Skiing in Vienna

Austria's ski scene is more relaxed and tranquil than the ski areas in Switzerland and France and exudes the charm of times. A network of pistes and lifts connects small mountain villages surrounded by spectacular snow-capped peaks. From many of these cozy villages it is possible to ski all day long without repeating slopes, regardless of experience level. The Austrian ski resort includes some of the steepest slopes in the world, but also gentle slopes and runs that are ideal for beginners and children.

Although costs have increased slightly in recent years, Austria is valued by international skiers for its good value for money. Package holidays, ski passes, accommodation, meals and ski schools cost even less than in the French or Swiss Alps, and you can count on warm hospitality and a high level of service, as well as state-of-the-art lifts and snowmaking systems. Skiing in Austria is not limited to winter: the glaciers offer snow all year round, and many ski areas can be reached in less than an hour by car from Salzburg, Innsbruck or Munich international airports.

What to expect during the 2022/2023 ski season in Austria: In response to ongoing public safety concerns, the Austrian government has created standard guidelines that all ski resorts must follow. It is very important to check updates on individual ski resort websites as circumstances can change quickly. Restrictions may apply to visitors from certain countries. To ensure that you can enter Austria, you should find out about the current entry requirements before booking.

Find the best place for your next winter vacation with our list of the best ski resorts in Austria.

1. St Anton am Arlberg

St. Anton am Arlberg is the most famous ski resort in the Austrian Arlberg region and one of the best in Europe and the world for advanced skiers, with some of the most challenging slopes in the Alps. As the home of the first ski club in the Alps, which was founded here in 1901, it occupies an important place in ski history. If you are a professional skier, this is the place for you. It's not for beginners, although experienced skiers will find plenty to do on the 280 kilometers of slopes.

St. Anton is 2nd.800 meters above sea level and is known for its off-piste opportunities for experienced skiers and mega-moguls. The longest piste in the Arlberg is in St. Anton and is called “White Fever”.

The "White Ring" has long been legendary, but now an even longer and more spectacular route has been created: the "Race of Fame". This 85 kilometer long route leads through the entire Ski Arlberg ski area. The 85 km long route leads from St. Anton via Zürs and Lech to Warth and back to St. Anton/Rendl. The new track is celebrated with an annual race on the new track, the Race of Fame.

The lifts start directly in town, where there are shops, cafes, inns and car-free hotels. Among the latter there are several mid-range luxury hotels, such as the beautiful Himmlhof, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the ski lifts. In normal years the village is known for its lively après-ski scene, but this season all après-ski activities are banned and restaurants must close early. The ski school is also closed during the season.

Less experienced (and less adventurous) skiers are taken by ski bus to the nearby slopes of Lech and Zürs, which are covered by the regional Arlberg ski pass and have a total of 340 km of slopes. Some of these areas are associated with St. Anton connected by new lifts that open up the slopes on the other side of the Flexen Pass. St Anton has another advantage: it can be reached by train.

2. Kitzbühel

During St. Anton is the top ski resort in Austria for professional skiers, Kitzbühel is the first choice for the others. Nestled in the Alps between Salzburg and Innsbruck, the charming, romantic town of Kitzbühel with its city walls and frescoes is one of the most beautiful cities in Austria and comes close to the glamor of exclusive Swiss holiday resorts. But in addition to the luxury hotels, excellent restaurants and chic boutiques, Kitzbühel is a dream for skiers and the traditional town is also very attractive for non-skiing family members.

Ski enthusiasts know Kitzbühel through the annual Hahnenkamm, the region's hardest run with a gradient of up to 85% in some cases. However, the 170 kilometers of slopes and runs are sufficient for all skill levels, and there are small huts where you can warm up with drinks and snacks.

There are three ski areas: the Kitzbüheler Horn, the much larger Hahnenkamm and the Bichlalm, a small area for freeriders. A short bus ride also connects Kitzbühel with the SkiWelt ski area, which offers 280 km of slopes with 90 lifts. Both are covered by the Kitzbüheler Alpen AllStarCard, which covers nine areas.

