Ski resorts in Austria: how to find on the map, rating of the best places, weather, prices. The best ski resorts in Austria - rating Austrian ski resort
Austria is the recognized queen of the Alps, and this is not surprising - the Alps cover most of it, and the abundance of lakes gives additional charm to this amazing country. Austria is famous for its picturesque resorts and excellent level of service and quality of service.
This country is one of the leading skiing destinations in Europe. Austria is home to many famous ski resorts, and whatever your level of skiing, you will be pleasantly surprised by the variety of offers.
Austrian ski resorts tend to be slightly lower than French and Swiss ones, but this does not prevent excellent skiing in season, and out of season the famous Austrian glaciers are at your service.
The most famous and popular ski resorts are located in the federal states of Tyrol, Salzburgerland, Styria, Carinthia.
In this worthy list, Tyrol rightfully leads with its star capital Innsbruck (twice the capital of the Winter Olympic Games).
The main resorts of Tyrol: Innsbruck and surroundings (Igls, Axamer Lizum, Fulpmes, Neustift, Tulfes, Imst) Arlberg (St. Anton, Lech) Ski Circus with the famous White Circle, which includes St. Anton, St. Christoph, Lech and Zürs offers excellent and memorable skiing. the Zillertal valley (Mayrhofen, Zell am Ziller, Fügen, Kaltenbach) with the famous Hinterhuks glacier Seefeld Kitzbühel and Kirchberg Otztal valley (Selden, Obergurgl, Hochgurgl) Sölden, one of the most popular resorts in Austria, where thousands of fans of the white miracle flock every year; Ischgl, practically a mecca for skiers, Pitztal Serfaus
The ski center of Styria, the second largest land in Austria, was and remains the Dachstein-Tauern with its largest resort center Schladming.
The Land of Salzburg is famous for its European sports region, which includes the villages of Zell am See and Kaprun with the glacier of the same name. To the south are the thermal and ski resorts of Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein (Gasteinertal valley). Whichever resort you choose for your vacation, you will receive an equivalent Austrian quality service and very reasonable prices.
As a rule, resorts in Austria offer not only ski holidays, there are many thermal complexes in resorts, sports centers, entertainment centers, including children's ones. Often at the resort you can get a guest card, which provides discounts on services, including a ski pass.
Après-ski in Austria deserves a special mention - here they know how and want to have fun. The famous bars and nightclubs of St. Anton are practically the hallmark of the Austrian après-ski. However, this does not mean at all that for an excellent evening leisure it is necessary to choose a large resort - even in the smallest village there is always an excellent bar with music and dancing.
Choosing Austria, you choose excellent service in the mountainous Alps at a reasonable price.
Here you can ride until you lose strength, without repeating the same descent in one day, there are slopes of different difficulty levels, and after-ski parties are 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 you the ten biggest ski resorts in Austria for the 2013/2014 season.
The Mayrhofen ski resort, so beloved and popular among Russian tourists, offers action & fun to the full: the famous après-ski in Brück´n Stadl, where four mugs of beer are poured in a record 11 seconds, and discos in Snowbombing. If we count only the ski area above Mayrhofen, then in terms of size and length of slopes, it will take 10th place in Austria. Meanwhile, the elevation difference here is the largest in the surveyed ten: the tracks are located between 620 m and 2,250 m above sea level. The length of 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%. The one who went down the "Harakiri" is happy to buy a T-shirt in the nearest shop 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 lovers.
Peculiarities:
– the steepest track in Austria and a 10-kilometer descent into the valley;
– new high-speed chair lifts with wind hoods and heated seats;
– VansPenkenPark in Mayrhofen;
– après-ski until 2 am.
Bare numbers:
- height 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, exit Zillertal, 30 km on the 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 in 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 will not cause any problems either - snow cannons will take care of this. 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 price: €48 per day;
– the resort will appeal to lovers of noisy après-ski.
Peculiarities:
– guaranteed 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.
Bare numbers:
– one 3S lift (with three carrying cables), 7 gondola, 16 chairlifts and 9 ski lifts;
– 80% of easy and medium difficulty tracks;
– 28 km of black pistes and a 2 km ski route.
How to get there:
By car: exit from the motorway A12 at the sign for Ötztal, 35 km on the B186 road to Sölden.
By train: you will have to make a lot of transfers to the Ötztal station. A regular bus departs from the station every hour and the journey 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 skiing from the top of the Kitzbüheler Horn. No less legendary are the races from Hahnenkamm - Alpine skiing World Cup competitions on the downhill track "Streif", 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 trails and ski lifts on the surrounding slopes starts from an altitude of about 2,000 m above sea level.
Kitzbühel
Data:
– length of tracks: 170 km;
– ski pass price: €47 per day;
– the resort is most suitable for good skiers, lovers of delicious food.
