Where to Ski in Austria

14th October 2024

The enjoyment and vivacious lust for all times, of the pure world, and of the neighborhood that permeates Austrian tradition is what Lebensgefuhl is all about, and a motive that us Brits preserve going again.

However the place to go?

And what makes this winter particular?

PlanetSKI has been to many resorts in Austria and we hyperlink to previous protection as we ask our mates on the Austria Nationwide Vacationer Workplace to elucidate and provide resort steerage…

WINTER IN TIROL

Innsbruck

The Innsbruck area is as soon as once more preparing for a busy ski season.

Identified for its mix of city and alpine experiences, the world affords a variety of actions.

The whole lot from freeriding within the Nordkette or night time snowboarding beneath the celebrities, all the best way to sizzling drinks on the Christmas market or luxurious spa motels within the metropolis itself.

In case you love winter and winter sports activities, you’ll be spoiled for selection!

The Innsbruck Ski Space is unfold throughout 13 ski areas, which may all be accessed with the SKI plus CITY cross, together with a minimum of 296 km of pistes, 111 lifts and cable automobiles, with many  accessible proper from the center of the town.

For many who don’t want to ski or board, there are greater than 20 sightseeing and cultural actions to select from, together with the Bergisel ski bounce , the Swarovski Crystal Worlds and the alpine zoo.

The world is ideal for households with youngsters due to the benefit of entry and the big selection of choices to maintain the youngsters amused.

NEW FOR WINTER 2024/25:

Axamer Lizum: The Birgitzköpflhaus restaurant has reopened after a number of years.Stubaital: A brand new Explorer Resort constructed to run with a really low carbon footprint.

Paznaun-Ischgl

Paznaun-Ischgl stays a prime vacation spot, for vacationers in winter.

The area caters to numerous teams with its diverse terrain and devoted areas for households, freestylers, and specialists.

Identified for its vibrant night time life and dwell occasions, Ischgl hosts a number of the most well-known mountain-top gigs in Europe, comparable to the long-lasting “Prime of the Mountain” live shows.

These occasions happen at the beginning and finish of the ski season, turning the resort right into a spectacular open-air stage amidst beautiful alpine surroundings.

Ischgl and its neighbouring resorts Galtür, Kappl, and See kind one of many largest linked, cross-border ski areas within the Alps, that includes 293 km of snow-sure slopes (up till early Might), 45 state-of-the-art gondolas and chairlifts, and loads of off-piste choices for freeriders and thrill seekers.

Ischgl supplies the last word luxurious expertise, with beautiful four- and five-star motels, in addition to quite a few award-winning eating places.

It’s been dubbed the Tyrolean gourmand mecca by Gault-Millau restaurant information “A la carte”.

For some wellness and restoration after a tough day on the slopes, attempt the posh spa Silvretta Therme, identified for its 1,500-square-metre sauna space with an Alpine rose steam tub, a natural sauna, and quite a few different saunas.

Ischgl, the Tirol. Picture © PlanetSKI

St Anton am Arlberg

St Anton am Arlberg is a part of the Arlberg area, which spans from Tirol to Vorarlberg, is residence to 5 legendary vacation spots: sporty St. Anton,

Lech, well-known for its award-winning eating places,

fashionable ski hideaway Zürs,

historic St. Christoph,

and family-friendly Stuben.

The Arlberg is without doubt one of the prime 5 resorts on the planet and is usually often known as the “cradle of alpine snowboarding”, boasting assured snow, the biggest linked ski space in Austria (with greater than 300 km of marked ski runs and 85 lifts), and genuine Tyrolean allure and winter enjoyable.

The Arlberg WellCom and the Wellnesspark Arlberg Stanzertal extern are excellent for winding down after an day on the slopes.

Snowboarding is within the locals’ blood within the Arlberg area, it has been a part of on a regular basis life right here for greater than 100 years, so there’s nowhere higher geared up to offer an genuine winter expertise with a contact of luxurious.

St Anton, the Tirol. Picture © PlanetSKI

St. Johann in Tirol

St. Johann in Tirol is positioned proper within the coronary heart of the Kitzbühel Alps and makes the proper spot for household holidays or a quieter, extra conventional Tyrolean expertise.

It’s much less crowded than a few of its neighbours however nonetheless affords well-maintained slopes and beautiful alpine surroundings.

Don’t be fooled although, there isn’t any scarcity of snowboarding.

St. Johann itself boasts 42 km of slopes, but when that’s not sufficient, the three Länder Freizeit Enviornment ski cross provides you entry to 171 km of pistes, or the Tremendous Ski Card tops out at a whopping 2,750 km plus 3 glaciers.

