Austria is a Central European state that is one of the largest “tourist powers” ​​on the continent. This country is ready to offer travelers the most diverse holidays, including winter sports activities at local ski resorts. Starting from the borders with Switzerland in the west and to Slovenia in the east, the belt of the Alpine mountains stretches across the whole of Austria. It is not surprising that for two centuries there have been resorts for winter holidays, where people of aristocratic blood from all over Europe initially improved their health.

Austria has retained its high status as one of the world’s skiing centers to this day. There are more than fifty large ski resorts here, ready to offer tourists the whole range of winter entertainment – from downhill skiing to colorful Christmas carnivals and festivals. Below we will look at the most popular Austrian ski centers, their technical features, infrastructure, and additional recreational opportunities.

Obergurgl

Obergurgl is a resort village located high in the Alps, at 1.9 km. The journey from Innsbruck with its airport and railway station will take about two hours along the mountain highway. The resort is distinguished by a high level of tourist services and developed infrastructure. Vacationers here can stay in hotels, individual chalets and budget campsites. Local ski slopes are distinguished by a high level of technical equipment and excellent quality of training.

Obergurgl has both simple, safe slopes for people who have just started skiing, and winding, steep slopes for experienced skiers who want to tickle their nerves. Also here, vacationers are invited to engage in snowboarding, cross-country skiing, luge, curling, and paragliding.

If desired, tourists can relax in the sauna, spa, visit fitness centers, bars or restaurants with excellent cuisine. The highlight of Obergurgl is the opportunity to travel over the surrounding mountains and glaciers in a real hot air balloon.

How to get there?

The Obergurgl ski region is located in the Tyrol Ötztal Valley, in western Austria. The nearest international airports to the resort are in Innsbruck (distance 100 km), Friedrichafen (225 km), Salzburg (280 km), as well as in German Munich (205 km) and Swiss Zurich (290 km). The easiest way to get to Obergurgl from the listed cities is to order a taxi transfer. Another option to get to the resort is to rent a car at the airport. You can get here by car in the following ways:

  • From the west – take the S-16 highway through the Arlberg tunnel to Landeck, then take the A-12 highway to Ötztal, and then follow the B-186 road all the way to Obergurgl.
  • From the north – take the B-181 highway from Bad Tölz through the Eiken Pass to Jenbach, then take the A-12 to Ötztal and the B-186 to the resort.   

By rail you can get to Ötztal station, from which there is a regular bus to Obergurgl, and you can also take a taxi.

Specifications:

  1. Height difference – 1280 meters
  2. Resort altitude – 1800-3080 meters
  3. Length of ski slopes – 110 km
  4. Number of tracks – 52
  • “Blue” – 32 units, 35 km
  • “Reds” – 12 units, 55 km
  • “Black” – 8 pcs., 20 km
  1. Lifts – 22 (7 gondola, 8 chairlifts, 7 rope tows)
  2. Day ski pass for adults/children – 53€ / 34€
  3. Season duration – November – May

Sölden

Sölden is a winter resort located in the high Ötztal valley, surrounded by majestic Alpine peaks. You can get here from Innsbruck airport by bus; the distance from the international air harbor to the resort is a little over 250 km. In this small town, tourists will find wonderful conditions for recreation: the surrounding slopes are equipped with high-quality trails with all the necessary technical equipment. There is a separate park for snowboarding and freestyle with jumps, rails, and slides. In the ski area there are two glaciers with the Golden Gate cable car connected to them, which significantly extends the ski season. In addition to this, up to 70% of the slopes are covered by an artificial snowmaking system for the slopes. There are also unmarked slopes intended for fans of extreme freeriding.

Sölden itself is an ancient town with a traditional Tyrolean flavor. The past centuries and modernity are organically intertwined here: next to fashionable hotels and inns you can see traditional Tyrolean dwellings and visit taverns where national dishes are served. There are also 24-hour bars, night discos, and fashionable restaurants with international cuisine. Five kilometers from the resort there is the largest health center in Austria, Aquadom.

How to get there?

