Top 10 Small Ski Areas in Austria
Tranquility, friendly hospitality, and fantastic prices: Explore a number of hidden gems far away from the large ski resorts.
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Children's Ski Course Schladming
Ski Resorts for Beginners and Returning Skiers
Beginners are in excellent hands at Austria's ski schools, and resorts catering for newbies on the slopes. Returning winter sports fans will feel equally at home right away amidst stunning mountain panoramas and peeks. This is winter the Austrian way.
Away from Hustle and Bustle
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Quality Time the Austrian Way
It's back, that very special uplifting feeling when gliding over the powdery snow on skis or a snowboard. If only the turns came about more perfectly, and the knees would stop shaking. Don't rush now!
Beginners and those aiming to brush up their skiing skills after a longer break usually feel more comfortable in smaller, more manageable ski areas than in a massive ski carousel. There's no need to study the piste maps for hours, as you'll find plenty of blue runs where carving and mastering your first turns is easy. Add the panoramic views of a dreamy alpine winter landscape, and you'll really feel that Mountain High.
To reward yourself, and to warm up body and soul after a couple of hours in the cold, stop at one the countless ski huts and indulge in culinary classics such as Käsespätzle (the Austrian answer to mac and cheese), bacon dumplings and/or a Kaiserschmarren (sliced pancakes).
Beginner-friendly resorts allow families and winter sport fans of all skill levels to appreciate the beauty of nature together, to enjoy being active in the snow, and embrace the alpine lifestyle - quality time the Austrian way.
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Friends taking a break in the ski resort Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau media_content.tooltip.skipped -
skiing and snowboarding in the ski resort Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau media_content.tooltip.skipped -
Family enjoys Kaiserschmarrn at a hut in the ski resort Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau media_content.tooltip.skipped -
Fun in the snow in the Alpbachtal valley, family building a snowman media_content.tooltip.skipped
FAQs for beginners and returning skiers
Skiing in Austria
Austria awaits with a variety of ski resorts that are perfect for ski newbies and those getting back on the pistes after a longer break. Here, beginners can learn the basics in a relaxed atmosphere and enjoy their first turns on the gently rolling slopes.
Listen in: Austria - The Home of Family Skiing
Six tips for beginners and returning skiers
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Skiing with children in St. Johann in Tirol media_content.tooltip.skippedKeep going!
If the movements don't turn out correctly right away, don't be disappointed. It might take some time to get a feel for the slopes.
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COVID19 safety measures for ski rental in Austrian ski resorts media_content.tooltip.skippedGet your ski equipment checked
After years of not being used, your skis might be slightly outdated. In most winter sports resorts the latest models can be rented.
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Skiing with children in the Murau region media_content.tooltip.skippedDon't forget your ski helmet!
The days of wearing a headband or hood on the slopes are over. A ski helmet is definitely advised - for minors up to 15 it is mandatory.
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Alpine Lodge The Zillergrund fitness room media_content.tooltip.skippedGet fit before you hit the slopes
Make sure to train your leg, abdominal and back muscles before heading on your skiing getaway - regular cardio training is also recommended.
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On the slope media_content.tooltip.skippedChoose the right ski resort
Choose a ski resort with mostly easy (= blue) to medium (= red) slopes.
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Ski Lessons Schladming media_content.tooltip.skippedBook a ski course or a few lessons
Experience first-hand how quickly Austria's certified ski instructors turn beginners into advanced skiers - or advanced ones into experts.
Ski course - yes or no?
Safety on and off the slopes
Sustainable Winter Holidays
Winter and skiing holidays in Austria's Alps are legendary. To keep it that way, a lot is changing right now to make them more sustainable: The ski region "Klimaberg" Katschberg amidst the "UNESCO Biosphere Park Salzburg Lungau & Carinthian Nockberge" has been awarded the Austrian Ecolabel and the German "Green Tourism Award". In Zell am See, cable cars run on 100 percent electricity from renewable sources, while snow-farming protects the glacier in the Kaprun resort: Snow for the next winter is stored and the ice surface of the glacial tongue is covered. The Schladming-Dachstein ski region relies on climate-friendly travel by train as well as ski buses and on-site e-fueling stations. In the Wilder Kaiser ski region, every guest arriving by train is rewarded with free transfer to accommodation, free public transport and a 10 percent discount on ski rentals (see all advantages at a glance). In the Silvretta Montafon, Golm and Brandnertal region, skiers can book a Green Ticket online. It includes a day ski pass, a ticket for arrival and departure by bus and train, a 10 percent discount on rental equipment, and one free ski waxing.
Lech am Arlberg
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