Austria is regarded as the birthplace of modern skiing, and for good reason. It was here that the alpine ski technique was born and developed. Austria offers a fantastic mountainous wonderland that, merged with today’s modern technology and infrastructure, makes for a perfect ski holiday. The Austrian ski areas offer a bit of everything, for all ski levels: glaciers, deep snow, learning facilities for beginners, epic aprés ski conditions and family-friendly places.
So which ski resort to head to when you’re itching for a ski holiday in Austria? Read more below and get our recommendations for eight different yet equally amazing places.
Silvretta Arena, Ischgl
Nestled between Samnaun, Switzerland and Ischgl, you’ll find Tyrol’s third-largest ski area, Silvretta Arena. There are runs of all kinds and for all levels: run-of-the-mill, runs with moguls and jumps, and steep runs for the more experienced skiers and adrenaline junkies. With runs from 1,400-2,900 metres high, it’s especially the experienced that will be spoiled for choice.
Ischgl is one of Austria’s few ski areas that has a whopping 11 black diamond runs. Just picture yourself on run 14a, which with its 70% gradient will bring you back to the valley at lightning speed!
Ischgl does have something for everyone though, not only those who love the adrenaline. If you prefer e.g. enjoying the gorgeous view rather than feeling your pulse accelerate, you’ll enjoy the 11 km long run from Greispitz to town, or through the Velill valley, which is one of the most beautiful runs in Tyrol.
At Idalp beginners can start learning how to ski, and the local Schneesportakademie offers lovely refreshments if you’re in need of that after a long and fun day too. All in all, Silvretta Arena is one of the best ski resort areas in Austria, whether you’re just learning how to do it or fine-tuning your skills.
Price for 1 day skipass: €60 for an adult during high season. More info here.
How to get here: By car, or take the train to Paznaun and continue by bus
Hintertux Glacier
In Tuxertal, a valley next to the well-known Zillertal, Austria’s highest-altitude ski area awaits. Hintertux Glacier is widely-regarded as one of the best ski areas in all of Austria, but it’s also considered one of the best glacier areas in the world. It’s also one of the only ski areas in Austria that’s open all year round.
At 1,500-3,250 metres there’s 100% snow guarantee from October to May. In the spring, there’s still plenty of snow, and the summer offers lots of sunshine. And always, you’ll be greeted with a spectacular view of the Dolomites and Zugspitze mountain.
For freestyle skiers and snowboarders, Betterpark Hintertux is one of the best snow parks in the Alps. Entry into this area is already at 3,200 metres above sea level, and as you’re feeling the burn in your muscles, you can enjoy amazing views of Olperer mountain. For beginners, Funslope Hinterux is the perfect place to start learning.
Hintertux Glacier is part of the Ski and Glacier World Zillertal 3000 ski area, and one ticket will give you access to five different ski resorts.
Price for 1 day skipass: €60 for an adult during high season. More info here.
How to get here: By car (about 1.5 hours) or train (about 2-3 hours) from Innsbruck Airport
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental
The ski area SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental lies to the north, about 1.5 hours’ drive by car from the German city Munich, which makes it easily accessible for most Europeans. With 280 km of runs spread out in green, blue and red, together with more than 1,500 snow cannons all throughout the area, the ski season here is long and for all levels.
The 77 traditional alpine cottages offer not only a well-deserved break from the snow, they also reveal spectacular views. If you’re looking for a bit more fun and action, there are four fun parks and three runs where you can make a video featuring yourself as a ski star.
Wilder Kaiser-Brixental doesn’t just offer fun during the day either – it’s also Austria’s biggest night skiing area. When the sun goes down you can experience 10 km of runs that are lit up and ready to go.
Price for 1 day skipass: €57 for an adult during high season. More info here.
How to get here: It takes less than 2 hours by car from Salzburg.
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Großglockner Heiligenblut
Großglockner, the tallest mountain in Austria, lies in the Carinthia region in the middle of Hohe Tauern, where you’ll also find the ski area Großglockner Heiligenblut. High above the romantic mountain town of Heiligenblut, 55 km of runs at all levels await. Two-thirds of the runs are located at 2,000+ metres, which means a snow guarantee from mid-December to April.
Love deep powder? Then Freeride Arena is for you. Here you’ll have access to both ski instructors and equipment to get you going. And for those who do want to venture out into all that powder, Freeride Arena is a good place to train first. This is also a good place for you to stay updated on current avalanche risks, general weather conditions and find out about any closed runs.
