Ski areas in Austria

Best ski areas in Austria

Austria offers a vast space for skiing, with 5 ski areas and a total of 13 resorts. Austria has long been a favourite European destination for ski lovers. With its impressive ski areas, it’s hard to beat this renowned country when it comes to picking your next skiing holiday.

Après ski is probably the biggest ski past-time in Austria. Though the culture of après was aptly named by the French, it is the Austrians that really celebrate it. Make the most of your holidays here and enjoy the local drinks, as well as great food.

Best Austrian ski areas

Arlberg ski area - best for snowboarding

• Ski area - Arlberg: 304km
• Resorts - St Anton, Lech and Zürs
• Length of blue runs - 130km
• Length of red runs - 122km
• Length of black runs - 50km
• Snowparks - 5

Inghams top tip - There are an additional 200km of powder snow slopes outside of the marked runs to explore - this is a vast area of off-piste to explore.

The area:

Less than an hour's drive from the main resorts of the Arlberg ski area is the capital of Tyrol, Innsbruck. It is worth visiting if you have the time as it offers the best of both worlds, urban sophistication mixed in with the historic town. The Alpine town is a treasure trove of history and culture for Austria. Architectural gems can be discovered across the old town, including imperial residences, cathedral domes and museums.

Whilst holidaying in Austria, no matter your ski area of selection, you need to try some local dishes - especially the classic wiener schnitzel (usually pork or veal, that is breaded and fried) and Apfelstrudel (an apple and pastry dessert).

The skiing:

As you can imagine, Arlberg ski area offers some fantastic skiing - the Weiße Ring (Lech-Rüfikopf-Zürs-Madloch-Zug-Oberlech-Lech) is considered one of the best ski circuits in the Alps and is hugely popular amongst the keen skiers.

Snowboarding is big in Arlberg - with snowboarding schools and shops dominating the resorts. Free-riders will especially love Stanton Park, offering lots of thrills. Snow-park Lech should also be on your list, every year the local team adds new features to ensure repeat visitors are always newly challenged.

Highlighted resort of St Anton:

St Anton is the stand out resort in this ski area. It is understood amongst the avid skiers and snowboarders that this resort offers a challenge.

With chalets and hotels to choose from as your place to stay, you can decide between historic and charming such as the Hotel Alte Post. The resort has a lively atmosphere and some well known après bars, but also plenty of cafes or restaurants. There are so many additional winter sports you can try here too, a week will fly by.

Kitzbüheler Alpen ski area - best for intermediate skiers

• Ski area - Kitzbüheler Alpen: 1088km
• Resorts - Kitzbuhel and St Johann
• Length of blue runs - 94km
• Length of red runs - 67km
• Length of black runs - 20km
• Snowparks - 3

Inghams top tip - Taking a look at your piste map: Focus on the top left-hand corner of the map and this should be your ultimate destination – aim for the slopes on or near the 1894m Resterhohe. You feel a million miles away from the rest of the ski area, here are open slopes and a microclimate for the best day of skiing.

The area:

Kitzbuheler Alpen ski area is not only a great place to ski the mountains, but also to explore. Take the ski lifts and gondolas to some amazing views and enjoy one of the many (over 60) mountain huts and restaurants.

Celebrities are known to be big fans of the Kitzbuheler area, meaning you will find plenty of luxury accommodation, high-end shops and top rated restaurants. Ideal for romantic ski weeks away or a group trip to celebrate an event.

The skiing:

They say Kitzbühel is where the sport of skiing was invented, and therefore you will find avid skiers revisiting here year after year.

Skiing in the Kitzbuheler Alpen area is ideal for intermediates, with so much ski area available, all seamlessly linked by 58 lifts. The terrain offers marked out runs facing the sunshine, snowy forest routes and tracks into some of the prettiest mountain town resorts.

Still great for beginners, with free practice lifts in the valley centre and a designated children's zone for learning safely, in a fun environment.

Highlighted resort of Kitzbuhel:

Kitzbühel is a must- stay - this bustling resort is full of life based in a mediaeval style town. As well as being on the door-step to fantastic skiing, there are so many more in-resort activities on offer from tennis, the cinema to museums.

If you want a room with a view, staying at the Hotel Schloss Lebenberg should be top of your list - a castle with modern comforts.

Ski Circus ski area - best for advanced skiers

• Ski area - Ski Circus: 270km
• Resorts - Saalbach and Hinterglemm
• Length of blue runs - 140km
• Length of red runs - 112km
• Length of black runs - 18km
• Snowparks - 5

Inghams top tip - Test your advanced ski skills and try the world cup run: Zwölferkogel for a challenge.

