Skiing in Austria : Top 10 ski resorts

Lucy Grewcock    bestskiholidays, Top 10s     austria, ski, ski holidays, Skiing Holidays, Tyrol

With sweeping pistes and technical terrain, full-throttle après and Tyrolean charm, Austria’s diverse ski areas promise some of the most exciting and varied ski-trips that the Alps have to offer. Skiing in Austria you’ll find ten resorts that are up there with the very best in the world.

And the views? Well, see for yourself.

Views to ski for! Image © Österreich Werbung/ Wolfgang Zajc

Mayorhofen

Host to the annual Snowbombing festival, this sprawling village is set in the steep-sided Zillertal Valley and offers skiing on two separate plateaux. With a huge variety of terrain, internationally acclaimed snow-park and stacks of non-skiing activities, Mayorhofen is popular with all abilities.

Saalbach Hinterglemm

Just an hour and a half from Salzburg airport, Saalbach is home to one of Austria’s top 10 ski resorts and the country’s most sophisticated lift system, where 200km of pistes are served by more than 55 lifts. A lively resort with a legendary après-ski scene, Saalbach’s pistes stay open until 9:30 every evening, allowing you to shuush under the stars.

St Anton

Après and off-piste define this pretty valley, which attracts powder-hounds and ski bums season after season. With challenging runs, technical backcountry and bars galore, adrenaline runs high in St Anton.

Kitzbühel

This glam yet traditional resort – often referred to as the “Pearl of the Alps”- is renowned for its lively après-ski, spectacular skiing and authentic charm. Best visited in high season, when its lower altitude slopes enjoy the best snow coverage.

Downhill skiing in Austria © Österreich Werbung/ Wolfgang Zajc

Sölden

Tucked between 3000-metre peaks, this energetic resort offers skiing on two high-altitude glaciers, with good snow conditions throughout the season. Sölden tends to attract a young crowd and is renowned for its ski-hard, party-hard attitude.

Westendorf

Forming part of Austria’s immense Ski Welt area, the un-crowded pistes of this peaceful Tyrolean village are ideal for beginners. Linking to more than 600 slopes, and popular with cross-country skiers, there’s also plenty for the more adventurous.

Alpbach

Breathtakingly beautiful, this atmospheric village-resort is a long-standing favourite of British skiers. With excellent conditions for beginners, as well as enticing off-piste and great snow conditions, its idea for all levels and is particularly popular with families.

Filzmoos

This unspoilt village oozes charm and is ideal for peaceful skiing holidays in Austria. Its gentle slopes are more suited to families and beginners, but its authentic ambience and scenic trails will appeal to all.

Galtur and Ischgl

Linked by a ski-bus, these neighboring resorts give access to some of the highest and most adventurous terrain in Austria. A superb area for ski-touring, there are plenty of adventurous routes here, and the Alp Trida valley trail will take you all the way to Switzerland. An ideal ski-area for intermediates and experts, stay in cosy Galtur for authentic village appeal, or opt for Ischgl for its lively nightlife.

Lech

Austria’s most glamorous resort retains its traditional village appeal, with its charming wooden chalets and winding streets, which are home to some of the smartest – and most expensive – hotels in Austria. Lech has plenty of beginner terrain, and advanced skiers can venture off-piste or tour over to St Anton; come here for celeb-spotting and champagne swigging, as well as superb skiing.

For more skiing guides and blogs, check out: The 10 best ski holidays in Italy / The best ski boots of 2012 / Best Ski Touring Skis: A buyer’s guide /10 Reasons to Ski in Japan this Winter / Training for ski fitness – expert tips from Olympic physio

About the author

Lucy Grewcock wrote 41 articles on this blog.

Lucy has been a member of the Travelcopywriting team since 2010. Her travel journalism has appeared in likes of The Independent on Sunday, Ski and Board, Wanderlust magazine, ABTA magazine and The Mail on Sunday. In the past three years she has won two awards for her travel writing with The Daily Telegraph and won The Guardian's 2011 Adventure Travel Writing competition. Lucy also lectures on World Development and Geography and, as an expedition leader, keen skier, surfer, mountain-biker and scuba-diver, she has a passion for adventure sports.

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