Ski holidays
Best ski resorts in Austria: 8 resorts ranked, and where to stay
Austria has a ski resort for everyone: steep runs on the Arlberg, old towns with World Cup races, glaciers with snow from October and spa towns with hot springs.
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In short
The best ski resort in Austria for experienced skiers is St. Anton am Arlberg, with Schwarzer Adler as our first-choice hotel. Families get the most skiing for their money in Saalbach Hinterglemm, and if you want guaranteed snow, the glaciers at Sölden open in October. We have ranked 8 resorts in total.
Our first choice: Schwarzer Adler in St. Anton. Check availability and prices
At four in the afternoon in St. Anton, ski boots stand in rows outside the bars along the home run. A few hundred kilometres east, others sit in a warm pool in Bad Gastein watching snow fall over the waterfall in the middle of town. Both are a ski holiday in Austria.
The country has resorts of every size, and most are under two hours from the airports at Innsbruck, Salzburg or Munich. We have ranked them on terrain and snow, and chosen one hotel we would stay at in each.
1. St. Anton am Arlberg: for experienced skiers
St. Anton is part of Ski Arlberg, one of the largest linked ski areas in the Alps. Its off-piste terrain is among the best in the country, and the après-ski starts on the mountain. Beginners will find calmer places, but if you can ski, this is the first choice.
Where to stay: Schwarzer Adler stands in the village centre, a short walk from the lifts and restaurants.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Schwarzer Adler
Read the full guide: St. Anton: skiing on the Arlberg, après-ski and where to stay
2. Lech: luxury and room on the slopes
Lech shares its ski area with St. Anton, but the mood is calmer and more exclusive. The resort caps the number of day passes, so queues are rarely long. People come for the wide pistes, the food and the hotels rather than the parties.
Where to stay: Hotel Arlberg is in the centre of Lech and suits anyone after a classic Alpine hotel with a spa.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Arlberg
Read the full guide: Lech am Arlberg: exclusive skiing and where to stay
3. Kitzbühel: medieval town and World Cup
Kitzbühel is an old town of painted houses and cobbled streets, and every January the Hahnenkamm race runs down the feared Streif. The ski area is large and varied. One thing to know: the town sits low, so snow is less reliable than higher up, especially early and late in the season.
Where to stay: Grand Tirolia sits just outside the centre, with a golf course and mountain views.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Grand Tirolia Kitzbühel
Read the full guide: Kitzbühel: skiing in the home of the Hahnenkamm and where to stay
Kitzbühel
Snowy mountains around Kitzbühel, seen from a hotel balcony.
4. Saalbach Hinterglemm: the most skiing for your money
Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is one of Austria’s largest ski areas, with lifts linking several valleys. It hosted the Alpine World Ski Championships in 2025. Wide pistes and plenty of ski schools make it a good pick for families, and the centre is lively in the evening.
Where to stay: Hotel Alpine Palace is in Hinterglemm and has a large spa for the evenings.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Alpine Palace
Read the full guide: Saalbach Hinterglemm: skiing in the Skicircus and where to stay
Saalbach Hinterglemm
Snow-covered roofs in Saalbach, with the ski slopes right behind.
5. Sölden: glaciers with snow from autumn
Sölden has two glaciers, so the season starts early, and the Alpine World Cup opens here every autumn. At the top sits the ice Q restaurant and an exhibition about the James Bond film Spectre, which was partly shot here. In the evening, Sölden is one of the liveliest resorts in Tyrol.
Where to stay: Bergland Design- und Wellnesshotel is central and has a rooftop spa.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Bergland Design- und Wellnesshotel
Read the full guide: Sölden: skiing on the Ötztal glaciers and where to stay
6. Obergurgl: high, quiet and snow-sure
Obergurgl lies at the head of the Ötztal valley and is one of the highest villages in Austria. That gives it one of the longest seasons in the country. It is quiet and the pistes are easy to read, so it suits families and anyone who wants plenty of skiing without crowds.
Where to stay: Top Hotel Hochgurgl is in Hochgurgl, right by the slopes.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Top Hotel Hochgurgl
Read the full guide: Obergurgl: snow-sure skiing high in the Ötztal and where to stay
Obergurgl
Sunset over the mountains above Hochgurgl and Obergurgl.
7. Mayrhofen: the Zillertal and the Harakiri
Mayrhofen is the main resort in the Zillertal and draws a young crowd to both the slopes and the bars. It is home to the Harakiri, one of the steepest groomed runs in Austria. The rest of the ski area is more varied than its reputation suggests, and the valley has several areas on one lift pass.
Where to stay: ElisabethHotel is in the centre of Mayrhofen and suits couples who want peace and a spa after skiing.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at ElisabethHotel Premium Private Retreat
Read the full guide: Mayrhofen: skiing in the Zillertal and where to stay
8. Bad Gastein: skiing and hot springs
Bad Gastein is a Belle Époque spa town built around a waterfall in the middle of the centre. After skiing, the thermal baths take over. The ski area is part of Ski Amadé, and the town suits anyone who wants to combine skiing with spa days and some grand architecture.
Where to stay: Alpine Spa Hotel Haus Hirt looks out over the valley and has its own spa.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Alpine Spa Hotel Haus Hirt
Read the full guide: Bad Gastein: one of the most popular ski resorts in the Alps
Which resort suits you?
Experienced skiers: St. Anton or Lech.
Families: Saalbach Hinterglemm or Obergurgl.
Reliable snow early and late in the season: Sölden or Obergurgl.
Après-ski: St. Anton, Mayrhofen or Sölden.
Spa and peace: Bad Gastein or Lech.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best ski resort in Austria?
For experienced skiers, St. Anton am Arlberg is the best ski resort in Austria, with challenging terrain and famous après-ski. Families will get more from Saalbach Hinterglemm or Obergurgl, and for snow you can count on, Sölden with its two glaciers is the safest bet. The right choice depends on how you want to spend your days.
Which Austrian ski resort is best for families?
Saalbach Hinterglemm and Obergurgl are the best Austrian ski resorts for families. Saalbach has wide pistes and plenty of ski schools. Obergurgl sits high and has easy-to-read slopes, so it is simple to keep track of the children. Both have hotels with spas for parents who need a break at the end of the day.
Which airport do you fly to for skiing in Austria?
Most Austrian resorts are reached from Innsbruck, Salzburg or Munich. Innsbruck is closest to the Arlberg and the Ötztal, while Salzburg is nearest to Saalbach and Bad Gastein. Munich often has the widest choice of flights from the UK but a longer transfer. Allow one to two hours by car or coach from the airport to the resort.
When is the best snow in Austria?
Snow is usually best in Austria from January to March. High resorts such as Obergurgl and Sölden often have good snow from late November until well into April. Lower resorts such as Kitzbühel can be less reliable at the start and end of the season, so choose your altitude to match when you travel.
Is skiing in Austria expensive?
Austria is often cheaper than Switzerland and the priciest French resorts, but costs vary a lot. Lech and Kitzbühel are among the most expensive, while Saalbach and Mayrhofen give more for your money. Half-board hotels are common and make budgeting easier, especially for families who would otherwise eat out every night.