Skiing in Austria

Austria is undoubtedly and absolutely a skiing paradise. Thousands of kilometers of perfectly prepared ski routes offer outstanding skiing conditions for every skier - no matter whether you look for an easy slope, allowing long and wide curves or a really difficult route letting you rush down the hill leaving mists of fresh dust behind you, Austria offers the best skiing resorts in the world.

Skiing instructors and local Skiing guide are also available for those who either prefer free ride in deep snow, or skiing on wild slopes, and for those with insufficient skills. Austrian skiing schools and Austrian skiing instructors are very famous for their great quality all around the world.

With over 600 skiing areas Austria offers a wide choice of resorts more than any other country in the world. All of the major Ski resorts in Austria are close to the major airports of Salzburg and Innsbruck. Austrian ski resorts are extremely well equipped. Various vehicles, like snow scooters, Short boards, snow bikes are easily available in most of the resorts.

Here’s a list of some of the very famous Austria skiing resorts to choose from;

1: Schladming

Region: Steiermark

Destination nearby: Schladming, Rohrmoos – Untertal

Schladming is situated close to the snow sure Obertauern and Dachstein glacier. The town offers a charming, traffic-free main square, prettily illuminated at night and one can also find most of the shops, restaurants and bars and some attractive hotels there. Traditional chalets and the stunning scenery of the Dachostein mountain region make Schladming a lovely place to stay in.

The town lies in the very heart of the ski region, and that is why it also is the host to several international sporting competitions including the World Championship in Night Skiing. Even though, it is placed at a rather low altitude, the snow is certain and the pistes are well-looked after. Since its four previously separate mountains were linked by lifts and trails, Schladming has been able to compete with major resorts that are better known internationally. A keen intermediate who wants to make the most of the mountain links can get a real sense of traveling around on the snow. Because of extensive snowmaking operation and superb piste maintenance we can be sure that Schladming offers its best. Over 86 ski lifts and 160 km of pistes, the Schladming area is the best class for intermediates. For the more advanced skiers, however, there are two world-class downhill runs of 5 km each. The resort is a top snowboarding destination. Free-riders can be found roaming through the trees back to Schladming and free-stylers can enjoy the half pipe and snowboard park.

2: Carinthia

Carinthia is situated in the southern part of the Alps. It is an area of easy and intermediate slopes, not recommended for advanced skiers. The most popular skiing regions in Carinthia are: Bad Kleinkirchheim, Villach, Karnische Skiregion, Heiligenblut, Spittal an der Drau, Innerkrems, Lavanttal, Gailtal. Bad Kleinkirchheim is quite famous because of being not only a ski resort, but also a health resort, with its healing spring waters. Bad Kleinkirchheim offers you 85 km of slopes, and also a halfpipe for snowboarders. Heiligenblut is a ski resort prepared for the whole family, with a special kindergarten for children, and very mild and easy slopes.

3: St. Anton The first skiing club ever was founded at St. Anton and the first skiing championship also took place. Today, over 280 kilometers of perfectly prepared slopes await skiers every year. Around 180 kilometers of unbeaten ski runs are perfect for stronger adventure. There are three main villages in St. Anton, St. Christoph and Stuben offer almost 11.000 guest beds in accommodation units of all types and large choice of après ski activities guaranteeing a great holiday experience.

4: Saalbach

Region: Salzburgerland

Destination nearby: Saalbach-Hinterglemm

The Saalbach Hinterglemm ski area are two villages of Saalbach and Hinterglemm in the Salzburg area (88 kilometers from the city) offering good alpine surrounding, superb ski routes base and well developed lifts facilities. The Saalbach Hinterglemm ski area has become famous after the World Cup Championships held in this region in 1991. Now it is classified among world's top ten areas for skiing. There are 200 kilometers of ski runs in this resort. The lifts system is modern and very efficient so that skiers can move quickly uphill and get most of their winter holidays.

