Ski Austria
Austria is the world’s true home of skiing and has the most ski resorts of any country in Europe. The incredible ski lift infrastructure, diversity of terrain, snow quality and quantity, facilities and value for money make Austria a ski and snowboard destination that is hard to beat. The snowboarding and skiing in Austria is absolute world class.
An Austrian ski and snowboard holiday provides an opportunity to soak up some fabulous European mountain culture, plus enjoy Austrian cities, friendly villages and traditional resorts. Après might be a French word, but Austria easily has the best après ski in the world – the Austrian ski resorts are the place to party!
Austria Snow & Weather
Austria has some of the snowiest places in Europe. The far western state of Vorarlberg has ski resorts with 9 to 10m annual snowfalls in the villages (Damuels, Warth Schroecken) let alone the peaks. The higher peaks are heavily glaciated, hence the world’s highest number of ski resorts based around glaciers & one of the world’s only all year round ski resorts – Hintertux Glacier (the other is Zermatt in Switzerland). The high ridge near the Moelltaler Gletscher north of Lienz gets around 20m of annual snowfall.
Mid-winter temperatures in Austria can be some of western Europe’s coldest, hence the general lower altitude of many resorts when compared to France or Italy. However, glorious sunny days abound, and the Austrians have the ‘drink in hand, sun-soaking lounge chair in the snow, sunglasses off & closed eyes pointing to the sun’ pose down to a fine art.
Skiing & Snowboarding in Austria
The options for skiing and snowboarding in Austria are endless. The Austrian Alps run through the entire country and the resorts range from low elevation and cute village ski hills, high alpine glaciers and huge interlinked mega resorts. Austria has a ski resort to suit everyone and at every time of the year. From west to east, Austrian ski resorts are easiest divided into their relevant states – Vorarlberg, Tyrol (a.k.a. Tirol), Salzburg (a.k.a. Salzburgerland), Styria, & Carinthia.
Vorarlberg Ski Resorts
Vorarlberg is the snowiest area of Europe and has the deep snow ski resorts of Damuels, Diedamskopf & Warth-Schroecken, plus the massive Ski Arlberg interlinked ski resort (Lech - Zurs & the Tyrol’s St Anton et al.) providing a massive terrain variety across the region.
Tyrol Ski Resorts
The Tyrol (Tirol) is home to some of the largest & best known (most famous) ski resorts in the world, but also has some seriously good secret stashes that are away from the seething horde. Any powder aficionado should head to ski resorts of Kühtai & Pitztal Glacier. They are small but ssooo good. Classics like St Anton, Ischgl & Kitzbuhel are for hard core skiers and party animals (snowboarders!!). The Zillertal resorts of Hochzillertal, Mayrhofen & Hintertux Glacier have every terrain type imaginable, as have the nine Innsbruck ski resorts. The Tyrol’s other glacier ski resorts include the Oetztal's huge Soeldon, Pitztal's smaller, but brilliant Pitztal Glacier & the Kaunertal Glacier. Massive interlinked resorts that are relatively unknown outside Europe include SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, Zillertal Arena plus the higher elevation Serfaus-Fiss-Laudis. Another worthy resort is the snow sure Obergurgl-Hochgurgl. The best ski terrain in one of the Powderhound's favourite ski resorts, Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn, is in the Tyrol as well.
In the East Tyrol (separated by a piece of current day Italy!) the lovely little ski resorts of Sillian & around Lienz are south of the impressive & under-rated Grossglockner Kals-Matrei ski resort.
Salzburg Ski Resorts
The Salzburg (or Salzburgerland) ski resorts are best illustrated by the mega resorts of Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn & the well-known Zell am See & Kaprun-Kitzsteinhorn Glacier combination. The snowiest location in the state is Obertauern ski resort - a Powderhounds favourite. Smaller resorts like Rauris & the excellent Weißsee will also provide Powderhounds with a great off-piste freeride experience. Other large ski areas, all with typically Austrian uber-modern lifts & vast terrain include the 4 resorts of the Gastein valley (a fantastic ski area), Wildkogel (with world’s longest illuminated toboggan run - 14km) & Flachau.
Styria Ski Resorts
Styria who? An interesting area east of Salzburg state, ski resorts including the huge 4 Berge Schladming & lovely Turracherhohe epitomise the Styria region. Further north, little snow magnets like Loser & Tauplitz make a trip to the region worthwhile.
