Austria is the key Alpine ski nation, with many hidden treasures waiting to be explored. The Arlberg ski region, including St. Anton, Lech and Zürs the jewel in its crown and not only the birthplace of modern Alpine skiing but also a most popular playground for Europe's Royal families. Kitzbühel is located in the Tirol, justifiably world famous for the annual Hahnenkamm ski race, cosmopolitan atmosphere and a distinctive medieval town flair in addition to the 179km of linked skiing on its doorstep. Two annual Alpine celebrations worth mentioning in Mayrhofen, the first is the renowned Altitude Comedy Festival, which sees ‘the big guns of comedy’ provide a week of unforgettable laughs, and the second is Snowbombing! which mixes fresh current talent with crucial pioneers of the music scene. On the subject of music vibrating off of the snowy slopes of the Austrian Alps, we cannot forget Ischgl & Galtür, with 304 kilometers of pistes and stylish hotels; it’s one of the most popular winter hot spots in the world and attracts international superstars to its open-air concerts. Surrounded by glorious mountain peaks and glaciers Obergurgl & Hochgurgl are guaranteed good snow conditions from November to May, totally unique Sölden has a great selection of bars, restaurants and high-altitude skiing.
The Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is by far the biggest ski area in the east of the country having recently been linked to the Zell am See ski area. Now all under one lift pass, you'll have access to 408km of skiable terrain. Saalbach, Hinterglemm and Zell am See are lively and are well linked to the ski areas with lifts coming down into the villages, so many hotels are just a stones throw from the lifts. Skiing in Austria has always attracted British skiers and snowboarders, and many of them learned to ski in resorts such as Alpbach, Niederau, Söll, Mayrhofen, Obergurgl and Filzmoos. Family friendly skiing in Austria is a major attraction, and in many cases parents have returned later with their own children, confident that the experience they had when they were learning is as rewarding as ever.
The key to ski holidays in Austria is the country’s celebrated ‘Gemütlichkeit’ culture, which attempts to make guests feel welcome, entertained and well fed, both on the slopes and after the lifts have closed. The service excellence and hospitality that you encounter all over the country is guaranteed to leave you with a warm glow even in the cold winter weather. You’ll find the typical Austrian welcome both on the slopes with genuinely friendly instructors and lively après-ski in almost every Austrian bar when the lifts have closed. Or even before they have - the partying starts early, and it’s a familiar sight at many of the resort’s mountain huts to see skiers dancing while still in their ski boots.
Snow in Austria
On the slopes, Austria's ski resorts enjoy a good snow record. There is plenty of high skiing, the highest ski resorts in Austria such as Obergurgl, Obertauern and Sölden are as snowsure as you’ll find anywhere.
Where to stay
From stylish design hotels to traditional wooden chalets type hotels we have the best accommodation options. More than any other Alpine country, ski accommodation in Austria is almost always several cuts above average. So Austria really does tick all the relevant boxes.
