Skiing in Austria: resorts and ski areas

Kitzbühel

Considered by many to be the king of ski resorts in Austria, Kitzbuhel is a small Tyrolean town located east of Innsbruck in western Austria. In Kitzbuhel, there is a ski resort that boasts 170 km of slopes and 538 km of cross-country skiing trails at altitudes between 800 and 2000 metres surrounded by nature. In addition, there is the possibility of snowboarding, snowshoeing and many other activities. There are several schools for adults and children putting on skis or a snowboard for the first time, the possibility of tobogganing and several play areas for the little ones.

Kitzbuhel is also home to the historic Hahnenkamm competition (named after the mountain where the slopes are located), which is part of the Alpine Skiing World Cup Circuit that includes downhill and special slalom races. Kitzbuhel is considered one of the best ski resorts in Austria and boasts a wide range of resorts, hotels and even high-end hotels that often house luxurious restaurants and elegant cafés. The picturesque old town is characterised by the presence of big brand shops, boutiques and numerous sports equipment rental businesses.

Ski Arlberg

Also in the Tyrol region is the Ski Arlberg ski resort, which with almost 350 km of slopes and 88 lifts is considered the largest in Austria and one of the most famous in Europe. Thanks to beautiful resorts such as Lech and Sankt Anton, Ski Arlberg has become a chic and often elitist destination popular with members of royal families, celebrities and entrepreneurs. It was precisely at the Lech resort, for example, that some of the opening scenes of the film ‘What a Mess, Bridget Jones’ were filmed. At Ski Arlberg, with a single ski pass, you can ski the slopes of Lech, Zürs, Sankt Anton, Valluga Spitze and the Verwall Valley, which range from 1,400 to 2,800 metres in altitude.

Of these, Loch is certainly the most worldly, elegant and international resort with top-class facilities, high-fashion boutiques and an active nightlife. Here, you can also ski in the famous White Ring (Lech am Arlberg), where the longest ski race in the world is also held. From here, you can ski to other resorts such as Zürs and Sankt Anton, where there are also many cross-country skiing trails. From Sankt Anton, you can reach Valluga Spitze, which lies at an altitude of 2811 metres and is surrounded by the peaks of the Verwall group, and it is in this area that you will find more challenging pistes that will especially win over the more experienced skiers. The whole area is home to high-end accommodation, classy restaurants and luxury boutiques, as well as several ski schools and sports equipment rental businesses.

Mayrhofen

Mayrhofen is a charming town in the Zillertal valley surrounded by massive mountain groups that attract tourists and visitors all year round. If in summer the numerous trails attract hiking and mountain biking enthusiasts, in the colder months the snow attracts winter sports enthusiasts. Mayrhofen, in fact, is part of the Ski & Glacier World Zillertal 3000 ski area, which comprises five ski areas with a total of 210 km of ski slopes, including the Hintertux Glacier. There are two peaks above the city centre, the Penken and the Ahorn, which are suitable for different types of sportsmen and women. The Penken, in fact, is particularly convenient for experienced skiers as the level of the slopes here is higher and, in addition, one can find the famous Harakiri slope that boasts slopes of up to 78%. For snowboarders, there is also the huge Vans Snowpark, which offers six areas of different levels and difficulty perfect for snowboarders and downhill skiers.

The Ahorn, on the other hand, boasts less demanding slopes and numerous facilities for families and beginners. In Mayrhofen, when the winter season ends, it is possible to continue skiing in the Hintertux Glacier area (3250 metres above sea level), which is one of the five glaciers in Tyrol but is internationally famous for having one of the best ice skiing areas in the world. Here, in fact, the glacier ski area makes one third of the slopes of Hintertux accessible in summer, attracting to the area not only professionals but also all those who want to have skis on their feet even during the warmer months. The small town of Mayrhofen boasts both simple and cosy hotels as well as top-class resorts near the ski lifts, offering a luxurious and comfortable stay.

Sölden

Sölden is a famous town in North Tyrol, located in the upper Ötztal valley at an altitude of 1368 metres in the Sölden Arena ski resort. Here, there are more than 140 km of pistes served by more than 30 modern ski lifts, which also allow you to reach the summits of three famous mountains over three thousand metres known as the Big 3. The famous peaks in question are Schwarze Schneid, Tiefenbachkogl and Gaislachkogl and are home to fantastic viewing platforms with breathtaking views.

Gaislachkogl, in particular, is not only famous for its landscapes but also for being featured in the film Spectre – James Bond. Precisely for this reason, a special exhibition called “007 ELEMENTS James Bond Adventure World” has been opened in Gaislachkogl and is dedicated to the character of James Bond with pictures, objects and re-enactments of the best-known adventures of the famous secret agent. The Sölden slopes are also the scene of many important events each year, such as the opening races of the Ski World Cup at the beginning of the season on the Rettenbach and the Electronic Mountain Festival at the end of the season.

In addition to skiing, Sölden is famous for its beautiful scenery and the fact that other winter sports such as freeriding, Nordic skiing, cross-country skiing, curling, snowshoeing and ice skating can also be practised here. Those looking for a bit of relaxation can visit the Aqua Dome wellness centre in Längenfeld, which with its saunas and heated pools is considered one of the largest in the Alps.

Nassfeld

Right on the Austrian-Italian border is the Nassfeld – Passo Pramollo ski resort, which boasts 110 kilometres of ski slopes served by 20 lifts, 10 ski lifts and 6 magic carpets. The resort is perfect for skiers of all ages and levels, from beginners to experts, thanks to the presence of slopes of varying degrees of difficulty (11 km difficult, 69 km medium, 30 km easy). The slopes run from 610 metres in Tropolach, where all the essential services and the beginners’ school camp are located, to over 2000 metres.