Upper Austria
In Upper Austria, near the picture perfect village of Hallstatt, the Dachstein rises & the freeride paradise of Krippenstein (Obertraun) has runs 11km long. Enough said!
Carinthia Ski Resorts
Never heard of Carinthia state in Austria. Austria’s southern state has a range of great ski resorts including the high elevation and very snowy Moelltal Glacier and the secret powder stash of Ankogel (near the Mallnitz), just to mention a few. Mölltal Glacier is open 11 months of the year!
The Powderhounds will endeavour to review all these ski resorts - if we haven't already!
When to Ski or Snowboard in Austria
Austria is blessed with a geographic location & topography that lend it to all year-round skiing. Whilst late July to early September can be lean, Austria is replete with massive glacier ski resorts with extremely long ski seasons. A visit to Austria at any time of the year can include sliding on some quality white stuff........ snow that is!
See the When to Ski in Austria page for more information.
Travelling to Austrian Ski Resorts
For international travellers, Austrian ski resorts are easy to access. Major gateway airports include Innsbruck, Salzburg, Munich & Zurich. Resort connections are easy via the superbly integrated European & Austrian train & bus system. There are few ski resorts (if any) that cannot be accessed by cheap public transport.
See the Travelling to Austrian Ski Resorts page.
Austrian Ski & Snowboard Holiday Experience
Although Austria has a questionable gastronomic reputation and it is certainly not the place to visit if you’re trying to lose weight, the food is fabulous. Some may say that the food is stodgy, whilst others (like us) would describe it as fabulously scrumdiddlyumptious (there will be a spelling test later). Every type of gourmet sausage imaginable, luscious knoedels (engorged dumplings), classic wiener schnitzel and fries, plus beautiful rösti with potato and cheese guaranteed to clog up your arteries. Don’t forget the deliciously sweet kaiserschmarrn (local pancakes and apple sauce). There are healthier options available too, but the traditional fare is way too nice to evade and perfect for fuel when skiing.
In the après ski stakes, Austria is the centre of the world. Austrian wines are rightfully world famous and plentiful. Beer drinkers will need to get used to the idea that whilst one can get a beer anywhere, anytime, the styles are seriously limited comparative to North America (although a lot of UK beer is available). Fear not. Bouncing around to loud euro techno, disco and traditional tunes will make you forget your double IPA preferences quick smart. Avoid radlers - they are a pretend drink for pretenders!
If your ability to speak Austrian German isn’t great, don’t worry. Austrian ski resorts are well populated by British tourists, so some degree of English is spoken (usually perfectly), and most restaurants have English menus if you are desperate. You’ll recognise a lot of common foods, you’ll know how to order a bier or wein, and if you smile and say ‘danke’ for your meal the locals will be happy.
Cost of Skiing & Snowboarding in Austria
Austria is a relatively inexpensive country to go skiing or snowboarding when compared to some other parts the world such as the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Chile and several of the big ski resorts in France. When one considers the generally outstanding quality of lift infrastructure, piste preparation and size of Austrian ski resorts, lift ticket prices are incredibly competitive. At some places they are positively cheap!
All Austrian ski resorts have accommodation options to suit different budgets. If it isn’t available in the ski resort, a nearby village, town or city will have a well-priced option available. For those trying to save a penny, Austria has lots of youth hostels, excellent pensions and guesthouses, plus reasonably priced hotels.
Food and drink in Austria ski resorts is cheap compared to Switzerland, comparable with France, but not as cheap as Italy.
Ski and snowboard clothing and equipment can be expensive but that’s generally because only the top brands are being sold at ski resorts.
Travel in Austria is also amongst the cheapest in Europe. Fuel costs tend to be lower, train & bus options are everywhere (plus fares are often free if you have a local guest card of ski lift ticket) & road tolls are few & far between.
As with skiing anywhere in the world, if you have money and are keen to spend it, there is an expensive luxury (or budget) option for everything in Austria.
More Reasons to Ski Austria
There are hundreds of Austrian ski resorts to suit all needs. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, extreme rider, terrain park junkie, party nut, or need a family friendly ski holiday. Skiing in Austria offers great value for money, wonderful Austrian hospitality, fabulous traditional food and drink, the world famous Austrian ski instructors…………………. and did we mention the après!