The 10-seater gondola lift and the detachable 6-seater chairlift in Kitzbühel operate with reduced capacity in order to maintain the distance between passengers. The FIS Super-G, which is normally held on the Streif, was canceled this year and will be replaced by the men's downhill and slalom at the end of January.

In Kitzbühel there are many luxury hotels that also attract celebrities, but also many small, family-run guesthouses for budget travelers.

3. Lech-Zürs am Arlberg

The town of Lech, which is connected to the neighboring St. Anton is a popular holiday destination for aristocrats and celebrities as it offers a range of luxury accommodation and its secluded location provides an air of exclusivity. However, Lech also offers a range of affordable accommodation, which, combined with the area's diversity, makes it a good choice for families.

 

Zürs is considered the most exclusive ski resort in Austria, smaller, quieter and less conscious than places like Sankt Moritz or Courchevel, but no less exclusive. It is a popular destination for off-piste skiers who enjoy the numerous mountain areas.

The small village of Zug is approx. 5 km from Lech and is connected to the ski area by a cable car, making it a quiet and discreet alternative. There are 350 kilometers of pistes between the two places, which are at altitudes with guaranteed snow.

It leads from St. Anton/Rendl via Zürs and Lech to Warth and back to St. Anton and covers the entire Ski Arlberg ski area.

The snow conditions and remoteness of this area can be problematic for those who need to arrive and depart according to a predetermined schedule, as snowstorms can close the pass, significantly extending the journey from the east.

4. Mayrhofen

Skiers and snowboarders love Mayrhofen for its excellent terrain parks and vast open snowfields on the highest slopes. But there is also a lot on offer for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, and at reasonable prices. A German newspaper even described Mayrhofen as the ski resort with the best price-performance ratio.

The 10-person Möslbahn gondola is connected to the Horbergbahn and its route is now a ski film route, equipped with cameras to film skiing. Vans Penken Park's six snowboarding areas have their own lift for four wheelchairs, as does the dedicated children's park.

Advanced skiers can compete on the three giant slalom slopes in Unterberg, where international skiers train before competitions. One piste is about 200 meters long, the other two 450 meters; everyone is timed.

The Zillertal Superskipass covers 489 kilometers of slopes throughout the valley and 177 lifts. There are 159 kilometers of slopes in the Mayrhofen/Hippach area, almost all of which have snowmaking facilities. The steepest ski slope in Austria, the Harakiri, has a gradient of 78 percent.

5. Sölden

Thanks to its altitude and its connection to the 2 glaciers, Sölden is one of the snowiest places in Austria. On the glaciers, which reach a height of 3250 meters, you can ski almost all year round. Although the warm climate makes the place a little unsafe, it is common to see skiers here from September to June.

The ski area is just an hour's drive from Innsbruck, but was neglected by international skiers until 2015, when it was used as a backdrop for the James Bond film Specter.

The 150km of mixed terrain makes it more versatile than other ski areas. Although there are more easy and intermediate slopes, the glaciers and off-piste terrain offer plenty for experts, especially in Gaislachkogl. Rettenbach also offers more challenging terrain. The Alpine Ski World Cup has been held here since 2000 and the 2021/2022 season will open with the giant slalom in Sölden.

Two glaciers and three different mountains are connected by real slopes and lifts, so skiing between them doesn't turn into a series of cross-country ski tours. What Sölden lacks in scenic charm, it usually makes up for in exuberant après-ski life. This season, however, the options for indoor and outdoor dining are rather limited, with tables with seating only permitted in restaurants. Masks are required until guests take their seats.

6. Ischgl and the Silvretta Arena

Although Ischgl has been billed as the après-ski capital of the Alps in previous seasons, it has plenty to offer even the most serious skiers. The altitude and the numerous northern slopes guarantee good snow conditions and the excellent lift system opens up the largest ski area in the Eastern Alps.

