Lexi Webster
Austria is a winter wonderland, offering a wide range of activities for visitors during the winter months. From skiing and other snow sports to Christmas markets and classical concerts, there is something for everyone. The country transforms into a snowy playground, inviting guests to take part in activities such as snowshoeing, ice skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and winter hiking. With its stunning Alpine regions, Austria is a popular destination for skiers and non-skiers alike, offering both adventurous activities and relaxing experiences. So, whether you're seeking outdoor thrills or cultural enrichment, Austria has something to offer during the winter season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sports | Skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, snowshoeing, winter hiking, ice skating, ice bathing |
| Sightseeing | Christmas markets, Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Kitzbuhel Alps, Hohe Tauern National Park, historic buildings, castles, palaces, gothic churches |
| Entertainment | Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Tyrol Symphony Orchestra, Tyrol Winter Festival Erl, Krampus Run, balls, carnivals, processions |
| Relaxation | Spas, thermal baths, saunas, wellness centres |
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What You'll Learn
Skiing and other snow sports
Austria is home to the Alps and some of the best skiing in Europe, so it is no surprise that skiing is a popular winter activity in the country. Kitzbühel is one of the top ski resorts in Austria, with over 170 kilometres of slopes, 54 cable cars, and every level of skiing imaginable. The Kitzbuhel Alpen region is another one of the best places to ski in Austria, with over 1,000km of slopes and activity areas. Innsbruck, a town surrounded by snow-capped mountains, also becomes a winter wonderland in December.
However, skiing is not the only snow sport in Austria. Tobogganing is a popular activity for non-skiers, as well as snowshoeing, which can be done in Montafon, the Rauris Valley, and Tirol. Tirol is also a great place to go cross-country skiing. For those who want to stay active but are not interested in snow sports, there is winter hiking, which can be done in the Rauris Valley, the Pillersee Valley, and the Kitzbühel Alps.
If you are looking for indoor activities, Austria has plenty of spas, including the Felsentherme, Alpentherme Gastein, and Gasteiner Heilstollen in Bad Gastein, and the AQUA DOME Hotel and Tirol Therme Längenfeld in the Ötz Valley. There are also Christmas markets in Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, and Innsbruck, which usually run from mid-November to the end of December.
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Christmas markets
Austria is home to some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. From mid-November until the end of the year, the cities twinkle with lights, while the scent of mulled wine and roasted almonds fills the festively decorated streets.
Vienna, the capital, is a top Christmas destination in Austria, with over seven Christmas markets. The Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz is one of the largest markets in the city, with stalls selling crafts and food, as well as an ice-skating rink. The market at Belvedere Palace is another popular choice, with a whole Christmas village set up in the baroque setting, full of creative gift ideas and culinary delights. The traditional "Vienna Magic of Advent" turns the City Hall Square into a shining fairytale land, with Christmas gifts, tree decorations, sweets, warming drinks, and fun Christmas workshops for kids. The City Hall trees are festively decorated and radiate in a sea of lights. The Culture and Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace exudes imperial flair, with elegant crafts, nostalgic toys, and charming decorative items.
Outside of Vienna, Innsbruck is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and becomes a Christmas wonderland in December. The Christmas markets are one of the highlights, especially the main one at Old Town Market. They have a historic touch, selling handmade goodies, traditional Christmas ornaments, and winter treats. The Altstadt Christmas Market is considered one of the most beautiful and romantic locations in the entire Alpine region. The Innsbruck Marktplatz Market is a Yuletide paradise for children, with stalls inviting visitors to stroll, buy gifts, and enjoy hot drinks.
Salzburg is also known for its Christmas markets, including the Salzburger Christkindlmarkt, located next to the city's main cathedral and filled with twinkling lights and carolers. The Hellbrunn Advent Magic in Salzburg features a fairy-tale forest of 700 fir trees, adorned with 10,000 red baubles and fairy lights. Salzburg's Christkindl market started in the 1400s and is one of the oldest in the country. The Salzburg Mountain Advent in the Großarl Valley offers a rustic charm, with handcrafted nativity scenes displayed by torchlight and candlelight.
