Lyla Lindsey
Austria is known as the cradle of skiing and is loved for its hospitality, perfectly groomed slopes, and chocolate-box traditional ski villages. With about 300 ski villages, there is a large variety – from remote small alpine settings to cities surrounded by mountain ranges. Austria's ski resorts provide the perfect backdrop, with many hosting historic Olympic and World Cup runs, including the notorious Streif downhill course in Kitzbuhel. The country is also known for its world-class ski schools and optimal snow conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total slope length | 7,275 kilometres |
| Number of ski lifts | 2,628 |
| Top ski resorts | KitzSki – Kitzbühel/Kirchberg, St. Anton /St. Christoph/Stuben/Lech/Zürs/Warth/Schröcken – Ski Arlberg, Obertauern, Saalbach Hinterglemm, St. Anton am Arlberg, Lech, Zürs |
| Highest ski resorts | 3,440 metres (Pitztal Glacier) |
| Best value for money | Venet – Landeck/Zams/Fliess |
| Best for beginners | Ski resorts with ski schools |
| Best for spa | Ski resorts with spas nearby |
| Best for night skiing | Ski resorts with floodlit pistes |
| Best for Christmas | Ski resorts with Christmas markets nearby |
| Best for families | Lech |
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What You'll Learn
- Austria's ski resorts are known for their hospitality and affordability
- The country has a large variety of ski villages, from small Alpine settings to mountain ranges
- Austria's ski schools are world-class, with experts who can help you master the ski lift and perfect your pole technique
- The après-ski scene in Austria is considered the best in Europe
- Austria's ski resorts offer challenging slopes and terrain for advanced skiers and snowboarders
Austria's ski resorts are known for their hospitality and affordability
Austria is known as the cradle of skiing and is loved for its hospitality, perfectly groomed slopes, and chocolate-box traditional ski villages. Most of the country is covered by the Alps, and with about 300 ski villages, there is a large variety, from remote small alpine settings to cities surrounded by mountain ranges.
Austria's ski resorts are easily accessible, with some reachable by direct bus or car. The closest airports to some of the resorts are Innsbruck Airport, located 59 miles from St. Anton, and Zurich Airport, located 130 miles from Lech. The ski resort of Lech is renowned for its luxurious boutique shopping and gourmet dining, while also offering perfect, deep powder turns. The village has a user-friendly layout and terrain, making it an excellent choice for families seeking a classy and luxurious ski vacation.
For those looking for a no-thrills village with serious ski access, Zürs is the ideal choice. It offers exceptional high-altitude skiing with reliable snow conditions and luxurious hotels. The village of St. Anton am Arlberg is another excellent option, boasting impressive accolades, a vast amount of off-piste terrain, and consistent snowfall. The village is connected to the great ski area of Ski Arlberg, providing varied terrain options for skiers of all skill levels.
Austria's ski resorts also offer a unique experience with night skiing, where floodlights illuminate the piste after dark, creating a stunningly romantic atmosphere.
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The country has a large variety of ski villages, from small Alpine settings to mountain ranges
Austria is known as the cradle of skiing and is loved for its hospitality, perfectly groomed slopes, and traditional ski villages. Most of the country is covered by the Alps, and with about 300 ski villages, there is a large variety to choose from.
Austria's ski villages range from small, low-key, and remote Alpine settings to villages surrounded by mountain ranges. The village of St. Anton am Arlberg is a beautiful Alpine village, perfect for a summer holiday. It offers amazing mountains, great slopes for skiing and snowboarding, and local dishes such as Käsespätzle, Wiener Schnitzel, and Apfelstrudel. The village is also known for its challenging terrain and world-class après-ski scene, attracting advanced skiers and snowboarders.
Zürs is another small and low-key village with serious ski access, ideal for those seeking a no-thrills experience. Lech, on the other hand, is known for its luxurious boutique shopping and gourmet dining, as well as its perfect, deep powder turns. It is located in the heart of the Ski Arlberg region, providing easy access to St. Anton, Zürs, and Warth Schröcken.
Kitzbühel, Austria, is considered one of the most iconic resorts in the country, famous for the legendary Hahnenkamm race. This charming medieval town blends history, luxury, and diverse skiing opportunities, making it a top choice for skiers of all levels. The resort seamlessly connects with Kirchberg and Jochberg and extends to Hollersbach im Pinzgau, creating an expansive skiing experience.
Austria's ski villages truly offer something for everyone, from challenging terrain for advanced skiers to diverse skiing opportunities for all levels. The variety of villages, combined with the country's renowned hospitality and well-groomed slopes, make Austria a top ski destination in Europe.
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Austria's ski schools are world-class, with experts who can help you master the ski lift and perfect your pole technique
Austria is known as the cradle of skiing, and for good reason. With around 450 ski resorts, Austria offers a wide variety of options for skiers of all levels. The ski schools in Austria are world-class, with highly skilled instructors who can guide you through every step of the process, from mastering the ski lift to perfecting your pole technique.
