Top 10 ski resorts in Austria

With 382 ski resorts, Austria is certainly one of the most desirable destinations for winter holidays. Skiing is, of course, in focus but there is a lot more to it nowadays. Stunning nature, long hikes, romantic scenery, family fun or après-ski partying with friends. The list is endless.

Check out our top 10 ski resorts in Austria and find the perfect destination for your next winter holiday!

1.The Arlberg region (Lech, Zuers, St. Anton, St. Christoph)

Located in Tyrol, this internationally renown ski region will soon be the largest skiing area in Austria. A new cableway that installed in the recent years gives you the opportunity to visit all the locations within the Arlberg region on skis. Apart from skiing, you can enjoy the nature, culture and gourmet food. All of these locations (Lech, Zuers, St. Anton and St. Christoph) have more than 300 km of pistes (of which some 130 km are easy, 120 km medium-difficult, 50 km difficult and 200 km are freeride). Ski lifts are available in various forms (drag lifts, chairlifts, cable cars and aerial tramways).

• Ski resorts in the Arlberg region are open from the beginning of December till late April.
• Ski pass price: peak season – 55,50 euro for 1 day, 289 euro for 6 days; late season – 38 euro for 1 day, 202 euro for 6 days.
  
• For hourly prices and children/youth/senior discounts, see St.Anton/St.Christoph or Lech/Zuers detailed price list.
• The easiest and hassle-free way to reach the Arlberg region is to fly to Zurich (Switzerland) and catch a direct bus (the Arlberg Express) from the airport. You can read more here.

2. Kitzbuehel

This modern and internationally popular ski resort, located in Tyrol region, offers more than 30 marked ski routes and 60 world-famous pistes to its visitors. With hundreds of kilometers of cross-country trails, and its famous après-ski, Kitzbuehel is becoming a legendary destination. Kitzbuehel-Kirchberg has a total of 179 km of pistes (101 km of easy, 61 km of medium-difficult and 17 km of difficult slopes), and there are different types of modern ski lifts (drag lifts, chairlifts, cable cars and an aerial tramway).

• Kitzbuhel-Kirchberg ski resort is open from late October to 1st May, with guaranteed snow from December to April.
• Ski pass price: peak season – 57 euro for 1 day, 277 euro for 6 days; low season – 51,50 euro for 1 day, 249 euro for 6 days.
  
• For other prices, discounts and promotions see Kitzbuehel-Kirchberg detailed price list.
• You can reach Kitzbuehel by train directly from Salzburg airport if you are flying in, and if you are travelling by train all the way, good news is that all international express trains stop at Kitzbuehel. 

 3. Innsbruck – the Stubai glacier

Austria’s largest glacier ski area is just 16 km away from Innsbruck, and with 3.210 m it is the highest top in Tyrol. Known as the best resort in the Alps for family holidays, it offers free ski pass for children under 10 years of age. From its 62 km of pistes, 21 km are easy, 14 km are medium-difficult, 5 km are difficult and 19 km are freerides. When using ski lifts, there aren’t so many options (a smaller number of drag lifts, chairlifts and cable cars are available).

• Open from late September to late June, snow is guaranteed throughout.
• Ski pass price: peak season – 48 euro for 1 day, 231 euro for 6 days; low season – 40 euro for 1 day, 190,40 euro for 6 days.
  
• For other prices and discounts check the detailed price list for Stubai.
• If you are flying in, the nearest airport is Innsbruck, and if you are travelling by train/bus you should then reach the main train station in Innsbruck to catch the local bus (Regio Stubai bus) that will take you up to the ski resort in Neustift/Mutterberg. The seasonal price of the bus is 7.20 euro for the return ticket and you have to buy it directly from the driver, in cash.

4. Obertauern

Located near Salzburg, this is an ultimate après-ski destination with exciting nightlife and great wellness facilities. Snow is guaranteed from the end of November to the beginning of May, so you can fully enjoy all the 100 km of pistes (61 km of easy, 35 km of medium-difficult and 4 km of difficult). There are three types of ski lifts (drag lifts, chairlifts and cable cars).

• Open from mid-November to 1st May.
• Ski pass price: peak season – 47 euro for 1 day, 244,50 euro for 6 days; low season – 47 euro for 1 day, 221,50 euro for 6 days.
  
• For other prices and reductions, see Obertauern detailed price list.
  
• To reach Obertauern, the easiest way is to fly in to Salzburg and start from there, either by train to Radstadt from where the buses go to the ski resort (journey time approx. 30 minutes, however, it can be a hassle because the busses are irregular and stop only early in the evening) or you can take the transfer directly from Salzburg airport to Obertauern.

5. Ischgl

One of the most popular ski resorts in Austria and beyond, Ischgl is the ultimate destination for your winter holiday if you are searching for great culinary and shopping experiences, après-ski partying, open-air concerts and advanced skiing. Of more than 230 km of pistes, 150 km of them are medium-difficult, 39 km are easy and 34 km difficult ski slopes. There are some freeride routes as well. The waiting time is reduced to minimum with an increased number of modern ski lifts (drag lifts, chairlifts, cable cars and aerial tramways).

• Ischgl ski resort is open from late November to 1st May, and snow is guaranteed throughout.
• Ski pass price: peak season – 49 euro for 1 day, 247 euro for 6 days; low season – 49 euro for 1 day, 222,50 euro for 6 days.
  
• The prices are displayed by days, and there are some discounts for children and seniors, you can check more here.
• The nearest airport to reach Ischgl is Innsbruck, but there aren’t any direct buses that connect the airport with the ski resort, so you might consider renting a car or booking a transfer.

