Austria
Luxury Ski Chalets in the Austrian Alps
Tirolean tradition meets world-class skiing — Austria delivers authentic Alpine charm, legendary après-ski, and outstanding value.
30 resorts · 360 properties
About Austrian Alps
Skiing in the Austrian Alps
Austria's skiing heritage runs deep. The Arlberg region — home to St. Anton, Lech, and Zürs — is where Alpine skiing was essentially invented, and the interconnected 305km ski area remains one of Europe's finest. Kitzbühel, with its medieval old town and the fearsome Hahnenkamm downhill course, offers a blend of sporting pedigree and Tirolean elegance that's hard to find elsewhere.
What Austria does better than almost anywhere else is atmosphere. The mountain huts serve hearty Tirolean food, the villages have genuine year-round communities, and après-ski is a cultural institution rather than an afterthought. From the legendary Mooserwirt in St. Anton to a quiet Glühwein in a Lech side-street, the social side of skiing is woven into the experience.
Luxury accommodation in Austria ranges from traditional wood-and-stone chalets with ceramic tile stoves to sleek contemporary builds. Prices tend to be more accessible than Switzerland or top-tier French resorts, making Austria one of the best-value luxury ski destinations in Europe.
Choosing Your Resort
Which resort in the Austrian Alps?
Austria's ski resorts are more tightly clustered than those in France or Switzerland, which means you can sometimes ski two or three different areas in a single week without changing base. But each resort has a very distinct character — from the high-octane atmosphere of St. Anton to the fairy-tale charm of Kitzbühel's medieval streets.
The Arlberg region is the natural starting point for most visitors. It has the largest interconnected ski area in Austria and a well-earned reputation for quality. Beyond the Arlberg, the Tirolean resorts of the Zillertal, SkiWelt, and Stubai valley offer excellent skiing at significantly lower prices. Salzburger Land (Kitzbühel, Saalbach) bridges the gap between atmosphere and value.
Best for après-ski
St. Anton am Arlberg
St. Anton is the spiritual home of après-ski. The Mooserwirt and Krazy Kanguruh on the slopes above the village are legendary — the party starts at 3pm when the lifts are still running. Down in the village, it continues into the evening at bars along the main street. This is Austria's most famous ski resort for a reason: the skiing is world-class and the atmosphere is unbeatable.
Best for quiet luxury
Lech
Lech sits on the same Arlberg ski pass as St. Anton but has a completely different personality — refined, understated, and genuinely exclusive. The village is small and beautifully maintained, with a handful of exceptional hotels (the Aurelio, the Post) and restaurants. Zürs, its even smaller neighbour, is quieter still. If you want Arlberg skiing without the party scene, this is the place.
Best for charm
Kitzbühel
Kitzbühel's medieval old town, with its painted facades and cobbled streets, is the most picturesque setting of any ski resort in Austria. The Hahnenkamm World Cup downhill course brings global attention each January, but the town is just as appealing for non-skiers — boutique shopping, excellent restaurants, and a genteel Tirolean atmosphere that feels authentic rather than manufactured.
Best for families
SkiWelt (Söll / Ellmau)
The SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental is one of the largest interconnected ski areas in Austria (284km) with a huge proportion of blue and red runs. The villages of Söll, Ellmau, and Westendorf are family-oriented with excellent ski schools, affordable accommodation, and a relaxed pace. It's significantly cheaper than the Arlberg or Kitzbühel and ideal for intermediate skiers and families with children.
Best value
Mayrhofen
Mayrhofen in the Zillertal valley offers outstanding value without compromising on quality. The Penken ski area has challenging terrain including the notorious Harakiri piste (Austria's steepest at 78%), while the Ahorn side is gentle and family-friendly. Lift passes, accommodation, and dining are 20–30% cheaper than the Arlberg, and the town has genuine Tirolean character with good nightlife.
Best for off-piste
St. Anton am Arlberg
St. Anton's north-facing slopes and reliable snowfall make it the best off-piste destination in Austria. The Valluga (2,811m) provides access to steep couloirs and open powder fields that rival anything in the French Alps. The Arlberg's interconnected terrain means you can explore off-piste across multiple valleys in a single day. Guided freeride tours are widely available.