The resort offers abundance of après ski activities. Ice-skating is perfect in Hinterglemm and Saalbach is full of bars and discos open till late at night. Transportation within the area is based on tunnels so that most of the resort is a traffic-free area. Large number of four-star lodgings, over 100 three-star hotels, and nearly as many two-star hotels offer something for everyone visiting Saalbach.

5: Kitzbuhel

The province of Tyrol has 119 ski resorts altogether, but only few dare to compete with Kitzbühel (usually known as 'Kitz') for recognition and popularity. It is a truly charming Tyrolean resort with cobblestone streets and painted buildings with the main part of town surrounded by the 12th century stone walls. Kitzbühel lies only 2,600 feet above sea level. The Hahnenkamm race course organized in this area is the most challenging on the World Cup circuit the event helps the resort to cultivate its reputation as an extraordinary place.

Additional activities in Kitzbühel would include horse-drawn, sleigh rides, ice skating, curling, swimming in the indoor pool, indoor tennis, bowling, and even theatres with English-speaking movies. Besides winter sports, there is also a large selection of summer activities including hiking in the mountainous Wilder Kaiser region and the Brixental valley, swimming in the Schwarzsee Lake, horseback riding, golfing. The resort is pretty budget friendly and best for the bargain hunters.

6: Mayrhofen

Zillertal is the biggest ski area in Austria. It is connected with neighboring Gerlos and Königsleiten, what makes it even more attractive. One ski-pass you can choose a place for skiing from: Fügen, Hochfügen, Skizentrum Hochzillertal, Zell im Zillertal, Kreuzjoch, Gerlosstein, Mayfhofen. Mayrhofen is the most well-known village in the area. It is a center for alpine climbing and hiking. It is a hometown for famous climber Peter Habeler, a creator of a famous alpine school. The whole area of Zillertal offers you 428 km of prepared slopes, and is opened also for snowboarders.

7: Bad Gastein

Bad Gastein is a true jewel in the Salzburg holiday area. Situated at an altitude of 1000 meters, it is an atmospheric town with wonderful buildings and beautiful natural surroundings. Its slopes are impressively extensive, and mainly quite challenging yet great for intermediates. It has more sophisticated après ski than many other resorts and the world renowned skiing includes many delightful wooded trails. Bad Gastein offers sensational selection of events and opportunities for a total relaxation. Sport and leisure are complemented by spa and wellness activities with the resort's world-famous thermal springs and mineral vapor galleries. Lots of good, traditional mountain restaurants are also an advantage of this resort. And for those who are the night owls can sure enjoy from a varied program of events. It also offers a wide range of lodging options, whether in simple rooms, in private houses or in a top-class hotel, in Bad Gastein tourists are pampered in every possible way.

8: Ischgl

Ischgl skiing resort lies 15 miles from the city of Landeck and two to three hours from either the Munich or the Zürich airport. It is a lovely Tyrolean village situated on high altitude with good snow conditions, an excellent lift system and great intermediate skiing and boarding. Besides the thrilling winter sports the resort also offers an active nightlife and a strange mixture of pretty, traditional town, pricey, exclusive hotels and lively après-ski. The resort is famous among many celebs and entertainers like Elton John, Diana Ross, Madonna, Bon Jovi, Tina Turner, Bob Dylan and Rod Stewart for open-air concerts.

The slopes are extensive, high, snow sure and ideal for intermediate cruising - it's no secret that this is one of the best ski areas of Austria. There is a reasonable range of non-skiing opportunities including shopping. As for the recreation facilities in this area, there are such attractions as: Toboggan track, night skiing, paragliding, bowling alley, swimming, historical monuments, museum, zoological garden, National Park and horse drawn sleigh rides. Snowboard Fun Park has half pipe, quarter pipe, and lots of terrain features. Rentals and ski lessons are also available.

There are many places to dine around in this lively resort. Lodging ranges from comfortable bed-and-breakfast pensions to deluxe, expensive hotels. Holiday apartments, hotels, inns, guest houses are all available.</