St. Anton is part of the vast Arlberg – the largest interconnected region in Austria. It is renowned as one of the best ski resorts in Austria and esteemed as one of the most high-profile ski resort in Europe. Seen as the bad boy of Austrian ski destinations, it is notorious for its après-ski culture and advanced ski terrain, it is mainly popular amongst experienced skiers.

The region consists of 305 km of excellently groomed slopes and some of the finest off-piste terrain globally. St. Anton typically enjoys a long ski season thanks to its high altitude and reliability of snow. The Run of Fame stands as a major highlight – considered one of the best and most challenging downhill ski runs in the world.

St Anton itself is a quintessentially charming Austrian village, lined with wooden chalets, a picturesque church with a distinctive dome, and narrow, cobbled streets. The village comes alive in the night thanks to its legendary apres-ski scene centred around its bars and pubs. Krazy Kanguruh, Mooserwirt and Piccadilly in particular are very popular.

St. Anton is also one of the most easily reachable Austrian ski resorts, especially if you travel by train.

 

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Nestled in the impressive Arlberg mountain range of Vorarlberg, Lech Zürs am Arlberg is often hailed as one of the best ski resorts in Austria. What makes this area so beloved is the charming Tyrolean villages, lively atmosphere, and extensive terrains. The neighbouring villages of Lech and Zürs (which are connected it by cable car) combine to offer over 200 km of marked pistes, with unrivalled backdrops, whilst catering to all levels and abilities.

A favourite of Dutch Royalty, Lech is the most exclusive ski destination in Austria that has also attracted the likes of Princess Diana and A-list celebrities. A town overflowing with fine dining, incredible shopping and luxury hotels, Lech Zürs am Arlberg is an impressive winter destination of glamour.

 Lech is a destination to see and be seen, whilst Zürs is smaller and quieter and is particularly loved by off-piste enthusiasts. Nonetheless, both the car-free village still retains their quaint, storybook charm, creating a harmonious blend of alpine tradition and modern luxury.

Where to stay in Lech : Burg Vital Resort – offers outstanding views and is located just a stone’s throw away from the Petersbodenbahn Cable Car Station. Severin*s The Alpine Retreat – favourite of the Princess of Wales, offering an intimate feeling with just 9 suites. 

Discover: More Hotels in Lech

Located just 2 hours from Munich the captivating winter resort of Kitzbühel is Austria’s most popular ski resorts in Austria. Boasting over 170 kilometers of immaculately groomed slopes, the resort caters to skiers of all levels. Kitzbühel one of the best ski resorts in Austria, here beginners can hone their skills on gentle slopes, it is home to eight impressive ski schools. While advanced and expert skiers can tackle the legendary Streif, one of the most challenging downhill runs in the world, host to the annual Hahnenkamm race.features challenging and steep slopes with gradients of up to 70%.

Below the breathtaking pistes, the enchanting town of Kitzbühel is a foodies paradise with a staggering selection of award-winning restaurants and laid-back lounges boasting exquisite menus and memorable dining opportunities. Cobblestone streets wind through a charming blend of historic architecture as the iconic Hahnenkamm mountain serves as a majestic backdrop, creating a postcard-worthy setting that captures the essence of Alpine beauty.

Where to stay in Kitzbühel: Tennerhof Gourmet & Spa de Charme Hotel – smaller yet charming hotel offering that exclusive feeling with panoramic views of Kitzbühel. A-ROSA Kitzbühel – Surrounded by the scenic panorama of the Tyrolean Alps, focus on spa and wellness. 

Discover: More Hotels in Kitzbühel

With its central location in the Alps, Innsbruck offers excellent access to nine different ski areas, each offering a different skiing experience. Innsbruck has a rich Olympic history, having hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and again in 1976. The Patscherkofel ski area, located in the nearby village of Igls, was a venue for these Olympics. The legacy of hosting such prestigious events adds to Innsbruck’s allure for skiers seeking a mix of history and world-class slopes.

Innsbruck ski resorts can easily be reached from the city centre and offers around 300 km of pistes catering to all ability, from intermediate to advanced skiers. There is a mix of wide open slopes, tree runs, moguls, and off-piste terrain, it’s also perfect destination for those seeking steep slopes and challenging terrain, making it is one of the best ski places in Austria is that also easily accessible.

Intermediate skiers will find the Patscherkofel an ideal destination, on the other hand, the Nordkette is a must-experience for those who prefer their ski slopes on the steeper side. The OlympicWorld ski pass provides access to all 9 ski areas in the Innsbruck region.

Hintertux is a high-altitude skiing haven. What sets Hintertux apart is its unique offering of year-round skiing. The Hintertux Glacier, the resort’s main attraction, provides snow-covered slopes even in the summer months, thanks to Hintertux’s high altitude. Hintertux is widely regarded as one of the best ski resorts in Austria due to its ideal location in the Zillertal Valley of Tyrol. The surrounding alpine scenery is breathtaking, providing skiers with panoramic views of the Zillertal Alps.