Even though it may not seem like it after reading about freeriding, Großglockner Heiligenblut is great for families with kids too. The little ones can, for example, safely learn how to ski in the kids club “Snowland”.
Price for 1 day skipass: €45,00 for an adult during high season. More info here.
How to get here: By car, or by train to Lienz or Mallnitz/Obervellach, from where you can change trains to Heiligenblut.
Saalbach-Hinterglemm
A favourite Austrian ski destination especially among Scandinavians, Saalbach guarantees great runs and top-notch aprés ski. Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm is the largest and most varied ski area in the country – and also one of the best, without doubt. There are 270 km of runs to play in, ranging from blue to red and black, plus plenty of fun parks and off-piste possibilities. Try out the SkiMovie runs, where you can make a video of yourself skiing, or see if you can handle the Kohlmais slalom run as well as the pros did during the Ski World Cup in 1991.
Kids will have a fun and safe time in the dedicated family areas, and there are nice long and wide runs for the beginners and novices too. When your body is aching for some tasty refreshments, there’s plenty of options to choose from. And when darkness falls, the party atmosphere starts up, complete with beer, music and the not-so-rare table dancing quickly takes over at the many bars and clubs.
Price for 1 day skipass: €60 for an adult during high season. More info here.
How to get here: Fly to Salzburg, then by train to Zell am See, from where you can continue by bus.
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Kitzsteinhorn
Kitzsteinhorn (or simply Kaprun) in Salzburgerland is another popular ski area, and one of Europe’s more well-known. It’s particularly known for the fact that the season is long and you can ski until July. With a wide range of runs like “Black Mamba”, which with a gradient of 63%, is perfect for the experienced skier, and “Eagle Line”, which caters to all ages and skill levels, Kitzsteinhorn is a place where everyone will find something to enjoy.
Because of its long snow guarantee and the exciting and varied off-piste opportunities close to the lifts, Kitzsteinhorn has long been known as one of the best places for freeriders. There are specifically five runs close to the lift, a freeriding information area and an avalanche training centre where you can learn what to do if you get caught in an avalanche. Every Monday is Freeride Monday, when you’ll get the chance to roll around in the powder with the professionals and get their tips and tricks for improving your own skills.
If it’s epic views you’re on the hunt for, head to the panorama platform Gipfelwelt 3000. Standing at 3,029 metres in altitude, the platform gives you the chance to marvel at the mountain views, after which you can check out other fun facts about the area at the National Park Gallery.
Price for 1 day skipass: €60 for an adult during high season. More info here.
How to get here: Fly to either Innsbruck or Salzburg, rent a car or take the train to Zell am See and a taxi from there
Obertauern
Obertauern is one of the highest-altitude ski areas in the Salzburg province, which also makes it one of the most snow-guaranteed in the Alps. From the end of November to the start of May, visitors can thoroughly enjoy all of its 100 km of snow-laden runs. This is a place of contrasts – a place known both for its legendary aprés ski scenes and simultaneously as one of the best family-friendly ski destinations.
A ski holiday here has a ski in/ski out guarantee too, as all runs have been created close to accommodations, which means you can go from bed to black diamond in record time. Don’t miss out on the “Tauernrunde”, which is fondly called the most beautiful run in the Alps, or “Super Seven”, which gives you a fantastic view of the seven tallest mountains in the area as you ski past.
If you need a break from alpine skiing, give cross-country skiing a go on one of its 26 trails. Or try something else entirely, like snowkiting or snowbiking.
Price for 1 day skipass: €50 for an adult during high season. More info here.
How to get here: Fly to Salzburg, then rent a car or take the train to Radstadt, followed by a bus to Obertauern Passhöhe
Schladming Dachstein
Schladming Dachstein covers the ski area that connects the four mountains Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen and Reiteralm. Following its hosting of the Nordic World Ski Championships in 1999, this place became known especially for its many and varied cross-country ski trails. All together, there are 435 km of downhill ski runs and cross-country ski trails in the region.
Schladming Dachstein is also an ideal place to take the kids on a ski holiday. With five hectares of runs exclusively for kids, 15 ski schools and plenty of kid-friendly hotels, it offers the full package for the family with kids who want a ski holiday in Austria. The area also has events like Ski amadé Mini’s Week and the Styrian Family Ski Festival, where the youngest can learn to ski in a safe and controlled environment.
If you’re looking for aprés ski on an adult level, this is also a good place to find it. Look forward to culinary delicacies and enjoy the traditional Austrian atmosphere.
Price for 1 day skipass: €60 for an adult during high season. More info here.
How to get here: Fly to Salzburg, then take the train to Schladming from Salzburg Sam.
