Austria is one of the world's premier skiing destinations, having not only some of the best ski resorts in Europe but also in the wider world. With resorts across the Alps, Austrian ski resorts are renowned for their long skiing season, incredible runs that suit every skill level, and some of the best après ski you will find anywhere in the world. With over 400 ski resorts on offer, it may be hard to find the best Austrian ski resort for your needs. 

Luckily, The Snow Centre are on hand to help with our picks for the best ski resorts in Austria. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly ski destination or a place with black runs to challenge even the most advanced skiers, we have you covered.

We spoke with our experts at The Snow Centre, and in this guide to the best ski resorts in Austria, you'll discover:

  • St Anton Ski Resort
  • Kitzbühel Ski Resort
  • Kaprun Ski Resort
  • Mayrhofen Ski Resort
  • Sölden Ski Resort
  • Bad Gastein Ski Resort
  • Schladming Ski Resort
  • Ellmau Ski Resort
  • Zell am See Ski Resort
  • How you can get ski holiday ready at The Snow Centre

1. St Anton Ski Resort

Highly regarded as one of the world's best ski resorts, St Anton is home to some of the most challenging slopes that will push even the most advanced skiers to test their ability. The local St Anton village is bustling with avid skiers day and night, perfect for enjoying some après ski. With a base elevation of 1,304 metres, the ski resort typically operates on a standard ski season from December to late April. Enjoy skiing the 260km of marked pistes with something for everyone, and you can see for yourself what makes this ski resort in Austria such a standout. 

  • Considered one of the best ski resorts in the world.
  • Plenty of challenging slopes.
  • The local village is perfect for après ski.
  • Operates from December to late April. 
  • 260km of marked slopes.

2. Kitzbühel Ski Resort

Another of Austria's top ski resorts, Kitzbühel, is ideally placed, making it one of the best ski resorts near Salzburg. It sits between two major cities, Salzburg and Innsbruck, allowing for easy access to the 118km slopes. The resort is perfect for skiers of all levels, with runs primarily for intermediate skiers but also plenty for beginners and experts to tackle. Ski season at the Kitzbühel ski resort typically runs from November to late April. Ideal for families and skiers of all levels, Kitzbühel makes the perfect holiday destination. 

  • Located between Salzburg and Innsbruck.
  • 118k of slopes. 
  • Runs for skiers of all abilities.

3. Kaprun Ski Resort

Kaprun Kitzsteinhorn is one of Europe's most renowned ski resorts, drawing in massive numbers of tourists every year. Kaprun offers 61km of runs to enjoy, with plenty for intermediate and advanced skiers. A significant average snowfall of 551cm allows the resort to open much earlier than most resorts in Europe. Typically, the resort opens its slopes in October and remains operating deep into spring and the early summer sun closing around the end of May. 

  • Draws a large number of skiers from around the world.
  • 61km of runs.
  • Runs aimed at intermediate and expert skiers. 
  • An average snowfall of 551cm allows the resort to open earlier than usual. 
  • Ski season typically runs from October to May. 

4. Mayrhofen Ski Resort

A go-to destination for British skiers seeking excellent skiing and an equally great nightlife. Mayrhofen is the resort you see in your dreams when you imagine a skiing holiday. Picturesque snow-covered slopes in the heart of the Alps, this ski resort offers an endless array of fantastic slopes with runs for riders of all abilities, making Mayrhofen ideal for skiers just starting out through to those looking to really push themselves. The resort kicks off its ski season in December and runs until late April.

  • Great skiing and nightlife make it a popular destination for partygoers.
  • Slopes for all abilities. 
  • Ski season lasts from December until late April.

5. Sölden Ski Resort

Sölden is a premier ski resort that boasts massive snow cover and offers 142km of slopes for exploration. Located in the heart of the Alps, at a base elevation of 1,350 meters, the resort benefits from an annual snowfall that reaches up to 581 centimetres. The runs available across the ski resort include many intermediate and advanced runs with a sizable number of expert runs for those looking for a real challenge. Sölden has one of the longest ski seasons in Austria, typically opening up at the end of September and remaining active until the start of May, being open for skiing for just under two-thirds of the year.

