Why ski in Austria

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 excellent service and hospitality that you encounter all over the country is guaranteed to leave you with a warm glow even in the cold winter weather.

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 snow-sure as you’ll find anywhere.

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 well linked to the ski areas with lifts coming down into the villages, so many hotels are just a stones throw from the lifts. 

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 233km of linked skiing on its doorstep.

The Arlberg ski region is the jewel in Austria's crown, including St. Anton, which is renowned for its après-ski starting on the slopes and continuing into the small hours down in the village. Lech and Zürs in the Arlberg region and not only the birthplace of modern Alpine skiing but also a popular playground for Europe's Royal families.

Two annual Alpine celebrations are 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, with 304 kilometres 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.

Totally unique Sölden also has a great selection of bars, restaurants and popular après-ski. The high-altitude skiing and two glaciers make the resort popular for those who want to ski hard and party hard.

Surrounded by glorious mountain peaks and glaciers, Obergurgl & Hochgurgl have great snow conditions from November to May. As family resorts, many of the hotels offer kids activities and there is a great ski school, learning area and child friendly snow park.

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 Best of Austria

Popular Ski Destinations in Austria

What do you want to see in Austria?

Austria Insider Guides

Insider Guides

FAQ and Travel Information

Inghams ski holidays are perfect for those who love skiing in the great outdoors. Pick your base from our handpicked collection of the best ski destinations across Europe and North America, from over 70 resorts across 8 countries: Andorra, Austria, Canada, France, Italy, Switzerland, Norway and Finland From the thrill-seekers to the après skiers, our expert team will be with you at every turn.

Austria has a vast array of resorts to choose from and is well known for its ski regions. Resorts such as St Anton are popular with the more advanced skiers. Otherwise places like Saalbach and Obertauern are favoured by the more intermediate skiers.

Austria is renowned for its ski resorts due to their high-altitude, maintained runs and snow-canons so the snow coverage is good during the ski season.

There are plenty of Austrian ski resorts that consider snowboarders. Visit Mayrhofen, offering one of the biggest snow-parks with 6 distinct areas including a children’s zone.

Pick from a wide variety of choice of accommodation in Austria, home-from-home chalets like Chalet Albona, St Anton or the 5* Hotel Berghof, Lech - a luxury hotel with a private elevator to the ski lifts.

Family friendly and beginner skiing is big in Austria - they pride themselves in offering a verity of ski schools and beginner slopes to cater for those new to the sport. A good place to start your ski journey would be either Alpbach or Obergurgl.