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    10 Great Places to Ski in Austria

    Find pristine pistes, world-class ski schools, and optimal snow conditions in these 10 Austrian ski regions.

    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

    The small medieval town of Kitzbühel is steeped in tradition. Both the town and its ski resort (where every year professional skiers reach speeds of 140 kmph / 87 mph in front of some 60,000 spectators every January) are bywords for Gemütlichkeit – that particular brand of Austrian hospitality that guarantees the warmest of welcomes.

    In addition to great off-piste action, you can follow the 35-kilometre (22 mi) circuit to take in some of the equally delightful surrounding villages and areas. Polish up your skiing skills at any one of the area's legendary ski schools such as the 'Rote Teufel' (Red Devils), and take your pick from Kitzbühel's 50-plus cosy mountain huts to join in with the legendary love of après-ski beats long into the night.

    Come here for:

    • 185 km / 115 mi of pistes
    • Excellent hotels
    • Culinary delights
    • Après-ski excitement and nightlife
    • Cosmopolitan atmosphere


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    Cable car Kitzbühel

    2. Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, SalzburgerLand and Tirol

    Composed of four ski areas, the Skicircus stretches from Tirol to the SalzburgerLand province and has rightly earned its place amongst the world’s biggest ski areas. Its slopes are as diverse and varied as they are prestigious. Fieberbrunn transforms into a freerider's paradise for 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 amateur skiers alike.

    270 km / 168 mi of immaculate pistes, 71 modern lifts, and an enjoyable circuit create a winter oasis for skiers, snowboarders, and tobogganers. From easy family slopes to deliciously demanding professional runs, there is something here for everyone. Foodies will find their own culinary heaven with gourmet delights in mountain eateries. A lively après-ski scene awaits in the area's 60 chalets, snow bars, and pubs.

    Come here for:

    • Huge variety of slopes for all levels
    • Cultural events
    • New combination ski ticket (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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    Saalbach winter freeride

    3. Vorarlberg

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

    • A favourite amongst celebrities, royalty and gourmets alike, Arlberg is one of the largest contiguous ski areas in Austria.
    • Brandnertal is prized for its family-friendly vibe and offers 65 km (40 mi) of neatly groomed pistes, easy runs, and many activities for children.
    • The Damüls-Mellau resort in the Bregenzerwald with its Gipfelbahn gondola links Mellau with Damüls and ensures that moving between the shadier north-facing slopes and sunny south-facing ones is quick and easy. This area is also world-renowned for its innovative architecture, design, and craftsmanship.
    • The Montafon valley is about 40 km (25 mi) long and includes 11 villages located at altitudes of up to 1,450 m (4,757 ft). It is surrounded by majestic peaks of 3,312 m, or over 10,000 ft. You'll find villages with a casual, sporty atmosphere and a varied programme of leisure activities, cosy bed and breakfasts suitable for families, as well as quiet Alpine villages perfect for relaxing here.


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    ski region Arlberg

    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 village of Kaprun, located about 8 km (5 mi) down the road. Beginners and advanced skiers are well catered for. You can take a combination of gondolas and chairlifts from Zell am See town centre and from the satellite of Schuttdorf for intermediate skiing 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.

    Beginners or those returning to the sport can hit the wide range of nursery slopes or polish up their skills at any one of the area’s 11 different ski schools. Away from the slopes, the chic shops lining Zell am See’s cobblestoned high street are fantastic for some retail therapy, or you could treat yourself to some rest and relaxation at the impressive TAUERN SPA just outside Kaprun.

