Austria is one of the classic ski destinations and currently ranks as the second most travelled to European destination after France for a skiing holiday. Austria is well known for its picturesque villages, traditional family owned hotels and impeccable, friendly service, making it a wonderful ski destination. The magnificent Alps span most of Austria and there is terrain for all abilities of skier and snowboarder alike amongst breath-taking scenery with traditional villages. The locals are welcoming and the food is renowned for being hearty and delicious. Perfect, after an exhilarating day on the mountain.
Resorts
If you are after a lively ski destination then you can do no better than St Anton, which is famed for its après ski along with the resorts of Solden, Saalbach and Hinterglemm, where après ski starts in the early afternoon.
For a more relaxing family orientated ski holiday, you should try the wonderful resorts of Katschburg, Niederau, Oberau, and Galtur.
If you are looking for a resort where the snow conditions are pretty much guaranteed then you should for the glacier resorts of Kaprun, Mayrhofen and Solden or the high altitude resorts of Obergurgl, St Anton and St Christoph.
Beginners may want visit the friendly slopes and excellent ski schools that can be found in Galtur, Katschburg, Niederau, Oberau, Obergurgl, Rauris and Soll amongst others.
St Anton
STATS:
Altitude: 1,305m
Ski area: Arlberg
Km of skiroutes: 262
Number of runs: Easy: 34, Intermediate: 70, Difficult: 30
Black Runs
Red Runs
Blue Runs
Green Runs
Being host to the 2001 World Alpine Championships, this resort is famed not only for pioneering alpine skiing and for its world class skiing that draws likeminded ski enthusiasts from around the world, but also for its debaucherous nightlife. Perhaps, one could say, that St Anton is not the prettiest of Austrian resorts but, its peaceful village sets a charming contrast to its vibrant nightlife.
Skiers and boarders merge into the village hub at the end of the day and discuss animatedly how great their day was. The more tenacious skiers will discuss their descent down the longest piste in the resort (10kms) or their challenging day navigating down some of the most spectacular, off-piste skiing. The beginners and less experienced participants will also talk avidly of their own experiences, on the less challenging pistes, at lower altitudes.
St Anton’s pisted skiroutes cover close to 200 miles, offering possibly the best skiing in the whole of the Arlberg region. There is a further 160 miles of un-pisted, deep, Skiroutes to be conquered for the more adventurous and experienced skiers. All this makes for a resort that is a magnet for ski aficionados of all ages and abilities.
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Kaprun
STATS:
Altitude: 775m
Ski area: Europa
3 Black Runs
3 Red Runs
7 Blue Runs
3 Green Runs
An old gold miners’ valley, now a protected national park area, Rauris has remained unspoilt, preserving its gentler and more traditional virtues of life that was true to early inhabitants. Perhaps one of the oldest ski resorts in Austria, it’s the perfect spot for beginners and intermediates alike, offering gentle terrain and activities away from the slopes, such as floodlit tobogganing.
However, the 1250m vertical is definitely enough to entertain, even challenge the more accomplished skiers. Furthermore there are long established touring routes that competitive skiers can be guided to and a 600m vertical black run right above the village.
Nevertheless, this is a popular destination for beginners, families, or groups of mixed abilities, as the long blue skiroutes are un-intimidating, to those less experienced. The thrills to those seeking a bit more adrenalin are also readily available in this relaxed environment.
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Soll
STATS:
Altitude: 700m
Ski area: Ski Welt
Km of skiroutes: 250
Number of Runs: Easy: 63, Intermediate: 50, Difficult: 8
Cross-country: 120kms
8 Black Runs
50 Red Runs
62 Blue Runs
Soll is the main ski resort of Ski Welt, which is the largest skiing region in Austria. Located in a sunny, wind-protected valley beneath the conical shaped Hohe Salve peak and Wilder Kaiser Mountains, nine miles from the German border, it offers nothing short of stunning views.