Other notable Christmas markets in Austria include the Glockenspielplatz Christmas Market in Graz, which offers themed days, and the St. Wolfgang Advent market, where you can experience regional traditions and authentic handicrafts, with a floating red Advent candle on Lake Wolfgang in view.
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Spas and wellness centres
Austria is a winter wonderland, offering a range of outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and wellness retreats. For those seeking relaxation, Austria's spas and wellness centres provide the perfect opportunity to unwind and rejuvenate. Here is a guide to help you navigate the best spas and wellness centres in Austria during the winter season:
Thermal Spas
Austria is renowned for its thermal spas, offering a unique blend of wellness and relaxation. These spas are typically located amidst stunning natural landscapes, providing an ideal setting for a tranquil escape. One such example is the Erlebnis-Therme in SalzburgerLand, which spans 30,000 square metres. It boasts an array of bathing and sauna experiences, along with eleven indoor and outdoor pools, including a sports and wave pool. The thermal water is enriched with brine, known for its therapeutic properties.
The thermal spa in Bad Ischl, nestled in the Salzkammergut region, is another popular destination. It is famed for its world of salt and brine, offering treatments in the "Relaxium" sauna and the "Alhambra" oriental world. The intricate design of the spa complex, reminiscent of a snail shell, adds to the allure.
Wellness and Relaxation
Wellness and relaxation take centre stage at spas across Austria. The Aufguss, located in magnificent architecture designed by Hundertwasser, offers a serene escape. It features saunas, a steam room, an ice bath, and ample space to unwind. The St. Martins Thermal Bath & Lodge, situated on the peninsula of a private bathing lake, provides a comprehensive wellness experience. It includes indoor and outdoor pools, spacious relaxation rooms, and sunbathing areas, ensuring a perfect winter getaway.
Spa Resorts
Austria also boasts an array of spa resorts that combine luxurious accommodations with wellness amenities. These resorts often provide access to swimming pools, saunas, and jacuzzis, enhancing your stay with indulgent experiences. The Hotel Park Hyatt, with its magnificent spa, stands out as a popular choice.
Yoga and Pilates
For those seeking a more active form of wellness, Austria offers yoga and pilates retreats. These retreats allow you to focus on your physical and mental wellbeing while surrounded by the serene beauty of the Austrian landscape.
Culinary Delights
Austria's spas often emphasise the importance of culinary experiences in their wellness offerings. Indulging in a glass of wine, savouring freshly caught fish, and partaking in unique culinary traditions are all part of the holistic spa journey.
In conclusion, Austria's spas and wellness centres present a diverse range of options to revitalise your mind, body, and spirit. From thermal baths to yoga retreats, each experience is crafted to provide a sanctuary from the everyday, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.
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Hiking and sightseeing
Austria is a stunning place to visit in the winter, with its snow-covered landscapes and mountains. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, including hiking and sightseeing.
Hiking
Winter hiking is a popular activity in Austria, with many trails and routes to explore. The Mieminger Plateau and the Inn Valley are ideal for relaxing winter hikes, with cleared paths that wind through snow-covered landscapes and fairy-tale-like forests. The Seefeld region in Tirol also offers a sophisticated network of winter hikes, with over 150 km of trails around the lake. The Ziller River and its side valleys also have about 400 km of winter hiking trails to discover.
The Vienna Alps in Lower Austria provide numerous hiking routes, with around 50 km of cleared walking trails leading through the Göstling Alps. The Waldviertel region also offers marked and cleared hiking routes in the winter when there is enough snow. For a challenging hike, climb up the 1,377-metre Tirolerkogel and enjoy the stunning views of the Schneeberg, Hochschwab, and Gesäuse Mountains from the summit hut.
Vorarlberg is another great option for winter walks, with well-marked paths ranging from easy to challenging that take you through remote villages and pristine winter scenery. Specially designed trails with places to warm up can be found in all regions, and cable cars can take you up the mountain for incredible views.
The Pillersee Valley in the Kitzbühel Alps is a great location for winter activities, with deep valleys, dense snowy forests, and cross-country ski trails. Here, you can hike to the world's largest accessible summit cross, the Jakobskreuz, and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountain scenery.
