Today, Austria is one of the leaders in the reception of tourists, skiers and snowboarders. The components of success are simple: a short flight, excellent slopes and many accommodation options - from luxury five-star hotels with spa and thermal spas to budget apartments. Thus, this alpine country can satisfy the needs of different categories of tourists in love with the mountains.
So what is the difference between Austrian ski resorts? Where is it better for you to go? Where is it better to relax with the whole family, and where - a noisy company? What are the prices for ski passes in Austrian resorts? In our material you can find answers to these questions and get information about the popular and not very ski resorts in Austria. So, open the ski season!
Bad Kleinkirchheim
Bad Kleinkirchheim is a small village in the north of Carinthia, which is an excellent mountain thermal resort. This place, located at an altitude of 1100 meters on the border of the Norkberg National Park and known for its thermal springs from the Middle Ages, very quickly gained popularity among winter sports enthusiasts due to the many tracks of different difficulty levels. There are very steep slopes and gentle slopes for "dummies". The ski season lasts from mid-December to April.
In addition to skiing, you can improve your health here in “Therms of St. Catreina” (water temperature 24-33 degrees; 2 indoor pools and one open) and “Roman baths” (water temperature - 28-36 degrees; one indoor and outdoor pool).
In the evening, there are many bars, discos, various shows are held, and from 18-30 to 0-30 the free Apres-Ski bus runs.
Katchberg
Austria's ski resort in Carinthia, turning into a great place for eco-tourism in the summer. Katchberg is located very close to the A10 highway and includes two peaks - Tshanek and Einek. Their ski areas are not connected to each other, so they will have to cross the village of Katchberg from one to the other.
Nassfeld
Nassfeld is one of Austria's largest ski resorts in Carinthia, but so far virtually unknown to Russian tourists. Partially it is located in Italy. Most hotels are located at an altitude of 1300-1500 meters, and elevations are more than 1400 meters - from 615 to 2030 meters.
Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein
One of the most famous and most visited ski and thermal resorts in Austria. Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein are located in the center of the Gastein Valley in Salzburgerland. The first - at an altitude of 1002 meters above sea level, the second just below - 858 meters.
Bad Gastein is also called the “Alpine Monte Carlo”: rest here is not a cheap pleasure, but absolutely all winter sports lovers will like the local tracks. Bad Hofgastein is considered a more democratic and less luxurious resort. The mountain villages themselves have been known since the Middle Ages and are great for pleasant walks in the fresh air.
Dachstein West and Lammertal
One of the most picturesque ski resorts in Austria, located just an hour from Salzburg. The region is united by a developed system of ski lifts connecting the villages of Abtenau, Annaberg, Gosau, Lungötz, Russbach, Sant Martin am Tennengebirge, where tourists usually settle, with forest ski slopes. This region is well suited for family holidays and skiing.
- Trails, lifts and prices of the resorts Dachstein West and Lammertal
Saalbach and Hinterglemm
This ski resort of Austria in the Glemmtal Valley, thanks to many interesting slopes, both steep and gentle, has gained popularity among many ski lovers of various skill levels. The villages of Saaalbach and Hintreglemm are located very close to each other, at an altitude of 1003 and 1050 meters respectively. At the same time, there are traditionally more tourists in Saalbach than in the less noisy Hinterglemm. Both villages are surrounded by beautiful landscapes.
- Trails, lifts and prices of Saalbach and Hinterglemm resorts
Kaprun
One of the ski resorts of Salzburg, located at an altitude of 786 meters in the region of Pinzgau. Kaprun is quite popular among many alpine skiing enthusiasts and confirms its reputation as an excellent resort not only by its magnificent slopes, but also by its chic nature.
In this small town there is always a cozy homely atmosphere and very little noise. The ski region is usually divided into two parts: Maiskogel with a maximum height of 1675 meters, suitable for beginners, and the three-kilometer Kitzsteinhorn glacier with very difficult tracks.
Obertauern
One of the most exciting ski resorts of the Austrian resorts - it is here that the steepest and most difficult slopes of the Salzburg land are located, although there is more than enough space for beginners. The village of Obertauern itself is quite small, but with its alpine flavor.
Zell am See and Schuttdorf
Located at an altitude of 760 meters on the banks of a beautiful lake, the town of Zell am See offers its visitors a wonderful vacation and skiing on high-quality tracks of the Schmittenhöhe Mountain. Shopping is also available in the town.
The administrative part of Zell am See, the Schuttdorf resort is less famous than its larger neighbor, however, it is combined with one ski area, and is also more suitable for those who do not mind saving a little on accommodation. There are many excellent cafes, shops and discos, so Schuttdorf has something to do after skiing.
- Trails, lifts and prices of resorts Zell am See and Schuttdorf
Schladming
Located in the Dachstein Mountains in Styria, the resort is especially attractive for extreme riders and freeriders, as there are several excellent off-piste slopes in the area. However, nevertheless, most of the Schladming slopes are red, so there are also some less experienced skiers where to turn around. The largest ski area is the Planai region. Schladming itself has long gained a reputation as one of the best ski resorts in the world.
