Embark on an adventure to the Austrian Alps, a region that rivals the grandeur of the Italian and French Alps with its majestic mountains, diverse ski terrains, and resorts suitable for all skill levels. Discover the Austrian Alps from the renowned resorts in the Western Alps, like St Anton am Arlberg and Lech, to the picturesque landscapes of the Eastern Alps in regions such as Styria and Carinthia. Each area presents a unique skiing experience, boasting legendary peaks and varied terrain suitable for everything from leisurely skiing to challenging mountaineering and off-piste adventures. This guide is structured around Austria's primary ski regions – the Northern Limestone Alps, Central Eastern Alps, Southern Limestone Alps, and Western Alps – highlighting their unique features. It includes overviews and essential information for planning your next ski holiday, covering the best resorts to ski in Austria, the best skiing times, and necessary travel documentation.
The Northern Limestone Alps include regions like the Salzburg Alps and the Lower Austrian Alps. Renowned for historic Salzburg and its nearby ski areas such as Zell am See, Kitzbühel and Saalbach-Hinterglemm, this region offers scenic beauty and excellent snow conditions. The Lower Austrian Alps, with resorts like Semmering and Lackenhof, provide great skiing with fewer crowds.
The Central Eastern Alps, spanning Styria and Carinthia, are renowned for their temperate climate and warm hospitality. This region is celebrated for acclaimed destinations such as Bad Gastein, Kaprun, Sölden, and Mayrhofen, each offering unique skiing experiences with superb conditions. The Carinthian Alps feature resorts like Nassfeld and Gerlitzen Alpe, known for their cultural blend, while the Styrian Alps, bordering Slovenia, provide cross-cultural charm with resorts like Planai and Tauplitz.
The Southern Limestone Alps are appreciated for their less crowded, yet rewarding ski experiences. Resorts in this area blend Austrian, Slovenian, and Italian influences, providing a unique skiing environment with excellent conditions. This region is perfect for those seeking serene skiing experiences in a multicultural setting.
The Western Austrian Alps, encompassing Tyrol and Vorarlberg, are famous for top-notch ski resorts like Kaltenbach, and Ischgl. Dominated by impressive peaks such as Wildspitze and Arlberg, this region offers breathtaking vistas and a variety of slopes. The Ski Arlberg area, is particularly notable for its vast array of slopes, modern facilities, and accessibility.
Kitzbühel is a historic ski resort, featuring a charming medieval town and world-class skiing. It offers a maximum vertical drop of 1,470 meters and 215 km of pistes, with the highest lift reaching 2,000 meters. The nearest airport is Salzburg Airport, about 80 km away, while Innsbruck and Munich airports are each around 120 km from the resort. Kitzbühel provides a perfect blend of luxury and tradition, boasting a vibrant après-ski scene and modern lift systems. It is also famous for hosting the legendary Hahnenkamm downhill race.
Zell am See is a picturesque ski resort, on the shores of a stunning alpine lake, granting access to the expansive Schmittenhöhe ski area. It features a maximum vertical drop of 1,200 meters and 138 km of pistes, with the highest lift reaching 2,000 meters. Salzburg Airport is the nearest, around 80 km away, while Innsbruck and Munich airports lie approximately 150 km from the resort.
St. Anton is a renowned ski resort in the Arlberg region, known for its challenging terrain and lively après-ski scene. It offers a maximum vertical drop of about 1,507 meters and around 305 km of pistes, with the highest lift reaching 2,811 meters. The nearest airport is Innsbruck Airport, roughly 100 km away, while Friedrichshafen and Zurich are also feasible. St. Anton is celebrated for its rich alpine heritage and pioneering ski traditions.
Kaprun is a cozy resort nestled at the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, featuring 62 km of snow-sure pistes. It has a maximum vertical drop of 1,200 meters and a highest lift elevation of 3,029 meters. The nearest airport is Salzburg Airport, around 90 km away, while Innsbruck and Munich airports are approximately 180 km from the resort. Kaprun offers an appealing mix of groomed slopes, freeride terrain, and snow parks, making it ideal for a variety of winter sports.
Saalbach is a lively resort, in the expansive Skicircus area, boasting 270 km of interconnected slopes. Its maximum vertical drop is 1,003 meters, and the highest lift reaches 2,096 meters. The closest airport is Salzburg, about 90 km away, while Innsbruck and Munich are roughly 180 km distant. The resort features modern lifts, ski schools, and plenty of off-slope activities for visitors to enjoy.
Ischgl is a modern ski resort in the Silvretta Arena, famed for its extensive slopes and vibrant nightlife. It boasts a maximum vertical drop of around 1,572 meters and approximately 239 km of pistes, with the highest lift reaching 2,872 meters. The nearest airport is Innsbruck, about 100 km away, while Munich and Zurich are other options. Ischgl is also famous for open-air concerts and cross-border skiing into Samnaun, Switzerland.
Lech is an exclusive resort, characterized by its picturesque alpine village and outstanding ski facilities. It boasts a maximum vertical drop of 1,650 meters and 305 km of pistes, with the highest lift reaching 2,450 meters. Innsbruck Airport is the nearest at roughly 120 km away, while Friedrichshafen and Zurich airports are each about 200 km from the resort. Lech offers a sophisticated yet traditional atmosphere, complemented by a lively après-ski scene and state-of-the-art lift systems. It also forms part of the legendary White Ring circuit, a highlight for ski enthusiasts.
Sölden is a high-altitude resort in the Ötztal Valley, offering glacier skiing and cutting-edge lift systems. It features a maximum vertical drop nearing 2,000 meters and around 144 km of pistes, with the highest lift rising to 3,340 meters. The nearest airport is Innsbruck, about 80 km away, with Munich also accessible. Sölden stands out for its two glacier areas and cinematic James Bond connections.
Mayrhofen is a popular resort in the Zillertal Valley, known for varied terrain and lively après-ski. It presents a maximum vertical drop of about 1,650 meters and around 142 km of pistes, with the highest lift reaching 2,500 meters. Innsbruck Airport is closest, at roughly 75 km, while Munich is also within reach. Mayrhofen is home to the steep Harakiri run and the renowned Snowbombing festival.
Obergurgl is a high-altitude resort in the Ötztal, noted for dependable snowfall and uncrowded slopes. It has a maximum vertical drop of approximately 1,360 meters and around 112 km of pistes, with the highest lift reaching 3,080 meters. Innsbruck Airport is around 100 km away, and Munich is another option. Obergurgl’s tranquil atmosphere and excellent snow record make it ideal for early and late-season skiing.
Obertauern is a snow-sure resort in Salzburg’s Pongau region, famed for its high-altitude ring of lifts. It features a maximum vertical drop of about 600 meters and roughly 100 km of pistes, with the highest lift topping out at 2,315 meters. The nearest airport is Salzburg, around 90 km away, while Klagenfurt is also accessible. Obertauern is loved for its reliable snowfall and seamless ski-in, ski-out convenience.
The best time to visit Austria for a ski holiday is November, early December, mid January and the two last weeks of March till early April. Those are the months when you will be able to maximize your time on the slopes with the least amount of people.
British citizens traveling to Austria for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) do not require a visa for tourism purposes. However, since the UK has left the European Union, there have been changes to the entry requirements for British nationals.
Here are some important points to consider when planning a trip to Austria:
Please note that entry requirements and travel regulations can change over time. For up-to-date passport and visa information, feel free to visit the British government's travel advice website before planning your trip.