Rauris, located in Hohe Tauern National Park, is ideal for snowshoeing and winter hiking. The Rauris Valley offers a clearly marked snowshoe trail that takes you through ancient spruce and pine trees, with the winter sun sparkling on the snow. National Park rangers offer guided snowshoe hikes, including a special full moon tour.
Sightseeing
Austria offers plenty of sightseeing opportunities during the winter months, with its historic cities and towns. Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-visit, with its historic centre, Mozart's birthplace, and the Hohensalzburg Fortress. Following the footsteps of Maria von Trapp from "The Sound of Music" is another great way to explore Salzburg.
Innsbruck, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, is perfect for combining city comforts with outdoor adventures. Here, you can enjoy mountain peaks, snowshoe hikes, and tobogganing, all within easy reach of the city centre. The city also has a Christmas market in the Old Town that is a highlight during the winter months.
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a cultural hub with many attractions. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra holds special classical concerts during the holidays, including a famous New Year's Concert that sells out months in advance. The city also boasts Christmas markets, such as the Viennese Dream Christmas Market in front of City Hall and the Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace.
Graz, the provincial capital of Styria, is another great destination, with its UNESCO World Heritage Old Town and Castle Hill offering a fantastic vantage point. Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, is known for its lively arts and culture scene.
During the winter, you can also enjoy various indoor activities, such as visiting museums, partaking in spa treatments, and indulging in delicious food and drinks at restaurants and cafes.
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Classical concerts
Classical music is an integral part of Austrian culture, and the country is renowned for its high artistic standards. Classical concerts are a popular winter activity in Austria, with many events taking place across the country.
The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra is a must-see, and they hold special classical concerts during the holidays. Their famous New Year's Concert sells out months in advance, and it takes place in the beautiful Golden Hall in Musikverein. The Kursalon concert venue in Vienna also offers special holiday concerts on December 24th and New Year's Eve, as well as a gala event on December 25th. Mozarthaus, the house where Mozart lived and composed his most famous pieces, offers advent concerts in December.
If you're in Western Austria, the New Year's Day Concert by the Tyrol Symphony Orchestra is a popular event. The Tyrol Winter Festival Erl combines opera performances with Christmas specials. The world-famous Salzburg Festival also spans classical music, with performances of contemporary works, new music, and avant-garde experiments.
Austria's natural landscapes and picturesque towns provide a magical setting for classical concerts during the winter. The combination of music, art, and tradition in a snow-covered backdrop creates an unforgettable experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria has plenty of activities for non-skiers, including snowshoeing, ice skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides, tobogganing, winter hiking, ice bathing, and more. Snowshoeing trails can be found in the Rauris Valley, Pillersee Valley, and Tirol's Tannheimer Tal Valley. For those looking for a more relaxed day, there are horse carriage rides through the snowy landscapes and hot springs for a dip in the freezing cold.
Skiing is a very popular activity in Austria, with both mountain and cross-country skiing options available. Some of the top ski resorts in Austria include Kitzbühel, St. Anton, Lech-Zürs, and Sölden. For those looking for more of a challenge, there is also the option of off-piste skiing. Other winter sports activities include snowboarding, biathlon, and ski mountain climbing.
Austria holds almost 500 balls between November and April, with most of them taking place in Vienna in January and February. The Viennese Ball is a centuries-old tradition with a strict program of fancy dress, waltzing, fine dining, and celebrations. Vienna is also home to some of the best Christmas markets in Europe, including the Viennese Dream Christmas Market and the Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace. Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Graz also have popular Christmas markets. For wine lovers, there is a week-long wine festival in the Alberg Vineyard in Lech Zürs. There are also several winter music festivals, such as the Rave on Snow in Saalbach-Hinterglemm and the Rise&Fall sporting event in Mayerhofen.
Austria offers many unique experiences during the winter season. There are spectacular light installations at Swarovski Crystal Worlds, as well as thrilling activities like the Highline179 suspension bridge and the Hintertux Nature Ice Palace. The Aqua Dome in Längenfeld provides a unique wellness experience with its futuristic thermal pools and mystical light effects. Austria is also known for its Christmas concerts, including those by the Wilten Boys' Choir and the Tyrol Symphony Orchestra.
