The best ski resorts in Austria on the map. The best ski resorts in Austria

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 small traditional resort villages rather than large ski centers. 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. Highly located glaciers, such as the Dachstein Glacier (2700 m), are skied 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

Even a seasoned expert would not be able to identify the leader among Austrian winter recreation centers. All of them are located 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 a large winter recreation center located 65 km from Innsbruck. This is a 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 ski resort in Austria for beginners. Beginners have a lot of fun on the soft slopes and can always get training from experienced instructors. Tourists enjoy the opportunity to engage in outdoor activities - 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 viewing platforms. 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 the 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 of active recreation 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 of skiing in the country. 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 an excellent place for a 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 snow park.

Prices. The cost of a ski pass for an adult in the low season is 41.5 €, in the high season - 44.5 €. A child'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.

Here you can ski until you lose all strength, without ever repeating the same descent in one day, there are slopes 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 ski resorts in Austria for the 2013/2014 season.

The ski resort of Mayrhofen, so beloved and popular among Russian tourists, fully offers action & fun: the famous après-ski at Brück´n Stadl, where four glasses of beer will be poured in a record 11 seconds, and discos at Snowbombing. If we consider only the ski area above Mayrhofen, then in terms of its size and length of slopes it will take 10th place in Austria. Meanwhile, the elevation difference here is the largest in the top ten: the tracks are located between 620 m and 2,250 m above sea level. The length of the slopes prepared by snowcats is 133 km - from the simplest “blue” to the legendary “anthracite-black” Harakiri, the steepest slope in Austria, the slope of which reaches 78%. Anyone who has descended Harakiri is happy to buy a T-shirt in the nearest store with the inscription “I survived Harakiri”.

Mayrhofen

Data:

– length of tracks: 133 km;

– the resort will appeal to après-ski fans, outdoor enthusiasts and extreme sports enthusiasts.

Peculiarities:

– the steepest track in Austria and a 10-kilometer descent into the valley;

– new high-speed chairlifts with wind canopies and heated seats;

– VansPenkenPark in Mayrhofen;

– après-ski until 2 am.

Naked numbers:

– elevation difference - 1,880 m;

– especially for those who go to the mountain early in the morning: on certain days the lifts start working at seven in the morning.

How to get there:

By car: Autobahn A12, turn towards Zillertal, 30 km on B169 to Mayrhofen.

By train: any international train with a stop in Jenbach, where you need to change to the Zillertal train, which will take you to Mayrhofen for €7.

The most important thing about 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 won't cause any problems either - the snow cannons will take care of that. Some trails end right at the après ski bars - you can relax after skiing in Sölden until the morning.

Data:

– length of tracks: 150 km;

– ski pass cost: €48 per day;

– the resort will appeal to fans of noisy après-ski.

Peculiarities:

– guarantee of snow from October to May;

– après-ski parties at the Fire and Ice bar until 3 am;

– Alpine skiing World Cup track on the Rettenbach glacier, tracks with speed measurement and automatic video recording;

– Hannibal Show on the Rettenbach Glacier in April.

Naked numbers:

– one 3S lift (with three supporting cables), 7 gondola lifts, 16 chair lifts and 9 drag lifts;

– 80% of easy and medium difficulty trails;

– 28 km of “black” slopes and a 2-kilometer ski route.

How to get there:

By car: turn off the A12 motorway at the sign for Ötztal, 35 km along the B186 to Sölden.

By train: You will have to make a lot of transfers to get to Ötztal station. A regular bus leaves from the station every hour; the trip to Sölden takes 90 minutes.

Kitzbühel is one of the legendary and famous ski resorts in the Alps. This year marks the 120th anniversary of the first ski descent from the Kitzbüheler Horn. No less legendary are the races from Hahnenkamm - the Alpine Ski World Cup competitions on the Streif downhill course, one of the most difficult and dangerous. Kitzbühel is only 125 km from Munich International Airport and 80 km from Salzburg Airport. The network of pistes and lifts on the surrounding slopes starts at an altitude of about 2,000 m above sea level.

