Ski resort in Austria. Ski resorts in Austria
Austria is famous throughout the world for composers, beer and schnitzels. But equally important fame for this small country comes from its stunning Alpine ski resorts, rumors of which fly throughout the entire Earth. High mountain climate, snow-white slopes, amazing service - all this can be seen in Austria.
In total, there are just under 400 resorts in Austria. Most skiers choose alpine places because prices in this country are relatively lower than neighboring countries- France, Switzerland, Germany. And the quality in some is even better than expensive settlements.
But before choosing a resort, you should remember that the alpine slopes are not for beginners, and there are no “green slopes” on most of them. Certainly, ski schools are present, but if you want to build up your experience, then it is better to choose easier mountains.
Ski resorts Austria on the map (TOP 5):
Ischgl
Now this resort is considered one of the most visited. And statistics don’t lie. They love it for its excellent slopes, because even during a thaw, skiers will not be disappointed - snow cannons are placed everywhere.
Various tracks are suitable for amateurs and professionals: for cross-country skiing you can find wide plains, but for fans thrills There will be bright “red” and “black” tracks.
The ratio of the routes is as follows:
- "Greens" - 0
- "Blues" - 40
- "Reds" - 80
- "Black" - 15
The total length of the tracks is 230 kilometers.
Photos of the ski resort Ischgl:
Modern lifts transport athletes in a matter of minutes. Here you can see the world's first double decker lift which can accommodate up to 180 people.
Other types of lifts:
- 23 chairlifts
- 3 cabins
- 2 funiculars
The ski pass has the same price in both “high” and “low” seasons - 45 euros per day.
Read the full article about the Ischgl ski resort.
Hotels in Ischgl:
Sölden
This resort is famous for hosting the first stage of the Alpine Ski World Cup since 2002. And Sölden itself attracts tourists with a large selection of slopes and trails, of which there are 146.
In addition, there are two glaciers here - Rettenbach and Tiefenbach. On cable cars You can climb to a height of 3300 meters. And also for have a relaxing holiday soul and body, not far from the resort there is the Aquadom health center.
Photos of the resort Sölden:
In the “high” season, a ski pass for a day will cost 50 euros, and in “low” 46 euros.
Hotel prices in Sölden:
St. Anton
We can say that this is where the origins of the Austrian ski holiday. Back in the 30s of the last century, Hannes Schneider opened the first ski school on the site of today's resort. A little later, the neighboring village of Zurs became famous for the country's first ski lift.
Perpetually snow-capped St. Anton is a very diverse place - 100 runs, 96 lifts, and some of them have warm seats. Local schools employ smart and educated instructors who will teach you how to ride even from scratch. And in the settlement itself there are always types of evening and night recreation.
The price of a ski pass for both seasons is 50 euro/day.
Photos of the resort St. Anton:
Hotels in St. Anton:
Saalbach-Hinterglemm
When asked what is the largest mountain arena in Austria, one should undoubtedly answer about the resort, which includes Saalbach, Hinterglemm and Leogang. They say about it that you can travel along the slopes all day and never ride the same lift.
The 200 kilometers of trails are divided into:
- 29 "blue"
- 26 "red"
- 5 "black".
There won't be any green ones here, but professionals will love the challenging 4-kilometer-long track. If the skier is still not confident in his skills, then it is advised to try simple slopes below forest level.
Photos of the resort Saalbach-Hinterglemm:
A ski pass in the “high” season will cost 47 euro/day, and in “low” 40 euros.
Hotels in Saalbach:
Kirchberg and Kitzbühel
Both resorts are located next to each other - the distance between them is only 6 kilometers. This is where you can feel the real Tyrolean atmosphere. It is sometimes said that its name is inseparable from the concept of “skiing”. But in small Kirchberg there is the famous Streif track.
There are practically no queues for the lifts here - each has about 70 lifts of different types.
Photos of the resorts Kirchberg and Kitzbühel:
A ski pass purchased at one of these resorts is valid throughout Tyrol. It will cost 47 euros in the high season, and 42 euros to "low".
Hotels in Kitzbühel:
Climate, weather and seasons in Austria
The Alps primarily influence the climate of the country - they do not allow more precipitation to pass into the interior of the country. But on the outskirts of the mountains, up to 3000 mm falls per year. But the country also never gets cold - in winter in the capital the average is +3, and at ski resorts it drops to a maximum of -5 degrees and a little lower at higher points.
The Austrian summer is warm, sometimes even hot, but there is still no scorching sun there. Dry weather helps cope with the heat. If in winter time Since most tourists flock to the mountains, spring and early summer are best to visit the sights and tourist places countries. People often come here to relax on the warm lakes of Carinthia.