The nearest international airports to Sölden are located in Innsbruck (85 km) and in Munich, Germany (223 km). From there you can order a taxi transfer to the GLK, or use the services of the railway. The closest train station to Sölden is in Ötztal, 35 km from the ski resort. Regular buses run from Innsbruck and Ötztal to Sölden at intervals of 1-1.5 hours. In the first case, the travel time will be no more than 2 hours, and in the second – 50-60 minutes. By car you can reach Sölden from Vorarlberg along the S-16 to Landeck, then along the A-12 to Ötztal and then along the B-186. If you are traveling from Innsbruck and Munich, you need to take the A-93 autobahn to Kufstein, where you turn onto the A-12 highway and get to Ötztal, from where you can get to Sölden along the B-186 road.

Specifications:

  1. Height difference – 1990 meters
  2. Resort altitude – 1350 – 3340 meters
  3. Length of ski slopes – 146 km
  4. Number of tracks – 32
  • “Blue” – 11 units, 70 km
  • “Reds” – 16 units, 46 km
  • “Black” – 5 pieces, 30 km
  1. Lifts – 33 (8 gondola, 9 chairlifts, 16 rope tows)
  2. Day ski pass for adults/children – 56€ / 31€
  3. Season duration : October-May

Kitzbühel

It is not for nothing that the resort town of Kitzbühel is called the pearl of Tyrol. The town is located in a beautiful mountain valley, and is surrounded by magnificent alpine scenery. On the nearby slopes there are more than 170 km of various trails designed for athletes of different skill levels. There are gentle slopes for beginners, and steep winding routes for extreme sports enthusiasts who want to get a powerful adrenaline rush. There is an extensive snow park in Kitzbühel for freestyle skiing and snowboarding. The high level of preparation of the slopes is confirmed by the fact that the resort periodically hosts world-class sports competitions. The alpine skiing legend, seven-time world champion Seiler, was born, raised and honed his skills in Kitzbühel.

The town is located only 80 km from the large regional center of Salzburg , so getting to it is not difficult. The history of Kitzbühel dates back more than one century, and medieval narrow streets with cobblestone streets are perfectly preserved here. There are hotels and campsites with a high level of service, and restaurants, bars and cafes with a national Tyrolean flavor are open. Those interested will be able to ride on a flat ski track, take a trip through the picturesque surroundings, or go ice skating at an ice skating rink.

How to get there?

Kitzbühel is 100 km from Innsbruck International Airport, 80 km from Salzburg and 160 km from Munich. The easiest way to get to the resort town is by ordering a transfer directly to the hotel. Kitzbühel also has a train station, located a quarter of an hour’s walk from the town center. With a rented car, you can get to the resort valley from the north by driving along the A-8 autobahn in the direction of Salzburg, at Kufstein-Süd turn onto the B-178 road, and then onto the B-161 and follow it to Kitzbühel. In total, the journey from Munich airport to the resort will take 2 hours.

From the Swiss side, you can get to Kitzbühel via Innsbruck along the A-12 highway to Wörgl-Ost, and then successively along the B-178 and B-161 roads. The entire journey will take about an hour and a half. From the east, from Salzburg by car, take the A-1 highway and successively turn onto the A-8, B-20 at Bad Reichenhall, B-178 at Lofer, B-161 at Pass Thurn and further to Kitzbühel. From the south, from Milan, the journey will take about 5 hours 30 minutes.

Specifications:

  1. Elevation difference – 1230 meters
  2. Resort altitude – 770 – 2000 meters
  3. Length of ski slopes – 170 km
  4. Number of tracks – 66
  • “Blue” – 29 units, 69 km
  • “Reds” – 24 units, 77 km
  • “Black” – 13 units, 24 km
  1. Lifts – 69 (20 gondola, 28 chairlifts, 21 rope tows, children’s lifts)
  2. Day ski pass for adults/children – 57€ / 28€
  3. Season duration – November – April

Mayrhofen

The city of Mayrhofen is located 75 km from Innsbruck in a mountain valley at an altitude of 600 meters. This area has long attracted travelers with its natural beauty: the lush greenery of the surrounding forests and groves looks unusually picturesque against the backdrop of peaks covered with eternal snow. Mayrhofen offers excellent opportunities for professional skiing on steep and winding slopes. The most dangerous of them, aptly nicknamed “Harakiri,” is laid along the Hintertux glacier and begins at more than 3 km. There are also two dozen trails for beginner skiers, laid at the gentle bases of the mountain slopes.

There are children’s ski schools at the resort, where children, under the guidance of experienced trainers, can learn the basics of skiing. After active sports, tourists can relax in Mayrhofen’s many restaurants, bars and eateries, decorated in traditional Tyrolean style.

How to get there?