6. Sölden

Surrounded by three mountains (known as the BIG3), Sölden is a very popular resort where snow is guaranteed from late October through April. Besides skiing, you can enjoy the beautiful landscape and visit all three mountains by modern cable cars, or you can reach the top of the Gaislachkogl peak and dine at 3048 m altitude in a new gourmet and design restaurant. At Sölden, there are about 146 km of pistes (70 km of easy, 45 km of medium-difficult and 30 km of difficult). Various ski lifts are available (drag lifts, chairlifts, cable cars and one cable railway).  

• Open from mid-November to mid-May.
• Ski pass price: peak season – 54,50 euro for 1 day, 293,50 euro for 6 days; low season – 53,50 euro for 1 day, 264,50 euro for 6 days.
• For other prices and discounts check Soelden detailed price list.
• Whether you are travelling by plane (to Innsbruck) or by train, you have to reach the Ötztal train station from where the Valley’s public bus lines go to Sölden (during winter, the ski-bus is free of charge for visitors travelling with ski equipment or upon presenting their ski pass).

7. Zell-am-See (Kitzsteinhorn – Kaprun)

This ski resort offers magnificent views from the 3000m-high mountain top viewpoint, the highest in Salzburg. You can admire the surrounding peakes and glaciers, while enjoying on sunny pistes. A total of 41 km of pistes includes 25 km of medium-difficult, 3 km of difficult and just about 13 km of easy slopes. With more than 10 km of freeride routes, Kaprun is one of the best resorts if you are an advanced skier who likes exploring the cross-country routes. 17 ski lifts are available, including drag lifts, chairlifts, cable cars, one aerial tramway and one cable railway.

• Open from the beginning of October to late July.
• Ski pass price: peak season – 53 euro for 1 day, 260 euro for 6 days; low season – 48 euro for 1 day, 233 euro for 6 days.
• 3-day ski pass is also available, and a reduced price for children. Check here for details.
• Kitzsteinhorn – Kaprun is located in Zell-am-See region, and is easily reachable by bus. During the winter season (October to May), there is a free ski-bus that operates between Zell-am-See, Kaprun and Kitzsteinhorn. To reach Zell-am-See you can use the train or bus from Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna, Munich etc.    

8. Schladming

Planai/Schladming is a dynamic ski resort offering exciting slopes and FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup races. Downhill races, permanent racing slopes, night skiing, alpine huts offering Austrian (Styrian) specialties, and more than 120 km of pistes will make your stay dynamic and fun! You can use drag lifts, chairlifts and cable cars to reach the slopes (46 km of easy, 68 km of medium-difficult and 8 km of difficult).

• Schladming ski resort is open to late April, however, the exact opening time depends on snow conditions.
• Ski pass price: peak season – 53,50 euro for 1 day, 266 euro for 6 days; low season – 53,50 euro for 1 day, 256,60 euro for 6 days.
• For more prices and details, see Planai/Schladming price list.
• To reach Schladming, you can take the train from Vienna, or the Graz-Schladming bus. Once you reach Schladming, there is a free ski-bus within the ski areas of Schladming-Dachstein region. 

9. Nassfeld

Nassfeld is definitely one of the top 10 ski resorts in Austria. With numerous slopes, various activities like Fun Slope, Snow Park and Freerides, racing tracks and alpine huts or restaurants offering Alpine-Adriatic cuisine, your winter holiday will be a blast! A total of 110 km of pistes includes 30 km of easy, about 70 km of medium-difficult and some 10 km of difficult slopes, all reachable by drag lifts, chairlifts and cable cars.

• Nassfeld ski resort is open from early December to mid-April.
• Ski pass price: peak season – 48 euro for 1 day, 245 euro for 6 days; low season – 45 euro for 1 day, 227 euro for 6 days.
• For other prices and discounts, see Nassfeld detailed price list.
• To reach Nassfeld ski resort, you should use the train to come to the nearby village of Hermagor and to reach the slopes, you have to go to Tröpolach (also a nearby village) and take the Millenium Express cable car (the longest cable car ride in Austria – takes about 17 minutes).
  

10. Hintertux Glacier

Last but not least, Hintertux Glacier is actually one of the most interesting ski resorts in Austria. It is a one-of-a-kind resort with snow covering the glacier all year round. The only other ski resort in the world that offers 365 days of skiing is Zermatt in Switzerland. Hintertux is home to the best Snowpark in the Alps, the Batterpark. Every year, the first weekend in October is reserved for Europe’s first snowpark opening, and Batterpark hosts the freestyle festival with international freestyle stars and fans coming from all over the world. Besides skiing, hiking is a great activity and you can visit the Spannagel Cave (largest cave in Austrian central Alps) and the Natural Ice Palace (a crevasse – 25 m deep ice crack in the glacier). Several drag lifts, chairlifts and cable cars will take you to the slopes; a total of 60 km includes 14 km of easy, 35 km of medium-difficult and 11 km of difficult slopes.

• Hintertux Glacier ski resort is open all year round.
• Ski pass price: peak season – 53,50 euro for 1 day, 256,50 euro for 6 days; low season – 45 euro for 1 day, 215 euro for 6 days.
• To check other prices and discounts, see Hintertux detailed price list.
• It is easy to arrive to Hintertux, whether you are flying in to Innsbruck, Salzburg or Munich because all of these airports have a train connection to Mayrhofen (with one change in Jenbach). In Mayrhofen you can take the local bus to Hintertux. The bus goes every hour, so you won’t have to wait long.