All Resorts
30 resorts in the Austrian Alps
Alpbach
4 properties
Ellmau
3 properties
Fieberbrunn
1 property
Filzmoos
2 properties
Flachau
1 property
Gastein
2 properties
Hochgurgl
4 properties
Ischgl
16 properties
Kaprun
7 properties
Kitzbühel
32 properties
Lech
65 properties
Leogang
5 properties
Maria Alm
5 properties
Mayrhofen
14 properties
Niederau-Oberau
3 properties
Obergurgl
14 properties
Oberlech
6 properties
Obertauern
5 properties
Saalbach-Hinterglemm
21 properties
Schladming-Dachstein
3 properties
Seefeld
9 properties
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
7 properties
Soll
5 properties
St Christoph
4 properties
St. Anton
83 properties
St. Johann
1 property
Warth-Schröcken
1 property
Westendorf
3 properties
Zell am See
19 properties
Zurs
15 properties
Ski Areas
Major ski areas in the Austrian Alps
Austria's ski infrastructure is excellent, with modern lifts, reliable snowmaking, and well-maintained pistes. Several areas have invested heavily in gondola connections in recent years, significantly expanding the interconnected terrain available on a single lift pass.
| Ski Area | Piste km | Top Altitude | Key Resorts | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ski Arlberg | 305km | 2,811m | St. Anton, Lech, Zürs, Warth-Schröcken, Stuben | Austria's largest interconnected ski area, fully linked since the Flexenbahn gondola opened in 2016. Exceptional off-piste terrain, reliable snowfall, and a range of resort characters from party-town St. Anton to refined Lech. |
| SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental | 284km | 1,957m | Söll, Ellmau, Westendorf, Hopfgarten, Brixen | One of the largest interconnected ski areas in the world, with 9 villages on one pass. Predominantly intermediate terrain, excellent snowmaking, and significantly lower prices than the Arlberg. One of Austria's best-value ski destinations. |
| Kitzbühel / Kirchberg | 188km | 2,000m | Kitzbühel, Kirchberg, Jochberg, Pass Thurn | Home to the famous Hahnenkamm downhill, with varied terrain from gentle cruisers to steep World Cup runs. The medieval town of Kitzbühel adds cultural depth that purpose-built resorts can't match. |
| Zillertal Arena | 150km | 2,500m | Mayrhofen, Zell am Ziller, Gerlos, Königsleiten | The Zillertal valley offers four ski areas on the Zillertaler Superskipass (542km total). Mayrhofen's Penken area has challenging terrain and good nightlife; the higher areas provide reliable snow conditions into late season. |
Ski Arlberg
Piste: 305km
Top: 2,811m
St. Anton, Lech, Zürs, Warth-Schröcken, Stuben
Austria's largest interconnected ski area, fully linked since the Flexenbahn gondola opened in 2016. Exceptional off-piste terrain, reliable snowfall, and a range of resort characters from party-town St. Anton to refined Lech.
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental
Piste: 284km
Top: 1,957m
Söll, Ellmau, Westendorf, Hopfgarten, Brixen
One of the largest interconnected ski areas in the world, with 9 villages on one pass. Predominantly intermediate terrain, excellent snowmaking, and significantly lower prices than the Arlberg. One of Austria's best-value ski destinations.
Kitzbühel / Kirchberg
Piste: 188km
Top: 2,000m
Kitzbühel, Kirchberg, Jochberg, Pass Thurn
Home to the famous Hahnenkamm downhill, with varied terrain from gentle cruisers to steep World Cup runs. The medieval town of Kitzbühel adds cultural depth that purpose-built resorts can't match.
Zillertal Arena
Piste: 150km
Top: 2,500m
Mayrhofen, Zell am Ziller, Gerlos, Königsleiten
The Zillertal valley offers four ski areas on the Zillertaler Superskipass (542km total). Mayrhofen's Penken area has challenging terrain and good nightlife; the higher areas provide reliable snow conditions into late season.