The closest international airports to Mayrhofen are Innsbruck, 65 km, Vienna, 460 km, and Munich, Germany, 190 km. From there, vacationers can order a taxi transfer directly to the resort center. By rail you can get to Jenbach station, located 35 km from Mayrhofen, where you can change to a local train. The travel time will be about 40 minutes, and the ticket is free for ski pass holders. By rented or private car, Mayrhofen can be reached via the A-12 highway, turning off at Jenbach onto the B-169 highway.

Specifications:

  1. Height difference – 1870 meters
  2. Resort altitude – 630 – 2500 meters
  3. Length of ski slopes – 133 km
  4. Number of tracks – 65
  • “Blue” – 20 units, 41 km
  • “Reds” – 40 units, 63 km
  • “Black” – 5 units, 29 km
  1. Lifts – 53 (8 gondola, 18 chairlifts, 27 rope tows, children’s lifts)
  2. Day ski pass for adults/children – 55€ / 25€
  3. Season duration – November – April

Ischgl

The Tyrolean town of Ischgl is located in a mountain valley a hundred kilometers from Innsbruck, with which it is connected by regular bus service. The resort is equipped with more than a hundred ski slopes, designed for both amateurs and extreme athletes. Ischgl has separate slopes for snowboarding fans and skeletonists, and the resort offers extensive virgin slopes with a significant slope for freeriders.

The city has hotels of various price categories, there are also budget hostels, and private apartments for rent. Tourists can find bars and restaurants, spa centers and fitness centers, cool swimming pools and shopping malls in Ischgl. Special mention should be made of the magnificent surrounding landscapes – the valley is surrounded by picturesque mountain peaks, covered with snow all year round.

How to get there?

The resort of Ischgl is located near the Swiss border, in the Paznaun region. The airports closest to it are Innsbruck (100 km), Munich and Zurich (300 km each). From the listed air ports to Ischgl you can order a transfer to the door of the resort hotel. You can get to the Paznaun Valley by car from Germany using the following routes:

  • Sequentially along highways A-7, B-179, A-12, S-16, B-188.
  • Take the A-93 autobahn, then A-12, S-16, B-188.
  • Along the A-96 autobahn, then along the A-14, S-16, B-188 highways.

 From Italy :

  • Along the A-22 road, then along the A-13, A-12, S-16, B-188 highways.
  • Along the SS-40 highway, then, beyond the Reshen pass, along B-180, S-16, B-188.

From Switzerland:

  • Along the A-3 highway, then along A-1, A-14, S-16, B-188.

You can also take the train to Landeck station, from where there is a regular bus and taxi to Ischgl. Buses to the resort depart directly from the station square. 

Specifications:

  1. Elevation difference – 1495 meters
  2. Resort altitude – 1377 – 2872 meters
  3. Length of ski slopes – 230 km
  4. Number of tracks – 135
  • “Blue” – 40 units, 48 ​​km
  • “Reds” – 80 units, 148 km
  • “Black” – 15 units, 27 km
  1. Lifts – 40 (5 gondola, 12 chairlifts, 23 rope tows, children’s lifts)
  2. Ski pass per day in high/low season – 45€ / 45€
  3. Season duration – November – May

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is an ancient Austrian city near the border with Germany , which at one time became the center of the Winter Olympics. It is renowned among travelers for its beautifully preserved medieval architecture and enchanting natural scenery. In the last century, Innsbruck has become an important world skiing center. In its vicinity there are more than three hundred kilometers of ski slopes, where international winter sports competitions are regularly held. The city has an indoor ice skating rink, a track for skeleton and bobsleigh, and snow parks for freestyle and snowboarding. In total, in the Innsbruck district there are eight separate resort areas intended for winter recreation.

An important factor that attracts a lot of tourists here is transport accessibility. An international airport has been opened in Innsbruck, connecting with most countries of the world, and a railway and highways have been laid from Munich and Vienna. There are hundreds of hotels, hostels and private apartments in the city to suit every taste and budget. If desired, vacationers can visit museum exhibitions, restaurants with national Tyrolean cuisine, or simply stroll along the colorful medieval streets.

How to get there?

There is an international airport 5 km from Innsbruck, from where you can order a transfer directly to the ski center. You can also get to the GLK by regular bus following route F, the travel time is less than 20 minutes. Buses depart from the site in front of the Innsbruck airport terminal. There are also trains to Innsbruck from most Western European capitals and from neighboring large cities. For example, from the Austrian capital, trains to Innsbruck depart from Westbahnhof station at intervals of 2–3 hours. Travel time by rail from Vienna will be 4 hours, and from Salzburg – 2 hours.

