Austria ski resorts are known as some of the best (and friendliest) in the world.
From Alpbach's beginner-friendly slopes to the near-vertical faces of St Anton, skiers of all abilities will revel in this true winter wonderland.
Why choose to go skiing in Austria?
Heaps of resorts for all abilities
Ample snow-sure glacier skiing on offer
World-renowned après-ski
With lofty peaks and glaciers galore, there's plenty of great snow on an Austria ski holiday. Play around on snow tubes with the kids, experience the warm hospitality of Austria ski hotels, and, if savouring fine food is more your thing, have your choice of swanky restaurants.
From the beginner-friendly slopes of Zell am See, to the near-vertical faces of St Anton, skiers of all abilities will revel in this picturesque wonderland. For a big ski experience, hit up Mayrhofen and its vast terrain - it’s arguably one of the best ski resorts in Austria. Or head to Kitzbühel, another firm favourite, and be won over by its traditional charm.
Saalbach's miles of perfectly groomed beginner-friendly pistes, modern lift systems, and excellent snowmaking systems make it a super popular choice with young families, especially with first-timers in tow.
Zell am See is the ideal Austria ski resort for teens, with heaps of beginner and intermediate runs, as well as an excellent terrain park featuring half pipes, jumps and rails.
St Anton is ideal for experienced Austria group ski holidays, especially if you want to let your hair down with legendary aprés, and a whopping 303km of pistes.
Group ski weekend in Austria? Look no further than Seefeld, packed with plenty of quiet, laid-back beginner pistes all just 20mins from Innsbruck airport.
Austria Ski Holidays Your questions answered by our Austria ski resort expert
When is the best time to book an Austria ski holiday?
The best time to ski in Austria means heading over in mid-January. It’s the coldest time of the year, but it means the snow conditions will usually be at their best.
Luckily though, Austria’s ski season starts early and ends late, thanks to some high-altitude and glacial resorts such as Obergurgl and Kaprun. Both are great options for early and late-season skiing, with March and April still a great time to ski in Austria. With longer daylight hours, you'll have more time on the slopes (and more time to enjoy a cold beer in the sun!). Apres, anyone?
Are Austria ski resorts snow-sure?
Austria’s high-altitude resorts and glacier ski areas make the country one of the most reliable for snow totals. We recommend checking out Obergurgl, Sölden, Kühtai, Ischgl, Lech, Kaprun, and St. Anton for some of the country's snowiest slopes.
Yes. Austria’s a fantastic pick for beginners and first-timers, offering heaps of great beginner-friendly resorts featuring wide, gentle blue runs and highly rated ski schools. Top picks include Söll, Saalbach, Seefeld, Kitzbühel, Mayrhofen, Zell am See, and Ischgl.
To learn more about the best beginner ski resorts in Austria, check out our blog here.
What are the best ski resorts in Austria for beginners?
Seefeld is quiet, with shedloads of gentle terrain perfect for first-time skiers.
At the same time, jaw-dropping valley views await at the friendly resort of Alpbach, alongside plenty of cruisy blue runs.
Kaprun is also surging in popularity with beginner skiers, with gentle nursery slopes, a sweet mix of quiet blue runs, and even an excellent family area.
Want to learn more about the best beginner ski resorts in Austria? Read the blog here.
What are the best ski resorts in Austria for advanced and off-piste skiers?
Mayrhofen’s catalogue of black runs is a smorgasbord of insane gradients and technical trails perfect for experts. It's filled to the brim with thigh-burning terrain, including Austria’s steepest piste, the ‘Harakiri’, and its mind-blowing 78% gradient.
St Anton is another of Austria’s best ski holidays for advanced skiers. The bravest here can tackle the world-famous ‘Kandahar’ piste or any of its 200km of marked powder runs.
Ischgl is excellent for advanced skiers; we rate it 10/10! And with altitudes of over 2000 metres, this is one of Austria's most snow-sure ski holidays too.
Steep descents, narrow chutes and deep powder, off-piste skiing in Austria is as good as it gets:
Venture off the beaten track in Mayrhofen, where most off-piste runs are accessible from the main ski lifts.
Shred the colossal backcountry playground of Zillertal (such as Zell am Ziller) with over 300km of unpisted terrain.
For virgin powder and quiet off-piste descents, Fieberbrunn provides an irresistible entrée to some of Austria’s best off-piste skiing. It's a stop on the Freeride World Tour, no less!
Shred the colossal powder playground of Kaltenbach’s backcountry, with over 300km of unpisted terrain for lovers of freeride skiing.
What are the best high-altitude ski holidays in Austria?
Austria's highest ski resort, Pitztal is perfect for some epic off-piste action as early as September. You can also zip up the lifts to explore its highest piste at 3,440m (making it one of the highest ski areas in Europe).
Solden's powder is often plentiful on its 'Big 3' mountain peaks, another of Austria’s high-altitude ski resorts.
Dare to drop in on Kaprun's Black Mamba on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. With descents up to 63%, it's one of the steepest runs in Austria.
Why is Austria such a popular snowboarding destination?
Austria has made a serious mark in the snowboarding world - largely thanks to its legendary terrain parks and freestyle culture:
Mayrhofen - Home to some of Europe’s best park facilities, this resort is a playground for boarders keen to perfect their jumps, rails, and everything in between.
Zell am See - Just starting out? Zell am See is your go-to for wide, well-groomed runs that are perfect for building confidence. Off the slopes - explore a glittering lakeside village that’s every bit as charming off the slopes as on them.
But on a snowboard holiday in Austria, it’s not just about shredding the parks or cruising at altitude - Austria’s snowboard resorts are all about good vibes dawn ‘til dusk. Expect laid-back, sociable scenes, long lunches on sun-soaked terraces, and legendary après once the boards go away.
What are the best ski holidays in Austria for ski weekends or short breaks?
Salzburg Airport and Innsbruck Airport are among the most convenient airportsfor exploring the Austrian Alps, offering access to the Salzburg and Tyrol ski areas. Fly to either of these for speedy resort transfers ideal for ski weekends and short breaks.
What are the most popular ski resorts in Austria?
Here are just some of our top ski resorts. To find the perfect one for you, speak to one of our specialists.
Mayrhofen
Mayrhofen is a traditional Austrian village with some of the liveliest apres-ski in Austria. The piste is reached by gondola and offers diverse and challenging skiing and boarding. There is also an easy bus link to the Hintertux Glacier skiing.
Zell am See is a picturesque, lively village with a car-free centre overlooking Lake Zell and the vast mountain scenery. The ski area is split in two; Zell am See - Kaprun, and although not connected by piste, the resort offers a free shuttle bus service connecting them.
Saalbach is known for its lively atmosphere and Austrian charm. The skiing is great for all abilities and an excellent lift system connects Saalbach, Hinterglemm, Leogang and Fieberbrunn (skicircus), making it one of Austria's largest ski areas.
St Anton’s reputation is down to much more than its vibrant après scene. With its onion-domed churches, traditional chalets and fresco-painted buildings, it’s the quintessential Austrian resort. It’s also part of the country’s largest linked ski area, the Arlberg, which packs 305km of pistes, mostly in the intermediate range.
Kitzbühel is a renowned Austrian resort known for its picturesque appeal, luxury hotels, and the iconic Hahnenkamm downhill race, which transforms the town into a lively party hub. With 230km of slopes, including the famous Streif, and two terrain parks, it offers diverse skiing opportunities.