The most famous ski resorts in Austria. The best ski resorts in Austria. Prices for ski resorts in Austria. How much does it cost to ski
Active tourists often associate this small and cozy country with Viennese palace complexes, ancient parks, excellent slopes and the best ski resorts in Austria. In winter, the splendor of the natural landscapes of the republic becomes even more impressive, which attracts both connoisseurs of snow-covered mountain slopes and ordinary tourists, who are still uncertain on skis, but ready to go on an exciting journey for the sake of adrenaline and fabulous landscapes. Of all the famous resort areas In their hospitable country, Austrians often recommend a few of their favorite places. Here, foreigners are waiting for various opportunities for an exciting and useful winter pastime.
Bad Gastein
The best ski resorts in Austria are extremely diverse, among them there are several places that are available primarily to wealthy vacationers due to the rather high prices for all kinds of services. One of them is Bad Gastein, also well known for thermal springs and health centers. Winter gives its guests a unique opportunity to combine pleasant skiing with beneficial radon baths. And for tourists with a limited budget, they are well suited.
All 220 km of snow-covered slopes are filled with skiers prepared in different ways to conquer the mountain slopes. The city cannot boast of a wide variety of entertainment venues, but everyone knows the local casino and Gatz, a democratic bar where young fans of snowboarding and skiing prefer to have fun.
Zell am See
Thanks to the picturesque lake, the surroundings around Zell am See, a quiet old town, amaze travelers with fabulous beauty. Most of the 77 km of local pistes are filled with beginners or experienced skiers.
From this city you can quite easily and quickly get to a glacier that does not melt even in summer. As a result, skiers in these places appear not only in the winter months, but also in the off-season, as well as in summer. Among the frequent visitors to Zell am See, you can meet beginner snowboarders and fans of cross-country skiing. More than 150 restaurants, bars and cafes are open for vacationers to relax after many hours of skiing.
Leh
Despite the many drinking establishments, Lech - a small resort village - is unlikely to appeal to lovers of noisy discos and carefree fun. This is one of . First of all, people come here for skiing and snowboarding. Of the 55 well-equipped trails, each guest will definitely be able to find exactly the one that will satisfy his desires. Young travelers will not be left without work. Separately from their parents, they have fun on a 1.2-kilometer track specially equipped for them.
Many passionate gourmets who are not indifferent to excellent Austrian wine and national dishes also visit locality. In the evenings, in order to taste cheese fondue and drink a glass of fine wine, visitors gather at cozy tables in the stylish Krone Stuben, the more democratic Angelika Kauffmann, or in some other restaurant. For tourists considering the best ski resorts in Austria, the rating of the village of Lech is far from the last.
Mayrhofen
Half of the 136 km of great pistes around Mayrhofen - a small Austrian village - is for those who already feel confident enough to ski, but have not yet become professionals. There are many slopes here for those who are just starting to show themselves in this winter entertainment. However, experts also look at this resort, which is considered a youth resort.
Mayrhofen is also famous for the White Lounge, an unusual igloo hotel where thrill-seekers seek to spend the night in ice-cold rooms. But most vacationers prefer to have fun at night in the Ice Bar, famous for its relaxed atmosphere, or in some other club. During the day, establishments such as the White Lounge and Freiraum become great observation platforms due to their location on the mountain slopes.
St. Anton
If one of the curious tourists wants to know where the first ski cubes appeared on the European continent, then it is believed that St. Anton was this place. Now this ski resort in Austria is known for its challenging slopes and excellent training centers for beginners and children. Most of the 305 km of local slopes have long been chosen by professionals demonstrating unusually virtuoso skiing. If desired, everyone can drive around St. Anton and its environs on a sleigh pulled by fast horses.
The village also has a rather large ice skating rink, which was "occupied" by teenagers and young people. After active participation in winter entertainment, vacationers are happy to get acquainted with the taste of Austrian dishes in one of the 80 restaurants. Young people dance almost until morning in the Underground, a democratic English club. The hall of the cozy Mooserwirt, one of the most famous bars not only in St. Anton, but in the whole of Tyrol, is always crowded with a cheerful audience. Lunch or dinner at Galzig Verwall, an alpine restaurant, is a treat for those looking for a vantage point to appreciate the beauty of the snow-capped peaks.