Though it is no longer a tiny village due to its accessibility, the new build properties have nevertheless been built in a traditional Tyrolean style. This along with the pedestrianised centre does allow traditional Austrian charm to resonate through this ski and board mecca. However, it’s not the quaint, chocolate-box, village feel that draws the winter sport thrill seekers here, it’s the extensive skiing and great après ski.
After dark, Soll offers one of the best après ski scenes in Austria, with slope-side bars offering dancing and drinking until late. If that’s not enough, the Hohe Salve features a restaurant with a revolving terrace offering breath-taking panoramic views of the region. Grab a seat, indulge in some good Austrian Knoedel and marvel at the magical vista in front of you.
Perhaps one of the downsides of Soll as a destination is the distance between the village and main lift, but ski busses are frequently available if need be.That said this should not deter you from coming, as The Hohe Salve offers some of the most advanced skiing in the entire region, with black and red skiroutes stretching for some 200kms.
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Scheffau
STATS:
Altitude: 752m
Ski area: Ski Welt
Km of skiroutes: 250
Number of runs: Easy: 63, Intermediate: 57, Difficult: 8
Cross-country: 50kms
1 Black Runs
10 Red Runs
8 Blue Runs
1 Green Runs
Perfectly nestled in the foothills of the towering Wilder Kaiser Mountains, next to the ski resorts of Soll and Ellma, Scheffau is considerably quieter than its neighbouring counterparts, retaining its delightful village feel. Some even consider it to be the most picturesque resort of the Ski Welt area. Walking through the endearing town streets, one half expects a choreographed derivative of the Landler to Edelweiss, itself straight out of the Sound of Music with Julie Andrews at its forefront.
Nevertheless this enchanted little town is part of Austria’s largest inter-connected ski area, the resorts all being linked by bus, and one ski pass covers the entire Ski Welt, making it a great place to learn to ski or board with its wide, gentle runs. Its location is well situated for a full days’ worth of skiing and children squeal in delight with the ‘KinderKaiserland’ ski area. Its nightlife is relaxed and informal, but the selection of restaurants and bars provide the perfect setting for all the weary, moonboot clad feet to kick back after a tiresome day of skiing, waltzing and yodelling.
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Kitzbuhel
STATS:
Altitude: 760m
Ski Area: Ski Welt
Km of skiroutes: 165
Number of Runs: Easy: 21, Intermediate: 25, Difficult: 13
Cross-country: 40kms
3 Black Runs
26 Red Runs
21 Blue Runs
A medieval town in the Austrian Tyrol, situated along the river Kitzbuhler Ache, Kitzbuhel is now better known as the fanciest winter sport resort, coined by some as ‘The Pearl of the Alps’. It is situated between the mountains of the Hahnenkamm and the Kitzbuhler Horn and has been made famous by its world cup downhill, considered one of the hardest downhill competitions in the world cup.
Today, this Tyrolean village is a sophisticated amalgamation of international winter sports and après ski interspersed with varied, stylish shopping, restaurants and accommodation. At the end of the day, slowly sip on a warming glass of gluvine (aka mulled wine) and share conversations of the days skiing and late afternoon’s activities.
Even non-skiers on this ski holiday can enjoy the resort, with mountainous walks or excursions to the historic cities Salzburg and Innsbruck. Kitzbuhel is in brief an alluring resort with something for everyone.
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Ellmau
STATS:
Altitude: 820m
Ski Area: Ski Welt
Km of skiroutes: 250
Number of runs: Easy: 63, Intermediate: 57, Difficult: 8
Cross-country: 120 kms
8 Black Runs
50 Red Runs
52 Blue Runs
2 Green Runs
Famed for its proximity to the rugged Wilder Kaiser Mountains and its backdrop of steep wooded hills to the south, Ellmau has an excellent selection of skiroutes and other sport and leisure facilities, including a swimming pool and sports complex making it an excellent choice for families.
