Austria
Ski Holidays

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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 Zillertal with over 300km of unpisted terrain.

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.

If you and your mates are looking for an Austrian skiing resort with a fun party vibe, look no further than Saalback 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.

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 Obergurgle 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.