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HEIDI GUIDE TO
Austria
Ski Holidays
It may sound cliché, but Austria really does tick all of the ski holiday boxes.
From the beginner-friendly nursery slopes of Alpbach to the near-vertical faces of St Anton, skiers of all abilities will revel in this high-altitude snowy wonderland.
Fantastic skiing, pretty alpine villages and arguably the world’s best apres-ski.
Lofty peaks and glaciers mean there's plenty of good snow all season. And if you want to avoid the crowds, you can ski as early as September and as late as May in some parts of the Austrian Alps.
And when the ski legs get tired, mess around on snow tubes with the kids, dance on tables with a cold beer in hand, or savour fine Austrian food in swanky restaurants. Style out your Austria ski holiday any way you want.
KEY INFORMATION
Good to Know
Currency
Euro
Language
German
Travel Time (APPROX)
2 hours
Gatwick
Timezone
GMT+2
The best bits of skiing in Austria
What are the best family ski resorts in Austria?
With heaps of gentle runs and ski-schools, Wildschönau is perfect for a fun-filled family ski holiday. Carve the vast slopes of the Ski Juwel region while the kids learn how to snow plough in the morning. Then head to the Juppi-Do play area after lunch to whizz down colourful tracks and snow tube runs. You can even build an igloo here! Leave teenagers to hang out in the snow park overlooking the lakeside ski resort of Zell am See. While the world's longest toboggan run in neighbouring Wildkogel will put a smile on the face of small and big kids alike.
What are the best beginner ski resorts in Austria?
Looking for cruisy blue runs, spectacular mountain vistas and easy resort access? Austria's beginner ski resorts are guaranteed to deliver. Stylish Seefeld is quiet with shed loads of gentle terrain. Jaw-dropping valley views await at beginner-friendly Alpbach. And St Johann in Tirol is good for gentle nursery slopes and wide sweeping descents. And if the going gets tough, why not stop for a drink mid-run!
What are the best high altitude/snow-sure ski resorts in Austria?
Austria has many high-altitude resorts, so it is pretty reliable for snow throughout the season. For some epic off-piste action, explore Austria's highest glacial resort, Pitztal, from as early as September. The powder is often plentiful on Solden's lofty 'Big 3' mountain peaks. Or dare to drop in on the Black Mamba on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier in Kaprun. With descents up to 63%, it's one of the steepest runs in the area.
What is the best skiing food and drink in Austria?
If it's chilly, a bowl of delicious goulash soup will warm you up, ready for a fun afternoon on the slopes. Or, if you need to replenish the energy levels, a plate load of Wiener Schnitzel and chips or a generous portion of Käsespätzle (aka cheesy pasta) will do the trick. For a sweet treat, apfelstrüdel is top of our list, closely followed by Kaiserschmarren pancakes with applesauce. You’ll find fantastic restaurants in Kitzbuhel, whilst the resorts of the SkiWelt are known for having loads of great mountain huts. Yum!
What are the best ski resorts for apres ski in Austria?
The hills are alive with the sound of music. But not as you might think. Dance on the tables and party until dawn in the piste-side bars of St Anton. Or head to Ischgl, dubbed 'Ibiza of the Alps, ' for street parties and lively ice bars. Home of Snowbombing Week, Mayrhofen plays host to some of the world's best DJs, and Europop beats blare out over the slopes of Solden, and you won’t go far wrong in Kirchberg or Gerlos either if you are after a party vibe. If you're looking for a more glamorous apres ski scene, head to Lech. Sip champagne and enjoy fine dining in this classy resort.
What are the best ski resorts for off piste skiing in Austria?
St Anton is one of our faves for off-piste skiing in Austria. Steep descents, narrow chutes and deep powder prove too big a temptation for most daredevils. For virgin powder and quiet off-piste descents, Fieberbrunn is irresistible. It's a stop on the Freeride World Tour, no less. Venture off the beaten track for the first time in Mayrhofen, where most off-piste runs are accessible from the main ski lifts. Or shred the colossal backcountry playground of Kaltenbach with over 300km of unpisted terrain.