Like most alpine villages this one too offers a cosy cornucopia of bars and cafes. Its pistes are beautiful, glistening blankets lined by trees, and are an excellent choice for beginners and novices seeking to further build their confidence.
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Alpbach
STATS:
Altitude: 1,006m
Km of skiroutes: 46
Number of Runs: Easy: 8, Intermediate: 8, Difficult: 2
Cross-country: 22 kms
3 Black Runs
10 Red Runs
3 Blue Runs
Alpbach was voted in 1938 the most beautiful village in Austria, and then a decade later the most beautiful flowering village in Europe. Not surprising, considering its 2,500 years of history has not been compromised by either the influx of modern construction, nor tourism.
Well known for its quiet and groomed pistes, providing beginner to intermediate runs, as well as unpatrolled route 5 which is more popular with the advanced skiers. Alpbach however, is favoured more so by skiers than it is with snowboarders, due to the lack of extreme off piste access. Nonetheless, for those at an early stage of their endeavours to mutate into a clone of Ross Rebagliat (1998 first ever Olympic gold medallist for snowboarding), Alpbach is a popular choice for snowboarding beginners, wishing to learn or improve their technique. It is also a strong choice for those favouring cross-country skiing, offering 22km of pristine routes, dipped in majestic scenery.
Offering every desirable amenity and leisure facility and for those choosing to digest more culture, Alpbach is perfectly situated to explore cultural attractions, such as the medieval Rattenberg.
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Niederau
STATS:
Altitude: 830m
Km of skiroutes: 63
Number of runs: Easy: 12, Intermediate: 16, Difficult: 4
5 Black Runs
5 Red Runs
8 Blue Runs
Set within the Wildschonau Valley and close to the Kitzbuhel ski area, lays the striking resort of Niederau. Here, skiing is at a more sedate pace, with its wide nursery slopes and much revered tuition, it makes an ideal location for families or those just finding their feet on skis or on snowboards.
Slightly further afield, there are more challenging black routes that will bring you back down to Niederau, and there is also the option of the free ski bus to Oberau and Auffach. In fact visitors can take advantage of the Kitzbuheler Alpen pass offering around 440 miles of pistes on one ticket.
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Oberau
STATS:
Altitude: 830m
Km of skiroutes:
2 Black Runs
11 Red Runs
17 Blue Runs
Set within the Wildschonau valley, Oberau is a much smaller village in comparison to its neighbouring counterparts Auffach and Niederau. It is a picturesque and quiet hamlet only 3 km away from Niderau, and provides skiing at a more sedate pace, making it a great place for families or to learn how to ski or board with its wide nursery slopes and much revered tuition.
Slightly further afield there are more challenging black routes that will bring you back down to Niederau, and there is a free ski bus to Niederau and Auffach. In fact visitors can take advantage of the Kitzbuheler Alpen pass offering around 440 miles of pistes on one ticket.
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Solden
STATS:
Altitude: 1,377m
Km of skiroutes: 140 – Black runs: 27km, Red runs: 62km, Blue runs: 51km
Number of runs: Easy: 11, Intermediate: 19, Difficult: 6
Cross-country: 20kms
31 Black Runs
61 Red Runs
57 Blue Runs
Solden is considered to be the mecca for snowboaders and extreme off-piste skiers. But, drop Solden in conversation and the connotation generally relates to its hedonistic après ski scene, which is famous in Austria for starting late afternoon in one of the mountain bars and slowly working its way down the slope and into the village. However renowned this ski/snowboard resort may be for its after hours, it is also home to two glaciers and over 100km of intermediate terrain. The glacier skiing here is the tip of the iceberg, as this alpine village has easy access to three main peaks, each over 3,000m in height, making this resort a sure thing, when it comes to snow.
This is not just an ideal location for the advanced though as both beginners and intermediates are well catered for too. The long pistes, that are both wide and not too steep, provide perfect opportunities to practice and gain confidence.
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