slope experience, February might not be the best time to go, but if you want to enjoy the fun and festivities, there are plenty of options. The SkiWelt ski area is the second largest in Austria and takes pride in its family-friendly set-up. With excellent lift networks, you won't have to worry about long queues, and with 284km of slopes to explore, there's something for everyone.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time to ski in Austria | February is peak time, with brilliant ski conditions and a fun, lively atmosphere. |
| Best resorts for families | The SkiWelt ski area is the second largest in Austria and is family-friendly. It has excellent lift networks and great links between Söll, Ellmau, and Westendorf. Each village has its own charm and excellent accommodation options. |
| Best resorts for large groups | Austria has many large contiguous ski areas, including Ischgl, Sölden, Saalbach-Hinterglemm, and St. Anton am Arlberg. |
| Best resorts for early season skiing | Hintertux, Obergurgl, Sölden, and Mölltal are among the best for early season skiing, with reliable snow conditions. |
| Best resorts for late-season skiing | Mayrhofen is ideal for March skiing due to its high-altitude slopes. |
| Other advantages | Well-maintained slopes, sustainable cable cars, modern infrastructure, and excellent ski schools. |
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What You'll Learn
Top ski resorts in Austria
Austria is a great destination for skiing, with 435 ski resorts to choose from. February is peak time, and ski conditions are brilliant, with a fun and lively atmosphere.
One of the best-known resorts is St. Anton, which has something for everyone, from easy to difficult slopes. It is also the spiritual home of après ski, with world-famous venues like the Mooservirt. However, accommodation can be expensive. Other mega-resorts with big reputations include KitzSki – Kitzbühel/Kirchberg, which has the highest rating in Austria, and SkiWelt, the second-largest ski area in the country, which is great for families with its excellent lift network.
For those looking for something a little different, there are plenty of smaller resorts with something special to offer. Damüls, for example, is a pretty village sitting at just 1,400m above sea level, but it is one of the snowiest places in the Alps, with an average of 9.39m of snow each winter. Mayrhofen is another good choice, with high-altitude slopes of up to 3,250m, and access to 204km of slopes with a full lift pass.
Zell am See-Kaprun is another hidden gem, and Obertauern, Ischgl, and Sölden are also recommended.
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Best ski resorts for families
Skiing in Austria in February is peak time, with families from around the world heading to the Austrian ski resorts during this time. Despite it being busy, ski conditions are still brilliant, and the atmosphere is fun and lively.
The SkiWelt ski area is the second-largest in Austria and takes pride in its family-friendly set-up. With a full lift pass, you can explore 284km of slopes with great links between Söll, Ellmau, and Westendorf. Each village has its own charm and excellent accommodation options.
The Katschberg-Aineck ski area, which connects Carinthia and SalzburgerLand, offers wide slopes and a variety of activities off the slopes.
For families looking for smaller, quieter ski areas, the Bregenzerwald region, known as the 'Schneereich' or 'snow realm', receives an average of 9.30 meters of snow each winter.
Obertauern and Khutai are also recommended for families, with ski-in-and-out resorts, although these may be a bit isolated from town centers.
Lech, part of the expensive, world-famous Ski Circus resorts, is also recommended for families. The Ski Circus includes Saalbach/Hinterglemm/Leogang and Fieberbrunn, all linked and accessible with one lift ticket.
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Best ski resorts for beginners
Skiing in Austria in February is peak time, with families from around the world heading to the Austrian ski resorts. Despite it being busy, ski conditions are still brilliant, and the atmosphere is fun and lively.
Alpbach
Located in the SkiJuwel ski area, Alpbach is a charming ski resort with a lot of easy terrain and dedicated learning areas. There are 29km of blue runs to cruise down, and the resort isn't too big, so you won't get lost on a trickier run. The village and slopes offer spectacular views, and there is a good choice of ski schools with excellent instructors.
Ellmau
Part of the SkiWelt ski area, Ellmau is perfect for first-time skiers with 122km of blue runs and fantastic beginner area facilities. The village is relaxed with plenty of bars and restaurants, and there is an excellent choice of ski schools. With a full SkiWelt ski pass, you can access 284km of pistes as you progress.
Kaprun
Kaprun is a quiet mountain village considered one of the best ski resorts for beginners in Austria. The slopes are suited to beginners and easy to access, with 57km of blue runs. There are over 30 venues to eat at and plenty of bars too.