In autumn, you can enjoy the nature of Austria and feel a real influx of inspiration to the music of Mozart. Mild weather will allow you to walk along the streets of ancient cities and not be afraid of a sudden downpour.
Cost of accommodation and food
Housing prices primarily depend on the season - from December to February and from July to August they are highest, since the influx of tourists on these days is the greatest. Of course, you can find an inexpensive apartment for 35 euros per day, but there is an option to relax on a grand scale in a spacious cottage; the cost, accordingly, will rise several times.
Also on the list popular places Accommodation includes excellent hotels and inns at affordable prices. In resort villages you can always stay close to the center and have access to all the entertainment within walking distance.
You don't have to worry about food - there are grocery stores, cafes, restaurants and bars everywhere. The quality is excellent, but you have to pay for it. You can pay 10–20 euros for lunch. Hotels most often offer free breakfast.
Other leisure activities at resorts
Experienced skiers can get bored of skiing all day in a row, and then they want change and new sensations. Then there is an option to try out a snowboard by renting it; take a breeze on a snowmobile; experience the beauty of the night Alps while riding after sunset.
In the villages and nearby cities there are cafes, bars, and night clubs. Austrian resorts are also good because they always have a decent spa. The stores have a huge range of souvenirs and gifts for relatives for every taste. Sometimes there are skating rinks, and there are playgrounds for the little ones.
It's very difficult to get bored in Austria - it's a diverse amazing country. The ski resorts will satisfy even the most experienced skier, and he will definitely want to return here, because the Alps are simply impossible to forget!
Austrians like to say: “We don’t talk about snow, we guarantee it!” Find out about the most popular ski resorts in Austria, climate characteristics, ski season, pistes, prices for ski passes, equipment rentals and reviews from tourists.
Most of Austria is covered by spurs of the Alps. Winter sports are so popular in the country that there are about 1,000 ski centers. There are plenty to choose from! The Austrians prefer to develop not large ski centers, but small traditional resort villages. Most of them are located in the middle mountains. The best ski resorts in Austria are located in Tyrol.
Exchange rate: 1 euro ≈ 68 RUB.
Climate and weather
The country lies in the continental climate zone, so in winter the ski resorts in Austria are cool. The higher it is, the colder it is: for every 100 m the thermometer drops by 0.5°C. In winter, the average air temperature is −10°C. Mountainous areas are characterized by heavy snowfalls.
Skiing season. The ski season continues in the winter resorts of Austria from December to late March - mid-April when the snow on the slopes begins to actively melt. On high-lying glaciers, such as the Dachstein Glacier (2700 m), you can ride all year round. Most tourists try to come to winter resorts around Christmas in order to combine a holiday in the mountains with trips to the bright Christmas markets.
(Photo © skiarlberg.at)
Ski resorts on the map of Austria
The best ski resorts in Austria
Identify the leader among Austrian centers winter holidays Even a seasoned expert will not undertake it. All of them are in picturesque places and are famous for their comfort. Ski resorts in Austria have first-class hotels, professional slope maintenance and training centers for beginners. All you have to do is find something you like!
Schladming
The list of the most popular ski resorts in Austria includes a winter recreation center in the Dachstein mountains. The resort, 90 km from Salzburg, began to develop at the end of the 19th century, and today has turned into a pleasant place for youth hangouts and off-piste skiing. There is a lot of snow in the mountains, so the season lasts until mid-April.
Trails. Of the 190 km of descents, 60 km are easy routes, and 110 km are moderate routes. There are 12 trails on the Dachstein Glacier. There is a snow park and a large area for virgin snow lovers. Most skiers ride on the Hochwurzen and Planai elephants. In these places there is the most difficult black track in the region, where World Cup stages and night slalom are held. The toboggan route is 7 km long.
Prices. A day ski pass for an adult costs 53.5€, for a student - 40€, and for a child - 27€. Renting a ski or snowboard kit for a day costs 21.5-32.4 € for adults and 10.8-16.2 € for a child. Sled rental - 7€.
Reviews. Fans of alpine skiing like that the resort has many slopes laid through the forest, and long trails that lead from the top to the foot of the mountains. Near the ski areas there are great opportunities for après-ski: bars, discos, restaurants, brand shopping, massage, saunas and spas.
(Photo © piste-maps.co.uk)
Mayrhofen
The best ski resorts in Austria include major center winter holiday, located 65 km from Innsbruck. This prestigious resort, the hallmark of which is the famous narrow-gauge railway. There is a lot of après-ski entertainment for young people and the country's steepest slope, Harakiri, with an incline of 78%.
