Austria is a skiing paradise that attracts ski lovers from all over the globe. With its globally unrivaled ski equipment, lift, and cable car technologies, and having nurtured numerous world-class ski champions, the country offers a winter wonderland. Wandering through Austrian towns in winter, you’ll spot ski backpackers, people building snowmen, enjoying hot springs, sipping beer and chatting in ski chalets... Whatever your preference, winter joy is guaranteed here.
In UNESCO World Heritage AreasDachstein SalzkammergYour Winter Experience with ut
The Dachstein Salzkammergut UNESCO World Heritage region welcomes you with over 7,000 years of cultural history, breathtaking mountain scenery, and unforgettable experiences. The romantic heritage town of Hallstatt, with its long-standing historic center and enchanting vistas, is a cultural star of Europe. Beyond that, the surrounding Dachstein area is a true winter paradise. Skiing, Christmas markets, cozy lodges, handcrafted goods, and traditional activities — this is winter in “Salzkammergut style.”
One-Day Ski Experience: At the Dachstein West ski paradise, you can learn how to safely glide down soft snow. You’ll use professional equipment and be accompanied by a ski instructor for a fulfilling day on the slopes.
Snowshoe Hiking: Take a cable car up to the higher plateau of Krippenstein to admire the spectacular landscape and pristine snowy scenery. Guided by an expert, you can explore on snowshoes, enjoy panoramic views, and immerse yourself in nature’s charm — an unforgettable experience. Sledding is highly popular in the area and offers great fun in the snow. Horse-drawn sleigh rides through idyllic scenery are also a delight.
The Arlberg Family: Five Charming and Exceptional Regions
These five Arlberg destinations are small villages in Tyrol and the former Arlberg region, each with its own distinct style. What connects them in thought and action is their shared passion for a unique ski culture, which they gladly share with guests. In Lech, Zürs, St. Anton, St. Christoph, and St. Anton am Arlberg, skis always take center stage. These villages are known for their diversity, high-quality skiing, and enthusiasm for winter tourism.
Lech on the Arlberg: An Elegant, Pleasure-Seeking Village
Lech was named Europe’s most beautiful village by the “Entente Florale” in 2004. This honor mainly stems from the careful preservation of its image and resources by the local residents. European nobility and international celebrities greatly admire the village’s supremely elegant mountain character, as well as its culinary scene, which has earned it the title of “World Gourmet Village” among Austria’s many award-winning restaurants. Its hotels (half of which are four- and five-star) and restaurants, whether in the village or along the ski slopes, receive high praise. The White Ring — an annual race — attracts over 1,000 participants competing on its namesake ski run every year.
Zürs on the Arlberg: A Unique Ski Resort
Exquisite and unique Zürs lies hidden behind the Flexen Pass, with its white mountain ski runs. Seen as a gathering place for the wealthy from around the world, it has been revered as a secluded winter retreat for decades. With its spacious, treeless deep-snow slopes, it is one of the best spots for traditional cross-country skiing. The village, with just 150 residents, is also the only departure point in Austria for thrilling helicopter skiing adventures.
St. Anton am Arlberg: A Village Full of Family Atmosphere
Idyllic and dreamy, yet defined by steady, high-quality development: St. Anton, located on the western side of the Arlberg, remains a village — a village radiating quiet comfort. It is the birthplace of skiing pioneer Hannes Schneider, and its utopian environment makes it especially popular among family travelers.
St. Christoph am Arlberg: Legendary Ski Heritage
The highest village on the Arlberg (1,800 meters above sea level), located at the border between Tyrol and the former Arlberg region, has marked several key milestones in history. Herdsman Heinrich Findelkind built a weather shelter for travelers called a “Hospiz” (refuge) here in the 14th century, laying the foundation for the charitable Brotherhood of St. Christopher. Today, this institution has 20,000 members worldwide. The Hospiz, now a renowned luxury hotel, is also the birthplace of the Arlberg Ski Club (founded in 1901). The village is also home to the Austrian Ski Association, a well-known national training center for ski instructors and coaches.
St. Anton am Arlberg: Birthplace of Alpine Skiing
This sporty village is the birthplace of legendary skiing history and has hosted the legendary Lauberhorn ski race since 1928. St. Anton held the Alpine Skiing World Cup in 2001, and the event has returned here multiple times since.
These five classic destinations have written new chapters in ski history. With the launch of four lift systems in December 2016, the region has become Austria’s largest connected ski area. The Arlberg Family thus delivers on its promise of guaranteed quality service for passionate winter sports fans. The Arlberg region becoming Austria’s largest and the world’s fifth-largest ski area is the natural result of the steady stream of visitors it attracts.