Lech
Lech has something for all abilities, but it makes the list for beginners because of the dedicated nursery slopes and excellent piste prep. After the nursery area, you can explore 133km of easy rolling blue runs. There are incredible luxury accommodation options, and the mountain views are breathtaking.
Mayrhofen
Mayrhofen has 60km of blue runs and dedicated learning areas, making it one of the best resorts for beginners. Beginners can head to Pepis Kinderland on the Penken summit and the Ubungsland Penken at the top of the Penkenbahn. The resort is in the Zillertal ski area and has beautiful mountain views. The village has kept a traditional alpine charm, with lively après bars and relaxing places to eat and drink.
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Best ski resorts for snow quality
Skiing in Austria in February is peak time, with families from around the world heading to the slopes. Despite the busy period, ski conditions remain brilliant, and the atmosphere is fun and lively.
If you're looking for the best snow quality, there are a few resorts that stand out. Firstly, the Arlberg is Austria's biggest ski area and one of its most snow-sure resorts, with an altitude of 2,811m. The area includes the resorts of St. Anton, Lech, St Christoph and Zürs, with a wealth of varied runs to suit every skier.
Another great option for snow quality is Ischgl, with high-altitude slopes reaching up to 2,900m. Ischgl has a long ski season and a variety of pistes for all standards of skiers. It's also known for its lively atmosphere and exciting nightlife, with the infamous Hotel Elizabeth offering a traditional Austrian après ski experience.
If you're looking for a quieter and more traditional resort, Damüls could be a good choice. Located in the foothills of the Arlberg group of the Alps, it offers 80km of pistes with something for all ability levels.
For those who want to ski in the footsteps of the Beatles, Obertauern is a great option. Known as Austria's 'snowiest' ski resort, it has over 100km of pistes and caters to both families and party-goers.
Lastly, the SkiWelt area in the Tyrol region is a fantastic choice for families and intermediates, with 284km of pistes to explore. The connected resorts of Ellmau, Söll and Westendorf offer a variety of wide, gentle pistes, while Söll is known for its lively après ski scene and great night skiing opportunities.
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Best ski resorts for quiet slopes
February is peak season for skiing in Austria, with both locals and tourists taking to the slopes. While the ski conditions are brilliant, the slopes can get busy. However, there are still some quieter resorts to be found.
One such resort is Seefeld, which offers relaxed, uncrowded skiing with 27km of slopes. The town centre is traffic-free, and there's a mix of rustic mountain architecture and modern facilities. Seefeld also has a great selection of restaurants and bars.
For stunning mountain views, Obertauern is a good choice. With 100km of slopes suited to beginners and intermediates, it caters to families and has fantastic off-piste terrain. The village is a traditional Austrian mountain town, with ski-in ski-out accommodation.
If you're looking for a high-altitude option, Kühtai, located between the Ötztal and Stubai mountain ranges, offers great snowfall and low temperatures. There are 46km of pistes, suited mainly to intermediates, and plenty of off-piste terrain. The village has a good selection of hotels, apartments, restaurants and bars.
The Kaunertal valley is home to two quiet ski resorts: the Kaunertal Glacier, with 20km of mainly blue pistes and beautiful off-piste routes, and Winterberg Fendels, with 10km of pistes ideal for families with young children.
For a small but varied area, Goldeck, in sunny southern Carinthia, has over 25km of pistes, attracting families and free-riders.
And finally, Brandnertal, a beautiful valley in Vorarlberg, offers tranquillity and over 50km of slopes.
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Frequently asked questions
Skiing in Austria in February is peak time, with families from around the world heading to Austrian ski resorts. Despite it being busy, ski conditions are still brilliant and the atmosphere will be fun and lively. The SkiWelt ski area is the second largest in Austria and takes pride in its family-friendly set-up. If you buy a full lift pass, there are 284km of slopes to explore with great links between Söll, Ellmau and Westendorf. Each village has its own charm and excellent accommodation options.
Austria has many large ski resorts. The SkiWelt ski area is the second-largest in Austria. Ischgl, Sölden, and Saalbach-Hinterglemm are also large resorts with reliable snow conditions.
The SkiWelt ski area is family-friendly with great links between Söll, Ellmau, and Westendorf. Austria's family ski resorts offer a charming experience with snow-covered mountain panoramas and historic villages.
Beginners are in excellent hands in Austria's ski resorts. The SkiWelt ski area is a good option for beginners with its excellent lift network and family-friendly setup.