The ski area in Hintertux is extensive, offering a variety of slopes for skiers of all levels. From gentle slopes suitable for beginners to challenging runs for advanced skiers, Hintertux provides a diverse range of terrain. Skiing is the main focus in Hintertux, as the village is mainly filled with accommodations and buses to the slopes. However, the pedestrian village lower in the valley has a charming Tyrolean style with a lively après-ski scene filled with restaurants, bars, and shops.

Related: 12 Best Ski Resorts in Europe

With breathtaking views, Zell am See is known as one of the best ski resorts in Austria. Skiers will have amazing views of Lake Zell, the mountains, and the town below. There are plenty of trails for beginners and intermediates, along with a few advanced runs. With a Ski ALPIN Card, around 408 kilometers of skiing area is available. With 121 lifts and cable cars, it’s easy to access the slopes.

The town itself is known for its apres-ski culture, but there is plenty to do outside of the town as well. Salzburg is a mere 100 kilometers away and is the perfect day trip. The town of Schüttdorf is also nearby, offering cheaper accommodations as well as lift access.

Tucked in a stunning Alpine valley in central Austria, Bad Gastein caters to skiers seeking a more relaxing and intimate resort experience. Despite its small size, Bad Gastein offers varied skiing across three interconnected mountain areas and Bad is part of the larger Ski amadé network, one of the largest and most diverse ski areas in Europe. With access to over 200km of ski area ranging from gentle greens up to challenging black diamonds. The lower slopes are ideal for beginners, while Graukogel offers great off-piste skiing for advanced skiers.

Intermediates who are looking for skiing places in Austria will find that Bad Gastein is the ideal ski resort in Austria, with about 50 kilometers of terrain that are labeled blue. Beyond the slopes, Bad Gastein is renowned for its thermal spas. The pedestrian village exudes old-world Alpine charm with its Belle Époque buildings, hotels and restaurants with ornate facades, and horse-drawn carriages. Apres-ski revolves around Bad Gastein’s cozy mountain huts and local breweries rather than flashy nightclubs.

Mayrhofen, nestled in the heart of the Zillertal Valley, is revered as one of the best ski resorts in Austria offering the best value for money. It captivates winter enthusiasts with its unique blend of Alpine charm, extensive skiing opportunities, and vibrant après-ski scene.

Mayrhofen boasts 136km of varied pistes spanning three mountains – Penken, Rastkogel, and Ahorn. Mayrhofen is home to Austria’s steepest slope run, Harakiri, which has a 78 percent gradient, which is perfect for thrill seekers. With 671 kilometers of pistes, Mayrhofen has plenty of ski space for all abilities, beginners and intermediates will find an area just for them, while more advanced skiers and thrill seekers will enjoy rushing through steep runs in the Alps.

Off the slopes, Mayrhofen exudes Tyrolean charm with typical Zillertal timber chalets and artisan workshops. The town comes alive at night with bustling bars, restaurants, and clubs that fuel the lively après ski scene.

Ischgl is renowned as the the apres-ski capital of the Alps. Nestled in the picturesque Paznaun Valley of the Austrian Alps, Ischgl stands as one of the best ski resorts in Austria. At the heart of Ischgl’s allure is the renowned Silvretta Arena, one of the largest interconnected ski areas in the Alps. Boasting over 230 kilometers of meticulously groomed slopes and 46 lifts the arena extends its reach into Switzerland, creating an expansive and diverse playground for skiers of all levels.

Après ski is where Ischgl truly excels, with its pedestrianized town center allowing skiers to go directly from the slopes to buzzing bars and designer boutiques. Relax at the Silvretta Spa or enjoy a night out at the Schatzi Ice Bar or Pacha nightclub. Ischgl is the place to be for those looking to have a good time after a day spent out on the slopes. Concert stages and dancefloors pump out music into the night, the apre ski scene in Ischgl is just as exciting as it is up on the slopes.

SkiWelt stands as a colossal ski resort renowned for its expansive terrain and being the second largest ski resort in Austria. With an impressive network of interconnected slopes spanning various picturesque villages, SkiWelt boasts over 280 kilometers of meticulously groomed pistes, making it one of the largest and most diverse ski areas in the country.

This vast terrain is suitable for all skiing abilities, with over 70% of the runs catering to intermediate riders. Wide open groomed trails let skiers pick up speed with ease as they cruise down the mountain. The resort’s state-of-the-art snowmaking system covers 45% of the slopes, guaranteeing good skiing across all villages and ability levels.

The ski region connects several charming Tyrolean villages including Söll, Scheffau, Ellmau, and more. Söll in particular is a charming village that serves as a gateway to the expansive SkiWelt ski resort in Austria. Renowned for its idyllic setting and traditional Alpine ambiance, Söll is not only a picturesque base for winter enthusiasts but also an integral part of the renowned SkiWelt.

SkiWelt prides itself on being a family-friendly destination, with dedicated areas for beginners and children. Ski schools and childcare facilities are available to support young skiers. The Tyrolean Alps provide a spectacular backdrop to the ski resort, offering panoramic views of majestic mountain peaks and pristine landscapes.