The best ski resorts in Austria: Top 15

Austria is a Central European country, which is one of the largest “tourist countries” of the continent. This country is ready to offer travelers a variety of recreation, including winter sports at local ski resorts. Starting from the borders with Switzerland in the west to Slovenia in the east, a belt of Alpine mountains stretched across Austria. It is not surprising that for two centuries resorts for winter recreation have been operating here, where people of aristocratic blood from all over Europe initially improved their health.

Austria has maintained its high status as one of the world centers of skiing to this day. There are more than fifty large ski resorts, ready to offer tourists the whole range of winter entertainment – from high-speed descents down the mountain slopes to colorful Christmas carnivals and festivals. Below we will consider the most popular Austrian ski centers, their technical features, infrastructure equipment, additional opportunities for recreation.

Ski resorts of Austria

1. Obergurgl

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

Obergurgl has both easy, safe slopes for new skiers and twisty, steep slopes for experienced skiers who want to tickle their nerves. Vacationers are also encouraged to engage in snowboarding, cross-country skiing, luge sports, curling, and paragliding.

If desired, tourists can relax in a sauna, spa salon, 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 to Obergurgl?

The Obergurgl ski region is located in the Tyrolean Ötztal valley in western Austria. The nearest international airports to the resort are in Innsbruck (distance 100 km), Friedrichshafen (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 – the S-16 highway through the Arlberg tunnel to Landeck, then the A-12 road to Ötztal, and then the B-186 road to Obergurgl itself.
From the north , take the B-181 highway from Bad Telc through the Aiken pass to Jenbach, then the A-12 to Etztal and the B-186 to the resort.

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

Specifications:

The height difference is 1280 meters
The height of the resort is 1800-3080 meters
The length of the ski tracks is 110 km.
The number of routes is 52

“Blue” – 32 units, 35 km
“Red” – 12 units, 55 km
“Black” – 8 units, 20 km

Lifts – 22 (7 gondola, 8 chair, 7 cable)
Ski pass for a day for an adult/child – 53€ / 34€
The season lasts from November to May

2. From Zelden

Sölden is a winter resort located in the high mountain valley of Ötztal, surrounded by majestic alpine peaks. You can get here from Innsbruck airport by bus, the distance from the international airport to the resort is a little more than 250 km. In this small town, excellent conditions for recreation await tourists: the surrounding slopes are equipped with high trails with all the necessary technical equipment. There is a separate park for snowboarding and freestyle with springboards, rails, and slides. There are two glaciers in the skiing area with the “Golden Gate” cable car laid to them, which significantly extends the ski season. In addition, up to 70% of the tracks are covered by a system of artificial snow on the slopes. There are also unmarked slopes for fans of extreme freeriding.

Sölden itself is an old town with a traditional Tyrolean flavor. Past centuries and modernity are organically intertwined here: along with fashionable hotels and inns, you can see traditional Tyrolean dwellings, visit taverns serving national dishes. There are 24-hour bars, night discos, and fashionable restaurants with international cuisine. Austria’s largest wellness center “Aquadom” operates five kilometers from the resort.

How to get to Sölden?

The nearest international airports to Sölden are located in Innsbruck (85 km) and in the German city of Munich (223 km). From there, you can order a taxi transfer or use the services of the railway to GLK. The nearest train station to Sölden is in Ötztal, 35 km from the ski resort. There are regular buses from Innsbruck and Ötztal to Sölden every 1-1.5 hours. In the first case, the travel time will be a little more than 2 hours, while in the second – 50-60 minutes. By car, Sölden can be reached from Vorarlberg via the S-16 to Landeck, then the A-12 to Ötztal and further along the B-186 road. If you are coming from Innsbruck and Munich, then you need to take the A-93 autobahn to Kufstein, where you turn onto the A-12 and drive to Ötztal, from where you can reach Sölden on the B-186.