6. Bad Gastein (Stubnerkogel) Ski Resort

Bad Gastein isn't just one ski resort; it's a collection of terrain that loops in several different sectors, such as Stubnerkogel, Graukogel, Sportgastein, and Dorfgastein. Each of the sectors has its own runs, but we will focus on the closest resort to the town of Bad Gastein, Stubnerkogel. This sector of the massive resort is covered in diverse pistes suitable for all levels of skiing with opportunities to enjoy carving, deep snow and mogul slopes. Opening up in November and running until early April provides plenty of opportunities for an action-packed holiday out on the slopes.  

  • Comprised of four different skiing areas.
  • Stubnerkogel, Graukogel, Sportgastein, and Dorfgastein
  • Each has its own runs of differing difficulty. 
  • Stubnerkogel is the closest ski area to the town of Bad Gastein.
  • Ski season starts in late November and runs through to early April.

7. Schladming Ski Resort

Much like Bad Gastein, Schladming is a skiing region that contains two skiing areas, Planai and Hochwurzen connecting to offer 115km of slopes that weave through the idyllic Styrian Enns valley. The two resorts offer incredible ski slopes lit up by floodlights to allow for longer days of skiing. As the largest ski resort in the Styria region, the small town of Schladming does see a large footfall of visitors throughout the winter. The resort mostly caters to advanced skiers with some intermediate runs and a small number of expert runs. The ski season opens at the end of November and runs until late April. 

  • A skiing region with two ski areas, Planai and Hochwurzen.
  • 115km of slopes through the Styrian Enns valley. 
  • Largest ski resort in the Styria region.
  • Plenty of advanced and some intermediate runs.
  • Ski season runs from late November to late April.

8. Ellmau Ski Resort

The perfect ski resort for families, beginners and intermediate skiers, Ellmau is a traditional village nestled at the edge of the beautiful SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental. This expansive linked ski area is one of the largest in Austria, offering slopes that are perfect for a variety of skill levels. Ellmau has a base of 620 metres and sees an annual snowfall of around 272 centimetres. The ski season at the Ellmau ski resort opens around the start of December and remains open until early April.

  • Ideal for families and skiers of all levels. 
  • One of the largest ski areas in Austria.
  • Ski season starts in early December and lasts until early April.

9. Wagrain Ski Resort

The Wagrain ski resort offers fantastic Salzburg skiing, being located in the Salzburger region. As part of the massive Ski Amadé network, skiers will have access to 760km of pistes to enjoy. The ski resort offers a great selection of intermediate runs, including well-maintained red and blue runs, as well as access to more advanced runs. The ski season at the Wagrain ski resort runs from early December to mid-April. 

  • Located in the Salzburger region.
  • 760km of pistes.
  • Great red and blue runs with more advanced runs available. 
  • Ski season runs from early December through to mid-April.

10. Zell am See Ski Resort

Zell am See is a strong contender for the most beautiful ski resort in the world, sitting on the shore of a freshwater lake. Along with the beautiful slopes, the village also offers a stunning Gothic backdrop to enjoy some après ski. Skiers can enjoy the 400km of pistes accessible throughout the ski season that starts in early December and lasts until late April. 

  • Backdropped by a beautiful freshwater lake.
  • 400km of pistes. 
  • Ski season starts in early December and runs through to April. 

Get Ski Holiday Ready at The Snow Centre

By choosing one of the Austria ski resorts we have highlighted, you will be sure to have an incredible time out on the slopes across the Alps. If you’re looking to learn to ski before heading on your holiday or just shake off some of the rust, our ski lessons at Manchester and Hemel Hempstead cater for all ages and abilities, from beginners to experts and kids to adults. You can find the perfect lesson out on our slopes. 

If you have any questions about our ski lessons, be sure to contact us, and a member of our team will be happy to help. Fancy finding out more about skiing in Austria or seeing what else Europe has to offer? Why not check out our guide to the best ski resorts in Europe?