Planning Your Trip
When to visit the Austrian Alps
Austrian ski season runs from early December to mid-April. The Arlberg region and Kitzbühel typically have the most reliable natural snow thanks to their elevation and geography. January is peak powder season; February is busiest due to Austrian school holidays. Early December and late March offer the best availability and often surprisingly good conditions. The Stubai and Hintertux glaciers open as early as October.
Getting There
How to get to the Austrian Alps
Austria is one of the most accessible ski destinations in Europe, served by multiple international airports and an efficient motorway network. Unlike France, where resorts cluster in a few valleys, Austrian ski areas are spread across the Tirol, Salzburger Land, and Vorarlberg — so the best airport depends on which resort you're heading to.
Innsbruck is the most convenient airport for the Tirolean heartland, but Munich and Salzburg often have better flight connections and competitive transfer times. Zurich is a useful alternative for the western Arlberg resorts. Austrian roads are well maintained in winter, and all major routes to ski resorts are kept clear.
Airport
Innsbruck Airport
1–1.5 hours to St. Anton, 1 hour to Stubai valley
Serves: St. Anton, Ischgl, Stubai, Sölden, Obergurgl
Airport
Salzburg Airport
1.5 hours to Kitzbühel, 1 hour to Saalbach
Serves: Kitzbühel, Saalbach, Zell am See, Bad Gastein
Airport
Munich Airport
2–2.5 hours to St. Anton, 1.5 hours to Kitzbühel
Serves: All major Austrian resorts — widest flight network of any nearby airport
Airport
Zurich Airport
2 hours to Lech/St. Anton via Arlberg Pass
Serves: Lech, Zürs, St. Anton, Warth (western Arlberg resorts)
Rail
Austrian Railways (ÖBB)
Direct Railjet services from Innsbruck and Salzburg to St. Anton (1.5 hours)
Serves: St. Anton, Kitzbühel, Zell am Ziller — stations within walking distance of lifts
Tip
Austrian motorways require a vignette (toll sticker) available at border crossings and petrol stations. The Arlberg tunnel has an additional toll (€11.50 each way) but saves 30 minutes versus the Arlberg Pass road, which closes in heavy snow.
Personal Concierge
Need help finding the right property?
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Common Questions
Austrian Alps FAQ
What is the best ski resort in Austria?
St. Anton am Arlberg is widely considered Austria's premier ski resort, with 305km of interconnected terrain (including Lech-Zürs), outstanding off-piste, and legendary après-ski. Lech offers a quieter, more exclusive alternative on the same ski pass. Kitzbühel is the choice for those who want a picturesque town with racing heritage.
Is Austria cheaper than France or Switzerland for skiing?
Yes, Austria typically offers better value across the board. Lift passes, restaurants, and accommodation tend to cost 15–30% less than equivalent French resorts and significantly less than Switzerland. The quality of skiing infrastructure and natural snowfall is comparable, making Austria excellent value for luxury ski holidays.
What is après-ski like in Austria?
Austria is the spiritual home of après-ski. St. Anton is famous for venues like the Mooserwirt and Krazy Kanguruh where the party starts mid-afternoon on the slopes. Ischgl also has a major après-ski scene. Lech and Kitzbühel offer a more refined version — cocktail bars, wine tastings, and quieter mountain huts rather than the high-energy party scene.
How do you get to Austrian ski resorts?
Innsbruck is the most convenient airport for the Arlberg and Tirolean resorts, with transfer times of 1–2 hours. Salzburg serves Kitzbühel and the Salzburger Land resorts. Munich is a popular alternative, especially for UK travellers, with 2–3 hour transfers to most Austrian resorts. Zurich is closest for Lech and St. Anton (2 hours).
Is the Arlberg ski area all connected?
Yes. Since the Flexenbahn gondola opened in 2016, St. Anton, St. Christoph, Stuben, Lech, Zürs, and Warth-Schröcken are fully interconnected on one lift pass covering 305km of runs. You can ski from St. Anton to Lech and back in a day.
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