Shportvelt Amade
Shportvelt Amade - it's just 10 ski areas, which are united by one ski pass. There is a huge number of slopes suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers. Among the towns and villages included in this region, there are ancient ones - Art. Johan im Pongau, Altenmarkt and Radstadt, as well as more modern small towns Eben, Flachau, Filzmoos, Wagrain and Kleinarl. Especially worth noting is Flachau, which combines a beautiful ski resort and a place where you can have fun. In addition, it was in Flachau that Hermann Mayer, nicknamed the “Harminator”, was born - one of the greatest skiers of all time.
Westendorf
Westendorf is located in the Kitzbühel district of the Wilder Kaiser-Brixental Mountains and is considered not only an excellent ski resort, but also one of Austria's most beautiful villages. Best of all, Westendorf is suitable for families who prefer a quiet and relaxing holiday and comfortable skiing. It is also a good place for first steps in the world of skiing.
Akzamer Licium
A ski resort in Tyrol that hosted the Olympic Games twice. Despite this, Akzamer remained a quiet mountain village, adjacent to Licium - a beautiful hollow, ideal for skiing.
Galtur
An ideal place for those who prefer silence, privacy and quiet skiing over the large ski resorts. Galtur is located near Ischgl, only a 15-minute drive, but here it is calmer and cheaper. This small alpine village, by the way, is located at a rather high altitude - 1584 meters.
Gerlos
This beautiful ski resort is located near the border of the Tyrol and Salzburg lands and is considered a pearl region. There are not only many beautiful pistes at a decent height and guaranteed to be covered with snow, but also great opportunities to relax after skiing - après-ski bars and restaurants, paragliding and much more.
Seefeld
One of the most famous sports resorts not only in Tyrol, but throughout Austria. Here are the best cross-country skiing tracks in the country, which are primarily famous for this place, by the way, which hosted two Olympics. One of the advantages of Seefeld is its proximity (about 20 kilometers) to Innsbruck. In the past, Seefeld attracted many intellectuals and artists and we can say that he did not lose his charm.
Söll
A very popular ski resort, while maintaining its coziness and hospitality. Söll is located in the east of Tyrol and enters a huge ski area called Brixental / Wilder Kaiser. Together with Söll, the resorts Westendorf, Kelschau, Going, Sheffau, Brixen im Thal, Itter, Ellmau and Hopfgarten are included in this region.
Solden
Sölden is located in the famous Ötztal (Ötztal) valley and is adjacent to other popular resorts of this area - Wentem, Hochselden, Hochgurglum and Obergurgl. According to some reports, together they form the most visited ski region in Austria.
Sölden is located at an altitude of 1350 meters, so snow is guaranteed. Plus, the Ötztal Valley itself is truly beautiful, although many may not like the fact that Sölden has an elongated shape and runs along the main road of this ski region.
Eagles
The small, calm and cozy Tyrolean village of Eagles is located just 7 kilometers from Innsbruck on a beautiful plateau. This place, like several others in the vicinity of Innsbruck, hosted the Olympics twice.
Ischgl
Ischgl is one of the resorts (along with Samnaun) of the Silvretta ski area, and its main difference from many others is its overactive life, many tourists, discos, parties, combined with stunning ski slopes (albeit not extreme). The resort gained popularity about 30 years ago and has since become one of the most popular in the country.
Kappl
Kappl is a fairly small resort not far from Ischgl, and both have the same ski pass. Kappl - the resort is more calm and peaceful and covered with snow all season due to its heights.
Kirchberg
A fairly well-known Tyrolean resort, located 6 kilometers from Kitzbühel and associated with lifts. In general, from Kirchberg you can easily get to other ski resorts in the area of \u200b\u200bPengelstein and Hankenkamm. Kirchberg is considered not so quiet resort - there are enough après-ski bars, restaurants and noisy discos, so after skiing nothing will stop you from having fun.
Kitzbuhel
Kitzbühel has long been famous for being one of the most popular and famous ski resorts not only in Austria, but throughout the world. As a ski center, Kitzbühel declared itself back in the 20s of the last century. Today, here you can see skaters as “the mighty of this world” staying in luxury hotels in the region, as well as many young people who are willing to hang out after skiing in old Kitzbühel. One of the pearls of the resort is the Streif slalom track, well known far beyond Austria, which hosts the stages of the world championships.
Mayrhofen
Located in the famous Tyrolean Valley, Mayrhofen is considered one of the best ski resorts - everything is connected with this sport, and the local valleys and slopes will not leave indifferent any lovers of speed skiing. In total, the region unites 4 valleys, of which Tuxertal with the Hintertux Glacier is considered the most famous. The Ahorn district is suitable for dummies, Penken is suitable for more experienced ones, and Hintertux is suitable for advanced ones.
Neustift
This is a small Tyrolean village in the Stubai Valley, just a couple of tens of kilometers from Innsbruck. One of the region’s skiing centers is the Stubai Glacier, to which free ski bass goes from Innsbruck through the valley. The Neustift resort includes the tiny ski villages of Neustiftdorf, Kampl and Neder. Innsbruck Airport is just 26 kilometers from Neustift, so you can take a taxi or bus from there.