Kitzbühel

Data:

– length of tracks: 170 km;

– ski pass cost: €47 per day;

– the resort is most suitable for good skiers and food lovers.

Peculiarities:

– in January, during the World Cup stage (from January 21 to 26, 2014), not only the elite of alpine skiing meets here, but also the cream of society, and not only Austrian;

– Streif downhill track with a maximum slope of 85%;

– many après-ski points, as well as gourmet restaurants;

– for lovers of ski touring and off-piste skiing - 230 km² of Kitzbühel mountain space.

Naked numbers:

– 51 lifts;

– 32 km of marked but not prepared slopes (ski-route).

How to get there:

By car: Autobahn A8 in the direction of Salzburg, turn towards Kufstein, exit the autobahn at the Kufstein Süd sign, highway B178 in the direction of St. Johann in Tirol, highway B161 towards Kitzbühel. From Munich - 2 hours, from Salzburg - 1 hour 40 minutes.

By train: a couple of transfers from Munich, the lower station of the Hahnenkamm cable car is three minutes from the station.

Sports, shows, après-ski parties, concerts of world pop-rock celebrities: the most interesting thing in Ischgl will, of course, be for young people. A huge expanse of sunny slopes, a wide network of prepared trails and endless opportunities for freeride.

Data:

– length of tracks: 238 km;

– ski pass cost: €43.50 per day in high season.

Peculiarities:

– concerts of world rock stars;

– snow parks and mountain huts next to the slopes;

– good opportunities for freeride and guarantee of snow throughout the season.

Naked numbers:

– the highest point of the resort is located at an altitude of 2,872 m;

– 43 lifts;

– 16% of the tracks are “blue”, 65% “red” and 19% “black”.

How to get there:

By car: from Innsbruck along the Arlbergstrasse, turn at the sign for Pians, then 20 km along Silvrettastrasse B188 in the direction of Ischgl.

Brixental

1. Wilder Kaiser/Brixental

And finally, the largest ski area in Austria is the Wilder Kaiser/Brixental ski world. In terms of the total length of prepared trails, this region ranks 9th in Europe. It is unlikely that anyone is able to travel around all 279 km of Brixental slopes in one day. Despite the relatively low altitudes, it is still worth going here - especially since this is one of the best resorts in the Alps in terms of transport accessibility.

Data:

– length of tracks: 279 km;

– ski pass cost: €44 euros per day in high season;

– the resort is ideal for fans of so-called cruise skiing, snowboarders and those who haven’t skied all day.

Peculiarities:

– the largest day and night ski area in Austria;

– 48% of “blue” slopes and only 6% of “black” slopes;

– an ideal resort for snowboarders - there are practically no long gentle slopes and flat traverses, but there are several snow parks.

Naked numbers:

– 91 cable cars;

– more than 70 mountain restaurants, cafes and après-ski 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 sled runs (until 2 a.m.);

– The 13-kilometer illuminated ski track is the longest in Austria.

How to get there:

By car: from Munich on the autobahn through Rosenheim, turn to Kufstein Süd or Wörgl Ost, then almost all SkiWelt centers are accessible along the new highway.

By train: the nearest station is in Hopfgarten. You can get here in one night, for example, from Northern Germany on the Schnee-Express. From Munich or Vienna - take EuroCity trains to Wörgl, change to the local railway, which will take you to the lower cable car station in Hopfgarten in 10 minutes.

Holidays in the ski resorts of Austria: St. Anton, Lech, Mayrhofen, Zell am See, Bad Gastein.

The Alps occupy most of the area of ​​Austria, so the country is very popular among fans of alpine skiing. The country's ski centers are mostly small traditional ski villages rather than large modern complexes. The number of Austrian resorts is amazing - there are about a thousand of them in the country, so everyone will be able to find something to suit their taste.

Most of the ski centers here are of medium altitude, suitable for both intermediate athletes and professionals. There are high slopes in the province of Tyrol, where the most famous ski resorts in Austria are concentrated: St. Anton and Lech. Another famous ski resort, Mayrhofen, is located in the Zillertal valley, east of Tyrol. There are also unique resorts in the country that welcome guests in both cold winters and hot summers - these are Zell am See and Bad Gastein.