Specifications:

The height difference is 1990 meters
The height of the resort is 1350 – 3340 meters
The length of the ski tracks is 146 km.
The number of tracks is 32

“Blue” – 11 units, 70 km
“Red” – 16 units, 46 km
“Black” – 5 units, 30 km

Lifts – 33 (8 gondola, 9 chair, 16 cable)
Ski pass for a day for an adult/child – €56 / €31
The duration of the season is October-May

3. Kitzbühel

The resort town of Kitzbühel is not called the pearl of Tyrol for nothing. The town is located in a beautiful mountain valley, and is surrounded by wonderful alpine landscapes. More than 170 km of various tracks are equipped on the nearby slopes, designed for athletes of various levels of training. There are both gentle descents for beginners and steep winding routes for extremes who want to get a powerful adrenaline rush. Kitzbühel has a large snow park for freestyle and snowboarding. The high level of downhill training is confirmed by the fact that world-class sports competitions are periodically held at the resort. In Kitzbühel, the legend of alpine skiing, the seven-time world champion Seiler, was born, grew up and honed his skills.

The town is only 80 km from the large regional center of Salzburg , so it is not difficult to get to it. The history of Kitzbühel goes back more than one century, and the medieval narrow streets with cobblestones have been perfectly preserved here. There are hotels and campsites with a high level of service, open restaurants, bars and cafes with a national Tyrolean flavor. Those who wish will be able to cross-country ski, take a trip through the picturesque surroundings or go ice skating on the ice rink.

How to get to Kitzbühel?

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. There is also a train station in Kitzbühel, located a quarter of an hour’s walk from the city center. You can get to the resort valley by rental car from the north by taking the A-8 autobahn in the direction of Salzburg, at Kufstein-Süd turn onto the B-178, then the B-161 and drive to Kitzbühel. In general, the journey from Munich Airport to the resort will take 2 hours.

From the Swiss side, Kitzbühel can be reached via Innsbruck on the A-12 road to Wergl-Ost, and then successively on the B-178 and B-161 roads. The whole journey will take about an hour and a half. From the east, from Salzburg by car, you should drive along the A-1 highway and successively turn onto the A-8, B-20 to Bad Reichenhall, B-178 to Lofer, B-161 to Pass-Thurn and on to Kitzbühel. From the south of Milan, the road will take about 5 hours. 30 min.

Specifications:

The height difference is 1230 meters
The height of the resort is 770 – 2000 meters
The length of the ski tracks is 170 km.
The number of tracks is 66

“Blue” – 29 units, 69 km
“Red” – 24 units, 77 km
“Black” – 13 units, 24 km

Lifts – 69 (20 gondola, 28 chairlift, 21 cable car, children’s)
Ski pass for a day adult/child – 57€ / 28€
The season lasts from November to April

4. 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 extremely 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 named “Harakiri”, is paved by the Hintertux glacier and begins at the mark of more than 3 km. There are also two dozen tracks for beginner skiers, laid near the gentle bases of the mountain slopes.

Children’s ski schools work at the resort, where children can learn the basics of skiing under the guidance of experienced coaches. After active sports activities, tourists will be able to relax in Mayrhofen’s numerous restaurants, bars and eateries decorated in traditional Tyrolean style.

How to get to Mayrhofen?

The closest to Mayrhofen are the international airports of Innsbruck, 65 km away, Vienna – 460 km, and the German Munich, 190 km away. From there, vacationers can order a taxi transfer directly to the resort center. You can take the train to Jenbach station, which is 35 km from Mayrhofen, where you can change to a local train. The travel time on it will be about 40 minutes, the ticket is free for owners of the ski pass. Mayrhofen can be reached by rented or own car on the A-12 highway, leaving Jenbach on the B-169 road.