Obergurgl and Hochgurgl
These are two fraternal villages at the end of the famous Ötztal (Ötztal) ski valley, located at a decent height - about 2 kilometers above sea level. Actually, Obergurgl and Hochgurgl form one of the highest mountain ski resorts in Austria. Especially convenient is that the Obergurgl ski lifts are located right next to the village. Hochgurgl is located at an altitude of 2150 meters and is a secluded and expensive resort of 6 luxury hotels.
- Trails, lifts and prices of the resorts Obergurgl and Hochgurgl
St. Anton
This resort is a landmark for the world of skiing. It was here that in 1904 the first ever competition took place, and in 1922, the world's first ski school was opened. St. Anton is included with the resorts St. Christoph, Zürs, Lech, Oberlech and Stuben in the famous and popular ski region Arlberg. Riding here is not so cheap, while the price of accommodation is more or less reasonable.
Serfaus
A fairly new ski resort in the western part of Tirol, near the headwaters of the Inn. In addition to Serfaus, the region includes the neighboring ski villages of Fiss and Ladis. All three resorts are connected by lifts and slopes. In a fairly short time Serfaus turned into one of the best ski regions in the country.
Fulpmes
Fulpmes is one of the ski resorts in the Stubai Valley with excellent slopes, toboggan runs, ice rinks, etc. This is a beautiful alpine town with a wonderful atmosphere created by the historic center with its cozy bars and shops. Fulpmes ski area is called Schlick 2000.
Fuegen
The most beautiful resort town in the Zillertal Valley, famous, among other things, for its Gothic architecture. Fuegen consists of two parts - directly Fuegen and Fuegenberg. The main ski areas are Spieljoch and Hochfügen. The first is great for family skiing, the second will appeal more to skilled skiers and snowboarders. Innsbruck Airport is 40 kilometers from Fuegen, Munich - 130. From the airports you can get to the resort by shuttle bass or by train to Jenbach station and by bus to Fuegen.
The European Sports Region (Europa-Sportregion), which includes the resorts of Zell am See, Piesendorf and Kaprun, is located in the northern part of the Austrian Alps. In terms of popularity and opportunities for outdoor activities he has no equal in Austria. Here, at an altitude of 800 to 3,000 m above sea level, they don’t talk about snow - they guarantee it. The winter season in the region lasts from November to the end of April. But due to the proximity of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, skiing is possible all year round.
The ski pass of the region operates in three ski areas: on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, in the ski area near the village of Kaprun Maiskogel and on the “home” mountain Zell am See Schmitten. The Zell am See - Kaprun region offers more than 60 ski lifts for vacationers; over 130 km of ski slopes of all difficulty levels - from training and simple “blue” to interesting “red” and “black”; 200 km of plain skiing; toboggan runs, more than 10 ski schools, including for children.
There are all conditions for 30 sports. This is a real paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Indoor tennis courts, squash and horse riding, bowling, gyms, indoor pools, saunas, a large SPA complex with mineral water pools TAUERN SPA, parachute and paragliding flights and much more are at guests' disposal. Zell am See (757 m) and Kaprun (786 m) - you can get pleasure from the rest in any weather and at any time of the year.
The Pitztal Valley is a ski resort famous for its glaciers and excellent skiing conditions. Here skiers will find about 129 km. slopes of different difficulty levels, and on the glaciers you can ride from September to May.
The region includes three ski areas - Hochzeiger (1450–2450 m), Rifflsee (1680–2880 m) and Pitztaler-Gletcher (1740–3440 m), the last two are subject to a single ski pass. You can also purchase a PitzRegioCard ski pass; it will operate in all ski areas of the Pitztal Valley and on the ski lifts of High Imst. A free shuttle takes guests anywhere in Pitztal.
At the beginning of the valley, above the village of Erzens, is the largest ski area in the region - Hochzeiger. This is 40 km of various slopes, 9 lifts, a vertical drop of 1000 m. Highways of medium difficulty prevail here. There are opportunities for freestyle, extreme and off-piste skiing. For snowboarders equipped with a snow park. Also at guests' disposal is a 6 km lighted toboggan run.
The ski lifts to the glacier and to the Rifflsee ski area are located at the very end of the valley, next to the village of Mandarfen (1675 m), which is administratively part of the village of St. Leonhard. The total length of the tracks of these ski areas is 41 km, they are served by 12 lifts. There are many difficult beautiful red slopes (40 km) and a snow park with various obstacles and time measurements. There are suitable tracks for beginners. A special children's chair lift is equipped in the Rifflsee ski area.
At the Pitztal ski resort, travelers are given the opportunity to try a variety of activities. You can watch the mountain panorama from the highest cafe in Austria (3440 meters), climbers can learn 17 interesting ice falls at once, there is also the opportunity to do paragliding, curling, winter fishing or visit museums, hiking trails and temples of the valley.
Nearest train station: Imst-Pitztal: 11 km / 24 km / 36 km
Innsbruck is a unique symbiosis of a first-class resort and a beautiful museum city, whose history spans about 800 years. Innsbruck is located in the heart of the Eastern Alps, at the foot of the Karwendel Ridge. The height of the surrounding mountains exceeds 2500 m, which guarantees stunning views from almost anywhere in Innsbruck.
