Great Places to Ski in Austria

Find pristine pistes, world-class ski schools, and perfect snow conditions in these Austrian ski regions.

Kitzbühel
Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn
Vorarlberg
Zell am See-Kaprun
Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau
St. Johann in Tirol
Innsbruck
Tiroler Zugspitz Arena
Obertauern
Sölden / Ötztal Valley
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental

Whether you’re a skier perfecting your glides or a snowboarder looking to twist some turns in freshly fallen snow, you’ll find everything you need in abundance on and off the slopes of Austria. Come here for pristine pistes, top-notch resorts, world-class ski schools, and optimal snow conditions, all amongst some of the most beautiful mountains and scenery in the world.

As the beauty of Austria’s mountainous landscape knows no bounds and with its abundance of high-quality ski resorts, it can be difficult to know which destination to pick for your next holiday. So, to help you along, we have compiled some of the greatest places to ski in Austria.

1. Kitzbühel, Tirol

Kitzbühel and its ski resort (where professionals reach up to 140 kmph / 87 mph in front of 60,000 spectators every January) are steeped in tradition and bywords for Gemütlichkeit – that particular Austrian hospitality that guarantees the warmest of welcomes. Follow the 35-km (22 mi) circuit to the nearby villages, polish up your skills at the legendary ski schools, and take your pick from Kitzbühel's 50-plus huts for culinary delights and après-ski.

Come here for:

233 km / 144 mi of pistes
Excellent hotels
Après-ski excitement and nightlife
Cosmopolitan atmosphere

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2. Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, SalzburgerLand and Tirol

Stretching from Tirol to SalzburgerLand, Skicircus has rightly earned its place amongst the world’s biggest ski areas. Fieberbrunn hosts the Freeride World Tour every winter, Saalbach is home to Rave on Snow, the world’s biggest winter festival of electronic music, and Saalfelden Leogang’s annual cross-country ski marathon attracts professionals and amateurs alike. 270 km / 168 mi of pistes, 71 modern lifts and 60 chalets, bars, and pubs await.

Come here for:

Huge variety of slopes for all skill levels
SKI ALPIN CARD in cooperation with Zell am See & Kitzsteinhorn glacier: 408 km (254 mi) of pistes, 121 lifts
Extensive off-piste & freeriding options

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3. Vorarlberg

Austria’s westernmost province has one of the best snow records in the Alps. Take your pick from a variety of cosy regions for your winter adventure:

A favourite amongst celebrities, royalty and gourmets alike, Arlberg is one of the largest contiguous ski areas in Austria.
Brandnertal has won awards for its family-friendly vibe and offers 65 km (40 mi) of neatly groomed pistes, easy runs, and kid-friendly activities.
The Damüls-Mellau resort in the Bregenzerwald with its Gipfelbahn gondola links Mellau and Damüls, ensuring that moving between the shadier north-facing slopes and sunny south-facing ones is quick and easy.
The Montafon valley includes 11 villages, surrounded by majestic peaks of 3,312 m, or over 10,000 ft. Enjoy a sporty atmosphere and cosy bed and breakfasts perfect for a family stay.

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4. Zell am See-Kaprun, SalzburgerLand

An hour away from Salzburg Airport is the gorgeous lakeside town of Zell am See, which shares a lift pass with the equally picturesque Kaprun. Take gondolas and chairlifts straight from Zell am See centre to the 2,000-metre (6,562 ft) Schmittenhöhe mountain. Snow-sure skiing is guaranteed on the 3,030-metre (9,941 ft) high slopes of Kaprun's Kitzsteinhorn Glacier. There are 11 ski schools, chic shops lining Zell am See’s cobblestoned high street and the impressive TAUERN SPA just outside Kaprun.

Come here for:

A combination of mountains, lake, and glacier
Extra-long skiing season from October to June
Pistes on three mountains included in a single ski pass
Huge variety: glacier skiing, free riding, family-friendly pistes

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5. Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau, Tirol

The Ski Juwel is formed of two Tirolean ski resorts – Alpbach (Austria's prettiest village!) and Wildschönau. Just 45 km (28 mi) from Innsbruck, and with some 113 km (70 mi), this is place where you can enjoy your time to the max. Families are well catered for with a generous beginner’s area on Schatzberg mountain; there's also a park for freestylers and boarders. Off the slopes, horse-drawn sleigh rides and farmers’ museums await. End the day with Krautinger, a schnapps made of local turnips.