The Silvretta slopes are ideal for experienced skiers and offer them the opportunity to cross the Swiss border, something normally reserved for experts. The six valleys also offer some long and wide runs.

For experts there is a large selection of black pistes and off-piste runs. Snowboarders get their money's worth, especially in the Ischgl Snow Park, with new rails, boxes and obstacles. The two six-person cabins from Valisera were replaced this season by 10-person cabins from Doppelmayr with heated seats.

In Ischgl, known for the liveliest après-ski scene in Europe, a lot will change this season: many activities will be canceled and bars will be closed.

7. Söll and the SkiWelt

Söll is the second largest ski area in Austria and the main town of several SkiWelt villages, which offer some of the best ski areas in the Austrian Alps. Although it offers skiers 280 kilometers of slopes and is served by 90 lifts, there is no shortage of affordable accommodation and restaurants in this charming Tyrolean village.

The ski area is primarily intended for advanced skiers and offers only a few options for experts. Children can try out their skiing skills on the slopes.

The SkiWelt is connected to Kitzbühel via Westendorf and Kirchberg with a further 170 kilometers and 54 lifts, although a separate ski pass is required. Although the area is lower than in many other Alpine resorts, around 80 percent of the slopes have snow cover.

8. Zell am See

The spectacular view of the lake surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks is so impressive that skiers in Zell am See can find it difficult to concentrate on the snow. But don't worry, there are plenty of them, at least on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, which can be accessed with the same pass. The new Ski ALPIN pass covers 408 km of pistes and groomed runs, including the glacier ski area, which is served by 121 lifts and cable cars.

The city is very large and has enough variety to offer even non-skiers. You can also spend the day in Salzburg, about 100 kilometers away. Skiers who prefer quiet surroundings and don't like Zell am See's famous après-ski atmosphere can find peace and cheaper accommodation in nearby Schüttdorf, which can be reached directly from the center via the ski lifts.

9. Saalbach-Hinterglemm

The towns of Hinterglemm and Saalbach near Salzburg, together with the neighboring towns of Leogang and Fieberbrunn, form the largest connected piste network in Austria with some of the most modern and sophisticated lift systems. Despite the relatively low altitude (1.003 m or 1060 m) the ski area is one of the most popular in Austria due to the good snow conditions.

The combined areas, known as SkiCircus, form a mountain ring with a total length of over 200 km of slopes, served by 62 lifts. They are designed in such a way that ambitious skiers can ski the entire route and do not always have to ski on the same slopes.

The area is particularly suitable for families, beginners and advanced skiers as it is at an altitude of 1.000 meters offers a sufficient variety of terrain and slopes. The slopes lead directly to the Saalbach and Hinterglemm ski areas.

Saalbach, the larger of the two towns at the foot of the slopes, is a traditional Austrian mountain village with many boutiques and luxury hotels. Hinterglemm is quieter, cheaper and more family-friendly. Free ski buses connect Saalbach-Hinterglemm and Leogang.

10. Alpbach

Start with a collection of traditional Tyrolean stone and half-timbered houses, voted Austria's most beautiful village, then add snow-covered slopes and the summit of Wiedersbergerhorn, whose mountain station is a 15-minute gondola ride away. From here you have a view of the entire Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau ski area.

A gondola connects the Alpbach side with the Wildschönau side and connects the Juwel ski areas with Reith, Niederau and Oberau and offers one of the largest piste systems in Tyrol with a total of 145 km of pistes.

In addition to two cable cars to the Wiedersbergerhorn on the Alpbachtal side, there is a cable car to the Schatzberg, the highest peak, on the Wildschönau side. The steepest slopes are on the Alpbachtal side, the gentler slopes, suitable for beginners, are on the Wildschönau side. Around 78 kilometers of medium to medium-difficulty slopes, some of which extend from the summit to the valley floor.

Beginners will appreciate the extensive ski trails. In Reith the slopes are illuminated on some nights.

Despite its postcard appearance and wide range of slopes, Alpbach is one of the cheapest ski areas in Austria.