Peculiarities:
- in January, during the World Cup stage (from January 21 to January 26, 2014), not only the elite of skiing, but also the cream of society, and not only Austrian, meet here;
- downhill track "Streif" with a maximum slope of 85%;
- many après-ski points, as well as gourmet restaurants;
- for lovers of ski touring and off-piste descents - 230 km² of Kitzbühel mountain space.
Bare numbers:
- 51 lifts;
– 32 km of marked, but not prepared slopes (ski-route).
How to get there:
By car: motorway A8 in the direction of Salzburg, exit towards Kufstein, exit from the motorway at the signpost Kufstein Süd, motorway B178 in the direction of St. Johann in Tirol, 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 cable car to the Hahnenkamm is three minutes from the station.
Sports, shows, après-ski parties, concerts by world-famous pop-rock stars: in Ischgl, of course, young people will be the most interesting. A huge expanse of sunny slopes, a wide network of prepared trails and endless opportunities for freeriding.
Data:
– length of tracks: 238 km;
– ski pass price: €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 freeriding and guaranteed snow throughout the season.
Bare 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% are red and 19% are black.
How to get there:
By car: from Innsbruck on the Arlbergstrasse, turn at the sign for Pians, then 20 km on the Silvrettastraße B188 in the direction of Ischgl.
Brixental
1. Wilder Kaiser/Brixental
And finally, the largest ski area in Austria is the ski world of Wilder Kaiser / Brixental. In terms of the total length of prepared pistes, this region ranks 9th in Europe. It is unlikely that anyone is able to go around all 279 km of the slopes of Brixental in one day. Despite the relatively small heights, 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 price: €44 per day in high season;
- the resort is ideal for fans of the so-called cruise skiing, snowboarders and those who have not ridden all day.
Peculiarities:
– the largest area for day and night skiing 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 sledge tracks (until 2 a.m.);
– The 13 km illuminated ski track is the longest in Austria.
How to get there:
By car: from Munich on the autobahn via Rosenheim, turning to Kufstein Süd or Wörgl Ost, then almost all SkiWelt centers are accessible via the new highway.
By train: the nearest train station is in Hopfgarten. In one night, you can get here, for example, from Northern Germany on the Schnee-Express. From Munich or Vienna - by EuroCity trains to Wörgl, change to the local railway, which will take you to the lower cable car station in Hopfgarten in 10 minutes.
Rest 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 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 their taste.
Most of the ski centers here are mid-altitude, suitable for both intermediate and professional skiers. There are high slopes in the province of Tyrol, where the most famous ski resorts in Austria are concentrated: Sant Anton and Lech. Another renowned ski resort Mayrhofen is located in the Zillertal valley, east of Tyrol. Also on the territory of the country there are unique resorts that receive guests both in cold winters and in hot summers - these are Zell am See and Bad Gastein.
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sant anton
The resort of St. Anton is famous for its excellent infrastructure, difficult professional trails and enchanting alpine landscapes. The fact that the resort hosted the Alpine Skiing World Cup in 2001 speaks for itself. The season runs here from December to March. The 260 km long slopes are very well maintained, there is a modern well-functioning system of lifts. The top of Falluga Grat (2660 m) attracts professionals with the most difficult tracks and descents, the snow on which is not specially leveled, which makes skiing more exciting. For novice athletes, the track in Galzig is more suitable, where there is a ski school and rental of the necessary equipment. Since the resort of St. Anton is well known among skiers, it is recommended to book a hotel room here in advance. The ski center has an indoor tennis court and a cinema, as well as many restaurants and discos. The nearest airport to St. Anton is located just a hundred kilometers from the village - in Innsbruck.
Lech
Leh is a very prestigious resort, which is known for its special microclimate, which helps to maintain ideal snow conditions throughout the ski 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 slopes of varying difficulty allow a skier of any level to feel at ease. There is even a special children's track with the most gentle slope. 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. Leh is a less noisy village than St. Anton, so it is more suitable for a quiet family holiday and mature guests. But this does not mean at all that the resort can be boring: more than 50 restaurants, luxurious bars, a swimming pool and an ice rink are always at the service of vacationers. The resort is best reached by train or bus from Innsbruck.
Mayrhofen
The slopes of the major 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: trendy 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 "Sporting Europe" special district, 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, which are 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 formed 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 stages, so the quality of the slopes here exceeds expectations. For snowboarders, the Gastein Snowboard Park and a halfpipe are built here, 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: the prices for nightlife are especially high. Therefore, many tourists combine useful sports with a pleasant stay in a bath or sauna. Plus, the resort has thermal springs, the water in which is rich in radon.
