Austrian Alps ski resort panorama for Austria ski holidays 2026/27

FIND CHEAP AUSTRIA SKI HOLIDAYS

AUSTRIA SKI HOLIDAYS 2026/27

Compare high-altitude favourites, family-friendly resorts and Austria’s best-known ski areas.

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10 popular ski resorts in Austria to compare for 2026/27.

Compare St Anton, Mayrhofen, Saalbach, Ischgl, Sölden, Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, Zell am See, Kitzbühel, Schladming and Söll by ski-area size, altitude, resort atmosphere and the type of skier each destination suits.

10 resorts shown
Ski Arlberg Price positionHigher

St Anton

300 km of connected skiing across Ski Arlberg

St Anton am Arlberg is a lively Tyrolean base in the 300 km Ski Arlberg area, with 85 lifts, extensive marked ski routes and a strong reputation for challenging terrain, freeriding and après-ski.

Ski runs
300 km
Lifts
85
Ski High
2,811 m
Approx. Ski Arlberg piste mix 0 km Green ~130 km Blue ~122 km Red ~50 km Black
Best forAdvanced skiers · freeride · après-ski
Keep in mindBeginners have dedicated learning terrain, but many of St Anton’s signature runs and home descents are better suited to confident skiers.
Mountopolis Price positionMid

Mayrhofen

142 km of pistes across Mountopolis

Mayrhofen ski holidays combine a lively Zillertal town with 142 km of prepared pistes and 61 lifts across Ahorn, Penken, Finkenberg, Rastkogel and Eggalm. Ahorn is the gentler sector, while Penken adds steeper pistes, PenkenPark and the 78% Harakiri.

Pistes
142 km
Lifts
61
Harakiri
78%
Mountopolis piste mix 0 km Green 44 km Blue 66 km Red 32 km Black
Best forMixed abilities · freestyle · nightlife
Keep in mindMost skiing sits above the valley floor, so check whether your accommodation is most convenient for Penkenbahn, Ahornbahn, Horbergbahn or the ski bus.
Skicircus Price positionMid–high

Saalbach

270 km fully linked in the Skicircus

Saalbach sits at the heart of the 270 km Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, a fully lift-linked area with 70 lifts, 140 km of blue pistes, 112 km of red and 18 km of black, plus a major après-ski scene.

Pistes
270 km
Lifts
70
Huts
60+
Skicircus piste mix 0 km Green 140 km Blue 112 km Red 18 km Black
Best forIntermediates · groups · après-ski
Keep in mindThe Ski ALPIN CARD covers up to 408 km including Schmittenhöhe and Kitzsteinhorn, but those extra areas are not one continuous 408 km ski circuit.
Silvretta Arena Price positionHigher

Ischgl

239 km of cross-border skiing with Samnaun

Ischgl links with Samnaun in Switzerland to form the high-altitude Silvretta Arena: 239 km of pistes and ski routes served by 46 lifts, with long red runs, strong snowmaking and one of Austria’s best-known après-ski and nightlife scenes.

Skiing
239 km
Lifts
46
Altitude
1,377–2,872 m
Silvretta Arena pistes · routes separate 0 km Green 47 km Blue 140 km Red 37 km Black
Best forConfident intermediates · advanced · après-ski
Keep in mindThere is beginner terrain, but the large scale and 140 km of medium-grade skiing make Ischgl particularly rewarding once you are comfortable on red pistes.
Ötztal Price positionMid–high

Sölden

147 km of pistes with two linked glacier sectors

Sölden is a high-altitude Ötztal ski resort with 147 km of pistes, 31 lifts and two glacier ski areas. The lift network reaches 3,340 m and links three 3,000 m “BIG3” mountains, making altitude a major part of the resort’s appeal.

Pistes
147 km
Lifts
31
Altitude
1,350–3,340 m
Sölden graded pistes · routes separate 0 km Green 69.5 km Blue 44.7 km Red 27.3 km Black
Best forHigh-altitude skiing · intermediates · advanced
Keep in mindSölden is stretched along the valley, so accommodation location matters: compare access to Giggijoch, Gaislachkogl and the ski-bus route before booking.
Gurgl Price positionHigher

Obergurgl-Hochgurgl

112 km of high-altitude skiing from 1,800–3,030 m

Obergurgl and Hochgurgl form the Gurgl ski area, with 112 km of slopes and 25 lifts between 1,800 m and 3,030 m. The Top Express links the two sectors, while many hotels focus on convenient access to the pistes.