Mount Patscherkofel rises above the city, on the slopes of which the Winter Olympic Games were held in 1964 and 1976. From them, the city inherited an excellent ski infrastructure: stadiums, ski jumps, ice rinks, various tracks and much more. Impeccably groomed slopes, attracting skiers from around the world, offer slopes of varying degrees of difficulty and for every taste, as well as slopes that are lit twice a week at night. There are family trails here, and the smallest ones are waiting for Sunny Kids Park.
The Patcherkofel ski area is located 20 km from Stubai with its many ski slopes. At the foot of the mountain are charmingly picturesque Tyrolean villages: Eagles, Lance, Ville, Nutters, Mutters, Patch.
Video: Mayrhofen , Zillertal (links to youtube)
Lake Wörth is the largest lake in the Carinthia region. On its shores there are several resort towns connected by water bus routes. In summer, the water temperature in the lake reaches +25 +27 degrees Celsius. Tourists come to Wörthersee to swim, play golf, and also visit the Cheppasluht waterfalls, the Hochosterwitz castle, the capital of the region - Klagenfurt and the Kartinian abbeys with monasteries.
The Wildschenau Valley, combining four picturesque villages, is located in Tirol, 75 km from Innsbruck, 115 km from Munich, 130 km from Salzburg and 360 km from Zurich. A feature of this ski resort is its idyllic seclusion, as well as wide, not crowded ski slopes, which will please both experienced skiers who want to enjoy nature away from noise and test themselves at the Race`n`Sport Arena professional training area, as well as beginner alpine skiing enthusiasts and, first of all, young guests. Snowboard lovers will find a fan park on Mount Schatzberg (freeride, ski jumps, quarter pipes, wave rides, snake, rails, Half Pipe - 90 m). There is a bus service between the ski areas, and there is also a night bus from Thursday to Saturday (from 20:00 to 03:00). Here you can also go snowshoeing along well-groomed winter routes with a total length of 40 km, visit the pools and saunas, and go sledding (three tracks plus one lighted one).
The Wildlife Museum of Tyrol, the Museum of Mountain Farming are located in Wildschenau, and within half an hour by car in Wergl, there is a water park and the world of WAVE saunas.
From 16 December 2012, the Wildschönau ski area is connected to the Alpbachtal ski resort to the new Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau ski area.
Wildschenau is, above all, an ideal place for a family ski holiday. The name of the valley, which combines the words wild, schön and Au, translated "beautiful pristine valley", speaks for itself. Guests will appreciate not only the pristine beauty of nature, but also a combination of moderate price and high quality.
The Telfs ski resort is located just 25 kilometers from Innsbruck in a small Tyrolean valley. There is everything for outdoor activities: an indoor pool, a sauna, a large skating rink, a toboggan run, a sports center with a large climbing wall and even a real bathhouse. Nearby is the large ski resort of Seefeld, one of the most famous sports centers of Tyrol. Seefeld, one of the most famous sports centers of Tyrol, is located on a sunny plateau, at an altitude of 1200 m, surrounded by the Karlwendel and Wetterstein mountain ranges. The proximity of Innsbruck (20 km) and the famous German resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen (20 km) only adds to the treasury of this ski area.
| Salzburg | Munich | Innsbruck | Vein | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance to | 206 km | 127 km | 24 km | 500 km |
| 2 hours | 1 h. 40 min. | 25 minutes | 4 hours 50 minutes | |
| 2 hours 50 minutes | 3 hours 10 minutes | 40 min | 5 hours 55 minutes |
In the very south of Austria, in the Carnian Alps, is one of the ten most popular ski resorts in the country - Nassfeld. This is the sunniest ski area in Austria: in the winter season there is an average of 100 more hours of sunshine than in other regions. The resort is located on the border with Italy, and some descents lead straight abroad. The elevation difference here is 1300–2020 m. The tracks of varying difficulty with a total length of 110 km are served by 30 modern lifts, including the longest gondola lift in Europe - the Millennium Express. And in children's ski schools, mini-clubs and kindergartens they will take care to teach the youngest guests of the resort to ski.
On the border of two Austrian federal states - Carinthia and Salzburg, on a sunny pass at an altitude of 1640 m above sea level, lies Kachberg, ideal for families. The ski area starts here at 2220 m, climatic conditions guarantee high-quality snow cover (all slopes are equipped with snow canons for safety), wide slopes with a total length of 70 km provide interesting skiing for both beginners and experienced skiers. Athletes will find here 10 km of “black” slopes and Aineck Fan Park. Restaurants, bars open until late in the evening, and discos will provide excellent leisure after skiing.
| Innsbruck | Salzburg | Vein | Munich | Klagenfurt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance to | 284 km | 116 km | 320 km | 243 km | 115 km |
| Travel time by car (approximately) | 2 hours 55 minutes | 1 h. 25 min. | 4 hours 00 minutes | 2 hours 30 minutes | |
| Train travel time (approximately) | 1 hour | 4 hours 50 minutes | |||
| Distance from Rennweg | 116 km | 110 km |
East Tyrol is one of the largest resort regions of Tyrol with excellent conditions for family skiing, training for beginner skiers and snowboarders. Lienz, the capital of East Tyrol, is considered the sunniest place in Austria, and the picturesque view of the Dolomites will charm even experienced travelers. Here is one of the highest peaks in Austria - Grossglockner (3798 m) and the Moelltal glacier (3122 m).