Trails. The total length is 136 km, and in the area surrounding the resort - 550 km. The ski area covers slopes from 630 to 2500 m, and is served by 57 lifts. Trails for beginners stretch for 40 km. The longest route is 10 km.
Prices. A day ski pass for adults costs 53.5 €, for youth - 42.5 €, for children - 24 €. Renting a ski set for an adult for a day costs 32 €, for a child - 18 €. Helmet rental costs 4€, and a snowboard kit costs 26€.
Reviews. Mayrhofen is considered perhaps the best mining ski resort Austria for beginners. Beginners have a lot of fun on the soft slopes and can always get training from experienced instructors. Tourists love the opportunity to do active species recreation - for example, snowmobiling and snowshoeing are popular. There is a spacious ice skating rink on Waldbadstraße. The resort also has a 7.5 km long toboggan run.
(Photo © mayrhofenonline.com)
Sölden
Sölden, one of the famous ski resorts in Austria, is located in the largest Otztal valley in the Eastern Alps. On its territory there are three peaks above 3000 m with magnificent observation decks. The resort has two snowparks, a halfpipe, nightclubs, restaurants and a large sports center, the Freizeit Arena Sölden.
Trails stretched for 145.5 km. The longest of them is 15 km, and the illuminated one is 4 km. The routes for beginners stretch for 69.5 km, the red and black routes for 29.2 km. The slopes are served by 34 lifts.
Prices. A day ski pass for adults costs 54.5€, for students - 43.5€, for seniors - 46.5€, and for children - 30€. You can rent a set of ski equipment or a snowboarding kit for the day for 33-58 €.
Reviews. Thanks to the variety of infrastructure, the resort receives flattering reviews. Vacationers enjoy the opportunity to relax in thermal springs, swim in the indoor pool and attend fashionable night parties.
(Photo © oetztal.com)
St. Anton am Arlberg
The rating of ski resorts in Austria is often topped by a recreation center located in West Tyrol, 100 km from Innsbruck. St. Anton is called the sparkling diamond in the country's winter crown. This is a universal recreation center for beginners, experienced skiers, fans of freeride, cross-country skiing and tobogganing.
Trails. The ski area starts at 1300 m and has an elevation difference of more than 1.5 km. Freeride routes stretch for 200 km. There are 130 km of slopes for beginners, 123 km of intermediate slopes, and 51 km of routes for professional skiers. The slopes are served by 90 lifts.
Prices. A full day ski pass for an adult costs 54.5€, for youth and seniors 49.5€ and for a child 32.5€. Renting alpine skis, poles, boots and a helmet for the day, depending on the model, costs 46-68.4 €. You need to pay the same amount to use a complete snowboard kit.
Reviews. Vacationers are satisfied with the après-ski resort. There are 80 cafes and restaurants, a couple of dozen shops and nightclubs here. There are saunas, jacuzzi and indoor pools. Connoisseurs active rest can go ice skating and paragliding.
Infrastructure, lifts and slopes at the resort of St. Anton
Lech
Popular ski resorts in Austria include a winter recreation center, which is part of the famous Arlberg ski area. Lech is considered the most expensive and snowy resort, as well as the cradle skiing countries. Celebrities and the rich are used to spending their free time on the local slopes.
Trails. The ski area has an elevation difference of 1 km. About a third of all trails are green. Difficult routes occupy 24%, and the off-piste area covers 200 km of slopes. Snowboarders use a halfpipe and two fan parks.
Prices. A full-day ski pass for an adult costs 54.5€, for youth and pensioners - 49.5€, and for a child - 32.5€. Renting mountain skis for 6 days costs 110-213 €, snowboard - 46-132 €, helmet - 35 €, snowshoes - 64.8 €.
Reviews. Vacationers note the incredibly high level of service and delicious Austrian food in local restaurants. The resort is recommended for skiers of any skill level and is considered great place For family vacation.
(Photo © skiarlberg.at)
Bad Gastein
The prestigious year-round resort is located 100 km from Salzburg at an altitude of 1600 m. Due to its high cost, pretentiousness and the oldest mountain casino in the country, Bad Gastein is often called the “mountain Monte Carlo”. One of its symbols was a picturesque waterfall. In addition to skiing, here you can undergo wellness treatments in spa centers, hot radon springs and salt adits.
