10 Great Places to Ski in Austria

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

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

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

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

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