Well-equipped slopes, excellent infrastructure, hotels and guest houses for every taste and budget make your stay here pleasant and memorable. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts will find excellent conditions for practicing their favorite sport in East Tyrol. The region is part of Dolomiti Nordic Ski, a system of 1,300 kilometers of cross-country ski runs in Austria and Italy.
Heiligenblut is a small village in Carinthia, at the foot of the highest mountain in Austria, Grossglockner. Its symbol is the Gothic Church of St. Vincenza, in which the sacred relic is stored - the blood of Christ, brought from Constantinople by a crusader knight. Hence the name of the village, which in German means "holy blood."
In the Middle Ages, gold was mined in the mountains around Heiligenblut, and now the area is thriving thanks to ski tourism and mountaineering. A unique railway tunnel has been built here to Mount Fleisalm, which operates only in winter, bringing tourists to the ski slopes.
The romantic and charming resort town of Baden-by-Vin, surrounded by fields and vineyards, is located directly beside Vienna, just 26 km away. The excellent climate with moderate heat in summer and comfortable temperature in winter allows you to relax here at any time of the year. First of all, Baden is famous for its sulfur sources. Even the city coat of arms bestowed by Emperor Frederick III depicts a man and a woman in a bathing tub. The healing power of Baden mineral waters was known to the ancient Romans. A place where warm sulfur springs rise from crevices in the rocks, they called "aquae" - "water". At one time, Baden baths were chosen by crowned persons. Emperors have come here for centuries to rest and treat. And until now, Baden is considered the prestigious suburb of Vienna and one of the best thermal resorts in Austria.
The balneological resort of Bad Tatzmannsdorf is an ideal place for those who want to improve their health and have a good rest. It is located 116 km from Vienna, in the federal state of Burgenland. This region has long earned the love of the Austrians for its unusually beautiful nature, mild sunny climate, clean air, gastronomic traditions and excellent entertainment infrastructure.
Hydrotherapy at the resort has centuries-old traditions. The visiting card of Bad Tatzmannsdorf are mineral waters of various compositions, hot springs and peat mud. Here, such therapeutic procedures using mineral waters as baths and drinking courses are successfully applied.
Austria is a premium in the world of skiing holidays. And this is not surprising: skimming cream from the legendary Alpine meadows, not only in the emerald summer, but also in the frosty snowy winter, the inhabitants of Austrian Tyrol and Salzburg thought of before anyone else in the world - more than 100 years ago. The first downhill competitions took place in the Austrian Alps in 1904, the first ski school was opened in 1922, and the first ski lift and, in fact, the ski tourism business as a whole, were launched in 1928.
Over a century, hardworking, tidy, stubborn Austrians managed to build a real snow empire on the slopes of their native Alps, which includes more than 800 ski resorts and about 50 ski areas, almost 20% of which work year-round.
Today, Austria is a leader in the reception of skiers and snowboarders. A short flight, well-equipped and diverse slopes - both for children and beginners, as well as for harsh off-piste skiing, a wide selection of accommodation - from 5-star hotels to more than budget apartments that can be rented, the best apre-ski in the world - All this attracts tens of thousands of tourists “armed” with skis and snowboards annually to the Austrian slopes of the Alps.
Thanks to visa-free travel, Austria has become much more accessible than before. We have compiled for you a list of the most interesting Austrian ski resorts, which will please you with a variety of pistes and high-quality service.
Attention! In the ski regions of Austria, there are rules that are somewhat different from global ones. Therefore, consider:
* Traditional amateur green tracks on the local slopes do not exist. Their place is occupied by the "blue" - they are intended for training beginners;
* Most lifts operate between 8:30 and 16:00. Only a few trails provide evening skiing. So it makes sense to think about evening leisure in advance;
* Booking a room in hotels and apartments here is accepted from Saturday to Saturday: checking in in the middle of the week can be difficult.
Ischgl
The most fashionable and pathos ski resort in the Tyrol region. Ischgl is often called the “Austrian Courchevel” - for the same focus on expensive high-class service and active social life outside the slopes. Concerts of world-famous stars are regularly held here - in Ischgl Madonna, Sting, Elton John “celebrated” ... Another feature of Ischgl is the abundance of places for shopping: the resort has official stores of many famous brands of the world. As for the opportunities for skiing, they are also excellent here: 90% of Ischgl’s slopes are located above 2000 m above sea level, and therefore they don’t face winters with little snow, there is always snow here - real, alpine, sparkling. The resort is suitable for families with children: there is a ski school with more than a hundred instructors, “imprisoned” for work, including with kids, and a kindergarten.
Trails: the total length of the slopes reaches 238 km. More than half of the pistes belong to the “red” category - intended for experienced skiers. There are also cross-country skiing trails. A special expanse of snowboarders: Ischgl is among the top best resorts for snowboarding in Europe. Half-pipe boarders, four jumps and ample opportunities for off-piste skiing.
Ski season: mid-November to early May.
