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Austria is a country dominated by the Alps, so it's no surprise that it offers many opportunities for alpine skiing. The provinces of Vorarlberg, Tyrol and Salzburg offer one or more ski resorts in almost every Alpine valley, with numerous lifts and cable cars. The largest ski resorts offer up to 300 kilometres of slopes, and the highest ski resorts extend up to an altitude of 3,440 metres. With so many options, which Austrian ski resort should you choose?
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What You'll Learn
KitzSki – Kitzbühel/Kirchberg
The resort is known for the notorious Hahnenkamm Downhill course, which is a challenge for advanced skiers. It also offers an extensive range of blue and red slopes for intermediate skiers, while experts can explore over 200 square kilometres of off-piste terrain with a guide. The medieval town of Kitzbühel has been voted the most beautiful ski town in Europe, with a charming pedestrianised town centre enclosed within the old city walls. The town features quaint mountain huts and restaurants serving local classics and international dishes, along with designer boutiques.
KitzSki also offers excellent summer experiences with its Bergbahn Kitzbühel cable cars, which transport visitors up to the mountains. The cable cars are accessible to wheelchair users, allowing everyone to enjoy the stunning panoramic views. The hiking and biking trails showcase an abundance of Alpine flowers and herbs, and the lakes on the Alpine pastures offer a tranquil setting to take in the scenery.
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St. Anton, Lech, St Christoph and Zürs
St. Anton is a well-known ski resort with an extensive ski area, famed for its off-piste and steep terrain. It is served by 85 lifts and cable cars, including the Galzig, Rendl, and Nasserein cable cars, which offer wheelchair-accessible facilities.
Lech and Zürs, often referred to together as Lech Zürs am Arlberg, offer perfectly groomed slopes and breathtaking scenic beauty. The area is renowned for its challenging ski routes, such as the famous "Langer Zug" ski run, which is one of the steepest groomed ski runs in the world. Lech and Zürs also feature well-groomed blue slopes, ideal for beginners to learn in a relaxed atmosphere.
St Christoph, the smaller neighbour of St Anton, offers quick access to the heart of the St Anton ski area through a fast quad lift. It has a gentle slope, making it a more relaxed option for skiers. St Christoph is known for its high-end facilities, including smart hotels, world-class restaurants, and old-school Austrian luxury.
The Arlberg region as a whole boasts an impressive range of slopes and ski routes, modern cable cars and lifts, and incredible panoramic views. It is a top choice for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, offering the perfect combination of snow, nature, and sporting challenges.
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SkiWelt, Tyrol
SkiWelt, located in the Tyrol region near the German border, is the second-biggest ski resort in Austria. It is easily accessible, just an hour away from Munich, Salzburg, and Innsbruck by car, bus, train, or plane. The free GästeCard, a ticket for public transport, is available from your host to get around once you arrive.
The SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental is one of the largest and most modern ski areas in the world. It offers 275 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes and 20 valley runs. Skiers can also expect 81 modern lifts, panoramic views of over 70 3,000-metre peaks, 3 fun parks, adventure slopes, 3 floodlit toboggan runs, and Austria's largest night skiing area. The 80 huts are family-run and offer sun terraces and service.
The SkiWelt connects several picturesque ski resorts, including Ellmau, Söll, and Westendorf. It offers 284 kilometres of pistes with dedicated areas for beginners and children, and snow parks for freestylers. SkiWelt is a great destination for families and intermediates, with a variety of wide, gentle pistes. The Austrian ski resorts of Ellmau and Westendorf are attractive and laid-back options, perfect for families. Those looking for something livelier should head to Söll, which has a fun après scene and great night skiing opportunities.
The idyllic SkiWelt villages offer cosy accommodation in all categories. Brixen im Thale, Ellmau, Going, Hopfgarten, Itter, Kelchsau, Scheffau, Söll, and Westendorf are all direct entry points into the resort. A free ski bus to SkiWelt runs every day from the picturesque little town of Kufstein, just 20 kilometres away.
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Ischgl
The Silvretta Arena ski resort in Ischgl is a cross-border ski area that encompasses the Swiss village of Samnaun in Grisons. It offers 239km of slopes, including ski runs up to 11 kilometres long, as well as special slopes and snow parks. The Smuggler's Trail is one of the biggest highlights, allowing skiers and snowboarders to explore the border area between Austria and Switzerland and learn about the history of smuggling in the region.
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Glacier ski resorts
Austria is home to several glacier ski resorts, offering snow-sure skiing and snowboarding at over 3,000 metres above sea level. The ski season in these glacier resorts usually lasts from October to May, with some resorts even offering skiing in September or June. The five Tyrolean glaciers—Kaunertal, Pitztal, Sölden, Stubai, and Hintertux—are among the most popular glacier ski destinations in Austria.
Kaunertal Glacier
The Kaunertal Glacier is located in the Tyrol region of Austria. It offers snow-reliable skiing from autumn to late spring, with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The ski area is known for its modern infrastructure, including cable cars and lifts, and provides a range of pistes suitable for skiers of all levels.
Pitztal Glacier
The Pitztal Glacier, also known as the "Top of Tirol", is Austria's highest ski area, reaching a height of 3,440 metres. This glacier is situated at the end of a long valley running south of the main Inn valley in Tyrol. It offers a mix of red and blue runs, with the possibility of skiing all the way down to the valley floor. The Mandarfen area is the most convenient base for accessing the Pitztal Glacier.
Sölden
Sölden is a glacier ski resort located in the Tyrol region. It boasts two operating glaciers, Rettenbach and Tiefenbach, which are connected by ski lifts and a road tunnel. These glaciers offer skiing up to 3,250 metres, with a nearly 2-kilometre vertical back to the resort. The ski season in Sölden typically starts in October, and the area is known for its extensive ski options and challenging runs.
Stubai Glacier
The Stubai Glacier is the largest glacier ski area in Austria and is part of the Innsbruck ski region. It offers skiing up to 3,210 metres, with varied freeride runs suitable for all ability levels. The "Wilde Grub’n" downhill run, stretching for 10 kilometres, is a highlight for experienced skiers. The Stubai Glacier is known for its impressive mountain landscapes and reliable snow conditions from October to May.
Hintertux Glacier
The Hintertux Glacier, located in the Zillertal valley, is the only year-round ski area in Austria, offering skiing 365 days a year. It provides snow-sure skiing at over 3,000 metres and is known for its challenging pistes and stunning panoramic views. The ski area can be accessed from the resort of Mayrhofen, which offers a range of accommodation options.
When visiting Austrian glacier ski resorts, it is important to consider the changeable weather conditions and high alpine dangers, such as crevasses and ice. Proper equipment, including warm and weatherproof clothing, is essential for a safe and enjoyable ski experience.
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Frequently asked questions
SkiWelt, found in the Tyrol region, is the second-biggest ski resort in Austria. It connects picturesque ski resorts like Ellmau, Söll and Westendorf, offering 284km of pistes.
SkiWelt has dedicated areas for beginners and children, as well as snow parks for freestylers.
Kitzbühel is widely known for the notorious Hahnenkamm Downhill course, which is suitable for advanced skiers.
Ischgl is a good resort for mixed groups, with a variety of blues, reds and blacks available for all standards of skiers.
Ischgl is also a popular destination for snowboarders, as it has the largest Fun Park in Europe, with 35 different obstacles, including a half-pipe.
