Austria – a classic winter vacation for true connoisseurs. Ski resorts with a high level of quality and service, many impressive peaks and different ski areas, a lot of entertainment and reasonable prices compared to France, Switzerland, Germany. We have made for you a selection of the most attractive resorts in Austria, which should pay attention.
Sölden
Selden is well known to those who are familiar with ski Austria. It is rightly considered one of the best resorts not only in Austria but also in Europe, thanks to its unique nature, long skiing season and pistes that are suitable for everyone, from champions to beginners. Sölden has two ski areas (glacier and winter) and three peaks (the famous “Big Three” – Geislachkogl (3058 m), Tiefenbachkogl (3250 m), Schwarze Schneide (3340 m)), for which come here and professionals extreme climbers.
Also for the joy of tourists there is an observation deck, panoramic cafes and restaurants, which are “scattered” on different peaks and slopes, allowing you to look at the full beauty of these incredible landscapes. Sölden is also loved for its famous thermal springs complex under the open sky – Aqua Dome, with baths, saunas and salt procedures. In addition to this resort you can go sledding, snowshoeing, ice skating, cross-country skiing or go hiking. There is something for everyone!
Kitzbühel
One of the first ski resorts that appeared in Austria. Kitzbühel is a mix of the largest ski area and the historic center.
Kitzbühel is a favorite destination for snowboarders (especially the Kitzbüheler Horn), and is home to the world famous “Streif” slalom course, where world cup competitions are held. There are 60 runs (most of them red) and 54 elevators, a fan park, half-pipes, cross-country skiing and bordercross pistes… In other words, Kitzbühel is not just for a reason that it enters the famous Best of the Alps rating.
As for entertainment, Kitzbühel has four outdoor skating rinks, swimming pools and tennis courts, curling, sledding and snowshoeing, and much more. This is also an old town, which has many attractions: the fountains Stadtbrunnen and Brunnen Spielende Gemsen, City Hall, 3 ancient castles (Lebenberg, Munichau, Kaps), chapel, churches and cathedrals, the Museum of Alpine Skiing (at 1700 meters), the City Museum of Kitzbühel, located in an old tower, Hinterobernau farmstead museum, and Kitz Art Gallery.
St. Anton
This resort is ideal and satisfies all the wishes of experienced skiers. St. Anton attracts thousands of professional skiers, skiers, and snowboarders from all over the world every year because the resort is considered not only one of the best in quality and service, but also famous for its excellent slopes with high complexity, 3 half-pipes and 2 fan parks. For beginners, of course, there are also pistes, but experienced skiers say that not even all of the blue slopes here are really easy.
Their total length is about 350 km, there are also freeride routes (200 km), tracks for cross-country skiing (63 km) and hiking trails. It is possible to do rock climbing, paragliding, ice skating, sledding and snowmobiling, as well as sledding with horses.
St. Anton and 4 other regions (St. Cristoph, Stuben, Zurs and Lech) form a single ski area, and the ski pass for them is also the same. In total, you get access to more than 500 km of slopes. There are 90 elevators in Saint Anton itself.
Ischgl
A skier’s dream of a party skier! Today, Ischgl is considered one of the most prestigious and expensive resorts in Austria. It earned this fame loud parties, a vibrant nightlife, a lot of entertainment, expensive hotels and world celebrities who often stay here.
As for skiing, Ischgl is 238 km of slopes and 45 elevators, most of the tracks – red, so the resort is aimed at more advanced skiers. For snowboarders there is an excellent snow park The Border of Paradise – with jumps, half-pipe, and with dozens of different obstacles. The resort is located in a multi-level mountain zone, and for the convenience of tourists made underground escalators that connect hotels and elevators.
As for entertainment, in first place with tourists here, of course, the parties, many come here for fun, partying and adventure, often here you can catch performances of world celebrities. You can also play curling, minigolf, tennis, horseback riding, hang gliding, rock climbing, and ice climbing.
Ellmau
A resort that is not too inferior to the previous ones, but little known to the guests from other countries. It is mainly Austrians and that is not a minus. Ellmau is a small town in the Tyrolean land, in one of the largest areas for skiing – Wilder Kaiser-Brixental. Together with Going, Scheffau and Söll it forms a single ski area, and the ski pass is the same. In total, there are 280 km of slopes (most of them blue), 90 elevators, 250 km of hiking trails and a few trails with the possibility of night skiing.
On the territory of the resort there is popular among snowboarders Intersport Kaiserpark – three fan parks, a jumping area, a bordercross track, trampolines, half-pipe. In Ellmau there is an opportunity to do paragliding, snow tubing, curling. There are also tracks for cross-country skiing, winter biking, hiking, several ice rinks and even an aqua park.