Pistes
112 km
Lifts
25
Altitude
1,800–3,030 m
Gurgl pistes · routes separate 0 km Green 60.2 km Blue 33.2 km Red 14.3 km Black
Best forFamilies · intermediates · high-altitude convenience
Keep in mindGurgl is quieter and more hotel-led than St Anton, Ischgl or Saalbach, so it is a better fit for travellers prioritising skiing, altitude and convenience over extensive nightlife.
Schmittenhöhe Price positionMid

Zell am See

77 km on Schmittenhöhe above Lake Zell

Zell am See combines a lakeside town and central railway station with the 77 km Schmittenhöhe ski area, served by 27 lifts. The wider Ski ALPIN CARD also covers Kitzsteinhorn and the Skicircus, giving access to separate ski areas on the same pass.

Pistes
77 km
Lifts
27
Black
19 km
Schmittenhöhe piste mix 0 km Green 30 km Blue 28 km Red 19 km Black
Best forFamilies · town atmosphere · rail travel
Keep in mindKitzsteinhorn glacier skiing is reached separately via Kaprun; the 408 km Ski ALPIN CARD total should not be read as continuously linked skiing from Zell am See.
KitzSki Price positionHigher

Kitzbühel

Historic ski town with 233 km of pistes

Kitzbühel pairs a historic Tyrolean town with 233 km of skiing and 58 lifts across KitzSki. The Hahnenkamm and Streif provide the famous sporting image, but the wider area also includes extensive cruising and free practice lifts for beginners.

Skiing
233 km
Lifts
58
Top station
2,000 m
KitzSki piste mix 0 km Green 94 km Blue 67 km Red 20 km Black
Best forIntermediates · ski-town atmosphere · rail travel
Keep in mindKitzbühel’s lift network is lower than Austria’s glacier resorts, so for early- or late-season trips compare current snow conditions and open valley runs as well as total piste mileage.
4-Mountain Ski Area Price positionMid

Schladming

123 km seamlessly linked across four mountains

Schladming is a proper Styrian mountain town beneath the 123 km 4-Mountain Ski Area, where Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen and Reiteralm are seamlessly connected by 44 lifts. It is especially strong for long cruising days and intermediate piste mileage.

Pistes
123 km
Lifts
44
Mountains
4
4-Mountain piste mix 0 km Green 47.3 km Blue 67.3 km Red 8.4 km Black
Best forIntermediates · linked skiing · mountain-town atmosphere
Keep in mindThe town sits at roughly 750 m, so the holiday combines a lower valley base with ski terrain reached by the main feeder gondolas.
SkiWelt Price positionMid

Söll

275 km of SkiWelt plus Austria’s largest night-ski area

Söll is a lively Tyrolean village with direct access to SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser–Brixental: 275 km of pistes, 81 lifts and 80 mountain huts. It also has around 10 km of floodlit slopes in Austria’s largest night-skiing area.

Pistes
275 km
Lifts
81
Huts
80
SkiWelt piste mix 0 km Green 115 km Blue 121 km Red 39 km Black
Best forBeginners · families · intermediates
Keep in mindSkiWelt is lower in altitude than Sölden, Gurgl or Ischgl, so spring visitors should check current snow conditions and valley-run status rather than relying on piste kilometres alone.

Austria ski holidays 2026/27

Where to ski in Austria: choose the resort before you compare the deal.

Austria combines large linked ski areas, high-altitude and glacier terrain, traditional mountain towns and lively après-ski resorts. The right holiday depends on more than price: compare terrain, altitude, village layout, lift-pass coverage and the full journey to resort.

🏔️ High-altitude and glacier skiing

Sölden reaches 3,340 m and includes two glacier sectors; Gurgl runs from 1,800 m to 3,030 m; Ischgl reaches 2,872 m. Higher skiing can improve the odds of good coverage, especially around the edges of the season, but conditions still vary with weather.

🗺️ Compare linked skiing, not just pass mileage

Ski Arlberg offers 300 km of connected runs, the Skicircus 270 km, SkiWelt 275 km and Schladming’s 4-Mountain area 123 km. Wider passes can cover more kilometres across separate areas, so check what is actually connected on skis.

🏘️ Pick the resort atmosphere you want

Kitzbühel, St Anton, Mayrhofen, Zell am See and Schladming combine skiing with established town or village centres. Gurgl is more high-altitude and hotel-focused, while Saalbach and Ischgl put nightlife and après-ski much closer to the centre of the holiday.