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Sant Anton

The resort of Sant Anton is famous for its excellent infrastructure, challenging professional trails and enchanting alpine landscapes. The fact that the resort hosted the Alpine Ski World Championships in 2001 speaks for itself. The season here lasts from December to March. The 260 km long trails are very well maintained and there is a modern well-functioning lift system. The peak of Falluga-Grat (2660 m) attracts professionals with the most difficult trails and slopes, the snow on which is not specially leveled, which makes skiing more exciting. For beginner athletes, the slope in Galzig is more suitable, where there is a ski school and rental of the necessary equipment. Since the Sant Anton resort is well known among skiers, it is recommended to book a hotel room here in advance. On the territory of the ski center there is an indoor tennis court and a cinema, as well as many restaurants and discos. The closest airport to Sant Anton is only a hundred kilometers from the village - in Innsbruck.

Lech

Lech is a very prestigious resort, which is famous for its special microclimate, which helps maintain ideal snow conditions throughout the skiing season. The highest level of service at the resort attracts representatives of high society to spend their winter holidays with health benefits and in conditions of maximum comfort. 260 km of trails of varying difficulty allow skiers of any level to feel at ease. There is even a special children's track with the most gentle slope possible. For snowboarders there is a half-pipe and a special park. If you are tired of skiing, you can try yourself in paragliding and get a lot of new sensations. Thanks to a well-thought-out organization, the lift system in the Lech resort operates without queues. Lech is a less noisy village than Sant Anton, so it is more suitable for quiet family holidays and mature guests. But this does not mean that the resort can be boring: more than 50 restaurants, luxurious bars, a swimming pool and an ice skating rink are always at the service of vacationers. The best way to get to the resort is by train or bus from Innsbruck.

Mayrhofen

The slopes of the large resort of Mayrhofen are located on the slopes of two mountains, which are connected by a cable car built in 2007. Mayrhofen is very popular with beginners, and this is understandable: soft slopes and good schools do their job. In addition, après-ski youth entertainment is widely represented here: fashionable nightclubs and modern discos, noisy bars and restaurants, cinemas and theatrical performances.

Zell am See

The resort of Zell am See is located on the shore of the lake. Along with the neighboring resort of Kaprun, Zell am See is part of the special Sports Europe region, which welcomes guests from different countries all year round who want to improve their skills in a particular sport. A distinctive feature of this center is a sufficient number of short slopes, on which it is very convenient to hone your skiing skills. The resort has 10 European-level ski schools and several kindergartens, where carnivals and torchlight processions are regularly held. Due to the fact that the town was founded in the Middle Ages, it boasts beautiful old houses and shops.

Bad Gastein

Bad Gastein is a resort located near Salzburg. This ski center hosts the World Cup, so the quality of the slopes here exceeds expectations. For snowboarders, the Gastein Snowboard Park and halfpipe are built here, and there is also a boardercross track. In addition to the ski resort, Bad Gastein is famous for its spa center, so everything in the city is subordinated to a healthy lifestyle: prices for nightlife are especially high. Therefore, many tourists combine healthy sports with a pleasant relaxation in a bathhouse or sauna. Plus, the resort has thermal springs, the water of which is rich in radon.

Active tourists often associate this small and cozy country with Viennese palace complexes, ancient parks, excellent slopes and the best ski resorts in Austria. In winter, the splendor of the republic’s natural landscapes becomes even more impressive, which attracts both connoisseurs of snow-capped mountain slopes and ordinary tourists who are still unsure on skis, but are ready to go on an exciting journey for the sake of adrenaline and fabulous landscapes. Of all the famous resort areas of their hospitable country, Austrians often recommend several of their favorite places. Here, foreigners will find various opportunities for an exciting and useful winter pastime.

