Authentic Austrian villages and traditional charm define skiing in Austria. But that doesn’t mean the Austrians don’t know how to party – in fact, après-ski was basically invented here! The ski areas in Austria offer a wide variety of terrain for every taste and budget, from the glitzy slopes of St. Anton to the family-friendly resort of Mayrhofen. We’ve narrowed down the top 15 ski resorts so you’re sure to find the perfect place for your next ski holiday, whether it’s a family bonding trip or a well-deserved break with your mates. Happy reading and enjoy planning your next awesome ski holiday!
Not so much a ski resort as a ski capital, the city of Innsbruck awaits you as soon as you step off the plane. Innsbruck is your gateway to the best skiing of Tyrol, with 300km of pistes connected by a free ski bus in the Olympia Skiworld. Buildings in the “heart of the Alps” sport bright facades that match the city’s lively atmosphere – never a dull moment in Innsbruck!
Tucked in the valley between the forested slopes of the Kitzbüheler Alps, Alpbach and the Ski Jewel Alpbachtal Wildschönau rank among the top ski resorts in Tyrol. Sunny on-mountain restaurant terraces await skiers and snowboarders who want a quick pick-me-up before heading back onto the slopes, and the cosy village is the perfect place to relax after a long day of skiing.
Obertauern is the home of the Gamsleiten Criterion, one of the quirkiest ski races ever, where participants compete to find buried treasure in the snow. The ski resort also opens every season with an ode to the Beatles, who shot part of their movie here back in the day. Between these two parties, the ski resort enjoys a remarkable ski season with the most copious amounts of natural snow in Austria.
The traditional Tyrolean town of Neustift is the perfect base for skiing on the nearby Stubai Glacier, which is the biggest glacier ski area in Austria with a ski season that extends well into June. Neustift itself is a quiet town, albeit with a wide selection of winter activities.
The stately town of Schladming with its mediaeval remnants is conveniently situated within reach of not one but four ski areas, collectively referred to as the Schladming – Dachstein Tauern ski area. The Dachstein Glacier ensures guaranteed snow cover and this is a good region for cross-country skiing as well, with over 350km of trails.
The site of James Bond’s Spectre, Sölden boasts a long ski season thanks to the 34km of pistes on its two glaciers. In fact, the snow is so good here that it is the annual site of the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup opener. Three peaks above 3000m offer splendid views of the Alps; you can visit all three with the Big 3 Rally. Down in the village, energy flows thanks to the many restaurants, bars and nightclubs and the frequent special events.
Flachau is located in the heart of the award-winning Ski Amadé, a huge ski area comprising 25 resorts and endless skiing on a whopping 760km of slopes. There is a great variety of alternative winter activites available at the family-friendly ski resort and the village has a jam-packed event calendar both on and off the slopes.
The quaint resort town of Obergurgl sits at an altitude of over 1900m, which means the ski area has guaranteed snow cover during the whole of its lengthy ski season. The self-proclaimed “Diamond of the Alps” offers several trendy mountain restaurants squeezed between the 100km of pistes. Beginner skiers will feel right at home on the wide, sunny slopes while freeriders can explore the boundless off-piste routes.
Ischgl'smotto is “Relax. If you can…” and this is perfect way to describe this winter sports paradise. A modern lift system gives access to over 200km of pistes for all ability levels including off-piste and snowpark facilities in addition to the many red and blue slopes. Meanwhile, the Top of the Mountain concerts attract thousands of concertgoers every year, and the village atmosphere is buzzing all winter long.
The village of Kitzbühel is absolutely gorgeous, with mediaeval architecture dating back to the 14th century. Not surprisingly, the resort is popular with the international crowd, and village life is everything you would expect of a modern ski resort. Up on the hill, the snowpark facilities are more than adequate, and freeriders can explore miles of backcountry in Tyrol and Salzburg. Despite having no glacier, Kitzbühel enjoys an impressive snow record.
Kaprun is a picturesque village nestled in the valley in the Europa Sport Region. The ski season at Zell Am See - Kaprun is long and snow is 100% guaranteed thanks to the stunning Kitzsteinhorn Glacier. Wide ski slopes and a separate family ski area are ideal for beginners, while more advanced riders will appreciate the snow parks and the excellent off-piste freeride routes.
The scenic pedestrianized resort of Söll has everything: sunny days, reasonable prices, delicious cuisine and animated nightlife. In the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental skiers and snowboarders will delight at the plethora of on-mountain restaurants, the perfect break from a day on the vast, snow-secure mountain. With lots of red and blue slopes and cheap prices for children, this resort is a perfect choice for families.
Mayrhofen is perhaps best known as the home of the annual Snowbombing Festival, one of the most epic music festivals in the Alps. But the event calendar doesn’t stop there – you’ll always have something to do in Mayrhofen, from the Altitude Comedy Festival to the family-friendly winter wonderland at Christmas. The skiing is not too shabby either, with over 200km of pistes in the linked Ski Zillertal 3000 ski area. Are you brave enough to attempt the Harakiri.
The linked ski area of the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn stretches on for what seems like forever, with plenty of terrain for beginner and intermediate skiers as well as a freeriding mecca at the newly linked Fieberbrunn. Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn also boasts the longest ski circuit in the Alps, the Skicircus Challenge, a 68km route designed to be done in one day. Back in the village of Saalbach the vibe is relaxed and friendly, with a lively après-ski scene.
Top on the list of best Austrian ski resorts is St. Anton. Internationally oriented and hugely popular with the jetsetters, St. Anton is known for its world-class skiing, stylish resort centre and hopping nightlife. The ski area at Ski Arlberg offers challenging, high-altitude terrain, while the nearby Lech and Zürs ski areas are great for intermediate skiers. St. Anton is the birthplace of alpine après-ski, with legendary venues such as the MooserWirt and the Krazy Kanguruh still going strong.
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