The ski schools in Austria are renowned for their quality and expertise. With over 390 ski schools in the province of Tyrol alone, you are spoilt for choice. The "Quality Award" of the Tyrolean Ski Instructors Association recognises the best ski schools in the region, ensuring a high standard of instruction.
In St Anton, the largest ski resort in Austria, ski schools offer group lessons for children as young as five, as well as adults, catering to all difficulty levels. Private instructors are also available, providing a personalised learning experience tailored to your individual needs and progress.
Zell am See is another excellent option for families, with ski slopes conveniently located in the town centre. Ski schools in this area offer lessons for children from the age of three, with a fun and engaging approach that includes colourful figures, magic carpets, and friendly mascots. Teenagers can also find tailored programmes that cater to their specific needs and ensure a fun and exciting learning experience.
Mayrhofen is a fantastic choice for families with young children, offering ski lessons for children as young as two years old. The "Fantasyland" area features magic carpets, obstacles, and friendly mascots, providing a playful and enjoyable introduction to the sport. Off-piste activities such as sledging and snowshoeing add to the appeal of this resort.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced skier, Austria's ski schools have something for everyone. With their expertise, dedication to quality, and personalised approach, the instructors will ensure that you not only improve your technique but also have a memorable and enjoyable experience on the slopes.
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The après-ski scene in Austria is considered the best in Europe
Austria is known as the cradle of skiing, with its great hospitality, perfectly groomed slopes, and chocolate-box traditional ski villages. It is loved for its breathtaking landscapes and incredible hospitality. The après-ski scene in Austria is considered the best in Europe.
Austria has about 300 ski villages, offering a large variety of experiences, from small, remote alpine settings to cities surrounded by mountain ranges. The ski resorts are served by 2,628 ski lifts, with 7,275 kilometres of slopes.
St. Anton, a village in Austria, is known for its world-class après-ski scene. The village is connected to the great ski area of Ski Arlberg, meaning skiers have varied terrain options regardless of their skill level. The Opening Week Festival kicks off the season in St. Anton with headlining acts like Mariah Carey and Supertramp, and crowds of up to 18,000 people. The après-ski bar Mooserwirt was named the 'mother of all après-ski bars' by Playboy, selling 5,000 litres of beer a day, with space around and on top of tables completely taken from 4 pm. Krazy Kanguruh, another après-ski bar, is equally famous and has been serving skiers since 1965.
Lech, a village in the Ski Arlberg region, is known for its luxurious boutique shopping and gourmet dining. The après-ski here focuses on fine, night-long dining, with hotels like the Tannbergerhof carving ice bars out of their porches. The Fux Bar is a sophisticated spot for wine, cigar, and jazz lovers.
Kitzbühel, another iconic resort in Austria, is famous for the legendary Hahnenkamm race. This charming medieval town beautifully blends history, luxury, and diverse skiing opportunities, making it a top choice for skiers of all levels. The après-ski scene in Kitzbühel is considered one of the best in the world.
Austria truly offers a unique après-ski experience, with its oompah tunes, swinging steins, and shots of schnapps and Jäger.
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Austria's ski resorts offer challenging slopes and terrain for advanced skiers and snowboarders
Austria is known as the ''cradle of alpine skiing'' and is famed for its hospitality, pristine slopes, and chocolate-box traditional ski villages. With about 300 ski villages, there is a large variety of settings, from remote small alpine settings to cities surrounded by mountain ranges.
The resort of Ischgl is also a popular destination for snowboarders, with the largest Fun Park in Europe. It has 35 different obstacles, including a half-pipe, and a lively atmosphere with plenty of après-ski entertainment. Kitzbühel, one of the biggest ski resorts in Austria, is widely known for the notorious Hahnenkamm Downhill course, which advanced skiers can try for themselves.
Mayrhofen is another of Austria's best ski areas, with two local mountains, Ahorn and Penken, and the Hintertux glacier. Experts might like to try the famous Harakiri run, which, at up to a 78% gradient, is Austria's steepest slope. For those looking for the highest ski resorts in Austria, the Pitztal Glacier extends up to an altitude of 3,440 meters, and the Stubai Gletscher, one of the world's highest, reaches 3,210 meters.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria is known as the cradle of skiing and is loved for its great hospitality, pristine pistes, perfectly groomed slopes, and chocolate-box traditional ski villages. It is also known for its world-class ski schools and optimal snow conditions. Austria is more affordable than its neighbours France and Switzerland, and also boasts what many consider the best après-ski scene in Europe.
Some of the best ski resorts in Austria include St. Anton am Arlberg, Saalbach Hinterglemm, St. Anton, Lech, and Kitzbühel.
Besides skiing, you can enjoy local dishes such as Käsespätzle, Wiener Schnitzel, and Apfelstrudel. You can also explore the Christmas markets in the cities and rural areas, and take part in other outdoor activities such as snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and night skiing.