Most of the Austrian territory is occupied by the Alps, so the country's specialization in winter recreation was predetermined. Ski areas in Austria are dotted with small ski villages, where the atmosphere of comfort reigns and ancient traditions are maintained. Thousands of small and large resorts amaze the tourist imagination.
This article opens a rubric dedicated to ski resorts in Austria. We will tell you about the most popular ski areas, look for thermal springs and places for high-quality family vacations. Particular attention will be paid to the weather and prices.
Popular ski resorts in Austria
Austria is dominated by medium-altitude ski centers suitable for professionals and beginners. The highest slopes are located in the famous province of Tyrol - it is there that the “main” ski resorts of the country are concentrated.
Austria also boasts unique areas that host guests all year round - these are Bad Gastein and Zell am See. We will devote separate articles to the following regions:
- . The pearl of the Stubai Valley, the slopes of which are mainly aimed at beginners. Nearby is a major transport hub - Innsbruck. It is through him that you have to get.
- . The capital of the Winter Olympics has an excellent ski infrastructure, ideally suited for professional skiers. Snowboarders will also like this picturesque place.
An important advantage is the presence of an international airport. we posted in a previous article. - . The slopes of this largest ski center in Austria occupied the slopes of two mountain peaks at once. For beginners, this is an ideal place - professional ski schools, soft slopes, an abundance of equipment rental offices.
Young people will enjoy the abundance of nightclubs, restaurants, bars, modern discos and theatrical performances. - . This popular resort is located in the picturesque Otzal Valley. Snowboarders and skiers are thrilled with Sölden - the town's reputation is built on two-kilometer drops that form steep slopes for the pros.
The most extensive ski area in Austria is Tyrol.
Tyrol is remarkable not only for its picturesque landscapes, but also for a number of elite ski resorts. We note the following:
- Seefeld;
- Innsbruck (plus its surroundings);
- Kirchberg;
- Pitztal;
- St. Anton;
- Ischgl;
- Serfaus;
- Valley of the Zillertal.
The six best resorts in the country
Among the thousands of ski resorts in Austria, it is very problematic to single out the “most-most”. The reason lies in the fact that the towns and villages in the ski areas are scattered very densely, and the general infrastructure of the Austrians is well thought out. Thus, our review will be reduced to a description of the most popular and revered places for skiers. Let's get started.
Lech. This resort belongs to the Arlberg region. You need to go here in winter, because in March the skiing season ends. You can get to Lech by bus running through Innsbruck.
The level of service is extremely high, and the tracks are in perfect condition. The slopes equipped for skiers stretch for 260 kilometers. There are gentle children's slopes.
Snowboarders will love the halfpipe. Swimming pool, skating rink, discos, bars and restaurants - there is enough entertainment in Leh.- Ischgl. You will have to fly here in the usual way - through Innsbruck. Then - 100 km by bus (options can be a train or a rented car, you can look for a cheap car rental). Skiing in Ischgl starts in December, and the season ends in May. High-quality and rather difficult slopes prevail in Ischgl, so experienced skiers flock here. Trails and lifts have connected Ischgl with the general infrastructure of the region.
By the way, the local routes stretch for 238 kilometers. Altitude range - 1400-2860 meters. The complexity of the descents is also indicated by the fact that half of the slopes are “red”, another 18% are “black”. Beginners can also try their hand here - there are specially equipped "soft" zones for them. Ischgl is well-deservedly respected by snowboarders and is a state-of-the-art platform for board fans.
The weather rarely fails, but when it does, snow groomers and cannons come into play. 
Kaprun. This commune, located in the state of Salzburg, is considered the center of youth fun and glamorous entertainment. On the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, there are quite steep slopes that attract snowboarders and skiers of all categories. Three picturesque lakes, a museum of hydroelectric power plants, a national park with trails for ecotourists - all this will appeal to connoisseurs of sights. , or at any other time of the year, truly unforgettable.
You can get to the dams of power plants with the help of funiculars and buses. The main feature of Kaprun is a mountain train that runs between the city and the glacier.
It is warm in Kaprun in summer (up to 24 degrees), so the ski season ends in March.- Salzburg. This is a vast region that includes many popular ski resorts. We have already written about Kaprun. The second most popular is the town of Saalbach. Also in the land of Salzburg, the resorts of Zell am See, Maiskogel, Bad Gastein, Obertauern, Bad Hofgastein are localized. All of this is part of the ESR, the European Sports Region.
- Schladming. One of the most prestigious European resorts (top 10 of the world ski rating). The slopes there are equipped for both regular skiing and downhill/slalom skiing. The four peaks included in the ski area are connected by lifts. There are few open areas, the slopes are mostly wooded. The "red" class is focused on basic board and ski skills, so it will be difficult for beginners here.