Bad Gastein

The best ski resorts in Austria are extremely diverse, among them there are several places that are accessible primarily to wealthy vacationers due to the fairly high prices for all kinds of services. One of them is Bad Gastein, which is also well known for its thermal springs and wellness centers. Winter gives its guests a unique opportunity to combine pleasant skiing with beneficial radon baths. And for tourists on a limited budget they are well suited.

All 220 km of snow-covered slopes are filled with skiers who are differently prepared to conquer the mountain slopes. The city cannot boast of a wide variety of entertainment venues, but everyone is well aware of the local casino and Gatz, a democratic bar where young fans of snowboarding and alpine skiing prefer to have fun.

Zell am See

Thanks to the picturesque lake, the surroundings around Zell am See, a quiet old town, amaze travelers with fabulous beauty. Most of the 77 km of local pistes are filled with beginners or confident skiers.

From this city you can quite easily and quickly get to the glacier, which does not melt even in summer. As a result, skiers appear in these places not only in the winter months, but also in the off-season and also in the summer. Among the frequent guests of Zell am See you can meet beginner snowboarders and cross-country skiing fans. To help vacationers relax after hours of skiing, more than 150 restaurants, bars and cafes are open to them.

Lech

Despite the many drinking establishments, Lech, a small resort village, is unlikely to appeal to lovers of noisy discos and carefree fun. This is one of . First of all, people come here for skiing and snowboarding. Of the 55 well-equipped trails, each guest will definitely be able to find exactly the one that will satisfy his desires. Young travelers will not be left idle either. Separated from their parents, they have fun on a 1.2-kilometer track specially equipped for them.

Many passionate gourmets, partial to excellent Austrian wine and national dishes, also visit the village. In the evenings, to taste cheese fondue and drink a glass of fine wine, visitors gather at cozy tables in the stylish Krone Stuben, the more democratic Angelika Kauffmann or some other restaurant. Among tourists considering the best ski resorts in Austria, the rating of the village of Lech is far from last.

Mayrhofen

Half of the 136 km of superb pistes around Mayrhofen, a small Austrian village, are intended for those who are already quite confident in skiing, but have not yet become professionals. There are a lot of slopes here for those who are just beginning to express themselves in this winter entertainment. However, experts also look at this resort, which is considered a youth resort.

Mayrhofen is also known for the White Lounge, an unusual igloo hotel where thrill-seekers seek to spend the night in its icy rooms. But most vacationers prefer to have fun at night in the Ice Bar, famous for its relaxed atmosphere, or in some other club. During the day, establishments such as the White Lounge and Freiraum become excellent viewing platforms due to their location on the mountain slopes.

St. Anton

If any curious tourists want to know where the first ski cubes appeared on the European continent, then it is believed that St. Anton was this place. Now this ski resort in Austria is famous for its challenging slopes and excellent training centers for beginners and children. Most of the 305 km of local slopes have long been chosen by professionals who demonstrate unusually virtuoso skating. If desired, everyone can travel throughout St. Anton and its surroundings on a sleigh drawn by fast horses.

The village also has a fairly large ice skating rink, which is “occupied” by teenagers and young people. After active participation in winter activities, vacationers enjoy the taste of Austrian dishes in one of 80 restaurants. Young people dance almost until the morning in the Underground, a democratic English club. The hall of the cozy Mooserwirt, one of the most famous bars not only in St. Anton, but throughout Tyrol, is always crowded with cheerful people. Lunch or dinner at Galzig Verwall, a high-altitude restaurant, is a treat for those looking for a vantage point to appreciate the beauty of the snow-capped peaks.

What do the best ski resorts in Austria have in common?

Although the small towns and quiet villages in mountainous Austria are distinctive, and their residents always try to emphasize this, many common features can be found between them. This is especially true for the named places that have become leaders in winter recreation:

• in almost each of the mentioned places, December is considered the beginning of the season;
• they often stop accepting guests at the end of March;
• in every town or village, tourists are sure to find many entertainment venues, bars and restaurants;
• the cost of a weekly ski pass, which is available for purchase everywhere, is 295 €.

The main thing that can be found in every town or village is the friendliness of both local residents and staff. The high rating of ski resorts in Austria determines the country's popularity among multinational travelers.