Come here for:

Family-friendly and great value for money
113 km / 70 mi of pistes
A collection of lovely villages
Just 45 min from Innsbruck

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6. St. Johann in Tirol

The exceptionally family-friendly ski region of St. Johann in Tirol and its neighbouring villages Oberndorf, Kirchdorf and Erpfendorf come with 40 km (25 mi) of slopes, and outstanding conditions for your ski holiday. On the snow-sure side of the Kitzbüheler Horn, a great variety of pistes cater to all skill levels. Kirchdorf and Erpfendorf are the ideal spots for beginners and those just getting reacquainted with the slopes. 18 mountain huts and inns serve traditional Austrian cuisine, gourmet menus and other local delicacies - nobody will stay hungry here!

Come here for:

40 km / 25 mi of varied ski fun
170 km / 105 mi of cross-country trails
100 km / 62 mi of well-prepared winter hiking trails

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7. Innsbruck, Tirol

The “capital of the Alps” has hosted the Winter Olympics three times. Innsbruck’s SKI plus CITY pass gives you access to 22 city sights, 13 ski areas, 3 pools, and public transport, with the free ski bus whisking you to your chosen spot in no time. Peppered with boutiques, museums, restaurants and Christmas markets, it is a perfect destination for adventurous thrill seekers and culture-loving metropolitan travellers alike. Looking for even more slopes - or all-year skiing? The Stubai Glacier is just 45 minutes away.

Come here for:

A combination of city trip & skiing holiday
340 km / 211 mi of snow-sure pistes and 111 lifts
Easily accessibility via Innsbruck Airport
Perfect Tirol holiday hub

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8. Tiroler Zugspitz Arena, Tirol

At 2,962 m (9,718 ft), the Zugspitze mountain is the tallest in the area. Seven ski resorts, 214 km (132 mi) of slopes for all skill levels and 89 lifts are connected by free buses and covered by the Top Snow Card. Many packages offer free childcare, there are ski courses, camps for children from age 2, and free ski passes for under 6-year-olds. Off the slopes, you can soak in the après-ski experience, relax in your hotel’s spa, or explore a pretty local town.

Come here for:

A great family holiday
One ski pass, two countries, multiple resorts
Snow-sure skiing at almost 3,000 m / 9,800 ft
Panoramic views

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9. Obertauern, SalzburgerLand

The resort of Obertauern, at an altitude of 1,740 m / 5,708 ft, boasts some of the most reliable snow conditions in Austria. There’s excellent skiing here from late November right through to early May. An Olympic centre and high-altitude training site offer everything that winter sports guests could possibly be looking for.

Come here for:

Austria’s greatest snow depths
100 km of pistes
Ski-in ski-out hotels directly on the pistes
Snow assurance from November to May
Ski parks for children

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10. Sölden / Ötztal, Tirol

Skiing in the Ötztal Arena starts at 1,400 m (4,593 ft) above sea level and goes right up to 3,249 m (10,660 ft). The “Golden Gate to the Glacier”, the ski link to the region’s glacier skiing area, opens up nearly 150 km (93 mi) of ski pistes, with a panorama of 9,840 ft / 3,000 m peaks as a backdrop wherever you look. The FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup and the FIS Snowboard World Cup - the first of a great number of glacier events and highlights - celebrate the season's opening in mid-October.

Come here for:

One of the most renowned ski destinations in the Alps
State-of-the-art infrastructure
Austria's only ski area with three peaks higher than 3,000 m / 9,843 ft
Great après-ski and cultural events

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11. SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, Tirol

The SkiWelt is one of the largest and most modern and ecological ski resorts in Austria. It features 270 km (168 mi) of groomed slopes and 20 descents, and has been powered by 100% green electricity for more than 20 years. 22 ski schools and more than 80 family-run, cosy mountain huts and restaurants are spread out all over the resorts' nine picture-perfect ski-in ski-out villages. If you can't get enough outdoor exercise during the day, SkiWelt is also Austria's biggest night ski resort with 13 km (8 mi) of floodlit ski runs.

Come here for:

270 km / 168 mi of ski runs
82 modern cable cars and lifts
80 rustic Alpine huts and après ski bars

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