What the best ski resorts in Austria have in common
Although small towns and quiet villages in mountainous Austria are distinctive, and their inhabitants always try to emphasize this, there are still many common features between them. This is especially true of the named places that have become leaders in winter recreation:
- in almost every of the places mentioned, December is considered the beginning of the season;
- often they stop receiving guests at the end of March;
- in every town or village, tourists are sure to find many places of entertainment, bars and restaurants;
- the cost of a weekly ski pass, which is available everywhere for purchase, is 295 €.
The main thing that can be found in every town or village is goodwill as local residents and maintenance personnel. The high rating of Austrian ski resorts determines the popularity of the country among multinational travelers.
Few countries are as strongly associated with skiing as Austria. Ski Austria is as stable a combination as Mozart and Vienna - and there are good reasons for this: many winter resorts with excellent infrastructure, a variety of high-quality slopes that can be skied for a record number of months a year, and large-scale après ski, which has long become a parable in a talking point in the ski "party". In general, no matter how you look at it, it turns out that for a ski holiday you need to go to Austria for a solid five - this country is guaranteed not to deceive your expectations.
A lot has been said about the advantages of winter Austria, and it will not be superfluous to put them together. Let's start with the dominant factor for every conscious skier - the variety and grooming of the slopes. Here Austria did not let us down (as well as on other issues) - in the Tyrol region alone, the unofficial capital of the local "skiing", there are more than 20 resorts with a wide variety of slopes for tourists to choose from - gentle and steep, for "middle peasants" and pros, "walking" and "technical".
Austrian tracks are well-groomed to the envy of many competitors in snow tourism - the slightest bumps are instantly expelled from the perfectly flat surface of the track, and dense snow cover is monitored with no less care - if anything, snow cannons immediately come into play. However, everything is in order with the snow supply in ski Austria: its alpine part is generously strewn with glaciers that freeze the surface of the mountain from the inside, so snow in many resorts falls already in November and does not melt until April.
It is not necessary to "bump" into pompous resorts - in Austria there are a large number of less popular cities with very reasonable prices.
The next nice "trick" of winter Austria is the vast ski areas, consisting of neighboring resorts, united by a single ski pass. For example, you can drive around the picturesque Zillertal valley without additional expenses by purchasing a “ski pass” (Zillertal Superskipass) to five resorts at once - and this is as much as 668 km of slopes for any level of athletes. With a fairly reasonable cost - about 287 EUR per week, such a ski pass will allow you to remarkably diversify your ski vacation.
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Finally, let's mention one more feature of Austrian skiing - après ski! Even the most fanatical conquerors of slopes and heights need to “break away from society and fall” - in a pleasant figurative sense: to skip a glass or two of mulled wine or “hang out” in a nightclub. In this part, Austria has the honor to offer the best discos in the Alps, literally thundering all over Europe, pompous restaurants with Michelin stars in the asset and a lot of shopping opportunities in ski resorts - you can find everything your heart desires there: from traditional chronometers to gilded garden shovels.
Of the few disadvantages of ski Austria, we will only mention a rather high price tag. You can't ride cheap here. At the same time, it is not necessary to go to pompous resorts - in Austria there are a large number of less popular cities with more adequate prices. At the same time, the slopes and infrastructure are everywhere on top.
Resorts of Tyrol
Tyrol is traditionally considered the best area for skiing. Its central part includes the capital of the federal state Innsbruck, the venue for the Winter Olympic Games in 1964 and 1976, and areas such as Ranger Kempfl, Patscherkofel, Hungerburg Seegrube, Glusenger, Mutterer Alm. This also includes part of the ski villages of the Zillertal valley and the famous Seefeld resort, which provides a wide range of entertainment in addition to skiing.
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Resorts of Salzburg
No less interesting in terms of skiing are the resorts that are part of the state of Salzburg. Zell am See, Kaprun, Saalbach-Hinterglemm, with a well-developed tourist infrastructure, numerous lifts and 130 km of slopes, attract a large number of tourists every year. The Grossglockner Alpine Road is a local natural landmark. Prices on the page are for November 2018.
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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 quality family vacation. 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 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.
Leh. 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, 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 select 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.
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.
Leh
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 winter holidays with health benefits and 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, youth après-ski 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 founded 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.
