The 10 Largest Ski Areas in Austria

If you want to stay at a large resort, look no further than our list of the 10 largest contiguous ski areas in Austria.

Big can be beautiful when it comes to skiing. If you're looking to go the distance on your ski break or simply prefer the benefits of staying at an extensive resort, here's a list of the 10 largest contiguous ski areas in Austria to help you choose the best place for your winter sports holiday.

1. Ski Arlberg

305 km (190 mi) of slopes
88 Lifts
Vorarlberg

With the opening of a new lift connection in the 2016/17 season, Ski Arlberg officially became the largest connected ski area in Austria and is home to no less than 305 km (190 mi) of slopes and 88 ski lifts. Here, you can now from St. Anton am Arlberg via Stuben all the way to Lech am Arlberg and Warth-Schröcken.

Although this is one of the world's largest ski areas, you'll nevertheless find that all the villages have managed to preserve their authentic Austrian charm. In fact, Lech Zürs am Arlberg belongs to the selective group of twelve Alpine villages that have been named "Best of the Alps".

2. SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental

288 km (179 mi) of slopes
over 1,800 m
90 lifts
Tirol

The SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental ski area is the largest connected ski area in Tirol, offering up an impressive 284 km (176 mi) of slopes, 90 lifts, and 81 cosy mountain huts. It encompasses the villages of Ellmau, Söll, Westendorf, Brixen im Thale, Going, Hopfgarten, Itter, Kleschau, and Scheffau.

There are fantastic opportunities for day trips to different parts of this versatile ski area, and beginners and children are also very well catered for. Come here for the ALPENIGLU® igloo village with its bars and a hotel made of ice, 4 fun parks, illuminated toboggan runs and the largest night skiing area in Austria. This area also boasts some of the most plentiful snowfall in Austria.

3. Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn

270 km (168 mi) of slopes
Altitude: 840 - 2,096 m
70 lifts
SalzburgerLand

The Skicircus, in SalzburgerLand, is one of the most varied areas in Austria, and since last year has also accommodated the Fieberbrunn ski region. Come here for an impressive ski area with no less than 270 km (168 mi) of slopes (140 km / 87 mi blue, 112 km / 70 mi red and 18 km / 11 mi black), 70 lifts, and more than 60 cosy ski huts.

You will be spoilt for choice amongst the vast terrain and excellently prepared wide pistes. Furthermore, Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is simply ideal for families, with a range of top-quality ski schools. Away from the slopes, a host of winter adventures await amidst a breathtaking winter scene, from tobogganing to horse-drawn sleigh rides.

4. Silvretta Arena Ischgl – Samnaun

239 km (239 mi) of slopes
Altitude: 1,377 - 2,872 m (4,518 ft - 9,423 ft)
45 lifts
Tirol

The challenging ski resort of Ischgl lies on the border with Switzerland, so you can also ski in the Swiss Samnaun during your holiday. In Ischgl, wonderful day trips as well as challenging ski routes and deep snow slopes await.

What's more, Ischgl has an incredibly popular events scene, hosting star-studded pop concerts, an ice sculpture contest featuring international artists, and the Gastronomy Ski World Championship which sees chefs and hotel staff compete on the pistes.

5. Schladming-Dachstein

230 km (143 mi) of slopes
88 lifts
Styria

The ski area of Schladming-Dachstein has 230 km (143 mi) of slopes, perfect for a number of different day trips, serviced by a good network of lifts. Families are very well catered for here, with a number of different discounts for children, such as free skiing for kids.

Schladming-Dachstein is part of the larger Ski amadé area. You can ski this entire area, with its 760 kilometers (472 mi) of pistes, split up into 5 ski areas, on one ski pass. Add to this the fact that there are a number of different snowparks and funslopes, and you're guaranteed a busy and action-packed holiday.

6. Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis

214 km (133 mi) of slopes
Altitude: 1,200 - 2,820 m (3,937 - 9,252 ft)
68 lifts
Tirol

The Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area lies surrounded by the impressive 3,000-metre (9,843 ft) high peaks of the Samnaun Group and Ötztal Alps. This is a true paradise for skiers and snowboarders alike. Most of the slopes (58%) are red, 22% are blue and 13% are black, whilst the remaining 7% are ski routes.

If you're looking for fun and games in the winter season, you can race on the speed track, go freestyling in a snowpark, or glide through a fun area. This is also a fantastic place to come with the kids, with plenty of ski lessons, dedicated children's areas in the restaurants, and all manner of fun activities laid on for the little ones.

7. Kitzski Kitzbühel/Kirchberg ski area

230 km (143 mi) of slopes
57 lifts
Tirol

This ski area is situated between the Kitzbüheler Horn and the Hahnenkamm and Pengelstein and Resterhöhe, and encompasses the towns of Kitzbühel, Reith, Aurach, Jochberg, Pass Thurn-Mittersill, Hollersbach, Kirchberg, and Aschau in Spertental.

Come here for snow-sure skiing (with almost 200 days of snow security), 230 km (143 mi) of pistes, 57 lifts, fantastic freeriding opportunities, and the legendary Hahnenkamm "Streif" competition. It has been repeatedly named among the best ski resorts in the world. Thanks to innovative technology, this ski area is the first non-glacier area to open its slopes in October. The area is suitable for beginners as well as advanced and offers many off-piste opportunities, meaning that this is a real paradise for freeriders.

8. Sölden

144 km (89 mi) of slopes
Altitude: 1,350 - 3,340 m (4,429 - 10,958 ft)
31 lifts
Tirol

Sölden is a very particular winter sports venue, and home to the annual World Alpine Skiing championships. Snow security is the name of the game here, with no fewer than 2 glaciers, the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers, to conquer.

Come here to find the BIG3, three mountains over 3,000 m (9,843 ft) high, which house special viewing platforms that you can visit during a ski safari. The longest piste runs from the Schwarze Schneide on the Rettenbach glacier into the valley, meaning you can conquer an altitude difference of 1,900 m (6,234 ft) on your skis.

9. Zillertal Arena

143 km (89 mi) of slopes
Altitude: 580 - 2,505 m (1,903 - 8,219 ft)
52 lifts
Tirol

The Zillertal Arena encompasses Gerlos, Königsleiten, Zell am Ziller, Wald im Pinzgau, and Krimml. It's a modern and child-friendly ski area where everyone feels at home. There are 143 km (89 mi) of slopes here which cater to all abilities, from nice and wide to steep and challenging. Furthermore, there is much variety to be found in this ski area, including fun parks, a race track, a video piste, and you can also be first on the slopes (from 6:55 a.m.) with the Good Morning ski package and have the whole ski area to yourself.

The Zillertal Superskipass (available as a 2-day pass and upwards) gives you access to all of the ski areas in Zillertal, including the Hintertux Glacier. With a total of 535 km (332 mi) of slopes, you're guaranteed never to have a dull moment.

10. Mayrhofen

136 km (84.5 mi) of slopes
58 lifts
Tirol

Mayrhofen, located in Zillertal, is an incredibly popular winter sports destination. Mayrhofen ski area consists of 2 areas, with a total of 136 km (84.5 mi) of slopes.

On one side of the village you'll find the pleasant Ahorn, and on the other side is the Penken, home to the Harakiri run - Austria's steepest black slope with a gradient of 78% - and to one of the best fun parks in the Alps: the Penken Park.

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