Tyrol Ski Resorts Austria

The Tyrol (a.k.a. Tirol) state of Austria has the greatest collection of ski resorts in the world. Stretching from the famous St Anton in the west & Kitzbuhel in the east, the Tirol has it all & more. From high alpine glaciers, incredible powder, huge interlinked mega-resorts & small secret stash ski areas, modern lifts, pretty villages, impeccable accommodations and a vast amount of quiet backcountry, the Tyrol is a region to be reckoned with. And to go with all the incredible Tyrolean ski areas, the state capital Innsbruck, is one the best ski-cities on the planet. If you had to choose one place to visit for a lifetime of skiing in Europe, this is the region for you.

Tirol Skiing & Snowboarding

Tirol state in Austria has over 150 ski areas with lifts, and of these a high percentage are of interest to any self-respecting Powderhound. From mega-sized resorts with hundreds of kilometres of piste trails, high-altitude glacier ski resorts with seasons running from October to July, a multitude of world-class middle-sized ski areas little known outside western Europe, and those many wonderful 'small' secret stash resorts that ski BIG. Read on to see the list of our favourite ski resorts in Tyrol.

Mega-sized Tyrol Ski resorts

Whilst smaller and less numerous than what one may find in the French Alps, the mega-sized ski resorts in Austria have a quality of skiing rarely equalled anywhere in the world, and Tirol has Austria’s biggest. Plus there are a few local regions (i.e. the Zillertal) with some many ski areas within a few kilometres of each other that you will be utterly spoilt for choice. List below is in terms of size, biggest first

• St Anton. If you haven’t heard of St Anton we will be shocked (and a little disappointed!). Part of the incredible Ski Arlberg region that spans across the border between Tirol & Vorarlberg , St Anton & its neighbouring interlinked resorts of St Christoph, Stuben & beyond have it all. Over 300km of pistes is just the start. And it knows how to party just about better than anyone else too!
• SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental. It may surprise you to know that whilst this behemoth with 275km of interlinked pistes in the east of Tyrol is the second largest ski area in Austria, we still haven’t skied here. There are reasons why SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental doesn’t make our radar but if you love skiing groomers with the most modern lifts & bouncing from village to village & mountain hut to mountain hut, this could be your ultimate ski nirvana.
• Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn. The 270km of pistes spanning the border of Tirol & Salzburgerland at the Skicircus represent the evolution of skiing in Europe & indeed globally. Its development & lift interconnections between Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang & the Tirol’s Fieberbrunn are straight from the fever dream of a crazed mind and must have cost an absolute bomb. But it works beautifully, the skiing is incredible, and the main villages of Saalbach & Hinterglemm are super-fun.
• Ischgl. Ischgl competes admirably on the Austrian skiing stage with St Anton, Kitzbuhel & Mayrhofen as the après ski capital of Europe. Forget that though. Wake up early and get out there to ski one of the most mind-blowing, modern ski areas on the globe. Ischgl shares its 239km of pistes & massive off-piste with neighbouring Samnaun in Switzerland.
• KitzSki - Kitzbühel-Kirchberg-Mittersill. Another of the world’s best known ski areas, Kitzbuhel is a part of KitzSki which sprawls for over 200km of piste trails along the border of Tyrol & Salzburgerland. Without a doubt, here is simply something here for everyone, even if travelling on a budget.
• Serfaus Fiss Ladis. Why Serfaus Fiss Ladis doesn’t have a bigger reputation outside of Austria is beyond us. Phenomenal on and off-piste, this ski resort needs to be skied to be believed. Best selection of steep, advanced groomers in Europe too.
• Zillertal Arena. Unsurprisingly situated in the Zillertal (Ziller valley) east of Innsbruck, Zillertal Arena extends across into neighbouring Salzburgerland and takes in Zell am Ziller, Gerlos, Königsleiten & Krimml. Apart from its 150km of piste trails, modern lifts 7 ample freeride terrain, it is possible to ski over 1,900m vertical on one run that is 10km long. You know you wanna do that!
• Sölden. The largest standalone ski resort in Tirol & Austria is Solden. Whilst we can take or leave the town, the skiing is monumental - huge skiable vertical, glaciers, modern lifts, thigh liquefying pistes, deep upper mountain snowpack, amazing après ski run venues - it delivers on so many levels. Just try and avoid the crowds in certain spots!
• Mayrhofen. Mayrhofen was one of the first ski resorts we ever visited in Austria. Why? Train to the village from Innsbruck, incredible lifts direct from the centre of town, great piste trails (142km plus another 400km in the valley available on the same lift pass), wonderful steep freeride, close to Hintertux and awesome pumping après ski in the village.
• Gurgl. A lusty beauty at the head of the snow-laden Oetz valley (Ötztal), Gurgl has a high-altitude location guaranteeing quality conditions on the 116km of trails during its 6-month long ski season.