The area:

Gemütlichkeit, an Austrian word and a notion that doesn’t exactly translate but means cosiness, comfort and homeliness, it is thoroughly embedded into the way of life across towns in the ski circus area - a perfect reason to visit.

This is reflected in the accommodation across resorts, with most being family run. Of course being Austria, après ski is popular in this area (much like the rest of Austria) so you will find a bar to suit your type of after ski tipple.

The skiing:

Ski circus is linked by a modern lift system, providing quick access around the area. Pillersee Valley hosts the most popular snow park for avid snowboarders and the nursery slopes on the south-side of Hinterglemm are ideal for beginners.

If however you are an advanced skier, looking for some thrilling runs - there are plenty. Schattberg X-press has great views but the varied terrain is what will test your skills here. Bernkogel is a mix of red and black, giving you the opportunity to fine-tune your skills as well as enjoy the thrill of challenging slopes.

Highlighted resort of Ski Circus:

Saalbach is a great base for your ski holiday. With a ski bus that tours around the full ski circus area as well as a local bus that is free with your lift pass.

The resort likes to keep its guests entertained with weekly après events, guided snow walks and quad biking. Championing the family-feel mentioned early, staying at the Hotel Saalbacher Hof is a great choice and has been run by the Dschulnigg-Geissler family for many generations. 

SkiWelt ski area - best for cross-country skiers

• Ski area - SkiWelt: 288km
• Resorts - Ellmau, Söll and Westendorf
• Length of blue runs - 134km
• Length of red runs - 129km
• Length of black runs - 17km
• Snowparks - 4

Inghams top tip - This is the largest night time skiing area in Austria - definitely something to try.

The area:

The resorts of SkiWelt are all pretty towns in good locations. This area likes to push the idea of a standard skiing holiday and go beyond the normal ‘extras’ you might find. Instead offering a nights stay in a real igloo, schnapps tasting tours and even Llama treks. Making the area a well-rounded place to visit.

If you have a spare day to explore, it’s worth a visit to Alpeniglu village, where you will find an igloo hotel, the igloo village, ice sculptures on display, restaurants and bars.

The skiing:

Skiwelt is full of wide, open blue and red runs - a week can easily be filled here, cruising down the slopes and taking each day at an easy pace.

Cross-country skiing in this area is a popular winter sport, whether it's a day's guided tour, an adventure of your own or your passion to fill the week with. 197km of groomed trails cover the SkiWelt area, so there is much to explore. The Höhen cross-country run is beautiful, with tranquil views across the mountains. It provides safe conditions right up until the end of the season, so is ideal if you are new to the sport.

Highlighted resort of SkiWelt:

Söll is perhaps the best loved resort by British skiers in the SkiWelt area. This town in particular has a long history and some interesting local traditions - for example fancy dress witches with cauldrons and potions can be found at the Simonalm, listen to their tales and legends of Soll’s past. Stay at the Hotel Eggerwirt, centrally located and known for its high-standard of service.

Ski Juwel ski area - best for all ability skiing

• Ski area - SkiJuwel: 109km
• Resorts - Alpbach, Oberau and Niederau
• Length of blue runs - 30km
• Length of red runs - 54km
• Length of black runs - 13km
• Snowparks - 3

Inghams top tip - Based at the Hornbahn 2000 top station, you will find ‘Top of Alpbachtal’ observation tower - whether you are visiting on your skis, snowboard, or foot, it is worth stopping here and taking in the panoramic views from the highest point in the Ski Juwel area.

The area:

It is considered one of the most untouched ski areas of Austria, with only the resorts and ski runs to interpret the never ending views and peaceful mountainsides. A great place to come and relax on your skiing holiday.

Full of down-to-earth Austrian charm, with bars playing live piano music - this area makes holidaying easy.

The skiing:

With lifts starting from 7am, early risers will love Ski Juwel ski area, you can literally ski all day and beat the crowds to the top of the runs (and down again if you're a speedy skier). The best thing about this area is that it covers every skier or snowboarder's ability. So no matter your level, there will be a slope for you.

Highlighted resort of SkiJuwel:

Alpbach is traditional and delightful (as well as award-winning). Make yourself at home and stay in the Haus Edelweiss apartments or find yourself in the ideal location, close to the bus stop, town centre and nursery slopes with the Hotel Böglerhof.