Ski resorts in Austria (UK guide)

Austria is steeped in skiing history and home to several world-class resorts. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re excited to make your first turns or ready to carve some serious steeps.

This guide outlines what Austria has to offer, from glitzy resorts to family-friendly trips. Learn how to get there, what to pack and how much to budget. Plus, get handy tips on cutting the cost of ski passes, rentals and currency exchange.

Looking for a card you can travel with? The Wise card lets you spend in 40+ currencies with at the mid market exchange rate and low transparent fees*.

💳 Learn more about the Wise card

Why choose an Austrian ski resort?

Austria is renowned for skiing — not just because it shaped the sport, but also thanks to its reliable snow, world-class resort infrastructure, and legendary après scene. While it’s fairly easy to get skiing lessons in English, Austria offers heaps of authentic cultural charm, from drinking schnapps in a cozy chalet to wandering the cobblestone streets of Kitzbühel.

Different types of ski resorts in Austria

Luxury ski resorts in Austria

• Lech – A former farming village turned exclusive resort, Lech offers luxury hotels and chalets while keeping its Alpine charm. It’s known for fine dining and royal visitors, including Princess Diana
• Ischgl – Ischgl enjoys great snow coverage thanks to its high altitude. It has one of Europe’s rowdiest après-ski scenes, as well as luxury spas for a bit more peace and quiet
• Zürs – Just ten minutes from St. Anton, Zürs combines excellent skiing, high-end hotels and sophisticated nightlife. With heli-skiing and over 300 km of pistes, it offers both adventure and indulgence
• St. Anton – One of Austria’s most iconic resorts, St. Anton is famous for challenging terrain and après bars like MooserWirt and Krazy Kanguruh. It provides direct access to St. Christoph, Zürs and Oberlech¹

Affordable skiing in Austria: Budget-friendly resorts

• Maria Alm – Great value and only 1.5 hours from Salzburg airport. Part of the Hochkönig ski area with 120 km of pistes, most of which is ideal for beginners and intermediates
• Zell am See – A scenic lakeside resort with access to over 400 km of slopes. The pedestrian town centre is charming and full of bars, restaurants and shops
• Filzmoos – Quiet and peaceful, around an hour from Salzburg airport. With 13 km of gentle slopes and just one black run, it’s ideal for beginners or relaxed holidays²
• SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental– One of Austria’s largest linked areas, with nine towns and 284 km of pistes. Mainly suited to beginners and intermediates, with affordable lodging and 80+ mountain huts³

Top Austrian ski resorts for families

• Serfaus – Very family-friendly with children’s ski schools, themed slopes and weekly kids’ activities. Plenty of sunshine and non-ski activities like tobogganing
• Brandnertal – Offers themed children’s areas and gentle beginner slopes, as well as bumpy fun runs and racetracks for the whole family. The snow park welcomes kids and adults who want to try out some freestyle tricks
• Hochkönig – Plenty of family discounts including free ski passes for kids under 6. Families can enjoy Easter egg hunts on the piste in spring
• Nassfeld – Varied slopes for all levels, including four secured children’s practice areas. Childcare is available, with entertainment from Octi the skiing squid. Kids under 10 get free rentals and passes
• Schladming– Offers tons of novel fun for kids, including a music slope, ghost train and ski rodeo. Works well for mixed-ability families⁴

Best areas for beginners and intermediates

• Mutteralm (near Innsbruck)– Very beginner-friendly with children’s zones, a magic carpet and fairy-tale forest. Offers 19 km of gentle slopes ideal for first-timers and relaxed intermediates
• Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn – One of Austria’s largest ski areas with 270 km of slopes, including 140 km of blue runs. The town of Saalbach is lively, while Hinterglemm suits families, and Leogang and Fieberbrunn are quieter

Best areas for advanced and off-piste skiers

• Mayrhofen – Home to the Harakiri run, one of Austria’s steepest slopes! Explore advanced terrain in the Penken area and off-piste routes from Lammerbichl to Eggalm. Take a short bus ride to the Hintertux Glacier for high-altitude descents
• Kitzbühel– Famous for the Streif downhill race course, one of the toughest in the world. Offers a mix of runs for intermediates, but advanced skiers come for its history and terrain

Planning to ski off-piste? Just be aware, there isn’t the same avalanche control you might expect if you’re used to skiing in North America. You should ideally be an advanced skier carrying an avalanche safety kit — and it’s often a good idea to hire a guide.⁵

Planning your perfect ski trip in Austria

Best time of year to visit

Austria’s ski season usually runs from December to April. January and February offer the most reliable snow, while March brings sunnier days and fewer crowds. Prices rise during Christmas, New Year and February half-term.

