13 Top Ski Resorts In Austria

Alongside France and Switzerland, Austria is world renowned for being a top destination for winter sports. Here are some of the best resorts to check out.

Alpbach

Known as one of the most beautiful towns in Austria, Alpbach has a quaint, antiquated atmosphere and charming toy village style. This area is perfect for beginners and amateur skiers, who can practice on the nursery slopes, located in the village centre, before tackling the more challenging mountainous strips.

Axamer Lizum

Located in the capital of Tyrol, Innsbruck, Axamer Lizum has 30 km of slopes and 10 km of ski routes available to choose from. It is perfect for those who want to combine their ski holiday with an urban adventure. Check out our guide to Innsbruck for tips on the best things to see and do in the Old Town.

Saalbach

An hour and a half’s drive from Salzburg’s city centre, Saalbach is a delightful and charming village with a modest centre containing many cute cafes, bars and boutique hotels. With the addition of a new ski lift and slopes ranging from 830m to 2,095m, it’s perfect for winter sports lovers.

St Anton am Arlberg

Considered one of Europe’s best resorts for its serious slopes and epic, challenging landscapes, St Anton am Arlberg attracts throngs of advanced skiers to its mountainous terrains every year. The runs range from demanding to devilish, therefore it is an area only appropriate for confident skiers and snowboarders. However you’ll be able to find some friendlier slopes a few miles away in the towns of Lech and Zürs.

Ischgl

Tucked away in the Paznaun Valley of Tyrol, Ischgl is a dreamy little village and a small paradise for winter athletes. Check out this website for tips and advice on current ski conditions. Snow is guaranteed from May through to November and the Ischgl Snowpark is one of the best snow parks to be found.

Schladming

This large and sprawling resort is suitable for intermediate and advanced skiers. Set around four ski mountains, this is a well-established winter sports area that has hosted numerous skiing championships and competitions, including the 2013 World Championships.

Hintertux

Ski Resort

Known as ‘nature’s ice palace’ due to its magnificent glaciers, Hintertux is not only a fantastic ski resort but also the location of the glaciers of the Gefrorene-Wand-Kee – which the chair lifts swoop over en route to the slopes. One of the only resorts in the world to be open year round, this area generally has excellent snow conditions and runs suitable for skiers of all abilities.

Grossglockner Resort

With around 40km of slopes, the Grossglockner Resort is the largest ski area in the East Tyrol area. Blankets of perfectly white snow stretch on for miles on end, remaining until the spring time. There is a sizeable beginners’ area for first time skiers.

Niederthai

School

Skitour Hohe Wasserfalle, Stubaier Alpen, Tirol, sterreich.

Niederthai is ideal for beginners and families with children, with an entire area dedicated to those starting to learn how to ski – the certified Niederthai Ski School offers courses for those who are new to the sport. For the intermediate and advanced skiers, the Wolfsegglift offers a more challenging run. Small yet cosy, the town contains everything you could want, including fantastic scenic views.

Kitzbühel

Ski Resort

This modest Alpine town located east of beautiful Innsbruck is beloved by winter sports fans for its winter wonderland landscapes and glorious range of slopes. Quite possibly one of the most popular ski resort locations in all of Europe, Kitzbühel contains a total of 54 cable cars, 179 km of meticulously maintained slopes of varying degrees of difficulty, 36 km of ski trails, plus 56 idyllic ski huts and around 200 days a year of guaranteed snow.

Stubai

Stubai is Austria’s largest glacier ski resort and undoubtedly one of the most magical. Popular with locals and tourists alike, the ski resort has 35 downhill runs, ranging from very easy to devilishly demanding, meaning that visitors of all abilities can enjoy a holiday here.

Hinterstoder

A charming resort located in Upper Austria containing 40 km of slopes available, 14 lifts to transport visitors and a winter sports area situated between elevations of 600 and 2,000 m. Gorgeous mountainous winter landscapes and a charming village with reasonably priced accommodation are just a few of the perks of Hinterstoder.

Achen Lake

Ski Resort

There are six resorts in the Achen Lake area to choose from, with the highest slope reaching a staggering 1840m. This picturesque area is an oasis in the Tyrolean mountains, boasting some of the country’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. The ski resort Christlum Achenkirch is one of the most popular and is home to 27 km of slopes of varying difficulties, as well as 11 lifts.

Looking for a more romantic resort in Austria? Check out our guide to the most romantic honeymoon resorts in Austria, bookable with Culture Trip