The wonderful landscapes of Schladming are complemented by excellent weather, which allows you to keep real snow in its original form (although not everywhere).
You can ski in Saalbach from December until the end of March.
Looking for Austrian ski resorts on the map
The listed ski resorts can be found on the map of Austria. The villages and towns are arranged tightly, so it will be easy to find the right place.
Ski resort for every taste
The life of the Austrians is closely connected with skiing, so the resorts are designed for everyone who is interested in quality winter recreation.
We list the key areas and levels of training for skiers, linking them to specific resorts:
- Beginners. Feel free to go to Obertauern, Serfaus, Mayrhofen, Kaprun, Saalbach.
- Confidently riding. You will enjoy Ischgl, Bad Gastein, St. Anton, Saalbach, Kitzbühel, Obergurgl and Galthur.
- Wealthy people. The most elite resorts are Ischgl, Lech, Seefeld, St. Anton.
- Family holiday. Feel free to take your children to Lech, Serfaus, Kitzbühel, Mayrhofen, Zell am See, Saalbach-Hinterglemm.
- snowboarders. Solden, Ischgl, Hintertux, Zillertal, Saalbach are suitable for you.
- Cross-country skiing. The best areas for cross-country skiers are located in the vicinity of Kaprun, Innsbruck, Schladming, Mayrhofen, Zell am See, Saalbach.
Where to go for a beginner skier
We have already written about the friendly slopes of Kaprun and Mayrhofen. Now we have to go to the border region between Vorarlberg and Tyrol - it is here that the magnificent Saalbach is located. To get here, you need to travel through Salzburg, from which Saalbach is 90 kilometers away. Buses run regularly between the two cities.
Here are the main benefits of the resort:
- 200 tracks of all difficulty levels;
- an abundance of snowboarding and ski schools;
- availability of entertainment venues with live music;
- bowling alley;
- swimming pool;
- excellent weather conditions.
You should also pay attention to Obertauern. "Upper Tower" - this is how the Austrians called the resort, covered up to the ears with fluffy snow. The weather allows skiing here until April. Excellent service is combined with moderate (for an elite resort) prices.
Thermal springs and holidays with children
For those who want to combine skiing with wellness treatments, we recommend visiting the thermal springs. They are concentrated in the following places:
- Burgenland;
- Tyrol;
- Styria;
- Salzburg.
Also pay attention to Upper Austria, where the imperial baths of Bad Ischl are located.
As for Salzburg, here you can enjoy the rest in the thermal baths, and at the same time visit the spas. The most popular resort in these lands is Gastein.
Lech and Zell am See are ideal for families. You need to go to Lech through Innsbruck. This is a prestigious resort that not everyone can afford.
Among the undeniable advantages are a wide choice of slopes, "soft" slopes and respected ski schools.
The town of Zell am See, nestled on the coast of a picturesque mountain lake, deserves special mention. The abundance of short descents will allow children to hone the skills acquired in the classroom with an instructor.
Additional benefits of the resort include:
- kindergartens;
- torchlight processions;
- carnivals;
- medieval architecture;
- natural halfpipe;
- four snowboard parks.
Price panorama
It is quite difficult to calculate the cost of traveling to each of the resorts we have described. The budget will depend on the chosen hotel, room, mode of transportation (train, plane, personal / rented car) and the number of days of your vacation. Therefore, we will focus on prices related to package tours and ski passes:
- Sant Anton - from 50 euros (day ski pass);
- Ischgl - from 45;
- Serfaus - from 41;
- Saalbach-Hinterglemm - from 40;
- Kitzbühel - from 42;
- Kirchberg - from 42;
- Innsbruck - from 30;
- Montafon - from 27.
On average, it takes about a thousand dollars per person per week (if you choose a package tour). The cost will include accommodation, airfare, insurance and visa.
Here are specific examples of ski package tours:
- Leh - 950 dollars / week (a six-day ski pass will pull on 214 "green");
- St. Anton - 1000 (plus 193 bucks for a six-day ski pass);
- Saalbach-Hinterglemm - 700 (plus $ 164 for a ski pass);
- Mayrhofen - 900 (for a six-day ski pass you will give another 164);
- Kitzbühel - 700-900 (and 180 for a ski pass).
By the way, you can go to the same Mayrhofen on your own, pick up a tiny inexpensive hotel and decently relax for a week for 400-500 euros. The resort is year-round - you can go there in the height of summer and enjoy skiing. But Ishtl is significantly more expensive - the minimum budget that you have to lay down for a week is 1000 euros.
Summing up, we note that Austria in winter is to the liking of both seasoned professionals and beginner skiers. Many resorts are adapted for children, so it’s quite possible to “break away” with the whole family. The main thing is to know what you want and how much you are willing to spend.