Austria is the key Alpine ski nation, with many hidden treasures waiting to be explored. The key to ski holidays in Austria is the country’s celebrated ‘Gemütlichkeit’ culture, which attempts to make guests feel welcome, entertained and well fed, both on the slopes and after the lifts have closed. The service excellence and hospitality that you encounter all over the country is guaranteed to leave you with a warm glow even in the cold winter weather. You’ll find the typical Austrian welcome both on the slopes with genuinely friendly instructors and lively après-ski in almost every Austrian bar when the lifts have closed. Or even before they have - the partying starts early, and it’s a familiar sight at many of the resort’s mountain huts to see skiers dancing while still in their ski boots.
Where to ski in Austria
Snow in Austria
On the slopes, Austria's ski resorts enjoy a good snow record. There is plenty of high skiing, the highest ski resorts in Austria such as Obergurgl, Obertauern and Sölden are as snowsure as you’ll find anywhere.
Best for Families
Surrounded by glorious mountain peaks and glaciers Obergurgl & Hochgurgl are guaranteed good snow conditions from November to May. As a family resort, many of the hotels offer kids activities and there is a great ski school, learning area and child friendly snow park.
Best for Groups
The Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is by far the biggest ski area in the east of the country having recently been linked to the Zell am See ski area. Now all under one lift pass, you'll have access to 408km of skiable terrain. Saalbach, Hinterglemm and Zell am See are lively and are well linked to the ski areas with lifts coming down into the villages, so many hotels are just a stones throw from the lifts.
Kitzbühel is located in the Tirol, justifiably world famous for the annual Hahnenkamm ski race, cosmopolitan atmosphere and a distinctive medieval town flair in addition to the 179km of linked skiing on its doorstep.
Best for Après
The Arlberg ski region is the jewel in Austria's crown, including St. Anton, which is renowned for its après-ski starting on the slopes and continuing into the small hours down in the village. Lech and Zürs in the Arlberg region and not only the birthplace of modern Alpine skiing but also a popular playground for Europe's Royal families.
Two annual Alpine celebrations are worth mentioning in Mayrhofen, the first is the renowned Altitude Comedy Festival, which sees ‘the big guns of comedy’ provide a week of unforgettable laughs, and the second is Snowbombing! which mixes fresh current talent with crucial pioneers of the music scene.
On the subject of music vibrating off of the snowy slopes of the Austrian Alps, we cannot forget Ischgl, with 304 kilometers of pistes and stylish hotels; it’s one of the most popular winter hot spots in the world and attracts international superstars to its open-air concerts. Totally unique Sölden also has a great selection of bars, restaurants and high-altitude skiing.
Best for Beginners
Skiing in Austria has always attracted British skiers and snowboarders, and many of them learned to ski in resorts such as Alpbach, Niederau, Söll, Mayrhofen, Obergurgl and Filzmoos. Family friendly skiing in Austria is a major attraction, and in many cases parents have returned later with their own children, confident that the experience they had when they were learning is as rewarding as ever.
Why book a ski holiday in Austria with Inghams?
- 90 years of experience and knowledge - You can trust us to deliver your perfect holiday.
- With you at every step - before during and after your holiday and we have resort representatives
- Flights, transfers and accommodation - included in all of our holidays
Our In Safe Hands Promise