Glacier Ski Resorts in Tirol

Despite massive changes from global warming, the glacier ski resorts in Tyrol are incredible fun. High-altitude, extended seasons, reliable snowfall and long crazy runs when the snow is down in the valleys, we rate a couple of them as amongst the best overall for Powderhounds in Austria & Europe. We would normally add Sölden in the list below, but it already mentioned above. To avoid any short-term subjective notions on our part, they are listed in alphabetical order…..

• Hintertux Glacier. Once one of only two 365-day a year ski resorts in the world, Hintertux still operates for 11 months of the year and rightfully uses the moniker of ‘Wintertux’. During the winter season there is fabulous skiing here, and facilities are top notch. Plus if staying in the Zillertal, it makes the ‘cherry on top’ outing on a sunny day for views & freeride adventure.
• Kaunertal Glacier. A fascinating drive up and then free parking right next to the slopes, a journey up to Kaunertal is an adventure itself. The ski lifts & terrain options have improved vastly in recent years, and it has rapidly become one of the best high-altitude freeride locations in Austria (let alone Tirol). And the pistes are perfect too. Plus you can ski down into Italy, just remember to plan your return …
• Pitztal Glacier. The highest ski resort in Austria, we skied Pitztal on the perfect mid-week powder day and fell in love. The backside ski route descents were heli-skiing worthy and if you can time it right, Pitztal
• Stubai Glacier. The largest glacier ski area in Austria, Stubaier Gletscher is a first-rate ski resort with loads of off-piste freeride options combining with top class lifts & incredible facilities. A beautiful place to learn to ski too, but only on a sunny day.

The Best of the Rest in Tirol

With so many ski areas in the one state, it is our duty to inform that should you wish to ski in a smaller, lesser-known (but not lesser) resort to reap first tracks on a powder day, you won’t have to look too hard. Mid-range resorts are plentiful, as are our favourite ‘secret stashes’ that are only secret because they are less popular with, or unknown to, international skiers & snowboarders. Calling this the ‘best of the rest’ is doing these ski areas a dis-service because we have had some of our all-time best powder days at each one. List is no particular order, just random, which is often a worthy method of choosing a ski hill in Tyrol.

• Axamer Lizum. Innsbruck's closest & best all-round ski hill (& busy on sunny weekends because of it!), Axamer Lizum is a great resort for intermediates & freeriders. We found that mid-week powder days at Axamer Lizum are all but deserted & a helluva lot of fun. Then there’s the epic side & backcountry to explore.
• Kuhtai. An absolute treat to ski, you can put lines down on almost every bit of Kühtai, and its high altitude means quality is A1. All accommodation is ski-in ski-out too.
• Nauders. A surprise package that impresses with its snow quality, off-piste terrain, lift infrastructure, skiable vertical & local village, Nauders will provide everything you ever wanted in a ski resort. And there is castle that one skis past to get to the village. Pawsome!
• See. In the Paznaun valley on the road to the over-hyped Ischgl, See is one of those breathtaking ski resorts that make a powderhound feel right at home immediately. Recent lift & terrain expansions have only improved this certified gem.
• Kappl. Another on the road to Ischgl that so often gets passed, Kappl is one of the many typical ‘small’ skiing areas in Austria, with enough stupendous terrain & nearly 1,500m of skiable vertical to make most Japanese, US & Canadian resorts blush!
• Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschoenau. Quite an expansive ski resort, but split into various sectors, Ski Juwel is better known to most as just Alpbach. A pretty but slightly over-rated village, the ski area is fantastic when the off-piste is fully covered and full ‘rural Austrian skiing’ is possible around the hay barns & wire fences.
• Schlick. On the way to Stubai Glacier, a visit to Schlick is essential when in the region. Its hidden terrain gradually unfolds as one goes higher revealing the mid-week paradise that we adore so much.

And there are so many more to choose from. Some we have skied, others we haven’t but probably will at some point because we don’t want to die wondering. Go forth and explore the Tyrol in Austria.

Review & More Info

The Powderhounds have skied multiple ski resorts in Tyrol and will always ski this region because it just so reliable for snow, lifts, terrain, scenery, diversity & fun. Click on the various ski resort links via this overview or our website menu to see all the reviews.

See how the Austrian ski resorts on the Austria ski resort ratings page, or compare to the rest of Europe on the European ski resort ratings page.

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