🚆 Austria can work well without a car

St Anton’s station is in the resort centre, Zell am See’s station is in town, Kitzbühel has three stations, Mayrhofen is reached from Jenbach on the Zillertalbahn and Schladming has mainline rail connections. Always compare the final transfer as well as the flight or train.

Package inclusions

What is included in an Austria ski holiday package?

Austria ski holiday packages are not directly comparable unless the inclusions match. Check transport, transfers, accommodation, baggage and ski extras before deciding which deal is genuinely cheaper for your group.

Travel

The package may include flights, rail or another travel arrangement, or it may be sold as accommodation-only.

Transfers

Check whether airport or railway-station transfers are included, optional or left for you to arrange separately.

Accommodation

Compare the exact property, room or apartment type, board basis, location, occupancy and number of nights.

Baggage

Hold baggage and ski carriage can materially change the total price, so confirm the allowance before booking.

Ski extras

Lift passes, ski or snowboard hire and lessons may be extras, discounted add-ons or occasionally part of a package promotion.

Finding cheaper Austria ski holidays

How to compare cheap Austria ski holidays without missing the real trip cost.

The cheapest headline price is not always the lowest final cost. Compare the same dates and board basis, then add the lift pass, baggage, transfers, equipment and lessons you actually need.

  1. 01

    Travel outside the busiest weeks

    Christmas, New Year and major European school-holiday weeks can reduce choice and raise demand. If you have flexibility, compare the same resort one or two weeks either side of your first choice.

  2. 02

    Check the exact lift pass

    A local resort pass, a fully linked ski-area pass and a regional multi-area pass can cover very different terrain. Compare what is included before treating a bigger kilometre figure as better value.

  3. 03

    Price the accommodation location

    A cheaper hotel can lose its advantage if it means a daily taxi, long ski-bus ride or difficult walk to ski school. Check the lift, bus stop and lesson meeting point on a map.

  4. 04

    Compare board basis like for like

    Self-catering, breakfast and half-board shift spending between the package price and your in-resort budget. Compare the total week, not just the room rate.

  5. 05

    Add the complete journey cost

    Flights or rail, airport parking, luggage, ski carriage and the final resort transfer can change the best-value route. Rail-friendly resorts can sometimes reduce the need for a private transfer.

  6. 06

    Book scarce ski extras early

    During peak weeks, ski-school places, childcare, equipment sizes and preferred lesson times can sell out. Availability can matter as much as price for beginners and families.

Which Austria ski resort should you choose?

Match the Austrian ski resort to the holiday you actually want.

The strongest Austria ski holiday shortlist starts with trip type, not resort fame. Decide whether your priority is high-altitude skiing, a huge lift-linked circuit, easy family logistics, a traditional town, rail access or après-ski, then compare deals within that smaller group.

Altitude High-altitude and glacier skiing

Sölden reaches 3,340 m with two glacier areas, Gurgl reaches 3,030 m and Ischgl reaches 2,872 m. These are useful options when altitude and a long operating season matter more than traditional low-valley charm.

Scale Large lift-linked areas

St Anton gives access to 300 km in Ski Arlberg, Saalbach sits inside the 270 km Skicircus, and Söll is a gateway to the 275 km SkiWelt. Schladming adds a seamless 123 km four-mountain circuit.

Character Town, village and nightlife feel

Kitzbühel and Zell am See offer substantial town centres, St Anton and Ischgl are famous for nightlife, and Gurgl is more focused on high-altitude hotels and convenient slope access.

How to choose the best Austrian ski resort for your trip

The “best” ski resort in Austria depends on your group, dates and priorities.

Use piste kilometres as one comparison point, not the decision. A smaller, convenient area that suits your group can produce a better ski week than a huge pass where the useful terrain is far from your accommodation.

Beginners and families

Check nursery slopes, ski-school meeting points, gentle progression runs and the walk from accommodation to the lift. A compact learning area can be more useful than hundreds of kilometres elsewhere on the pass.

Altitude and snow exposure

Compare the resort base, the height of most skiable terrain and the highest lift separately. Glacier or high-Alpine sectors can help, but no destination can guarantee identical conditions on every date.

Resort style and accommodation

A historic town, a lively après village and a high-altitude hotel resort create very different holidays. Check board basis, room layout, noise, lift access and the location of the evening centre.

