Austria is famous for its stunning ski resorts, attracting winter sports enthusiasts from all over the world. In this article, we'll explore 9 of the best places to ski in Austria, their features, ski pass costs, and additional entertainment options.
1. Ischgl (Tyrol)
Located on the border of Austria and Switzerland, the Ischgl resort in southern Tyrol is considered one of the best in the country for snowboarding. It is equipped with a modern lift system, and the total length of the slopes is 238 km with 46 lifts. Ischgl is suitable for skiers of all levels, offering a variety of entertainment, such as moguls, carving, and the large "Borders Paradise" fun park for snowboarders. In addition to active recreation, visitors can explore the cable car museum and the house-museum of local artist Mathias Schmid.
2. Bad Gastein (Salzburg)
Bad Gastein, located in the south of the Salzburg province, combines a ski resort with a health center featuring thermal springs. The resort has 200 km of slopes with 19 lifts, 18 thermal springs, and numerous pools. It is ideal for family vacations with children, offering childcare services and the Felsentherme health complex. Besides skiing, visitors can enjoy ice skating, curling, and snowshoe walks.
3. Kitzbühel (Tyrol)
Kitzbühel, located in the eastern part of Tyrol near Innsbruck, is considered one of the centers of winter sports in the Alps. The resort offers 179 km of mostly easy slopes and 58 lifts. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers, with numerous lifts allowing for exciting circular routes. Besides skiing, Kitzbühel is known for its city museum with Bronze Age exhibits, fountains, and architectural monuments like the Chapel of St. John Nepomuk and St. Bernard's Chapel.
4. Mayrhofen (Tyrol)
Mayrhofen, the largest and most famous resort in the Zillertal valley, located 30 km from the Italian border, offers skiing even in low snow winters thanks to the Hintertux Glacier. The total length of the slopes is 159 km with about 20 lifts. The resort is attractive to athletes, beginner skiers, snowboarders, freeriders, and families. Besides skiing, visitors can ride on Austria's longest pendulum cable car, Ahornbahn, and visit the picturesque Schlegeis alpine reservoir.
5. Kaprun (Salzburg)
Kaprun, located in the west, offers the only glacier skiing area in this region. The resort is just 10 km from the majestic Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, accessible by mountain train. The total length of the slopes is 130 km with 19 lifts. Kaprun is suitable for beginners, experienced skiers, freeriders, and families with children. Besides skiing, visitors can try carving, freestyle, ice skating, and surfing on the frozen Zeller See lake. A unique attraction is the snow and ice hotel complex at the top of the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, where you can spend the night in a snow hut.
6. St. Anton (Vorarlberg)
St. Anton, a resort with a rich history, where the world's first ski school was opened in 1904, attracts experienced skiers, freeriders, youth, and nightlife enthusiasts. The total length of the slopes is 340 km with more than 90 lifts. The resort frequently hosts competitions and championships, and visitors might meet celebrities from sports, politics, or cinema. Besides skiing, the resort offers curling, sledding, and ice skating. The town has a famous ski museum dedicated to the sport's history and a monument to skiing pioneer Hannes Schneider.
7. Nassfeld (Carinthia)
Nassfeld, located near the Italian border, away from densely populated areas, is known for its lack of queues and tranquil atmosphere. The total length of the slopes is 110 km with 30 lifts. The resort is suitable for skiers of all skill levels, snowboarders, and families with children. It offers ski and snowboard schools, and in your free time, you can visit a swimming pool or spa. Nassfeld is known for its quality toboggan runs, the 220-meter "Memphis Twin Pipe" track, and ice skating on the frozen Lake Pressegger See. It also features the longest lift in the Alps, the Millennium Express, covering 6 km and ascending 1,393 meters in 20 minutes.
8. Sölden (Tyrol)
Sölden, a popular resort in the Austrian Alps in the Ötztal Valley in the southwest, is known for comfortable skiing conditions and a lively atmosphere. The total length of ski runs is 143 km with more than 30 lifts. The resort is suitable for beginners, experienced skiers, freeriders, and glacier skiing enthusiasts. Active recreation lovers will appreciate the "Freizeit Arena" sports center with swimming pools, sauna, jacuzzi, and bowling. Be sure to visit the James Bond museum with interesting installations and decorations and a good restaurant.
9. Saalbach-Hinterglemm (Salzburg)
Saalbach and Hinterglemm are two popular alpine villages in the high mountain Glemmtal Valley, in the Pinzgau region of southern Salzburg. A free ski bus circulates between them for ski pass holders. The total length of the slopes is 270 km with 70 lifts. The resort is ideal for beginners, with 9 ski schools staffed by experienced instructors. Saalbach-Hinterglemm is attractive for family vacations, offering childcare and activities such as ice skating, tobogganing, indoor tennis courts, bowling, and swimming. A noteworthy attraction is the viewing platform on the summit of Zwölferkogel Mountain, offering breathtaking views of the Glemmtal Valley and the karstic high plateau of Steinerne Meer.