Ski pass cost: from 210 to 240 euros depending on the season (during the period from November 24 to December 23, from January 7 to 20, from April 18 to May 1, the cost of the ski pass is reduced). Children's passes are cheaper - about 150 euros.
Bad Gastein
If Ischgl is “Austrian Courchevel”, then Bad Gastein, located near Salzburg, is called “Austrian Monte Carlo” - thanks to the oldest mountain casino, classical European architecture of the town and a wide range of après ski facilities. At the ski resort there are several thermal springs and the corresponding infrastructure (salons for spa and beauty treatments, radon baths, salt adits), thanks to which tourists can combine ski holidays with relaxation in the sauna and general health improvement.
Trails: Up to 220 kilometers of perfectly prepared slopes at heights of up to 2700 m. Over 60% are occupied by red tracks (medium difficulty). The resort also has cross-country skiing tracks, a fan park and two halfpipes for snowboarders. There are opportunities for virgin skiing.
Ski season: December - March.
Ski pass cost: about 200 euros for six days. For children (up to 15 years old) and youth (up to 19 years old) prices are one and a half to two times lower.
Kitzbuhel
One of the most famous and popular ski resorts not only in Austria, but throughout the world. The old town of Kitzbühel began to receive skiers back in the 1920s and is now considered the cradle of Austria's skiing. You can ride not only in the very (very expensive) Kitzbühel, but also in the regions adjacent to it, connected with the “cradle” of the general system of tracks.
For example, from Kitzbühel is a stone's throw to the Zell region, combining several small ski villages with more than humane cost of living and an abundance of simple "family" slopes.
Trails: up to 200 km of well-equipped and well-groomed slopes, more than a third of which are intended for beginner skiers, including children. However, this does not mean that the professional in Kitzbühel has nowhere to turn around: the Streif slalom track is the steepest in the Alps, where the most serious world downhill competitions are held: an angle of 85 degrees provides a descent speed of up to 140 km / h.
Ski season: December - March.
Ski pass cost: about 200 euros for six days. For children (under 15 years old) and youth (under 19 years old) the resort makes a discount. Ski passes for 12 days are also available at a price of about 320 euros.
Mayrhofen
Located in the Ziller Valley (also called the Tyrolean Valley), the resort is considered a real Alpine ski mecca. Four narrow mountain valleys are connected in Mayrhofen, each of which provides opportunities for a variety of skating. But, of course, the Tuxertal Valley is considered the most famous, leading to the largest glacier in Austria - Hintertux, thanks to which year-round skiing is possible in Mayrhofen. In general, the Tyrol Valley unites ten ski regions at altitudes from 550 m to 3286 m, interconnected by both common routes and excellent bus services. Therefore, to ride the legendary Hintertux or spend evenings in the water park, you do not have to live in Mayrhofen itself: you can choose cheap apartments in one of the villages nearby.
Trails: up to 150 km of groomed trails, most of which belong to the blue (initial level of difficulty) or red (medium) categories. The length of the black trails is up to 20 km: this also includes the slope under the eloquent name “Harakiri”, the slope of which reaches 78 degrees.
Ski season: all year round.
Ski pass cost: 205 euros for 6 days or 377 euros for 13. Children (up to 15 years old) and youth (under 19 years old) get significant discounts: prices for a children's skipass start from 92 euros for 6 days of skiing.
Kaprun
A truly fabulous place for those who want to not only have a great ride, but also to breathe the atmosphere of real, original Alps. A touching provincial town is located at the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn mountain with a height of 3203 m, from which the “tongue” of the Kaprun glacier stretches, giving the opportunity for year-round skiing.
Kaprun itself is more like a classic alpine village framed by a mountain wall: there is no snobbery, noise, fuss, and therefore it is ideal for a family holiday. The local medieval castle and prepared trails for mountain walks in any season will give tourists a special atmosphere. For many years, a mountain train was considered a trademark of the ski resort, which could take you to the glacier area, but it was replaced by a cable car - which is also good.
Trails: About 50 km of prepared blue and red slopes, as well as over 30 km of cross-country ski tracks. If you wish, enjoying the alpine atmosphere of Kaprun, from the town you can easily and quickly take a bus to Zell am See, a more modern and noisy resort with an abundance of various tracks, including black ones.
Ski season: year-round.
Ski pass cost: 209 euros for 6 days. For children (up to 15 years old) and youth (up to 19 years old) prices are reduced by about one and a half to two times.
Where to go if you ...
... just learn to ski and snowboard: Mayrhofen, Zell am See, Kaprun, Lech, Serfaus, Obertauern;
... ride confidently and love speed: Ischgl, Bad Gastein, Kitzbühel, Mayrhofen, Zell am See, St. Anton, Serfaus, Saalbach;
... love off-piste skiing and freeride: Ischgl, Kitzbühel, Zell am See, Mayrhofen, Lech, Serfaus, Saalbach, Obertauern;
... prefer snowboarding: Ischgl, Mayrhofen and the whole region of Zillertal, Bad Gastein, Sölden;
... appreciate not only downhill, but also cross-country skiing: Mayrhofen, Kaprun, Zell am See, Innsbruck;
... love to slide down the slope right to the door of the hotel: Hochgurl, Obergurgl, Obertauern, Zürs;
... crave a varied holiday with a daily change of activity: Ischgl, Sölden, Lech, St. Anton, Saalbach-Hinterglemm;
... want to relax with your family and children: Kitzbühel, Kaprun, Mayrhofen, Zell am See, Serfaus;
... do not ride, but want to feel the atmosphere of a ski resort and not get bored: Kitzbühel, Kaprun, Bad Gastein, Seefeld, Innsbruck;
... love to eat: Ischgl, Kitzbühel, Bad Gastein, Mayrhofen, Seefeld, Innsbruck, Kirchberg, Seefeld;
... need a variety of evening entertainments, parties and shopping: Ischgl, Mayrhofen, St. Anton, Obertaurn, Bad Gastein, Innsbruck, Seefeld.