Trails. There are few easy slopes, so Bad Gadschein is not considered an Austrian ski resort for beginners. The slopes are dominated by red and blue runs, which are more suitable for advanced skiers. The quality of the infrastructure is so high that the resort hosts World Cup stages. There is a boardercross track, a halfpipe and a modern snowpark.
Prices. The cost of a ski pass for an adult in the low season is 41.5 €, in the high season - 44.5 €. A children's ski pass costs 14-22.5 €. Children under 6 years old are allowed on the ski lifts free of charge. Renting a ski kit for adults for a day costs 21-40 €, and for a child - 7-17 €. Renting a snowboard costs 24€, a helmet - 6€, a toboggan - 5€, ski poles - 2€, snowshoes - 8€. Every year the collection of equipment for rental is updated with models of the new season.
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 active recreation, it has no equal in Austria. Here, at an altitude of 800 to 3000 m above sea level, they don’t talk about snow - it’s guaranteed. The winter season in the region lasts from November to the end of April. But thanks to the proximity of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, skiing is possible all year round.
The region's ski pass is valid in three ski areas: on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, in the ski area near the village of Kaprun Maiskogel and on Zell am See's "home" mountain Schmitten. The Zell am See-Kaprun region offers more than 60 ski lifts to the services of holidaymakers; over 130 km of ski slopes of all difficulty levels - from educational and simple “blue” slopes to interesting “red” and “black” ones; 200 km of flat ski tracks; toboggan runs, more than 10 ski schools, including for children.
All conditions for practicing 30 sports are created here. This is a real paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Vacationers have at their disposal indoor tennis courts, squash and horse riding, bowling, gyms, indoor swimming pools, saunas, a large spa complex with swimming pools with mineralized water TAUERN SPA, parachute and paragliding flights and much more. Zell am See (757 m) and Kaprun (786 m) – you can enjoy your holiday 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. trails of varying difficulty levels, and you can ski on glaciers from September to May.
The region includes three ski areas - Hochzeiger (1450–2450 m), Rifflsee (1680–2880 m) and Pitzthaler-Gletscher (1740–3440 m), the latter two have a single ski pass. You can also purchase a PitzRegioCard ski pass, which is valid in all ski areas of the Pitztal Valley and on the Hohe Imst ski lifts. 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 height difference of 1000 m. The predominant routes here are of medium difficulty. There are opportunities for freestyle, extreme and off-piste skiing. There is a snow park for snowboarders. Guests can also enjoy a 6 km long illuminated toboggan run.
The ski lifts to the glacier and the Rifflsee ski area are located at the very end of the valley, next to the village of Mandarfen (1675 m), administratively part of settlement St. Leonhard. The total length of the trails in these ski areas is 41 km, served by 12 lifts. There are many challenging, beautiful red slopes (40 km) and a snow park with various obstacles and timings. There are also suitable trails for beginners. There is a special children's chairlift in the Rifflsee ski area.
At the Pitztal ski resort, travelers have the opportunity to try a variety of activities. You can watch the mountain panorama from the highest cafe in Austria (3440 meters), climbers can master 17 interesting icefalls at once, there is also the opportunity to go paragliding, curling, winter fishing or visit museums, walking routes 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 goes back 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 mountain ranges 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, jumps, skating rinks, various slopes and much more. The impeccably maintained slopes, which attract skiers from all over the world, offer slopes of varying degrees of difficulty and for every taste, as well as pistes illuminated twice a week at night. There are also family trails here, and the Sunny Kids Park awaits the little ones.
The Patscherkofel ski area is located 20 km from Stubai with its numerous ski slopes. At the foot of the mountain there are charmingly picturesque Tyrolean villages: Igls, Lens, Ville, Natters, Mutters, Patch.
Video: Mayrhofen , Zillertal(links to youtube)
Lake Wörth is the most large lake region of Carinthia. On its banks 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 Wörthsee to swim, play golf, and also see the Tscheppaschlucht waterfalls, Hochosterwitz Castle, the regional capital Klagenfurt and the Karthian abbeys and monasteries.
The Wildschönau Valley, which unites four picturesque villages, is located in Tyrol, 75 km from Innsbruck, 115 km from Munich, 130 km from Salzburg and 360 km from Zurich. A special feature of this ski resort is its idyllic seclusion, as well as wide, uncrowded ski slopes, which will delight both experienced skiers who want to enjoy nature away from the noise and test themselves in the professional training area of the Race`n`Sport Arena, as well as novice ski lovers and, first of all, young guests. Fans of snowboarding will find a fun park on Mount Schatzberg (freeride, jumps, quarter pipes, wave rides, snake, rails, Half Pipe - 90 m). There is a bus service between the ski areas, also from Thursday to Saturday. night bus(from 20:00 to 03:00). Here you can also go snowshoeing along 40 km of well-groomed winter trails, visit the swimming pools and saunas, and go sledding (three trails plus one illuminated).