Austria’s Largest Connected Ski Area
People on both the eastern and western sides of the Arlberg once shared a common dream: to connect the “missing ski link” between all five ancient Arlberg villages. This vision became a reality with the construction of the Flexen Cable Car between Zürs and St. Anton/St. Christoph, the Trittkopf Cable Car Sections I and II, and the Albona Cable Car Section II. This investment allowed skiers to ski seamlessly from St. Anton, St. Christoph, St. Anton, Lech, Zürs, and Oberlech all the way to Schröcken and Warth for the first time. Nowadays, waiting for the shuttle bus from Alpe Rauz to Zürs is nothing more than a footnote in Arlberg’s history.
Celebrity Slope — “A Must-Ski”
The Arlberg ski region has operated a unified lift ticket system since 1981. Today, skiers here enjoy more freedom than ever on two (or even one) ski. The “Celebrity Slope” offers an especially thrilling new skiing experience across 85 kilometers of slopes with an altitude difference of 18,000 meters.
One Number Says It All: 9 Meters of Fresh Snow
Since the 1946/47 season, the area has recorded an average of 9 meters of fresh snow per year. The entire region is considered one of the most snow-reliable areas in the Alps, contributing to a long ski season. With elevations ranging from 1,300 to 2,800 meters, the mountains enjoy a winter climate from November to May.
Unique, Secluded, and Perfect Trails
There are 200 kilometers of deep-snow routes and off-the-beaten-track trails. People from over 50 countries, both celebrities and everyday visitors, seek out the best ski lines in the snow. This passion for skiing fuels the allure of the Arlberg, making it a “must-visit” ski destination. Everyone should experience the Schindlergrat or “Flour Sack” slope at least once in their life. Beginners can also explore the pristine white slopes in groups or with a “private guide” — true mountain experts. Powder skiing pros can tackle the legendary Valluga North slope, with its 40-degree pitch, or the Langer Zug, with gradients of up to 80%. Beginners lucky enough to go with experienced guides can enjoy a less intimidating experience.
Sölden:Popular tourist destinations in the Alpine region
Sölden offers eternal glacier ski runs extending up to an altitude of 3,340m, along with a variety of top-tier activities. The film "Spectre" was shot here. This winter, a unique James Bond movie set located next to the ice Q Restaurant at the summit of Gaislachkogl will open to the public. In "Spectre," this iconic location served as the set for the Hoffler Klinik and also featured some of the snow chase scenes.
Sölden boasts highly modern cable cars, and spending a holiday in one of the Alps’ most renowned winter sports regions means enjoying first-class skiing on the resort’s expansive 144km of wide, open slopes. Visitors can easily ascend from the village center to an altitude of 3,340m. The newly built Giggijoch branch lift is situated between Sölden’s undisputedly popular filming and architectural landmarks — such as the Gaislachkogl mountain gondola and the ice Q restaurant.
With just one lift ticket, you can access two top-tier winter sports destinations: Sölden at the end of the Ötztal Valley and Obergurgl-Hochgurgl will jointly offer the best combination ski pass starting from the 2017/18 winter season. Ski passes valid for three days or more are valid at both resorts, covering 254km of slopes and 55 state-of-the-art mountain lifts. Additionally, thanks to their high altitudes and glacier ski runs, both resorts guarantee snow from November through early May every year.
Ski amadé – Austria’s premier ski paradise
It features five ski areas nestled among stunning mountain scenery, 760km of slopes, 270 lifts, and 260 ski huts and mountain restaurants. It is also easily accessible by train or shuttle bus from Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadé Mozart, within just 30 to 60 minutes.
Ski amadé not only offers captivating winter landscapes but also provides a unique all-encompassing experience: touch, taste, smell, hear, and witness unforgettable moments in wildlife cold reserves, drive-through massage zones, a massive igloo with an indoor cinema, leisure ski runs, and more.
Zell am See-Kaprun: glaciers, alpine peaks, and lakes
Located in the heart of Austria, Zell am See-Kaprun is one of the most versatile year-round destinations. Situated in the center of Europe and in the middle of the Alps, this idyllic holiday paradise is as magnificent as a postcard. The perfect combination of glaciers, alpine peaks, and lakes makes the Zell am See-Kaprun region in Salzburg so unique. Rolling mountains, lush meadows, Lake Zell, the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, the stunning “Top of Salzburg,” and the wildly beautiful Hohe Tauern National Park all showcase their distinct charm throughout the seasons. There are exciting activities year-round, including family-friendly experiences, soul-soothing getaways, and culinary or cultural discoveries. The Zell am See-Kaprun area enjoys excellent transport links, with an early-established train station. It lies about 80km from Salzburg, the hometown of Mozart, and approximately 220km from Munich. Its convenient accessibility makes it an ideal holiday destination.
With hundreds of naturally blessed and picturesque ski resorts, Austria has cultivated a strong skiing culture that attracts countless adventure-seeking skiers. The country’s breathtaking winter landscapes and the delightful cuisine served in ski huts also leave travelers from around the world enchanted. It is a snow-covered destination full of charm in all seasons and legendary in winter — a skiing paradise that all ski enthusiasts dream of.