Specifications:

The height difference is 1870 meters
The height of the resort is 630 – 2500 meters
The length of the ski tracks is 133 km.
The number of tracks is 65

“Blue” – 20 units, 41 km
“Red” – 40 units, 63 km
“Black” – 5 units, 29 km

Lifts – 53 (8 gondola, 18 chairlifts, 27 cable cars, children’s)
Ski pass for a day adult/child – 55€ / 25€
The season lasts from November to April

5. Ischgl

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

There are hotels and hotels of various price categories in the city, there are also budget hostels, and private apartments for rent. Tourists will be able to find bars and restaurants, spa centers and fitness halls, cool swimming pools and shopping complexes in Ischgl. Special mention should be made of the wonderful surrounding landscapes – the valley is surrounded by picturesque mountain peaks covered with a snow cap all year round.

How to get to Ischgl?

The resort of Ischgl is located near the Swiss border, in the Patznaun region. The nearest airports 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 Patznaun Valley by car from Germany by following the following routes:

Followed by routes A-7, B-179, A-12, S-16, B-188.
Autobahn A-93, further along A-12, S-16, B-188.
Autobahn A-96, then routes A-14, S-16, B-188.

From Italy :

On the A-22 road, then on the A-13, A-12, S-16, B-188 routes.
Along the SS-40 highway, then, over the Reshen pass, B-180, S-16, B-188.

From Switzerland:

Autobahn A-3, further along A-1, A-14, S-16, B-188.

You can also use the railway and get to the station Landek, from where there are regular buses and taxis to Ischgl. Buses to the resort depart directly from the station square.

Specifications:

The height difference is 1495 meters
The height of the resort is 1377-2872 meters
The length of the ski tracks is 230 km.
The number of tracks is 135

“Blue” – 40 units, 48 km
“Red” – 80 units, 148 km
“Black” – 15 units, 27 km

Lifts – 40 (5 gondola, 12 chair, 23 rope, children’s)
Ski pass for a day in high/low season – 45€/ 45€
The season lasts from November to May

6. Innsbruck

Innsbruck is an ancient Austrian city near the border with Germany , which at one time became the center of the Winter Olympics. Among travelers, it became famous for its medieval architecture, which is perfectly preserved, and charming natural landscapes. In the last century, Innsbruck has become an important world center of alpine skiing. More than three hundred kilometers of ski slopes are laid in its vicinity, where international competitions in winter sports are regularly held. The city has an indoor ice rink, a track for skeleton and bobsled lessons, and snow parks for freestyle and snowboarding. There are a total of eight separate resort areas for winter recreation in the Innsbruck district.

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

How to get to Innsbruck?

5 km from Innsbruck is the international airport, from where you can order a transfer to the ski center. You can also get to GLK by a regular bus going along route F, the journey time is less than 20 minutes. Buses depart from the platform in front of Innsbruck Airport. There are also trains to Innsbruck from most Western European capitals and neighboring large cities. For example, trains from the Austrian capital to Innsbruck leave from Westbahnhof station every 2-3 hours. Travel time by train from Vienna will be 4 hours, and from Salzburg – 2 hours.

Specifications:

The height difference is 2350 meters
The height of the resort is 860 – 3210 meters
The length of the ski tracks is 300 km.
The number of tracks is 95

“Blue” – 40 units, 100 km
“Red” – 40 units, 170 km
“Black” – 15 units, 30 km

Lifts – 67 (11 gondola, 24 chair, 32 bugle, children’s)
Ski pass for a day in high/low season – 45€/30€
The season lasts from November to May

7. Seefeld

The small cozy town of Seefeld is located among the Alpine mountain ranges at an altitude of 1.2 km. You can get here from Innsbruck in just half an hour by regular bus. As a resort town, Seefeld began to develop at the beginning of the 20th century – in those years, representatives of aristocratic families and successful businessmen rested here.

The touch of bohemianism and aristocracy has remained in the city to this day. This is manifested in a high level of service, excellent infrastructure and, accordingly, in prices. However, in recent years, Seefeld has increasingly positioned itself as a resort for family vacations. Many cafes, bars and restaurants are open here, there are indoor swimming pools and saunas, shops and gyms. In addition to mountain skiing, vacationers will be able to cross-country ski or ice skate on an ice stadium, go skeleton or bobsled on a specially equipped ice chute.