In Wildschönau there is the Tyrolean Wood Museum, a mountain farming museum, and half an hour by car in the town of Wörgl there is a water park and the WAVE sauna world.
Since December 16, 2012, the Wildschönau ski area has been connected to the Alpbachtal ski area into the new Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau ski area.
Wildschönau is above all an ideal destination for a family ski holiday. The name of the valley, which combines the words wild, schön and Au, translated as “beautiful pristine valley,” speaks for itself. Guests will be pleased not only by the pristine beauty of nature, but also by the combination of reasonable prices and high quality.
The Telfs ski resort is located just 25 kilometers from Innsbruck in a small Tyrolean valley. There is everything for an active holiday: an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, big skating rink, a toboggan run, a sports center with a large climbing wall and even a real bathhouse. Very close by is the large ski resort of Seefeld, one of the most famous sports centers in Tyrol. Seefeld, one of the most famous sports centers in Tyrol, is located on a sunny plateau at an altitude of 1200 m, surrounded by the Karlwendel and Wetterstein mountains. The proximity of Innsbruck (20 km) and the famous German resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen (20 km) only adds advantages to this ski area.
| Salzburg | Munich | Innsbruck | Vein | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance to | 206 km | 127 km | 24 km | 500 km |
| 2 hours | 1 hour 40 minutes | 25 min. | 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 Carnic Alps, there is one of the ten most popular ski resorts in the country - Nassfeld. This is the sunniest ski area in Austria: during the winter season there is on average 100 hours more sunshine here than in other regions. The resort is located on the border with Italy, and some slopes lead straight across the border. The elevation difference here is 1300–2020 m. Trails of varying degrees of difficulty total length 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 gardens they will take care of teaching skiing to the youngest guests of the resort.
On the border of two Austrian states - Carinthia and Salzburg, on a sunny pass at an altitude of 1640 m above sea level, Katschberg is ideal for a family holiday. The ski area starts here at 2220 m, climatic conditions guarantee high-quality snow cover (for safety, all slopes are equipped with snow cannons), wide tracks with a total length of 70 km, they provide interesting skiing for both beginners and experienced skiers. Athletes will find 10 km of “black” slopes and the Aineck fan park here. Restaurants, bars open until late in the evening, and discos 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 hour 25 minutes | 4 hours 00 minutes | 2 hours 30 minutes | |
| Travel time by train (approx.) | 1 hour | 4 hours 50 minutes | |||
| Distance from Rennweg | 116 km | 110 km |
East Tyrol is one of the largest resort regions Tyrol with excellent conditions for family skiing and teaching beginner skiers and snowboarders. Lienz, the capital of East Tyrol, is considered the sunniest place in Austria, and the picturesque views of the Dolomites will enchant even seasoned travelers. Here is one of the most high peaks Austria - Grossglockner (3798 m) and Moelltal glacier (3122 m).
Well-equipped slopes, excellent infrastructure, hotels and guesthouses for every taste and budget make your holiday 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 slopes 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. Vincent, which houses the sacred relic - the blood of Christ, brought from Constantinople by a crusader knight. Hence the name of the village, which in German means “holy blood”.
Gold was mined in the mountains around Heiligenblut in the Middle Ages, and the area now thrives on ski tourism and mountaineering. A unique railway tunnel to Mount Fleisalm was built here, which operates only in winter, delivering tourists to the ski slopes.
The romantic and charming spa town of Baden bei Wien, surrounded by fields and vineyards, is located right next to Vienna, just 26 km. 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 springs. Even the city coat of arms, granted by Emperor Frederick III, depicts a man and a woman in a bathing tub. Healing power Baden mineral waters was known to the ancient Romans. They called the place where warm sulfurous springs rise from crevices in the rocks “aquae” - “water”. At one time, the Baden baths were favored by crowned heads. Emperors have come here for rest and treatment for centuries. And to this day, Baden is considered a prestigious suburb of Vienna and one of the best thermal resorts in Austria.
The spa 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 extraordinary beautiful nature, mild sunny climate, fresh air, gastronomic traditions and excellent entertainment infrastructure.
Hydrotherapy at the resort has centuries-old traditions. Business card Bad Tatzmannsdorf contains mineral waters of various compositions, hot springs and peat mud. Here, therapeutic procedures using mineral waters, such as baths and drinking courses, are successfully used.