If you’re an advanced skier, Austria’s glaciers let you chase snow beyond the usual season, with Hintertux Glacier open 12 months a year.⁶

How to get to Austrian ski resorts from the UK

By plane

Many skiers heading to Austria actually fly via Munich Airport (MUC) in Germany. It has fast train, coach and shuttle connections to major ski regions in Tyrol, Salzburgerland and Vorarlberg. For western Austria, Zurich Airport (ZRH) in Switzerland is another key hub, with efficient rail and road links into Tyrol and Vorarlberg. Within Austria, the most convenient airports are Innsbruck (INN) and Salzburg (SZG), both close to popular resorts. Onward travel from these airports is generally easy thanks to Austria’s reliable train, bus and road networks.⁷

By train

Taking the train to your ski resort in Austria is an eco-conscious and often budget-friendly option. From London, you can reach Vienna in around 12.5 hours using a series of high-speed trains, including the Eurostar and OUIGO. Rail fares usually go on sale 3–6 months in advance and booking early can save you money.

Within Austria, many ski resorts are accessible by train or bus. The main train line along the Inn River Valley connects Innsbruck with Switzerland. Key stations for ski access include:

• Imst-Pitztal for Hochzeiger, Pitztal Glacier
• Landeck-Zams for Ischgl, Kaunertal Glacier, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Venet
• Ötztalfor Kühtai, Hochoetz, Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, Sölden
• St. Anton for Lech, St. Anton, Zürs⁷

By car

All major airports and cities offer car hire, with Innsbruck being the most convenient for ski resorts — though availability can be limited in high season. If you’re hiring from Switzerland, check the fine print carefully as some providers charge very high security deposits. You’ll need a vignette (around €10 for 10 days) to drive on motorways, and there’s also a small fee if you use the Brenner Pass.⁷

You must have winter tyres or snow chains between November and April. Also, every driver must carry a first aid kit, a warning triangle, and a reflective safety vest.⁸ Visit the official Austria Tourism website to learn more about the road rules and laws in Austria.

Catered chalets vs hotels vs apartments

If you’ve got the budget, catered chalets are perfect for groups wanting a cushy holiday. With the cooking and housework taken care of, you’re free to relax into the classic chalet experience — often involving a log fire, hot tub or sauna. Chalets also offer conveniences like ample ski storage and a private parking space.

Hotels in Austria range from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious five-star stays. If you’re looking for an authentic experience, a family-run *gasthof *(guesthouse) may be just the ticket. Some hotels offer ski-in/ski-out locations while others may run shuttles to transport links or the resort itself.

Self-catered apartments can be ideal for families or groups looking for a cheaper and more flexible option. You can cook meals yourself and eat out when you want. Plus, apartments often have more living space than a hotel room.

Essential packing list for a ski holiday in Austria

• Equipment– skis or snowboard, poles, boots and a helmet (or rent them)
• Resort wear– ski jacket, salopettes, thermal layers, ski socks, goggles, gloves and buff/balaclava
• Slope-side essentials– sunglasses, suncream and sensible winter shoes
• Important documents– your passport, driving licence, travel insurance details and GHIC/EHIC card to access healthcare in Austria
• Travel money – Try the Wise card for easy spending in 40+ currencies including euros, always with fair exchange rates and low transparent fees*

Snow sports travel insurance

Standard travel insurance usually won’t cover a skiing or snowboarding holiday. Look for winter sports insurance that covers related injuries, mountain rescue and your equipment. Some policies also cover piste closures, lost ski passes and unused rentals or lessons due to illness or injury.

