Austria Ski Resorts

Jack Lee
Written by Jack Lee / Photos by Greg Burke
Last updated 21 June 2024

Skiing in Austria is amazing. Austria was the birthplace of ski school, host of the first modern chairlifts – home of Doppelmayr, and much of the best skiing in the Alps – with the most highly concentrated ski resorts - over 400 in a country about the size of Maine. The Austrian Alps are like New England skiing with the Rocky Mountains on top, reaching elevations up to 3,000-meters, 10,000’. Austria has the most spectacular scenery of snowcapped peaks, genuine mountain chalets serving hearty local cuisine – Weiner Schnitzel and Goulash soup, the best après ski anywhere and historic ski villages with top ski hotels. But it’s the magnificent Alpine skiing that makes the best Austrian ski trip, vast slopes of well groomed skiing (which Austrians refer to as prepared pistes), big mountain high elevation, above tree line bowls, chutes and wide open off-piste terrain.

Skiing in Austria

Map of Austria Ski Resorts

List of Destination Ski Resorts in Austria

World-class skiing and legendary après-ski go hand-in-hand in Austria, a country bursting at the seams with pretty alpine villages. This ski nation embraces the winter each and every year, and while you might be able to find taller mountains in Switzerland and larger ski areas in France, nowhere has such rich skiing culture as Austria!

Ski Arlberg is Austria's biggest lift-linked ski area

Known for: Powder and partying in the snowiest corner of the Alps in Ski Arlberg

Preferred Airports:

Zurich Airport - 123 miles (2.5 hour drive)

St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport - 64 miles (1.5 hour drive)

Summit Elevation: 9222 feet

Skiable Area: 1102 acre

Google Maps | St Anton Ski Packages

The high altitude means there's plenty of snow!

Known for: Serving up tons of lift-accessible freeride terrain and supreme après-ski parties!

Preferred Airport: Innsbruck Airport - 62 miles (1 hour drive)

Summit Elevation: 9416 feet

Skiable Area: 1272 acre

Google Maps | Ischgl Ski Packages

Explore the Skicircus from Saalbach Hinterglemm

Known for: Attractive village with Europe’s flashiest lift system.

Preferred Airport: Salzburg Airport - 55 miles (1.5 hour drive)

Summit Elevation: 6876 feet

Skiable Area: 1010 acre

Google Maps | Saalbach Hinterglemm Ski Packages

Impressive mountain ranges behind the ski village (Photo credit: Sölden)

Known for: Providing easy access to one of the best and most extensive glacier ski areas in Europe, if not the world!

Preferred Airport: Innsbruck Airport - 52 miles (1 hour drive)

Summit Elevation: 10958 feet

Skiable Area: 144 kilometer

Google Maps | Sölden Ski Packages

One of the more quiet resorts in Austria

Known for: Its 6.5 mi Hohe Scharte North trail, one of the longest piste in the Central Eastern Alps!

Preferred Airport: Salzburg Airport - 59 miles (1 hour drive)

Summit Elevation: 7545 feet

Skiable Area: 86 kilometer

Google Maps | Bad Gastein Ski Packages

Enjoy skiing late into Spring

Known for: Skiing late into Spring and family-friendly activities.

Preferred Airport: Salzburg Airport - 44 miles (1 hour drive)

Summit Elevation: 6561 feet

Skiable Area: 1112 acre

Google Maps | Kitzbühel Ski Packages

There's terrain for everyone at Mayrhofen

Known for: Popular winter holiday resort loved for its accessible pistes and late-night parties.

Preferred Airport: Innsbruck Airport - 49 miles (1 hour drive)

Summit Elevation: 8202 feet

Skiable Area: 365 acre

Google Maps | Mayrhofen Ski Packages

Ski at a unique location on the shoreline of Lake Zell

Known for: Ancient alpine town combining gentle tree-lined trails with stunning winter scenery.

Preferred Airport: Salzburg Airport - 46 miles (1 hour drive)

Summit Elevation: 6561 feet

Skiable Area: 200 acre

Google Maps | Zell Am See - Schmittenhöhe Ski Packages

Snow-capped peaks

Known for: Classic Austrian city ski experience where the off-slope activities and lodging options are endless.

Preferred Airport: Innsbruck Airport - 3.5 miles (15 minute drive)

Summit Elevation: 7343 feet

Skiable Area: 741316 acre

Google Maps | Innsbruck Ski Packages

Skiers have access to the expansive Ski Arlberg area

Known for: Peaceful surroundings, gourmet dining, and soothing spas in an exclusive mountain retreat.

Preferred Airport: Innsbruck Airport - 64 miles (1 hour drive)

Summit Elevation: 9222 feet

Skiable Area: 37065 acre

Google Maps | St Chrisoph Ski Packages