Specifications:

  1. Height difference – 2350 meters
  2. Resort altitude – 860 – 3210 meters
  3. Length of ski slopes – 300 km
  4. Number of tracks – 95
  • “Blue” – 40 units, 100 km
  • “Reds” – 40 units, 170 km
  • “Black” – 15 pcs., 30 km
  1. Lifts – 67 (11 gondola, 24 chairlifts, 32 rope tows, children’s lifts)
  2. Ski pass per day in high/low season – 45€/30€
  3. Season duration – November – May

Seefeld

The small cozy town of Seefeld is located among the Alpine mountains at an altitude of 1.2 km. You can get here from Innsbruck in just half an hour on a regularly running bus. Seefeld began to develop as a resort town at the beginning of the twentieth century – in those years, mainly representatives of aristocratic families and successful entrepreneurs vacationed here.

A touch of bohemianism and aristocracy has remained in the city to this day. This is manifested in a high level of service, excellent infrastructure equipment and, accordingly, in prices. However, in recent years, Seefeld has increasingly positioned itself as a family holiday resort. There are many cafes, bars and restaurants open here, as well as indoor swimming pools and saunas, shops and gyms. In addition to alpine skiing, vacationers will be able to ride on a flat ski track or skate on an ice stadium, go in for skeleton or bobsled on a specially equipped ice chute.

How to get there?

The nearest international airports to Seefeld are Innsbruck (20 km) and Munich (150 km). From there, tourists can order a taxi transfer directly to the resort. Travel time from Innsbruck airport will be 20 minutes, and from Munich airport – 2 hours. Seefeld has a railway station, which is served by trains from neighboring large cities. So, from Innsbruck the train takes about half an hour. Other ways to get to the resort from Innsbruck air harbor are to take a regular bus or rent a car. In the latter case, from Innsbruck you need to take the A-12 highway, and from Munich – along the A-95 road and then along the B-2.

Specifications:

  1. Height difference – 864 meters
  2. Resort altitude – 1200 – 2064 meters
  3. Length of ski slopes – 12 km
  4. Number of tracks – 14
  • “Blue” – 10 pcs., 10 km
  • “Reds” – 4 units, 2 km
  1. Lifts – 10 (1 chair lifts, 9 rope tows)
  2. Ski pass per day in high/low season – 41€ / 36€
  3. Season duration – December – April

Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis

The resort village of Serfaus is located on a mountainous Alpine plateau, at an altitude of 1.4 km. You can get here from Innsbruck, which is hundreds of kilometers away from the resort town. Tourists who visited Serfaus note the high level of service and excellent technical equipment of the ski slopes. Athletes are offered a wide selection of slopes of all categories: from gentle children’s slopes to steep virgin routes, which only experienced freeriders can descend. There are also areas for snowboarding and freestyle skiing, children’s snow parks, ice skating rinks and playgrounds.

At the foot of the mountains there are more than 100 km of cross-country skiing and toboggan runs, and on the slopes there are observation decks with a magnificent panoramic view of the entire valley. You can stay in Serfaus in 3-5 star hotels or on inexpensive campuses. Satisfying your hunger will also not be difficult: the village has dozens of restaurants, bars and snack bars where you can taste local Tyrolean delicacies.

How to get there?

The nearest airports to Serfaus are in Innsbruck (100 km), German Friedrichshafen (150 km), Munich (250 km) and Swiss Zurich (250 km). The easiest way to get to the resort center from there is by ordering a taxi transfer. You can also take regular buses or trains. Not far from Serfaus there is the Landeck railway station, from where you can reach the ski center in half an hour by shuttle bus or taxi.