For snowboarders, there are two funparks and a boardercross training slope, while cross-country skiers can enjoy over 80 km of groomed trails. Nassfeld’s popularity is due to its offer that combines excellent ski slopes with the presence of services such as ski schools, equipment hire and storage, and numerous mountain huts along the slopes where you can enjoy traditional dishes. Other activities that can be enjoyed are sledding, ice skating and numerous snowshoe hikes.

Söll

Another famous ski area is Soll, which with its 280 km of slopes and its wide range of offers welcomes beginners, families with children and more experienced skiers who can also enjoy night skiing. Söll is a quaint little village in the Wilder Kaiser region at the foot of the Hohe Salve mountain and attracts many visitors throughout the year thanks to its wonderful views. A modern cable car takes you to the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental ski resort, one of the largest in Austria, which boasts 83 modern lifts, four snow parks, two funslopes and the country’s first toboggan school. For children, there is the ‘Hexen Wiese’ area, which allows the little ones to approach snow and winter sports in a fun and playful way.

As already mentioned, night skiing is possible in Söll, but in addition to this, the area is also famous for the ‘Hans im Glück’ fun arena, which is illuminated for evening and night-time entertainment, and for the night toboggan run at the Hexenwasser cable car. Those who do not enjoy skiing can try their hand at other activities such as squash, curling, snowshoeing, ice skating and many others. Various good accommodation facilities, mountain huts, après ski and restaurants both at high altitude and in the valley, where you can sample excellent local cuisine, complete the area’s offer.

Bad Kleinkirchheim

In the Carinthian region within the Nockberge Mountains Park is the Bad Kleinkirchheim ski area, which was originally founded as a spa resort but later developed into a ski destination. The resort lies between 1100 and 2055 metres above sea level surrounded by the high peaks of the Austrian Alps and boasts over 103 km of slopes served by 24 lifts and over twenty ski huts offering typical Carinthian cuisine. There are also 4 ski rental centres and 4 ski and snowboard schools to help beginners, young and old, take their first steps on the snow or manoeuvre their way down the first slopes with gentler slopes.

Advanced skiers, on the other hand, can make the most of the eight kilometres of black slopes, including the famous ‘Kärnten – Franz Klammer’ World Cup slope. The Bad Kleinkirchheim area also offers a total of over 50 kilometres of cross-country skiing trails, numerous snowshoeing opportunities and three toboggan runs. For a few hours of relaxation, just remember that in the valley floor near the villages of Roemerbad and St. Kathrein there are renowned thermal spas with a spa and wellness centre.

Saalbach-Hinterglemm

Saalbach Hinterglemm is one of the best-known ski destinations in the Glemm valley or Glemmtal, which is located in the westernmost part of Salzburg, and here there are many activities and opportunities for those who want to enjoy days in the snow in a truly cosy environment. In the village of Saalbach Hinterglemm at an altitude of 1000 metres, the first ski slopes are located, but thanks to modern ski lifts it is possible to reach an altitude of 2100 metres and admire the spectacular scenery of the Kitzbühel Alps.

Saalbach Hinterglemm boasts a ski area with more than 200 km of downhill slopes suitable for all skill levels, as well as 4 snow parks, freeride parks, 5 toboggan runs and more than 40 mountain huts serving Austrian cuisine. Saalbach Hinterglemm is actually part of the Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm/Leogang/Fieberbrunn ski area. Special attention is paid to those travelling with small children due to the presence of numerous play areas and entertainment activities for children. For those who wish, it is also possible to reach the large skiing area of Zell am See via bus lines and thus have more than 400 km of downhill runs available with a single ski pass.

Zell am See-Kaprun

Also in the Salzburg area is another famous ski resort, which thanks to its location allows skiing for up to ten months of the year: Zell am See-Kaprun. The Zell am See-Kaprun ski area ranges from 700 to 3,000 metres above sea level, where the Kitzsteinhorn glacier is located, and has a total of 150 km of pistes served by modern lifts. The ski area on the Maiskogel Mountain is the most suitable for families with children, even small ones, or for beginners, given the high number of services and activities for those who have recently put on skis. In the Kitzsteinhorn glacier area, on the other hand, there is the Kitzsteinhorn Snowpark and ample space for freeriders.

The highest point is located at an altitude of 3029 metres where, from the Top of Salzburg terrace, one can enjoy a breathtaking view of the highest mountains in the Hohe Tauern National Park. In addition, you can ski in this area for 9 to 10 months of the year from September to June, while theIce Arena on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier plateau offers snow fun even in summer, especially for families. More than 100 km of cross-country skiing trails and numerous routes for ski touring and snowshoeing enthusiasts complete the offer.

Ischgl

Ischgl is a small Tyrolean town in the Paznaun valley, about 90 minutes from Innsbruck, and is famous not only for its beautiful slopes but also for being a bit of a snow fun capital. Here, in fact, both in town and at altitude, there are plenty of après-ski, bars and clubs that allow you to have fun until late into the night and attract many young people who love the mountains and the social life. Ischgl is part of the Silvretta Arena Ischgl-Samnaun ski complex, which stretches between Austria and Switzerland and boasts a total of 239 kilometres of slopes connected by more than 40 modern and efficient ski lifts, as well as rings and trails for cross-country skiing and 15 kilometres of off-piste skiing.

The area is also equipped with several ski schools, several snowparks and equipment rental and ski depot facilities, although what Ischgl is really popular for are the parties and evenings organised in mountain huts also on the slopes. Snow is guaranteed from November to the end of April and even those who do not want to ski can go snowshoeing, tobogganing or ice-skating.