    Come here for:

    • A combination of mountains, lake, and glacier
    • 100% snow guarantee
    • Extra-long skiing season from October to June
    • Pistes on three mountains included with a single ski pass
    • Huge variety: glacier skiing, freeriding, panorama skiing, family-friendly pistes


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    Snow-covered winter landscape with a breathtaking view at Lake Zell

    5. Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau, Tirol

    The Ski Juwel skiing area is formed of two Tirolean ski resorts – Alpbach and Wildschönau. Just 45 km (28 mi) from Innsbruck, Alpbach has been voted the prettiest town in the region, and Wildschönau boasts picturesque little villages. With some 109 km (68 mi) of pistes, all variety of blue, red and black runs and ski roads, and the abundance of ski lifts ensure you 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. Romantic horse-drawn sleigh rides, farmers’ museums, and the local Wildschönau train which takes you to the most gorgeous spots in the Alpine valley, ensure a great time off the slopes. And why not end the day with a celebratory Krautinger, a unique schnapps made of local turnips?

    Come here for:

    • Great value for money
    • Perfect for families
    • 109 km / 68 mi of pistes
    • A collection of lovely villages
    • Just 45 min from Innsbruck


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    Skiing near Heiligenblut / Carinthia

    6. Kitzbüheler Alpen, Tirol

    This area is steeped in tradition and famed for its outstanding hospitality. Cultural activities, museums, and traditional events await, and the mountainous arena offers up the perfect stage for skiing, snowboarding, and tobogganing. Available as a 1- to 14-day ski pass, 10-day flexible ski pass and season pass, the Kitzbüheler Alpen Super Ski Card covers more than 900 cable cars and lifts, 2,750 km (1,708 mi) of runs and gives access to 800 ski lodges, making Kitzbühel Alps one of Austria’s largest and most varied ski areas.

    The slopes have plenty of natural snow and snowmaking facilities, guaranteeing a long skiing season. The gentle runs of the St. Johann in Tirol resort lend themselves perfectly to family fun, and there are a number of romantic rustic huts to take a rest and refuel along the way.

    Come here for:

    • One of the world’s biggest ski pass areas: 2,750 km / 1,708 mi
    • More than 600 km / 373 mi of cross-country trails
    • Romantic villages and traditional rustic Alpine huts
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    The St. Johann in Tirol ski area with the Kitzbüheler Horn

    7. Innsbruck, Tirol

    For a ski holiday with a different feel, the stunning Habsburg university town of the “capital of the Alps”, Innsbruck, will not disappoint. A mainstay on “Best European Winter Destination” lists, it has hosted the Winter Olympics three times. Innsbruck’s SKI plus CITY pass gives you all-inclusive access to 22 city sights, 13 ski areas, 3 swimming pools, and public transport, with the free ski bus whisking you to your chosen spot in no time.

    Peppered with small boutiques, beautiful museums, fabulous culinary establishments, and a wealth of glistening Christmas markets, Innsbruck is a perfect destination for adventurous thrill seekers and culture-loving metropolitan travellers alike.

    Longing for the ultimate winter sports destination? The Stubai Glacier, located just 45 minutes from Innsbruck, is your answer. Enjoy more than 50 km (31 mi) of ski runs for intensive downhill skiing, carving, and boarding.

    Come here for:

    • A combination of city trip & skiing holiday
    • 308 km / 191 mi of snow-sure pistes and 111 lifts
    • Easily accessibility via Innsbruck Airport
    • Perfect Tirol holiday hub
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    Nordkette Innsbruck

    8. Tiroler Zugspitz Arena, Tirol

    At 2,962 m (9,718 ft), the Zugspitze mountain is the tallest in the area. Tucked beneath this fantastic backdrop are the seven ski resorts making up the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena. 142 km (88 mi) of slopes and 56 lifts can be reached quickly via free buses and are all covered by the same ski pass. Gentle slopes offer a relaxing experience for beginners and returners to skiing, whilst challenging slopes provide exhilarating runs for the experienced.

    Many packages offer free childcare, there are numerous ski courses and camps for children aged two and upwards, and children under six ski free in all areas. Off the slopes, you can soak in the après-ski experience, relax in your hotel’s spa, or while away the hours in a pretty local village or 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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    Tiroler Zugspitz Arena - cross-country skiing

    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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    Skiing, Obertauern

    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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    Skiing in Ötztal