Specifications:

  1. Height difference – 1620 meters
  2. Resort altitude – 1200 – 2820 meters
  3. Length of ski slopes – 212 km
  4. Number of tracks – 85
  • “Green” – 4 pcs., 16 km
  • “Blue” – 20 units, 47 km
  • “Reds” – 47 units, 121 km
  • “Black” – 14 units, 28 km
  1. Lifts – (12 gondola, 16 chairlifts, 11 rope tows, children’s lifts)
  2. Day ski pass for adults/children – 53€ / 33€
  3. Season duration – December – April

St. Anton am Arlberg

The resort of St. Anton is located a hundred kilometers from Innsbruck and is rightfully considered one of the tourist attractions of Tyrol. This is the first specialized ski resort in Austria, opened in 1890. Here, in 1937, the country’s first mechanical ski lift was launched. The ski slopes here are laid on the slopes of the nearby Valluga and Schindler mountains, towering 2.5 km above the surrounding area. There are gentle slopes for those who have just started skiing, and steep slopes that require good physical fitness and skill.

Among the most dangerous routes is the Karl-Schranz descent, the starting point of which is at an altitude of 2.3 km. St. Anton is also famous for its longest route in Tyrol, reaching a length of 9 kilometers. More than 60% of local slopes are covered by an artificial snowmaking system and also have night lighting. In addition to skiing, vacationers can practice snowboarding, luge, visit the swimming pool, sauna, indoor tennis court, fitness rooms or spa center. A series of restaurants, cafes, hotels and inns stretches along the main street of the town.

How to get there?

The closest international airports to St. Anton are located in the Austrian cities of Innsbruck (100 km) and Salzburg (300 km), the German Friedrichshafen (150 km) and Munich (250 km), and the Swiss Zurich (300 km). From the listed cities, vacationers can order a transfer to the ski center itself. By rented or personal car you can get to St. Anton in the following ways:

  • From Salzburg – via Innsbruck and Landeck.
  • From Munich – via Imst and Landeck.
  • From Stuttgart – via Bregenz and Bludenz.
  • From Zurich – via St. Gallen and Bludenz.

St. Anton has a railway station through which many trains pass, including the international Orient Express.

Specifications:

  1. Height difference – 1507 meters
  2. Resort altitude – 1304 – 2811 meters
  3. Length of ski slopes – 278 km
  4. Number of tracks – 100
  • “Blue” – 40 units, 110 km
  • “Reds” – 40 units, 138 km
  • “Black” – 20 pcs., 30 km
  1. Lifts – (14 gondola, 42 chairlifts, 40 rope tows, children’s lifts)
  2. Day ski pass for adults/children – 56€ / 34€
  3. Season duration – December – April

Lech (Vorarlberg)

Lech is a modern winter resort, considered one of the most prestigious in the whole country. This is due to the high level of local service and excellent equipment with all the infrastructure necessary for a comfortable stay. The village is built up with traditional Alpine chalets, which gives it the appearance of an old Tyrolean village. They contain hotels, campsites and individual guest houses. Restaurants, bars and cafes abound in Leh. This area is distinguished by unusually clean mountain air and picturesque landscapes. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that many European aristocrats, politicians and businessmen often visit Lech for winter holidays.

The heart of this ski region is the so-called “White Ring”. This is a separate resort area, equipped with all the necessary infrastructure facilities, from cafes and hotels, to cable cars and snow cannons. The downhill slopes here are laid on the slopes of three nearby mountains, with a height of 2 to 2.4 km.

How to get there?

The closest international airports to Lech are the Austrian Innsbruck (120 km), the Swiss Zurich (200 km), and the German Munich (280 km). From these cities, vacationers will be able to order a taxi transfer directly to the ski resort. Near Lech there are train stations Langen and Anton am Arlberg, from which regular buses and taxis run to the GLK.

Specifications:

  1. Elevation difference – 1000 meters
  2. Resort altitude – 1450 – 2450 meters
  3. Length of ski slopes – 110 km
  4. Number of tracks – 95
  • “Blue” – 30 units, 44 km
  • “Reds” – 50 units, 44 km
  • “Black” – 15 units, 22 km
  1. Lifts – 47 (7 gondola, 29 chairlifts, 11 rope tows, children’s lifts)
  2. Day ski pass for adults/children – 54€ / 32€
  3. Season duration – December – April

Eagles

The village of Igls is located in the vicinity of the capital of Tyrol, the city of Innsbruck. Ski slopes are equipped on the slopes of the nearby Patscherkofel mountain and are of high quality and excellent technical equipment. This is evidenced by the fact that Igls twice hosted the adult Winter Olympics, and once, in 2012, became the capital of the Youth Olympic Games. There are a dozen slopes in total, both for beginners and skiers with extensive skiing experience. Any starting point can be reached by an extensive system of cable cars.

