The Best Ski Resorts in Austria

A landlocked country in central Europe, Austria is known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant cultural scene. More than half of the entire land mass is occupied by mountains, with the highest peak, Grossglockner, sitting at 3,798m up. The geographical location of Austria also helps, as it sits at the eastern end of the Alps and so is less vulnerable to mild Atlantic airflows, keeping the snow in good condition. Ultimately, we don’t think you can really go wrong with any ski resort in Austria, put we’ve handpicked a few favourites for their unique factors.

The below five resorts are in no particular order, and we’ve tried to highlight what type of ski trip we think they are ‘best’ for, such as family holidays, partying hard or foodie types.

Hintertux

Known for its year-round skiing (it’s open 365 days a year and many people ski here in July, then again from October,) the Hintertux Glacier has been described as ‘a great place to ski, even when it’s hot.’ It sits above the quiet town of Hintertux (1500m) in the Zillertal Valley and is known for its wide, cruisey slopes. The average annual snowfall here is over 4m, with the snowiest - but also the coldest - month being January.

While the town is quiet here and the ski area relatively small (although it does have a snowpark and a couple of mountain restaurants with great reputations,) you could choose to stay further down the valley in Mayrhofen, which is only a short bus ride away.

Best for: Snow-sure ski breaks Altitude: 1300m - 3250m Nearest airport: Innsbruck

Lech-Zürs

Although in the same ski area as St Anton, the in-resort offering at Lech is something different again. It’s situated only a few km from neighbouring Zürs, and the two are connected with regular shuttle buses - there’s a considerable valley and forested area between the two but you can get over via Stuben by taking the Rüfikopf lift from Lech’s centre and then taking the blue down from Schüttboden. This really is a mixed groups mecca, with something for everyone and a lively après scene to boot. Plus, Lech was the winner of the Best Overall Ski Resort in the Snomad Ski Resort Awards for 2024, that was based entirely on skier ratings so you can guarantee it's a great place to visit!

What sets Lech apart though, is the gastronomical scene that awaits after a hard day skiing or snowboarding. There’s the highest number of award-winning restaurants per capita here, with countless fine dining options, champagne bars and pizzerias.

Best for: Foodie heaven in the world’s fifth-largest ski area
Altitude: 1444 - 2811m Nearest airport: Innsbruck or Zurich

Serfaus

Also known as Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Serfaus is a relatively unknown ski destination with 214km of slopes. Tucked away in Austria’s Upper Inn Valley, Serfaus has joined forces with the neighbouring villages of Fiss and Ladis to create a more expansive offering throughout the Samnaun mountain range. There’s an array of family-orientated offerings here, such as ski school, kids club and usual selection of magical winter activities, but what we love about Serfaus is the Kinderschneealm, a 45,000 square meter area with all sorts of beginner and child-friendly installments, along with relaxation areas for parents to enjoy.

Best for: Wholesome family holidays
Altitude: 1200 - 2828m Nearest airport: Innsbruck

Kitzbühel

You might be intimidated by the Hahnenkamm Downhill & Slalom Races which take place in Kitzbühel each year, but you shouldn’t let that deter you from this truly idyllic destination. A medieval town complete with a river travelling through its centre, Kitzbühel is known for its pastel-coloured façades, stunning cobbled streets and some of the most luxurious chalets and hotels you’ll find anywhere. It’s home to one of the most exclusive ski resorts in the world, with the KitzSki area offering 233km of slopes, 58 lifts and exceptional piste and snow management.

The exceptional status continues off the slopes, with the town oozing interesting history - Ian Fleming went to school here which is exactly why it might feel like a 007 destination. Après at The Londoner is a must, where ski shots and live music are on offer in abundance while the charming Lictl Pub has a more cosy ambiance straight out of the 80s. The foodie scene here is equally enjoyable, and you can choose between traditional Austrian fare or international.

Best for: Pretty alpine charm and impressive slopes
Altitude: 762 - 1938m
Nearest airport: Salzburg

St Anton

Perhaps the most famous Austrian ski resort of all, St Anton is a playground for advanced riders looking to go hard both on and off the slopes. What you probably don’t know is that the progressive ski technique for nailing those short turns was invented here by Hannes Schnieder, and went on to become known as the Arlberg Technique. The local ski area has an impressive 127km of pistes with a top altitude of 2650m, but the real appeal of a ski holiday here is the easy access to the entire Arlberg ski area, which includes St. Anton, Lech, Zürs, Stuben and St. Christoph - you’re probably not going to cover it all in one week!

The off-piste here is also a huge draw, with the lines down from the Valluga gondola station offering a tricky and technical experience that definitely warrants investing in a guide for the day. Once you’ve shredded to your hearts content, it’s a non-negotiable to at least dip a toe in the world-renowned après scene, with Krazy Kangaruh and Mooserwirt being the top spots.

Best for: Partying hard & skiing harder
Altitude: 1300 - 2650m Nearest airport: Innsbruck or Zurich

And be sure to check out the official league table ranking the Best Ski Resorts in Austria according to our community ratings.