Austrian Alps Ski Holidays
Austrian Alps
Holidays
The world's greatest après-ski, charming Tyrolean villages, the legendary Hahnenkamm downhill and the best value skiing in the Alps — Austria is the ski holiday that never disappoints
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Flight Time
2h to Innsbruck or Salzburg; then 30min–1.5h transfer to resort
Best Time
January–March for best snow; December for Christmas markets; April for spring skiing
Country
Austria
Suppliers
our travel partners ·
Austrian Alps Holiday Guide
The Austrian Alps offer a completely different ski experience to France or Switzerland — charming traditional villages with onion-domed churches, excellent food and drink at great value, and the most legendary après-ski culture in the world. Austria is the most popular ski destination for British skiers, combining good skiing with outstanding value, friendly locals and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that is uniquely Austrian.
St Anton am Arlberg is the après-ski capital of the Alps — a traditional Tyrolean village at 1,304m with access to the vast Ski Arlberg area (305km of pistes connecting St Anton, St Christoph, Stuben, Lech and Zürs). The Mooserwirt and Krazy Kanguruh bars on the Gampen run are the stuff of ski holiday legend — outdoor bars where the party starts at 3pm and continues until the last skier staggers home. The skiing is equally impressive — challenging terrain, excellent off-piste and some of the most varied runs in Austria.
Kitzbühel is the most glamorous resort in Austria — a beautifully preserved medieval town at 762m, famous for the Hahnenkamm downhill race (the most prestigious and dangerous race on the World Cup circuit, held every January) and its sophisticated après-ski scene. The skiing (170km of pistes) is more suited to intermediates than experts, but the atmosphere and the town itself are extraordinary.
Ischgl, in the Paznaun Valley, is famous for its season-opening and closing concerts (past performers include Elton John, Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Kylie Minogue) and its duty-free shopping (the resort is close to the Swiss border). The skiing (238km of pistes, connected to Samnaun in Switzerland) is excellent for all levels.
More Ski Destinations
Average Temperatures
Jan
-5°C
Feb
-4°C
Mar
-1°C
Apr
4°C
May
10°C
Jun
15°C
Jul
18°C
Aug
17°C
Sep
12°C
Oct
6°C
Nov
0°C
Dec
-4°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Austrian Alps
The après-ski bars, legendary races, glacier skiing and Tyrolean charm that make the Austrian Alps the most beloved ski destination for British skiers.
St Anton — The Après-Ski Capital of the World
St Anton am Arlberg is the après-ski capital of the Alps — a traditional Tyrolean village at 1,304m with the most legendary ski bar culture in the world. The Mooserwirt (on the Gampen run) and the Krazy Kanguruh (on the Nasserein run) are outdoor bars where the party starts at 3pm — skiers and boarders stop for a drink on the way down the mountain and the music, dancing and Jägermeister flow until the lifts close. The skiing is equally impressive: access to the Ski Arlberg area (305km of pistes), challenging terrain and some of the best off-piste in Austria.
Kitzbühel — The Hahnenkamm and a Beautiful Medieval Town
Kitzbühel is the most glamorous resort in Austria — a beautifully preserved medieval town at 762m, surrounded by the Kitzbüheler Alps, with a sophisticated atmosphere that combines traditional Tyrolean culture with international glamour. The Hahnenkamm downhill race (held every January) is the most prestigious and dangerous race on the World Cup circuit — the Streif course drops 860m in under 2 minutes, with sections reaching 140km/h. The skiing (170km of pistes, best for intermediates) is complemented by an extraordinary town centre with excellent restaurants, bars and shops.
Ischgl — Superstar Concerts and Duty-Free Shopping
Ischgl is one of the most famous ski resorts in Austria — a resort in the Paznaun Valley famous for its season-opening and closing concerts (past performers include Elton John, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams), its duty-free shopping (the resort is close to the Swiss border, and the Samnaun duty-free zone is accessible by ski) and its excellent skiing (238km of pistes connected to Samnaun in Switzerland via the Silvretta Arena). The après-ski scene is legendary — the Kuhstall, Trofana Alm and Pacha Ischgl are among the best mountain bars in Austria.
Sölden — Glacier Skiing and James Bond
Sölden is one of Austria's most impressive ski resorts — a large resort in the Ötztal Valley with access to two glaciers (Rettenbach and Tiefenbach at 3,250m), offering some of the most reliable snow conditions in Austria and year-round skiing on the glaciers. The resort became famous internationally as the filming location for the James Bond film Spectre (2015) — the opening sequence was filmed on the Rettenbach glacier. The skiing (148km of pistes) is excellent for all levels; the après-ski scene is lively. The Ice Q restaurant (at 3,048m, the highest restaurant in Austria) is extraordinary.
Ski Arlberg — Austria's Greatest Linked Ski Area
The Ski Arlberg is Austria's greatest linked ski area — 305km of pistes connecting St Anton, St Christoph, Stuben, Lech and Zürs in the Vorarlberg and Tyrol regions. The area was recently expanded with a new gondola connecting St Anton to Lech and Zürs (previously only accessible by road), creating one of the largest ski areas in the Alps. Lech and Zürs are the most exclusive resorts in Austria — quieter, more expensive and with a more sophisticated clientele than St Anton. The Ski Arlberg is excellent for all levels, with challenging terrain for experts and extensive intermediate runs.
Zell am See — Skiing with Lake Views
Zell am See is one of the most beautiful ski resorts in Austria — a traditional lakeside town at 757m on the shores of the Zeller See, with the Schmittenhöhe ski area (138km of pistes) rising above the town and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier (3,029m) offering year-round skiing 10km away. The combination of lake, town and mountain scenery is extraordinary — the views from the Schmittenhöhe across the lake to the Hohe Tauern mountains are among the finest in Austria. The resort is popular with families and intermediate skiers; the town centre has excellent restaurants and a lively après-ski scene.
Mayrhofen & Hintertux — Year-Round Glacier Skiing
Mayrhofen is one of the most popular ski resorts in Austria for British skiers — a lively resort in the Zillertal Valley with 159km of pistes, excellent ski schools and a legendary après-ski scene (the Après Ski Taxi and the Ice Bar are famous). The resort is also the gateway to the Hintertux Glacier (3,250m) — the only year-round ski glacier in Austria, accessible by bus from Mayrhofen. The Hintertux Glacier is excellent for summer skiing and early-season training; the views from the summit across the Zillertal Alps are extraordinary.
Austrian Food and Drink — Schnitzel, Strudel and Glühwein
Austrian mountain food is some of the best in the Alps — hearty, warming and excellent value. The classics: Wiener Schnitzel (breaded veal or pork escalope), Käsespätzle (cheese noodles — the Austrian equivalent of mac and cheese), Tiroler Gröstl (pan-fried potatoes with bacon and egg), Apfelstrudel (apple strudel with vanilla sauce) and Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake with plum compote). On the mountain, the hütten (mountain huts) serve excellent food at reasonable prices. Glühwein (mulled wine) and Jägermeister are the après-ski drinks of choice; Austrian beer (Zipfer, Schwechater) is excellent.
Explore Austrian Alps on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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