Rail, airport and final transfer

St Anton, Kitzbühel and Zell am See are particularly rail-friendly. For other resorts, compare the airport or mainline station with the final bus, taxi or coach leg before judging total travel time.

Trav the Find Cheap Ski Holidays mascot

Trav's Top Tip: When comparing Austria ski resorts, separate three numbers: the local resort, the fully lift-linked ski area and any wider regional pass. That prevents a multi-area pass from being mistaken for one continuous ski domain.

Compare Austria ski holidays

Austria ski holiday FAQs

Austria ski holidays: beginners, families, altitude, après-ski and travel.

Answers to common questions people ask when comparing Austrian ski resorts for 2026/27, with the important distinction between resort convenience, lift-linked mileage and wider pass coverage.

Which are the best ski resorts in Austria for beginners?

There is no single best Austrian resort for every beginner. Among the 10 resorts compared here, Söll is a strong starting point because SkiWelt has dedicated beginner facilities and lots of approachable cruising, while Zell am See combines learning areas on Schmittenhöhe with a compact town. Gurgl also has easy slopes and high-altitude convenience. Check the ski-school meeting point and progression terrain for your exact accommodation before booking.

Which Austrian ski resorts are good for families?

Söll and Zell am See are strong family choices among the resorts on this page: SkiWelt has extensive family infrastructure, while Schmittenhöhe is promoted as a family ski area with easy pistes and children’s facilities. Gurgl can suit families who prefer high-altitude hotels and convenient slope access. Childcare, lesson availability and walking distances vary by property, so check the practical details for your dates.

Which Austrian ski resorts have the highest skiing?

Sölden reaches 3,340 m and includes two glacier ski areas, Gurgl reaches 3,030 m, and Ischgl’s Silvretta Arena reaches 2,872 m. High terrain can be useful for early- and late-season trips, but altitude is not a snow guarantee: wind, temperature, snowfall and lift operations still affect the skiing available on any given date.

Which Austrian ski resorts are best known for après-ski?

St Anton, Ischgl and Saalbach are the clearest après-ski choices in this shortlist, with well-established slope-side and village nightlife. Mayrhofen also has a lively town and nightlife scene. If evenings are a lower priority, Gurgl is much quieter and more focused on high-altitude hotels and slope convenience.

Which Austrian ski resorts are easiest to reach by train?

St Anton has a railway station in the resort centre. Zell am See station is also in the town centre, Kitzbühel has three stations, and Schladming is served by mainline rail. Mayrhofen is reached via Jenbach and the Zillertalbahn. For the other resorts, compare the final bus, taxi or transfer leg as well as the main rail journey.

When is the best time to find cheaper Austria ski holidays?

There is no fixed cheapest week, because holiday prices move with demand, flights, accommodation and availability. Christmas, New Year and major European school-holiday periods are usually higher-demand dates. If you can travel flexibly, compare neighbouring weeks and then price the same board basis, baggage, transfers, lift pass and ski extras so the comparison is genuinely like for like.

Our methodology

How we check Austrian ski resort facts and compare holiday options.

We separate factual resort research from commercial provider ordering. Ski-area figures are checked against official tourism-board or lift-company information where available, while provider ordering is an editorial comparison designed to help people search Austria ski holidays more efficiently.

01 · Research

We verify current ski-area facts.

Piste kilometres, lift counts, altitude and area connections are checked against official resort, tourism-board or lift-company sources where available. We distinguish continuously linked skiing from wider multi-area pass coverage.

02 · Rank

We rank providers by their relevance to Austria.

We include providers where they genuinely offer a useful Austria ski product or service. Within the list, we give the most weight to current Austria coverage, ski specialism, breadth of Austrian resorts, package choice, booking accessibility and usefulness when planning the trip. Affiliate commission does not determine the ranking.

03 · Order

Full ski holidays come before add-ons.

Full Austria ski-holiday operators appear first, followed by Austria and Alpine accommodation specialists, then luxury accommodation. Transfer companies, ski-hire providers and lesson marketplaces appear later because they support the trip rather than provide the main holiday package.

What the order means

Providers are ordered editorially for Austria, with complete holiday-booking options before accommodation and specialist services. Ski France, Mark Warner, SASS Global Travel and Whistler.com were excluded because their current focus is not a close fit for an Austria ski-holiday comparison. The order is not based on affiliate commission or live price.

Page reviewed: 15 August 2026

Read our full methodology

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