Slope safety and mountain etiquette in Austria

Austria has 10 rules for safety on the slopes:⁹

• Be considerate and don’t endanger others
• Ski appropriately for your ability
• People ahead of you have priority
• Leave space when overtaking
• Look up before starting
• Don’t stop where you might block others
• Only walk on foot at the edge of the piste
• Obey markings and signs
• If there’s an accident, you must help out
• If there’s an accident, you must identify yourself to ski patrol

Other important rules include:

• Children under 15 must wear a helmet (and it’s strongly recommended for everyone else!)⁹
• Avoid heavy drinking - there are hefty fines for causing an accident when you’ve been drinking alcohol¹⁰
• In Ischgl, you can get a €2,000 fine for wearing ski boots in the village between 8pm and 6am¹¹

Activities beyond skiing at Austrian ski resorts

Après-ski in Austria: What to expect

Austria is famous for its après-ski, which ranges from rowdy parties to cosy cafes. Ischgl is infamous for scantily-clad dancers and “oompah trance” (think accordions with club beats). If that’s not your vibe, try the quirky underground bars in Kitzbühel. Quieter resorts like Maria Alm, Filzmoos and Lech offer a more relaxed après scene in traditional taverns.

Other winter activities

Many ski resorts in Austria also offer:

• tobogganing and night sledging runs
• ice skating and curling rinks
• snowshoeing or winter hiking trails
• cross-country skiing (especially in Seefeld and Ramsau)
• thermal spas and wellness centres
• dog-sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides and snowmobile tours

Dining in Austrian ski resorts

Austrian mountain restaurants have a reputation for being cozy and rustic, with popular dishes including:

• wiener schnitzel - a veal cutlet pounded flat and breaded
• tafelspitz - boiled beef with broth and vegetables
• kaiserschmarrn - fluffy shredded pancakes with icing sugar and plum compote
• germknödel - steamed dumplings with poppy seeds and vanilla sauce
• tiroler gröstl - pan-fried potatoes, bacon and onions topped with a fried egg

Tipping in Austria is common in cafes, bars and restaurants. Around 10% is customary, or 15-20% for exceptional service.

Paying in Austrian ski resorts

The currency in Austria is the euro. Cards are often accepted, but you might need cash for smaller food huts and stores. Most debit cards charge a high fee for taking out cash abroad. But with the Wise card, you only pay a super-low fee* on withdrawals after the first £200. Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks. You’ll always get the mid-market exchange rate and there are no international transaction fees - making it a great way to save when you’re spending money in Austria.

In Austria, you’ll usually pay a sales tax (Umsatzsteuer) of around 20%. But as a British tourist, you can often get an Austrian VAT refund.

Average cost of a ski resort holiday in Austria

Accommodation costs vary widely, but you’ll generally pay between €800 and €1,500 per week for a self-catered flat for 4–6 people. Expect to pay much more for self-catered chalets and luxury hotels.

Ski passes typically cost €250–€350 for six days. Early bird and online deals are often available if you buy your pass in advance. Look out for family discounts and half-day passes, too.

Equipment rental totals around €150–€250 per week. It can be convenient to hire from the mountain’s own rental outlet — but you might find cheaper deals elsewhere.

If you’re taking lessons, expect to pay €50–€100 per hour for a private lesson. Group lessons are a more affordable alternative, with some costing €200–€300 per person for a 5-day program.¹²

Remember, prices are typically cheaper if you avoid travelling during Christmas, New Year and school holidays. Late-season discounts can be worth it if you enjoy sunny days and skiing slush!

Save money on the slopes with Wise

Whether you’re booking your hotel, paying for ski passes or buying a round of beers at aprés, do it with a Wise card. You’ll get fair exchange rates when paying in a local currency and you don’t have to worry about hidden costs or high transaction fees*.

Ready to get started? Open a Wise account in less than five minutes to manage money in up to 40+ currencies including Euros. Make your money go further wherever you’re headed this winter.

➡️ Learn more about the Wise account

---

Sources used in this article:

1. Ski Solutions - luxury resorts
2. Ski Solutions - best value resorts
3. Powder Hounds - largest linked ski area
4. Austria.info - family ski regions
5. Snow Trex - staying safe off-piste
6. Tyrol - Hintertux Glacier open 12 months a year
7. https://www.powderhounds.com/Europe/Austria/Getting-There.aspx - travelling to Austria
8. Austria.info - Austria by car
9. Ski Austria - under 15s rules
10. Sports Cover Direct - alcohol consumption rules
11. Ski Racing - fines for wearing ski boots during unauthorised times
12. Ferienhaus-Tirol - cost of a ski trip in Austria

Sources last checked on: 20 October 2025