The best ski resorts in Austria

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If you are looking for well-maintained ski slopes, exceptional hospitality, and lively après ski options for a week of skiing, Austria is the perfect destination for a traditional European ski vacation.

Approximately 60% of the land in Austria is covered by the Alps, providing an abundance of ski resorts for both novice and experienced skiers looking for a variety of challenges, from learning basic skills on the slopes to tackling advanced off-piste descents.

Imagine a winter wonderland filled with quaint mountain towns exuding charm, famous music festivals, and abundant steins of beer at lively après-ski parties. It’s no surprise that gemütlichkeit, the feeling of warmth, friendliness, and joy, is strongly linked to an Austrian winter.

With high altitude and snowsure spots peppering pistes from the famed Alberg to the SkiWelt regions, here are the best Austrian resorts to embrace the long ski season in traditional Tyrolean style.

Learn more about vacations that involve skiing.

Almost 305km of pistes welcome – almost guaranteed – shedloads of snow each season in the Austrian Alpine resort of Lech, making it a deluxe spot for seasoned skiers to holiday in lavish hotels and chalets. An extensive lift network, the legendary White Ring circuit, transports skiers not only to well-groomed runs lined with firs but elegant après ski haunts above the upmarket Alpine village.

In the village of Lech, away from the main paths, there is a vibrant culinary scene with a mix of elegant dining and casual fondue options in charming mountain huts.

Crystal Ski Holidays has seven nights at the family-run Hotel Omesberg, an eight-minute walk to the Rüfikopf lift. It’s home to a first-class spa for unwinding with panoramic views over the Madloch Piste and the Red Wall Mountain. From £1,309pp, half board, including return flights from Birmingham, 20kg of checked luggage per person and airport transfers. Departs 16 December 2023.

St Anton is located in the Arlberg ski area, which is the biggest interconnected region in Austria. It is one of eight resorts in this area. Visitors can access over 300km of slopes and an extra 200km of marked off-piste routes. This makes it a great destination for experienced skiers who want to challenge themselves with thigh-burning descents from the Valluga peak.

St Anton is a popular destination for its variety of party choices, particularly its famous après locations MooserWirt and Krazy Kangaruh, which provide lively entertainment on the slopes late into the night.

Inghams is offering seven nights at the contemporary Chalet Albona in the Gastig area of St Anton from £799pp, chalet board catering, based on two adults sharing. Think buffet breakfasts, afternoon cake breaks and three-course menus of regional dishes. Return flights from London Gatwick, transfers, access to the wellness area and plunge pool and a free ski bus stop 300m from the chalet are included in the package. Departs 16 December 2023.

Ischgl, a popular ski destination in Austria, is renowned for its reliable snow conditions and lively apres-ski scene. With a total of 239km of slopes and elevations reaching up to 2,870m, there is plenty of terrain to discover. Additionally, the resort is connected to the Swiss ski resort of Samnaun.

Ischgl charms with some of the biggest outdoor concerts in the Alps from November to May and, with most slopes north-facing, the Swiss side of the area brings the sunshine to the sprawling ski region in the Austrian Tirol’s Paznaun Valley.

Ski Solutions is providing a seven-night stay at Hotel Solaria, a traditional four-star hotel in Ischgl, for £1,590pp, half board, with return flights and private airport transfers. Highlights of the cosy Solaria include a wood-panelled wine bar, comfortable junior suites and wellness facilities kitted out with hot tubs, saunas and a gym. Departs 9 December 2023.

Kitzbühel, located in the Alps, boasts one of the longest ski seasons and a variety of ski lifts and cable cars, giving skiers access to 233km of slopes. Every year, the Hahnenkamm World Cup competition takes place on the challenging Streif run, measuring 3,312 meters and with a maximum slope of 85%. This tradition dates back to 1931.

In mid-October, the slopes become accessible and the well-known Seidlalm mountain hut is prepared to greet tired skiers with delicious moosbeerschmarm pancakes.

Inghams has a modern fairy tale retreat above Kitzbühel town, Hotel Schloss Lebenberg, that sleeps guests in characterful castle rooms. Standout features include a rooftop spa, a fire-lit lounge and an elegant restaurant. A seven-night stay, B&B, packaged with return flights from London Heathrow and a daily shuttle bus service will set couples back £1,139pp. Departs 16 March 2024.

In the SkiWelt region, visitors can discover 288km of ski slopes and use lifts that are powered entirely by eco-friendly electricity. They can also take in the beautiful scenery of the WilderKaiser mountain range. The charming village located at the base of the Hohe Salve mountain offers plenty of wide and enjoyable runs, as well as vibrant bars and clubs for après-ski fun.

If you want to ski at night, Söll offers the biggest night skiing area in Austria with 10km of illuminated slopes to ski down.

Crystal Ski Holidays is providing a package for a seven-night stay at Hotel Tyrol in Söll, which includes half board accommodations (buffet breakfasts and four-course dinners), for a price of £836 per person. This offer also includes return flights from Birmingham, 20kg of checked luggage per person, transfers, and access to the hotel’s spa facilities. The holiday is scheduled for departure on March 16, 2024.

Mayrhofen, offering access to over 544km of piste, blue runs, red runs and Europe’s steepest incline – the Harikari – is an ideal snow sports spot for beginners and experts alike nestled between the snowy peaks of the Zillertal Alps.

It is also the home of Snowbombing, a week-long event held in April that is famous for its impressive music lineup, attendees dressed in elaborate costumes, and unique activities such as igloo parties, enchanted forest gatherings, and chairlift speed dating on the snowy slopes.

Iglu Ski offers a seven-night stay at Hotel Ramsauerhof in Ramsau for £521 per person. The package includes self-catering, access to spa amenities, convenient ski bus transportation, and a bar for après-ski drinks. Guests can also enjoy skiing in the nearby areas of Mayrhofen and Zillertal Arena. The price covers return flights from London Stansted and airport transfers. This offer is valid for departure on January 13, 2024.

Upon your arrival at the relaxed resort, you will quickly understand why Saalbach has been dubbed the “Home of Lässig” (meaning casual). With state-of-the-art lifts, such as a 10-person gondola, navigating between the exciting snow parks and beginner slopes in both Saalbach and its neighboring Hinterglemm is a breeze.

The entire region is now included in the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn skiing area. This domain consists of 140km of the expansive 270km slopes in SalzburgerLand, Austria. These blue runs are perfect for beginners and families with young children.

Heidi is offering 7-night bed and breakfast packages for the Sportpension Enzian, which has ski-in/ski-out access. The starting price is £936 per person and includes return flights from Manchester, private airport transfers, and access to a sauna. Guests who enjoy skiing can stay in cozy and roomy double rooms with balconies, located a 13-minute walk from the resort’s center. This offer is available on January 6th, 2024.

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The source for this information is from the independent.co.uk website, specifically from their health section on June 30, 2018.