Most of the trails are illuminated and equipped with snowmakers, making it possible to ski here after sunset and even during the spring thaw. Igls offers tourists dozens of bars, snack bars and restaurants, many of which are located right next to the ski slopes. Among the additional entertainment, the resort offers night discos, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a spa, children’s entertainment and playgrounds and even a casino.

How to get there?

In the immediate vicinity of Igls there is Innsbruck International Airport. The distance from it to the ski center does not exceed 10 km. From Innsbruck airport you can order a taxi transfer or take a regular bus. The interval of their movement is 15-20 minutes during the daytime, and hourly in the evenings. From Innsbruck railway station you can get to Igls by taxi in a quarter of an hour. You can get to the Igls resort from the center of Innsbruck by tram number 6 going towards Bergischel.

Specifications:

  1. Height difference – 1347 meters
  2. Resort altitude – 900 – 2247 meters
  3. Length of ski slopes – 14 km
  4. Number of tracks – 10
  • “Blue” – 5 units, 6 km
  • “Reds” – 5 units, 8 km
  1. Lifts – 10 (2 gondola, 2 chairlifts, 6 rope tows)
  2. Day ski pass for adults/children – 38€ / 23€
  3. Season duration – December – April

Bad Gastein

Bad Gastein or Bad Gastein is a high-mountain village that encloses in a semi-ring the base of a large massif consisting of several peaks. The Gastein Valley is an hour and a half drive from Salzburg and is part of the Austrian Ski World tourist region. The downhill slopes here are laid on the slopes of four mountains covered with coniferous forests. There are relatively easy “blue” slopes, “black” slopes for experienced athletes, and virgin slopes for extreme freeriders. For fans of snowboarding and freestyle skiing, an extensive snow park has been created here, equipped with slides, jumps and other devices for performing aerobatics.

In addition to winter activities, Bad Gastein is famous as a popular balneological resort. In the valley there are mineral hot springs on the surface, on the basis of which sanatoriums operate. There are sports centers with swimming pools, saunas, and fitness rooms. The city offers tourists luxury hotels and budget campsites, restaurants and bars, fashion boutiques and night discos.

How to get there?

The easiest way to get to Bad Gastein is to fly to the international airport of Salzburg, Innsbruck or Munich and order a transfer from there. Travel time by car will be 1 hour from Salzburg, and two hours each from Innsbruck and Munich. By rail, you can get to Bad Gastein from Vienna in 5 hours 30 minutes, from Salzburg in 1 hour 30 minutes, from Innsbruck in 3 hours.

The nearest railway stations to the resort center are in Bad Hofgastan and Bad Gastein. Shuttle buses and taxis run from them to the GLK. With your own or rented car, you can get to the ski resort from Salzburg along the A-10 highway, turning onto autobahn no. 311 at Villach, and at Lenden take highway no. 167, going all the way to Bad Gastein.

Specifications:

  1. Height difference – 1470 meters
  2. Resort altitude – 830 – 2300 meters
  3. Length of ski slopes – 97 km
  4. Number of tracks – 17
  • “Blue” – 5 units, 34 km
  • “Reds” – 10 units, 58 km
  • “Black” – 2 pcs., 5 km
  1. Lifts – (7 gondola, 10 chairlifts, 5 rope tows)
  2. Day ski pass for adults/children – 55€ / 41€
  3. Season duration – December – April

Bad Hofgastein

In the center of the Tyrolean Alps lies the picturesque Gasteinertal valley, famous for its natural beauty. This is where the popular winter resort of Bad Hofgastein is located. This town immediately captivates tourists with its quiet provincial comfort, low-rise Tyrolean buildings, and cobblestone streets. A balneological resort based on local geothermal springs has been operating here for two centuries. In these hospitals, tourists can improve their health by visiting thermal pools and saunas with mineral water.

There are various ski routes on the three surrounding slopes, the most difficult of which begin at an altitude of 2.6 km. There are flat cross-country ski trails nearby, and tourists can also go snowshoeing or snowmobile safaris through the scenic mountain surroundings of Bad Hofgastein. Beginners are invited to take a ski training course at the school operating here.

How to get there?