How to get to Seefeld?

The nearest international airports to Seefeld are located in Innsbruck (20 km) and Munich (150 km). From there, tourists can order a taxi transfer directly to the resort. Travel time will be 20 minutes from Innsbruck airport, and 2 hours from Munich airport. Seefeld has a railway station with trains from nearby big cities. Yes, the train takes about half an hour from Innsbruck. Other ways to get to the resort from Innsbruck Airport are to use a regular bus or a rental car. In the latter case, from Innsbruck you need to take the A-12 highway, and from Munich – the A-95 road and then the B-2.

Specifications:

The height difference is 864 meters
The height of the resort is 1200 – 2064 meters
The length of the ski tracks is 12 km.
The number of routes is 14

“Blue” – 10 units, 10 km
“Red” – 4 units, 2 km

Extractors – 10 (1 armchair, 9 vertical)
Ski pass for a day in high/low season – 41€/ 36€
The season lasts from December to April

8. Serfaus-Fis-Ladis

The resort village of Serfaus is located on a mountain alpine plateau, at an altitude of 1.4 km. You can get here from Innsbruck, which is a hundred kilometers away from the resort town. Tourists who visited Serfaus note the high level of service and the excellent technical equipment of the ski slopes. A wide selection of descents of all categories is offered here for the attention of sportsmen: from gentle children’s slopes to steep unspoiled routes that only experienced freeriders can descend. There are areas for snowboarding and freestyle, children’s snow amusement parks, ice rinks and playgrounds.

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

How to get to Serfaus?

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

Specifications:

The height difference is 1620 meters
The height of the resort is 1200 – 2820 meters
The length of the ski tracks is 212 km.
The number of tracks is 85

“Green” – 4 units, 16 km
“Blue” – 20 units, 47 km
“Red” – 47 units, 121 km
“Black” – 14 units, 28 km

Lifts – (12 gondola, 16 chairlift, 11 cable car, children’s)
Ski pass for a day for an adult/child – 53€ / 33€
The season lasts from December to April

9. 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 lift was launched. Ski tracks here are laid on the slopes of the nearby Walluga and Schindler mountains, which rise above the surroundings for 2.5 km. There are gentle slopes for amateurs who have recently started skiing, and steep tracks that require good physical preparation and skill.

Among the most dangerous routes is the “Karl Schranz” descent, the starting point of which is located at an altitude of 2.3 km. St. Anton is also famous for its longest track in Tyrol, which reaches a length of 9 kilometers. More than 60% of the local slopes are covered by the artificial snow system and also have night lighting. In addition to skiing, vacationers can go snowboarding, sledding, visit the swimming pool, sauna, indoor tennis court, fitness rooms or spa center. A number of restaurants, cafes, hotels and hotels stretched along the central street of the town.

How to get to St. Anton?

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

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.

There is a railway station in St. Anton, through which many trains pass, including the international Eastern Express.

Specifications:

The height difference is 1507 meters
The height of the resort is 1304 – 2811 meters
The length of the ski tracks is 278 km.
The number of tracks is 100

“Blue” – 40 units, 110 km
“Red” – 40 units, 138 km
“Black” – 20 units, 30 km

Lifts (14 gondola, 42 chair, 40 rope, children’s)
Ski pass for a day for an adult/child – €56 / €34
The season lasts from December to April

10. Lech

Leh is a modern winter resort, which is 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 infrastructure facilities necessary for a comfortable rest. The village is built with traditional alpine chalets, which gives it the appearance of an old Tyrolean village. They have hotels, campsites and individual guest houses. There are enough restaurants, bars and cafes in Lesya. This area is characterized by exceptionally clean mountain air and picturesque landscapes. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that many European aristocrats, politicians and businessmen often visit Lech for their winter vacations.

