The Best Ski Resorts in Austria

Austria is a paradise for skiers. From Vorarlberg to Tyrol and Salzburg, it offers everything that makes a winter holiday perfect. This includes fantastic alpine landscapes with its many 3,000-meter peaks, excellently groomed slopes, snow reliability, and a great infrastructure. Beyond that, Austria is already worth the trip for its alpine hospitality, cozy and well-maintained inns, and its culinary specialties. And for those who want to party, the world-renowned ski resorts offer a huge après-ski scene. To give you some inspiration for your next holiday in the snow, here’s a list of 13 of Austria’s most beautiful ski resorts.

Lech Zürs Arlberg – Ski Arlberg

Many refer to it as the "cradle of alpine skiing" – the Arlberg, located in the far west of Austria. Since the merger of surrounding ski areas like Lech, Zürs, and St. Anton, Ski Arlberg has become Austria’s largest winter sports area. This includes an impressive 305 km of slopes, divided into 132 km of blue, 123 km of red, and 55 km of black runs. Accordingly, the offerings are enormous. One of the top attractions is the White Ring – a route that leads you around the entire area in a clockwise direction. An exclusive highlight is heliskiing: A helicopter takes you up to the Schneetal Orgelscharte or the Mehlsack, where your descent begins. Equally exclusive is how you can spend your evening: Lech Zürs offers the highest density of Michelin-starred restaurants in all of Austria.

Obertauern

With snow reliability from November to May, 100 km of slopes, modern lifts, and an après-ski mile of the highest class: the Obertauern ski resort in Salzburg offers everything for a perfect ski holiday. Enjoy the picturesque Salzburg mountain landscape – and 61 km of blue, 35 km of red, and 4 km of black runs. 26 lifts and gondolas take you up, where you can enjoy breathtaking views and glistening snow at altitudes of up to 2,313 meters. Night skiing, a snowpark, and cross-country ski trails are just a few of the many highlights.

Sölden

In Tyrol’s Ötztal Valley, the World Cup town of Sölden welcomes guests from around the world every year. The ski resort around the town offers superlatives such as 146 km of excellently groomed slopes, including 29 challenging kilometers of black runs. Along three 3,000-meter peaks, which offer stunning views from large observation platforms or a rock walkway, you’ll find a challenging snowpark for freeriders and racecourses with timing systems. Over 30 inns and huts cater to your culinary needs, including the futuristic Ice Q restaurant, which became world-famous through the James Bond film Spectre.

Obergurgl/Hochgurgl

International flair, upscale hotels, and exquisite gastronomy define the "diamond of the Alps." Located in the southern part of the Ötztal, near the Italian border, this glamorous mountain village entices with 112 snow-sure and diverse kilometers of slopes of various difficulty levels. At heights of up to 3,080 meters, enjoy the views of 21 3,000-meter peaks and sparkling snow landscapes. Of course, there are also beginner slopes. Small piste enthusiasts will feel at home in a children’s club. Two special highlights are the quattro Snow Park Obergurgl and the futuristic Top Mountain Star observation platform, which includes a bar.

Ischgl Silvretta Arena

With over 238 km of slopes, the popular resort of Ischgl is Austria’s third-largest ski resort. Located in the far west of Tyrol, the Silvretta Arena is a cross-border Austrian-Swiss skiing paradise. This includes 45 lifts and cable cars, two snowparks that are sure to thrill freestylers, and 14 ski restaurants and mountain huts. If you're looking for a challenge, you’ll find plenty of opportunities with 34 kilometers of black runs and 150 kilometers of blue runs. Ischgl is also well known for its party scene, with many entertainment options and even concerts from international pop stars.

Kitzbühel – Kirchberg

The elegant town of Kitzbühel is one of the most glamorous ski resorts in the Alps. The KitzSki winter sports arena is known for its 233 kilometers of slopes, 57 lifts, three toboggan runs, and 60 inns and huts. Variety is key here: whether you’re a race carver or a leisurely skier, there’s the perfect run for everyone. Additionally, there are snowparks like the one at Kitzbüheler Horn, which offer various obstacles for freestylers. After you’ve spent the day in the fresh mountain air, culinary adventures await you in the evening, such as in the eleven Michelin-starred bars or over 120 bars and clubs in the area.

Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn

The "Ski Circus" in the Kitzbühel Alps, including the villages of Saalbach Hinterglemm, Leogang, and Fieberbrunn, offers a massive 270 km of slopes. This is particularly suitable for beginners and children, as around 140 blue routes spread across all the slopes. Top highlights include the Ski Circus loop, which lets you circle the entire ski area in one day, the floodlit slope of the Unterschwarzachbahn, the World Cup descent on Zwölferkogel, and four snowparks and a freeride park.

Mayrhofen – Zillertal

Action, relaxation, and enjoyment await at this ski resort in the famous Zillertal Valley near Innsbruck. With over 142 km of well-groomed slopes and 59 lifts, the conditions are perfect. If you're seeking thrills, the "Action Mountain Penken" is just right for you: the Harakiri slope features a steep 78% incline. On the "Pleasure Mountain Ahorn," however, it’s ideal for children, beginners, and leisure skiers. The White Lounge, an igloo bar, igloo hotel, and chillout area, is also located there. In the evening, the main street of Mayrhofen promises social moments, with over 15 bars and clubs waiting for you.

Snow Space Salzburg

The three ski areas of Flachau, Wagrain, and St. Johann-Alpendorf form Snow Space Salzburg in Pongau, about 66 km south of Salzburg. Here, you’ll find a magical winter wonderland with 210 kilometers of slopes, 103 km of which are red, 73 km blue, and 8 km black. 85 ski huts, ranging from cozy and rustic to stylish and modern, treat you to Austrian and international delights. The Alpendorf snowpark and the Absolut Park in Flachauwinkl are especially popular with guests.

Hintertux Glacier

Located in southern Tyrol, the Hintertux Glacier is Austria’s only year-round ski resort. 20 km of slopes and up to 10 lifts are operational 365 days a year, with 60 km of runs in winter. Enjoy the view of the Dolomites and the Zugspitze from heights of up to 3,250 meters – and of course, the incredibly beautiful nature that fascinates skiers, snowboarders, and hikers alike. Highlights include the 12 km long Schwarze Pfanne valley descent and the Freestyle Snowpark Betterpark Hintertux.

Skiwelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental

This ski resort in the Kitzbühel Alps is one of the superlatives: here, you’ll find 288 top-groomed kilometers of slopes along 21 valley runs. About 126 kilometers of blue and red slopes and 10 kilometers of black slopes ensure that every visitor will find something for them. Against the backdrop of approximately 70 peaks over 3,000 meters, highlights include an alpine igloo village, three funparks, three illuminated toboggan runs, and Austria’s largest night skiing area. Over 80 huts with sun terraces invite you to relax in the clear mountain air.

Serfaus Fiss Ladis – Tyrol

This is one of the top ski resorts in Europe for families with children. Little skiers can, for example, practice in the children’s snow garden near Serfaus, where there are training areas for beginners and advanced skiers. Young guests can also enjoy children’s restaurants and many other care facilities. Adults can conquer over 1,600 vertical meters on wide slopes at the foot of the Samnaun Group in Tyrol. With 47 km of blue, 123 km of red, and 28 km of black routes, as well as 30 km of cross-country trails, this area is perfect for all.

Hochkönig – Salzburger Land

In the Berchtesgaden region, the area around Hochkönig is an attractive destination for ski enthusiasts. It is especially ideal for leisure skiers, as 52 of the total 120 kilometers of slopes are easy to navigate. There are special ski areas for children. Additionally, your little ones can quickly make new friends in the guest kindergarten at Bärmooshütte. Cozy traditional and modern-designed huts provide relaxed moments and culinary highlights. You can enjoy regional specialties in 15 “Schmakerlhütten.”