Here you can ride to a complete loss of strength, in one day never repeating the same descent, there are tracks of different difficulty levels, and after-ski parties for every taste and budget. None of the resorts is like the other, each has its own characteristics, its own charm and charm. We present to you the ten largest Austrian ski resorts of the 2013/2014 season.
Mayrhofen ski resort, so beloved and popular among Russian tourists, fully offers action & fun: the famous après-ski in Brück´n Stadl, where they pour four glasses of beer in a record 11 seconds, and discos in Snowbombing. If we consider only one ski area over Mayrhofen, then in terms of size and length of routes it will take 10th place in Austria. Meanwhile, the elevation difference is the largest in the surveyed ten: the tracks are located between 620 m and 2,250 m above sea level. The length of the slopes prepared by the snowcat is 133 km - from the simplest “blue” to the legendary “anthracite-black” Harakiri, the steepest track in Austria, the slope of which reaches 78%. Anyone who has gone down the Harakiri is happy to buy a T-shirt in the nearest shop with the inscription “I survived Harakiri”.
Mayrhofen
Data:
- length of tracks: 133 km;
- The resort will appeal to fans of après ski, lovers of outdoor activities and extreme sports.
Features:
- The coolest route in Austria and a 10-km descent into the valley;
- New high-speed chairlifts with wind hoods and heated seats;
- VansPenkenPark in Mayrhofen;
- après-ski until 2 a.m.
Naked figures:
- elevation difference - 1 880 m;
- Especially for those who go up the mountain early in the morning: on certain days, lifts begin work from seven in the morning.
How to get there:
By car: A12 Autobahn, turn at the Zillertal sign, 30 km along the B169 road to Mayrhofen.
By train: any international train with a stop in Jenbach, where you need to change trains to the Zillertal train, which will take you to Mayrhofen for € 7.
The most important thing in Sölden is guaranteed snow. Of all the ten largest ski regions in Austria, the ski area in Sölden is the highest - up to 3,330 m above sea level. However, going down will also not cause any special problems - snow cannons will take care of this. Some tracks end right at the apresque bars - you can relax after skiing in Sölden until the morning.
Data:
- length of tracks: 150 km;
- ski pass price: € 48 per day;
- The resort will appeal to fans of noisy après-ski.
Features:
- snow guarantee from October to May;
- après-ski parties in the Fire and Ice bar until 3 in the morning;
- Alpine skiing World Cup track on the Rettenbach Glacier, tracks with speed measurement and automatic video recording;
- The Hannibal Show on the Rettenbach Glacier in April.
Naked figures:
- one 3S-lift (with three load-bearing cables), 7 gondola types, 16 chairlifts and 9 towbars;
- 80% of the lungs and tracks of medium difficulty;
- 28 km of “black” routes and a 2-kilometer ski route.
How to get there:
By car: turn off the A12 Autobahn following the sign for Ötztal, 35 km along the B186 road to Solden.
By train: Ötztal train station will have to do a lot of transfers. A shuttle bus leaves from the station every hour; a trip to Solden takes 90 minutes.
Kitzbuhel is one of the legendary and famous ski resorts in the Alps. This year marks the 120th anniversary of the first skiing from the top of the Kitzbühler Horn. No less legendary are the races with Hahnenkamm - the alpine skiing World Cup competitions on the Streif downhill track, one of the most difficult and dangerous. Kitzbuhel is just 125 km from Munich International Airport and 80 km from Salzburg Airport. The network of slopes and lifts on the surrounding slopes begins at an altitude of about 2,000 m above sea level.
Kitzbuhel
Data:
- length of tracks: 170 km;
- ski pass price: € 47 per day;
- the resort is most suitable for well-skiers, lovers of good food.
Features:
- in January, during the World Cup stage (from January 21 to January 26, 2014), not only the alpine skiing elite is found here, but also the cream of society, and not only the Austrian one;
- “Streif” downhill skiing track with a maximum slope of 85%;
- many après-ski outlets, as well as gourmet restaurants;
- for lovers of skiing and off-piste runs - 230 km² of the Kitzbühel mountain area.
Naked figures:
- 51 lifts;
- 32 km of marked but unprepared slopes (ski-route).
How to get there:
By car: A8 Autobahn towards Salzburg, turn towards Kufstein, take the Kufstein Süd exit from the Autobahn, B178 toward St. Johann in Tirol, highway B161 towards Kitzbuhel. From Munich - 2 hours, from Salzburg - 1 h 40 min.