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, starting from cafes and hotels, and ending with funiculars and snow cannons. High-speed descents here are laid on the slopes of three adjacent mountains at the same time, with a height of 2 to 2.4 km.

How to get to Leh?

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

Specifications:

The height difference is 1000 meters
The height of the resort is 1450-2450 meters
The length of the ski tracks is 110 km.
The number of tracks is 95

“Blue” – 30 units, 44 km
“Red” – 50 units, 44 km
“Black” – 15 units, 22 km

Lifts – 47 (7 gondola, 29 chairlifts, 11 cable cars, children’s)
Ski pass for the day for an adult/child – €54 / €32
The season lasts from December to April

11. Eagles

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

Most of the tracks are lit and equipped with snow generators, thanks to which you can ride here after sunset and even in the spring thaw. Dozens of bars, eateries and restaurants serve tourists in Eagles, many of which are located right next to the ski slopes. Among additional entertainment, the resort offers night discos, an indoor pool, a fitness center, a spa, children’s entertainment and playgrounds, and even a casino.

How to get to Eagles?

Innsbruck International Airport is not far from Eagles. The distance from it to the ski center is 10 km. From Innsbruck airport you can order a taxi transfer or use a regular bus. The interval of their movement is 15-20 minutes during the day, and every hour in the evenings. It takes a quarter of an hour by taxi from Innsbruck train station to Eagles. You can get to the Eagles resort from the center of Innsbruck by tram number 6, which goes in the direction of Bergischel.

Specifications:

The height difference is 1347 meters
The height of the resort is 900 – 2247 meters
The length of the ski tracks is 14 km.
The number of tracks is 10

“Blue” – 5 pieces, 6 km
“Red” – 5 units, 8 km

Lifts – 10 (2 gondolas, 2 chairlifts, 6 cable cars)
Ski pass for the day for an adult/child – 38€ / 23€
The season lasts from December to April

12. Bad Gastein

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

In addition to winter entertainment, Bad Gastein is famous as a popular balneological resort. In the valley there are exits to the surface of mineral hot springs, on the basis of which sanatorium hospitals operate. There are sports centers with swimming pools, saunas, and fitness rooms. At the service of tourists in the city there are fashionable hotels and budget campsites, restaurants and bars, fashionable boutiques and night discos.

How to get to Bad Gastein?

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 from Innsbruck and Munich. Bad Gastein can be reached by train from Vienna in 5 hours. 30 minutes, from Salzburg in 1 hour. 30 minutes, from Innsbruck in 3 hours.

The closest train stations to the resort center are in Bad Hofgastein and Bad Gastein. Shuttle buses and taxis run from them to GLK. With your own or rented car, you can get to the ski resort from Salzburg on the A-10 highway, turning onto the Autobahn No. 311 at Villach, and from Landen take the No. 167 route that goes to Bad Gastein itself.

Specifications:

The height difference is 1470 meters
The height of the resort is 830 – 2300 meters
The length of the ski tracks is 97 km.
The number of tracks is 17

“Blue” – 5 units, 34 km
“Red” – 10 units, 58 km
“Black” – 2 units, 5 km

Lifts – (7 gondola, 10 chair, 5 rope)
Ski pass for a day for an adult/child – 55€ / 41€
The season lasts from December to April

13. Bad Hofgastein

In the heart of the Tyrolean Alps is the picturesque Gasteinertal Valley, famous for its natural beauty. It is here that the popular winter resort of Bad Hofgastein is located. Tourists are immediately captured by this town with its quiet provincial coziness, low-rise Tyrolean houses, and cobbled streets. A balneological resort based on local geothermal springs has been operating here for two centuries. In these hospitals, tourists will be able to improve their health by visiting thermal pools and saunas with mineral water.

Various ski routes are laid out on the three surrounding slopes, the most difficult of which start at an altitude of 2.6 km. There are flat trails for cross-country skiing all around, and tourists will be able to go on snowshoe hikes or snowmobile safaris through Bad Hofgastein’s picturesque mountain surroundings. Beginners are invited to take a course in skiing skills at the school operating here.