The easiest way to get to Bad Hofgastein is from the international airports of Salzburg, Innsbruck and Munich by ordering a taxi transfer. A taxi ride from Salzburg will take 1 hour, and from Munich and Innsbruck it will take about 2 hours. You can get to the ski resort by rail. From Vienna the train journey will take 5 hours 30 minutes, from Salzburg – 1 hour 30 minutes, from Innsbruck – 3 hours. The nearest railway stations to the resort are located in Dorfgastein and Bad Gastein, from where shuttle buses and taxis run to the ski area. By car, you can get to Bad Hofgastein via the A-10 highway from Salzburg, then turn onto roads No. 311 and 167.

Specifications:

  1. Elevation difference – 1441 meters
  2. Resort altitude – 859 – 2300 meters
  3. Length of ski slopes – 81 km
  4. Number of tracks – 11
  • “Blue” – 3 units, 28 km
  • “Reds” – 7 units, 51 km
  • “Black” – 1 piece, 2 km
  1. Lifts – 19 (14 gondola, 3 chairlifts, 2 rope tows)
  2. Day ski pass for adults/children – 55€ / 41€
  3. Season duration – December – April

Saalbach – Hinterglemm

The Tyrolean village of Saalbach stretches along a high mountain valley for five kilometers. You can get here by bus from Salzburg, which is 90 km away and connected to the resort by road. On the nearby slopes of the nearby Spielekkogel and Schattberg-West mountains, up to 200 km of ski slopes of varying difficulty levels are laid every season. Most of them are equipped with snow generators and artificial lighting spotlights.

There are slopes on both sunny and shady mountain slopes, which allows you to extend the skiing season until mid-spring. There are children’s ski schools with separate training slopes and baby lifts. In addition to skiing, vacationers can visit a sports complex in Saalbach with a swimming pool, sauna and fitness center. There are restaurants and taverns serving traditional Tyrolean dishes, 24-hour bars and night discos.

How to get there?

The resort of Saalbach is 90 km from Salzburg International Airport. From here, charter buses and taxis run to the ski center. You can order a transfer from the Salzburg air harbor or hire a taxi. Travel time from the airport to Saalbach will be about 1 hour 30 minutes. During the winter season, a shuttle bus runs between Salzburg and the resort, travel on which is free for ski pass holders. You can get to Saalbach by train by first going to the Zell am See railway station, and then take bus number 680, departing from Postplatz, or a taxi.

Specifications:

  1. Elevation difference – 1095 meters
  2. Resort altitude – 1003 – 2098 meters
  3. Length of ski slopes – 200 km
  4. Number of tracks – 60
  • “Blue” – 29 units, 90 km
  • “Reds” – 26 units, 95 km
  • “Black” – 5 pieces, 15 km
  1. Lifts – 59 (9 gondola, 13 chairlifts, 37 rope tows)
  2. Day ski pass for adults/children – 56€ / 28€
  3. Season duration – December – April

Zell am See

The small Tyrolean town of Zell am See stands on the shores of the beautiful mountain lake Ziller. This valley is covered with magnificent alpine meadows and coniferous forests, which provides this area not only with extraordinary beauty, but also with the healing properties of the air due to its saturation with phytoncides. Nearby is the largest waterfall in Europe , Krimml Falls, which can be reached via a narrow-gauge road with a tourist train running along it.

The city has a wide choice of places to stay overnight and have a snack: these are chic five-star hotels and inexpensive hostels, fashionable restaurants and affordable fast food eateries. There are nightclubs and 24-hour bars, indoor sports centers and a water park in Zell am See. The ski area is located on the slopes of four surrounding mountains, two of which are intended for experienced skiers, and the third is perfect for a family holiday with a child.

How to get there?

The closest international airports to the resort town are located in Salzburg (80 km) and Munich (200 km). From there you can order a transfer, use the railway services, or drive a rented car. You can get to Zell am See by car, driving along the autobahn from Munich in 2 hours 30 minutes, and from Salzburg in 1 hour 30 minutes. Zell am See has a train station located right in the city center. From here to the ski center there are shuttle buses and taxis.

Specifications:

  1. Height difference – 1250 meters
  2. Resort altitude – 750 – 2000 meters
  3. Length of ski slopes – 60 km
  4. Number of tracks – 35
  • “Blue” – 15 units, 26 km
  • “Reds” – 15 units, 25 km
  • “Black” – 5 pieces, 9 km
  1. Lifts – 49 (10 gondola, 22 chairlifts, 17 rope tows)
  2. Day ski pass for adults/children – 55€ / 30€
  3. Season duration – November – April
The Best Ski Resorts in Austria. Biggest ski resort in Austria. Austria skiing holiday.