By train: a couple of connections from Munich, the lower station of the cable car to Hanenkamm is three minutes from the station.
Sports, shows, après-ski parties, concerts of world pop-rock celebrities: in Ischgl, of course, the most interesting will be young people. A huge space of sunny slopes, a wide network of prepared tracks and unlimited opportunities for freeriding.
Data:
- length of tracks: 238 km;
- ski pass cost: € 43.50 per day in high season.
Features:
- concerts of world rock stars;
- Snow parks and mountain huts near the slopes;
- Good opportunities for freeriding and a guarantee of snow throughout the season.
Naked figures:
- the highest point of the resort is located at an altitude of 2,872 m;
- 43 lifts;
- 16% of the runs are blue, 65% are red and 19% are black.
How to get there:
By car: from Innsbruck along the high-speed Arlbergstrasse, follow the sign for Pians, then 20 km along the Silvrettstrasse B188 in the direction of Ischgl.
Brixental
1. Wilder Kaiser / Brixental
And finally, Austria’s largest ski area is the Wilder Kaiser / Brixental ski world. According to the total length of the prepared tracks, this region takes the 9th place in Europe. It is unlikely that anyone is able to go around all 279 km of the slopes of Brixental in one day. Despite the relatively low altitudes, it’s still worth going here - especially since it is one of the best resorts in the Alps in terms of transport accessibility.
Data:
- length of runs: 279 km;
- ski pass price: € 44 euros per day in high season;
- The resort is ideal for fans of the so-called cruise skiing, snowboarders and those who have not dashed off all day.
Features:
- the largest day and night skiing area in Austria;
- 48% of the “blue” slopes and only 6% of the “black” slopes;
- An ideal resort for snowboarders - there are practically no long gentle slopes and flat traverses, but there are several snow parks.
Bare numbers:
- 91 cableway;
- More than 70 mountain restaurants, cafes and aprèsque bars;
- Alpeniglu® Dorf - igloo village with igloo restaurant, bar, ice sculpture exhibition and ice chapel;
- Three fan parks, one track with video recording, SkiWelt Chill Areas with free internet access;
- Three night trails for sledges (until 2 a.m.);
- 13 km lighted ski track - the longest in Austria.
How to get there:
By car: from Munich by autobahn via Rosenheim, turn onto Kufstein Süd or Wörgl Ost, then almost all SkiWelt centers are accessible via the new expressway.
By train: nearest station in Hopfgarten. For one night you can get here, for example, from Northern Germany by Schnee-Express. From Munich or Vienna - by EuroCity to Wörgl, transfer to the local railway, which takes 10 minutes to the lower cable car station in Hopfgarten.
Austria is the recognized queen of the Alps, and this is not surprising - the Alps cover most of it, and the abundance of lakes gives additional charm to this amazing country. Austria is famous for its picturesque resorts and excellent level of service and quality of service.
This country is one of the leading ski holiday destinations in Europe. Austria is home to many famous ski resorts, and regardless of your level of skiing, you will be pleasantly surprised by the variety of offers.
Austria's ski resorts, as a rule, are slightly lower than French and Swiss, but this will not prevent excellent skiing in the season, and the famous Austrian glaciers are at your service out of season.
The most famous and popular ski resorts are located in the federal states of Tyrol, Salzburgerland, Styria, Carinthia.
In this worthy list, Tyrol is rightfully in the lead with its stellar capital Innsbruck (twice the capital of the Winter Olympic Games).
The main resorts of Tyrol: Innsbruck and the surrounding area (Eagles, Akzamer-Litzum, Fulpmes, Neustift, Tulfes, Imst) Arlberg (Sant Anton, Lech) Ski Circus with the famous White Circle, which includes St. Anton, St. Christoph, Lech and Zürs and offers excellent and memorable skiing. Zillertal valley (Mayrhofen, Zell am Ziller, Fuegen, Kaltenbach) with the famous Hinterhuks glacier Seefeld Kitzbühel and Kirchberg Otztal valley (Sölden, Obergurgl, Hochgurgl) Sölden, one of the most popular resorts in Austria, where thousands of white bowls flock; Ischgl, practically a mecca for skiers, Pitztal Serfaus
The ski center of Styria, the second largest land in Austria, has been and remains the Dachstein-Tauern with its largest spa center Schladming.
Salzburg is famous for its European sports region, which includes the villages of Zell am See and Kaprun with the same glacier. To the south are the thermal and ski resorts Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein (Gasteinertal Valley). Whatever resort you choose for your vacation, you will receive the equivalent Austrian quality service and very reasonable prices.
As a rule, resorts in Austria offer not only ski vacations, there are many thermal complexes in resorts, sports centers, entertainment centers, including children's ones. Often at the resort you can get a guest card, which provides discounts on services, including ski pass.
Après ski in Austria deserves special mention - here they know how and want to have fun. The renowned bars and nightclubs of St. Anton are practically the hallmark of the Austrian après ski. However, this does not mean at all that for an excellent evening entertainment you must definitely choose a large resort - even in the smallest village there is always an excellent bar with music and dancing.
Choosing Austria, you choose an excellent service in the mountain Alps at a reasonable price.