How to get to Bad Hofgastein?

The easiest way to get to Bad Hofgastein from the international airports of Salzburg, Innsbruck and Munich is by ordering a taxi transfer. A taxi ride from Salzburg will take 1 hour, and from Munich and Innsbruck you need to spend about 2 hours. By rail The ski resort can be reached by rail. The train ride from Vienna will take 5 hours. 30 minutes, from Salzburg – 1 hour. 30 minutes, from Innsbruck – 3 hours. The nearest train stations to the resort are located in Dorfgastein and Bad Gastein, from where shuttle buses and taxis go to the ski area. By car, you can reach Bad Hofgastein on the A-10 highway from the Salzburg side, then turn onto roads #311 and 167.

Specifications:

The height difference is 1441 meters
The height of the resort is 859 – 2300 meters
The length of the ski tracks is 81 km.
The number of tracks is 11

“Blue” – 3 units, 28 km
“Red” – 7 units, 51 km
“Black” – 1 piece, 2 km

Lifts – 19 (14 gondolas, 3 chairlifts, 2 ski lifts)
Ski pass for a day for an adult/child – 55€ / 41€
The season lasts from December to April

14. 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. Up to 200 km of ski slopes of various difficulty categories are laid out every season on the nearby slopes of the nearby mountains of Špilekkogel and Schattberg West. Most of them are equipped with snow generators and floodlights with artificial lighting.

There are descents 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 with a swimming pool, sauna, and fitness center in Zaalbas. There are restaurants and taverns with traditional Tyrolean dishes, 24-hour bars and night discos.

How to get to Saalbach?

The Saalbach resort is 90 km from Salzburg International Airport. Charter buses and taxis run from here to the ski center. You can order a transfer or hire a taxi from Salzburg Airport. Travel time from the airport to Saalbach will be about 1 hour. 30 min. In the winter season, a shuttle bus runs between Salzburg and the resort, which is free for ski pass holders. You can get to Saalbach by train by first getting to the Zell am See train station, then by bus #680 from Postplatz, or by taxi.

Specifications:

The height difference is 1095 meters
The height of the resort is 1003 – 2098 meters
The length of the ski tracks is 200 km.
The number of tracks is 60

“Blue” – 29 units, 90 km
“Red” – 26 units, 95 km
“Black” – 5 units, 15 km

Lifts – 59 (9 gondola, 13 chair, 37 rope)
Ski pass for a day adult/child – 56€ / 28€
The season lasts from December to April

15. 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 wonderful alpine meadows and coniferous forests, which provides this area with unusual beauty, as well as healing properties of the air due to its saturation with phytoncides. Nearby is Europe’s largest Krimml waterfall, which can be reached by a narrow-gauge road with a tourist train running along it.

The city has a wide selection of places to stay and eat: chic five-star hotels and inexpensive hostels, fashionable restaurants and democratic fast food eateries. There are nightclubs and 24-hour bars, indoor sports centers and a water park in Zell am See. The skiing area is located on the slopes of four surrounding mountains, two of which are intended for experienced skiers, and the third is perfect for family vacations with children.

How to get to Zell am See?

The nearest 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, taking the autobahn from Munich in 2 hours. 30 minutes, and from Salzburg – in 1 hour. 30 min. Zell am See has a train station located in the center of the city. There is a shuttle bus and a taxi from it to the ski center.

Specifications:

The height difference is 1250 meters
The height of the resort is 750 – 2000 meters
The length of the ski tracks is 60 km.
The number of routes is 35

“Blue” – 15 units, 26 km
“Red” – 15 units, 25 km
“Black” – 5 units, 9 km

Lifts – 49 (10 gondola, 22 chairlifts, 17 cable cars)
Ski pass for a day adult/child – 55€ / 30€
The season lasts from November to April

The best ski resorts in Austria: Top 15