14 Reasons Why You Should Ski in Austria

Discover why you should plan your next winter holiday to Ski in Austria. 

Austria is one of the most popular Ski destinations in the world.

Austria has unparalleled scenery and breathtaking mountain panoramas, excellent snow-sure slopes, first-class infrastructure and great value for money. 

Here are 14 reasons why you should plan your next ski trip in Austria.

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14 Reasons Why you should Ski in Austria

1.    Choice of Ski Resorts

Austria has over 460 ski resorts (more than in France, which is seven times larger).

From famous resorts such as St. Anton, Ischgl, and Kitzbühel to Austrian favourites like Zell am See-Kaprun, Ski Circus and Hochkönig to smaller family-friendly resorts at St Johan im Pongau, Zell am Ziller and Almenwelt in Lofer.

Skiing in Austria’s Alps is like no other place.  3,000 meter (10,000-foot) mountains covered in snow and panoramic views of the Austrian Alps.

2.    Guaranteed Snow

Snow guarantee is crucial when choosing a winter holiday, and Austria is recognised as one of the world’s best snow-sure skiing destinations.

The high altitude of the Austrian mountains ensures the snow on the ground remains well into spring, with packed powder on the groomed runs and light powder off-piste.

Austria has seven glacier ski resorts, most of which offer skiing from October to late May/early June.

Austria Ski resorts also feature state of the art snow-making facilities with 90% of the resorts using only green energy.

3.    Value for Money

The cost is one of the biggest obstacles in going on a ski vacation. Austria is known for being at the top for value for money.

Within Europe, skiing in Austria is significantly cheaper than skiing in France and Switzerland. Everything from lift passes, ski schools, eating out, and partying is affordable. 

Recently, many American skiers have discovered how much cheaper it is to fly to Austria to ski than skiing in North America, where daily ski passes cost as much as $300 USD!  A typical ski pass in Austria is ~60-75€ / day and cheaper if you buy a multi-day ski pass.

4. It is easy to get to Austrian Ski Resorts

Most Austrian Ski resorts are located 1-2 hours from Innsbruck or Salzburg.  With flights arriving at Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Munich in Germany- the transfer times between the airports and ski resorts are only 1-2 hours.

There are many public transport options, including trains and buses, to easily get you to the Austrian Ski Resorts. 

And once you are in the resort, there is no need for a car.  Most Ski Resorts provide fast, reliable free ski buses to get you to the valley lift stations.

6. Accommodation options

Austrian Ski Resorts have a variety of accommodations, from Pensions (B&B), hostels, and self-catered apartments to four—or five-star hotels. Most of the four—or five-star hotels have their own spa facilities.

The variety of accommodation options means that there is something for every budget, from high-end luxury 5 Star hotels to budget youth hostels.

7. World-Class Ski Schools

Austria has world-class ski schools for all levels with roughly 18,000 ski instructors.

The Austrian ski instructor training is the leading ski instructor training system in the world.

Most ski schools have at least one English-speaking instructor and cater to beginners to those who want to improve their skills- from toddlers to adults.

Austria’s ski resorts are known for sustainability and eco-friendly practices shared between the ski resorts and communities where they are based. Austria’s resorts also feature state-of-the-art snow-making facilities, with 90% of the ski resorts using only green energy. For example: All lifts and gondolas on the Schmittenhöhe and Kitzsteinhorn in Zell am See-Kaprun operate on green energy. In addition, the energy from the lift motors are used to heat buildings and the snowmaking system on Kitzsteinhorn is fed and powered by water from the Kaprun High Mountain Reservoir.

Car-free ski holidays with free ski bus transfers and the ÖBB train routes directly connecting to the main Austrian Ski Resorts.

Family Skiing at Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See.

image © Zell am See-Kaprun Tourismus

10. Austrian Hospitality

Skiing is a way of life in Austria, and it is embraced as a sport for everyone, not just the rich. You will mix with locals in the restaurants, mountain alms, and ski bars, which are regarded as the British equivalent of a pub.

You will understand what Gemütlich means (a comfortable, cosy, homeliness with an innate warmth and a sense of belonging.)

Many businesses are family-run -from luxury hotels to Pensions and après ski bars. The businesses have been passed down through generations. Hospitality is an inherited passion, and you feel welcomed into the family.

A Mountain Alm in Zell am See-Kaprun

image © Zell am See-Kaprun Tourismus

You can look forward to traditional Austrian cuisine on the mountains.

Wiener Schnitzel, Gulasch (hearty and flavourful stew), Käsespätzle (Austrian cheesy pasta), Germknödel (steamed bun filled with jam) to Kaiserschmarrn (fluffy chopped-pancake dish), Tiroler Gröstl (bacon, onion, and potato fry-up).

But it is not just about great Mountain Alms. Many ski resorts are also fantastic foodie destinations, with many gourmet restaurants.

12. Après Ski

You cannot mention Austria without mentioning its world famous Après Ski scene.  The atmosphere of Austrian Après Ski is unrivalled. From friendly gatherings at a mountain hut to parties in the valley bars.  In Austria, the party kicks off in the early afternoon. Lively bars, rustic Alms and village squares come alive after a day skiing.

But Austria isn’t just loud music and dancing, there are also many cocktail and cozy bars where you can sip a wine or champagne by a crackling fire.

13. Off-piste Activities

Even the most dedicated skier needs a break. Austrian Ski resorts do not just cater for skiers, all the resorts have lots of off-piste activities and events including toboganning, walks, hikes, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, and much more.

In Austria, you can combine skiing with a city trip. Many of the ski resorts are only 1-2 hours away from either Innsbruck or Salzburg. Catch a train and visit the cities, where you can stroll their magnification cobbled streets, visit a museum or palace, have a coffee in a classic coffeehouse and enjoy musical performances.

14. Spa and Wellness

Most of Austria’s Ski resorts have amazing spas.  Also many of the four and 5-star hotels have spa and wellness centres.

After spending the day swishing down the slopes, nothing is better than relaxing in warm thermal waters.

In Kaprun, relax in the Tauren Spa’s outdoor heated pools with views of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier.

The Skigastein Region is set in the famous spa town of Bad Gastein where the nobility and famous have enjoyed the rejovenating waters of the Felsentherme.

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