Austrian ski holidays have something for everyone. Modern lift systems give skiers access to the country’s vast mountain areas and glaciers. Austria has some of the best skiing in the world, and some the best après in the Alps, along with friendly locals, great food and luxury spas. Dependant on your choice of resort it can provide a great value skiing break to compared to some of its rivals.
You can stay in a charming Austrian village, but still benefit from being connected to a huge amount of skiing.
Arlberg joins together the resorts of St Anton, St Christoph, Lech, Zürs, Zug, Stuben and Sonnenkopf – with a brand new gondola system linking more than 300km of runs across several mountains.
SkiWelt, brings together Söll, Scheffau, Ellmau, Westendorf, Brixen and Going, offering 279km of piste in total.
The Skicircus, now links Saalbach, Hinterglemm, Leogang and Fieberbrunn to create 240km of snowy valleys and peaks.
The Zillertal Superski has 625km worth of slopes all on one pass, although much of this is linked by public transport
Popular resorts
- Best for families– Scheffau and Galtür have excellent ski school-run kids clubs, while Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein have a range of runs to keep everyone happy.
- Best for après –St Anton is famous for its apres ski, nearby Ischgl offers high-end nightlife. Mayrhofen also deserves a mention especially for its the famous Ice Bar at the base of its lifts
- Best for beginners –Kaprun’s lifts offer access plenty of easy terrain and Seefeld has other pursuits available.
- Best for intermediates –Schladming has many red runs , the resort of Ellmau has many tree lines slopes. Obergurgl is high and above the tree line offering a long season and almost guaranteed snow.
- Best for experts – St Anton and Ischgl have slopes to test all skiers.
Forget for the most part big purpose built resorts, Austria’s Alpine villages have been around long before purpose built was thought of. Many remain real working villages and towns that are lucky enough to be nestled next to, or in some cases on magnificent mountains. The feel is mostly pretty and traditional and many resorts and hotels are family-run having been handed down the generations .
If you are craving a little more luxury, there’s much to choose from, we’ve got some stylish boutique hotels on offer some with spa and wellness centres so you can pamper yourself after a hard day.
Local culture
Arguably the best in the alps for after ski activities the Austrians have made it their own. At the end of the slopes you will be unlucky not to find a bar buzzing with life. Dancing on the tables to live music and Euro-pop seems positively encouraged.
If this isn’t your scene, then you can get a taste of Austrian culture too, which is on offer throughout the season but especially so around Christmas time with markets and traditional dancing, when the locals will use any excuse to get the lederhosen out.
Food and drink
The prices for food and drink are generally reasonable, and SEEM TO similar whether you’re up the mountain or in the village.
Try some of the national dishes, from mouth-watering pastries and apple strudel, to savoury classics like Wiener schnitzel. Great locally-produced beers and schnapps are a favourite whilst warming Glühwein is best as an aperitif.