A lot of the motels within the area are household run, giving that further private contact, and kids are nicely catered for with ski faculties, tobogganing, Segway excursions and particular youngsters’ programmes.

St Johann, Tirol, Austria. Picture © PlanetSKI

Gurgl in Ötztal

Situated in Tirol’s Ötztal valley, Gurgl is surrounded by snow-covered peaks over 3,000m excessive.

It boasts dependable snow circumstances, premium ski-in/ski-out motels, gourmand eating choices, and a global aptitude, making it a hidden gem for many who recognize the finer issues in life.

It’s grow to be well-known amongst vacationers searching for spa and wellness getaways in winter – out of doors winter sizzling tubs are more and more widespread.

For skiers, there’s an astounding 112 km of pistes and 25 lifts with just about no ready occasions.

And if this isn’t sufficient, the Ötztal Tremendous Skipass extends entry to 5 extra winter resorts:

Sölden,Hochoetz-Kühtai,Niederthai,Gries,Vent.

In case you can’t get sufficient throughout the day, you’ll be able to attempt early morning snowboarding or floodlit night time snowboarding and tobogganing.

Obergurgl, Austria. Picture © PlanetSKI

NEW FOR WINTER 2024/25:

Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau

Ski Juwel has garnered a status as certainly one of Tirol’s hidden gems.

The family-friendly ski resort has an excellent mixture of slopes for all talents and caters nicely to households and people searching for a extra relaxed type of ski vacation.

Simply an hour from Innsbruck, Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau, is residence to Austria’s “chocolate field” villages like Alpbach and Niederau, and is ranked as one of the vital child-friendly ski resorts in Tirol.

Skiers and snowboarders can stay up for greater than 100 km of slopes, 45 lifts, 10 ski faculties, snow parks and the type of picturesque untouched nature that you could solely discover within the Austrian Alps.

For these searching for one thing a bit particular you’ll be able to e-book early morning and night time snowboarding, co-piloting classes on piste bashers, tobogganing, and go to the Prime of Alpbachtal, that includes an remark tower, a restaurant, and a platform with beautiful panoramic views.

Zillertal

The Zillertal is certainly one of Tirol’s largest ski areas, that includes quite a lot of slopes that cater to each freshmen and specialists.

The world is legendary for its 180 lifts, 548 km of slopes, and Austria’s steepest run (Harakiri – 78% gradient).

The Zillertal Superskipass provides limitless entry to all winter resorts within the space in addition to free public transport to get you across the valley.

Because of its excessive location- the ski areas in Zillertal vary from 630 to three,250 metres above sea stage – snowboarding right here is feasible nicely into April.

Nevertheless, it’s not simply downhill snowboarding.

Zillertal is equally famend for its off-piste and freeride snowboarding.

The area additionally options cross-country and winter mountain climbing trails, conventional huts, family-run motels, and distinctive adventures just like the Hintertux Nature Ice Palace, making it a dream vacation spot for winter holidays.

NEW FOR WINTER 2024/25:

The brand new 8-seater heated chairlift from Doppelmayr will change the previous 4-seater chairlift connecting Zell am Ziller and Gerlos.The ultra-modern Duxer X-Press 6-seater chairlift replaces the previous Duxeralmbahn 4-seater chairlift

Kitzbühel

Kitzbühel is without doubt one of the most well-known resorts in Austria as a result of internet hosting the Hahnenkamm race (the place Dave Ryding made historical past as the primary Brit to win a World Cup race).

It’s thought of one of many birthplaces of alpine snowboarding and ranks among the many finest and most well-known winter hotspots on the planet, to not point out one of many first to open on ninth November.

With 233 km of slopes, 58 lifts, 7 ski faculties, over 60 mountain huts, and as much as 200 km of snowboarding, there’s one thing for everybody.

The journey begins proper on the lodge door: The Hahnenkamm cable automotive is simply three minutes from the historic centre, and a number of other descents finish within the coronary heart of the village.

Kitzbühel is greater than only a ski resort nowadays, with tradition, way of life, and wellness all taking a entrance seat.

This historic resort combines city aptitude with attribute Tyrolean hospitality, providing culinary selection and unique purchasing alternatives.

Add toboggan runs, numerous cross-country and winter mountain climbing trails, a weekly exercise programme, and award-winning eating places, and it’s no shock that friends return many times.

Kitzbuhel. Picture © PlanetSKI

NEW FOR WINTER 2024/25:

The HENRI Resort in Kitzbühel opens in December 2024.The Grand Tirolia Kitzbühel reopens with 75 new luxurious rooms.

SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental

SkiWelt is certainly one of Austria’s largest interconnected ski areas, providing a variety of choices.

The area is legendary for its well-maintained slopes and fashionable raise methods.

Situated simply an hour from Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Munich, SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental connects 9 mountain villages and has obtained quite a few awards.

It is without doubt one of the largest and most fashionable ski resorts globally, famend for its dedication to sustainability.

This yr alone, the SkiWelt mountain railway corporations have invested 27 million Euro to make the resort much more fashionable and sustainable.

The resort options 270 km of groomed slopes and 20 valley descents, all powered by 100% inexperienced electrical energy for over 20 years.

Remarkably, it additionally launched certainly one of Austria’s first solar-powered lifts again in 2008.

What’s extra, SkiWelt boasts Austria’s largest night time snowboarding resort with 13 km of illuminated slopes.

Ski Welt, Tirol, Austria. Picture © PlanetSKI

NEW FOR WINTER 2024/25:

The brand new Panorama Viewpoint and the family-friendly Winter Wonderland expertise.The brand new 8-seater Eibergbahn is the highest-capacity and one of the vital vitality self-sufficient chairlifts on the planet.

Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis

Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is a top-tier winter vacation spot within the Austrian Alps, providing over 200 km of numerous slopes.

It’s extremely rated for households and has quite a lot of kid-friendly amenities (together with glorious ski faculties) in addition to actions past snowboarding for all ages, comparable to tobogganing, skating or snow biking.

Charming alpine villages, and breathtaking panoramic views come as a bonus.

Love culinary experiences?

We advise breakfast with a view at Dawn Hexensee or a gourmand lunch on the Crystal Dice.

Nevertheless, the attraction doesn’t cease right here: Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis additionally has essentially the most sunny hours of all Austrian winter resorts (2,000 per yr) and the best mini tube on the planet!

Expertise the proper mix of journey, rest, and beautiful pure magnificence at Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis.

WINTER IN SALZBURGERLAND

St. Johann in Salzburg

St. Johann in Salzburg is simply 60 km south of the town of Salzburg and is a perfect vacation spot for a household snow vacation.

Although smaller, this resort affords a comfy and charming environment, making it a good selection these travelling with youngsters in tow or holidaymakers searching for a quieter and extra conventional ski expertise.

Highlights for households embody the Hahnbaum household space, the place youngsters and freshmen of all ages can grasp their first turns on the platter raise freed from cost, in addition to the SoKiWo St. Johann Children Week, a fun-filled journey programme on and off the piste.

St. Johann is a part of Snow House Salzburg, certainly one of Austria’s 5 largest ski areas.

It connects with Flachau, Wagrain, and Flachauwinkl/Zauchensee, that includes a complete of 210 km of slopes, together with two World Cup runs. Bonus: Holidaymakers can ski-in/ski-out proper from their lodge door!

Zell am See-Kaprun

As SalzburgerLand’s solely glacier ski resort, Zell am See-Kaprun ensures snowboarding enjoyable from October to Might, due to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier.

Winter sports activities fanatics can stay up for slopes for all ages, thrilling snow parks, freeride alternatives, and beautiful views of Lake Zell.

The Ski ALPINE CARD hyperlinks three resorts, offering entry to 408 km of slopes, together with the Schmittenhöhe’s well-known 1.3 km enjoyable piste.

Past snowboarding, guests can unwind on the Tauern SPA with its massive heated out of doors pool, discover the world on snowshoes, take pleasure in torch-lit winter hikes, or take within the views from spectacular viewing platforms.

Zell am See-Kaprun additionally affords a novel “Après-Chill” expertise—a relaxed tackle après-ski with open fires and lounge music.

The world is understood for its beautiful lake views, making it a picturesque vacation spot to your Instagram pics.

Zell am See/Kaprun. Picture © PlanetSKI

Altenmarkt-Zauchensee

Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, positioned within the coronary heart of the Salzburg Sport World and the center of Ski amadé, it’s a winter wonderland that guarantees one thing for everybody, from adrenaline-pumping ski runs to cosy household adventures.

With its high-altitude slopes and constant snowfall, it’s a paradise for skiers and snowboarders who crave contemporary powder and beautiful alpine views.

However the enjoyable doesn’t cease on the slopes—this charming Austrian vacation spot is bursting with actions that seize the magic of winter.

Think about snowshoeing by way of pristine forests, gliding on a horse-drawn sleigh, or sipping sizzling cocoa by a roaring fireplace after a day of journey.

Altenmarkt-Zauchensee combines the joys of winter sports activities with the heat of conventional Austrian hospitality, making it an excellent spot for a memorable winter escape.

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