What are the best ski resorts for skiing weekends and short breaks in Austria?
Want your ski fix but only have a small window to play with? Flights to Austria are swift and plentiful. Plus, transfers to the mountains take no time at all, so you are spoilt for choice. For the quickest transfers and maximum slope time, try Soll or Ellmau (one hour from Innsbruck and 90 minutes from Munich). Enjoy relaxed, immaculately groomed runs and chic hotels in Lech. Or if you and your pals are of mixed abilities, Zell am See will keep everyone entertained. Our last tip is Fugen, which is just 45 minutes from Innsbruck and about 90 minutes from Salzburg.
What are the best ski resorts for group ski holidays in Austria?
If you and your mates are looking for an Austrian skiing resort with a fun party vibe, look no further than Saalbach or Mayrhofen. Not only is it home to music and comedy festivals, there's also everything from cruisey beginner runs to deep off-piste powder and snowpark obstacles galore. Zell am See is ideal for groups of mixed ability. From here, you can access one of the largest ski regions in Austria, with over 400km of runs to explore.
What is the best time to ski in Austria?
For the best skiing conditions, head to Austria in mid-January. It is the coldest time of the year, but the snow is usually at its best. Avoid Christmas and New Year if you want quieter runs and cheaper rates. February can be busy too. The high-altitude and glacial resorts such as Obergurgl and Karpun are great options for early and late-season skiing, and longer daylight hours in March and April mean you'll have more time on the slopes.
Our favourite 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.
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Zell am See
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.
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Saalbach
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.
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St Johann in Tirol
With easy slopes for beginners, fun parks for freestylers, and a cozy atmosphere, St Johann in Tirol is perfect for families and beginners looking to carve their first turns. There's plenty to explore beyond the slopes too, with charming onion-domed churches, museums, and beautifully fresco-painted buildings.
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Kitzbuhel
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.
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All Resorts in austria
AchenkirchAlpbachAnnaberg im Lammertal Auffach-WildschonauAxamer LizumBad GasteinBad HofgasteinBad KleinkirchheimBerwangBrambergBrixen im ThaleDamulsDientenDorfgasteinEhrwaldEllmauFieberbrunnFilzmoosFinkenbergFissFlachauFlauchauwinklFugenFulpmesFuschl am See
GalturGaschurnGerlosGoing am Wilden KaiserGrossarlHaus Im EnnstalHeiligenblutHinterglemmHinterthalHippachHochfugenHochgurglHochkrimmlHopfgartenIglsIschglJerzensJochbergKaltenbachKapplKaprunKatschbergKirchbergKitzbuhelKleinarl
Why book with Heidi?
Flexible
Go where you want, when you want, for as long as you want, from an unbeatable choice of resorts.
Easy
Super-clever tech saves you buckets of time by making it easy to find 'the one', from a mountain of options.
5 star service
Our stellar UK team are here 24/7 to make sure your holiday runs smoothly. Flight cancelled? Booking amendments? We'll sort it.
On the money
From budget to luxury, find an amazing ski holiday whatever your wallet, knowing our ATOL protection means your money is safe.
Blogs about skiing in Austria
The best resorts in Europe for Intermediate Skiers
Whether you want a relaxing ski holiday with stunning mountain views, a lively apres-ski scene, or an energetic mile-munching skiing experience, there is something for everyone in our top ten list of skiing destinations for intermediate skiers.
Sarah Cramer
11 Apr, 2023
1 min read
The biggest ski areas in Europe
If you wanna go big on your ski holiday, there's no better place than in the heart of these vast European ski areas. With hundreds of kilometres of pistes to explore, you'll clock up some impressive carve time. We countdown from the biggest...
Sarah Cramer
27 Mar, 2023
1 min read
The Best Ski resorts for foodies
Skiing and good food go hand in hand. After shredding the mountain all day, some hearty grub to top up the energy levels is essential.
Sarah Cramer
14 Mar, 2023
1 min read