10 Best Ski Resorts in Austria
Though you can’t ski everywhere, the thought of going skiing boosts one’s overall happiness and well-being. Skiing is one of the activities that help boost your mental health, it is also very beneficial to one’s physical health. It increases cardiovascular endurance thereby burning excess calories in the body. This will help an individual lose weight and have more oxygen get delivered to cells in the muscles.
Who will enjoy Austria?
Austria is one of the most popular holiday destinations for winter sports fans. This is mainly because of the modern ski resorts in that country. The Alps in Austria are blessed with a long and lavish snow season. Austria is also recognized as one of the world’s best snow-sure skiing places. This is why it is not surprising to see many people who love skiing head in that direction for the best skiing experience. A skiing trip can also be used as a self-reward practice for medical students who studied hard for challenging exams, such as the NCLEX RN or the PANCE exam, and now believe to be deserving of a break.
Where to stay?
Most of these people travel from very far and have to lodge in hotels close to the skiing venue. These hotels are always well furnished to suit the needs of foreigners. They always have swimming pools, spas, kitchens, and bedrooms with extra unassembled cabinets for your things. All you need to do is install it the way you like or have the hotel owners set it up for you. They even have LED grow lights to offer you a cozy room filled with indoor plants.
- Saalbach-Hinterglemm
It is one of the largest ski areas in Austria with about 250km of ski slopes. Apart from the skiing and snowboarding activities you can indulge in here, there are other activities like tobogganing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, a winter coaster, and more. If you are a skiing beginner or expert, this place is an ideal one for you. There are a lot of huts around the area too. The hut keepers are very friendly and if you choose to lodge or pass some time in their huts, you are in for a good treat.
- Norfolk Island
2. Ellmau
If you are looking for the ultimate family-friendly ski resort then you should look no further. A charming traditional village positioned at a corner of the SkiWelt ski area, Ellmau is known for not costing too much. You can get a pass, get accommodation, or get food and drinks without spending too much. Ellmau has its own ski hill, the quietest corner where gentle slopes are served by parallel ski-tows that are well designed. It is also a good child-friendly facility and an excellent beginners’ zone.
3. Solden
This is the largest ski resort in the Otztal valley. It is the official training venue for the United States ski team and also the venue for the Alpine ski world cup. Solden is known as one of the best ski resorts in Austria because of the skiing and the nightlife. There are bars, clubs, and disco areas abounding around the place in their numbers to ensure that you have a fun-filled night.
- Alpbach
It is known as one of Austria’s prettiest ski resorts. It is often regarded as Austria’s most beautiful village and that link to the neighboring valley called Wildschonau makes it more attractive. Alpbach is laden with traditional Tyrolean charm and the village sure knows how to party. There are some slopeside bars like Joe’s Salettl which starts becoming lively from midday onwards. The ski area offers a huge array of intermediate slopes and is excellent for beginners.
- Ski Arlberg
This is one of Austria’s biggest ski resorts, if not the biggest. It has over 300km of pistes connected by 88 lifts. There are slopes to suit all levels of skiing and there is direct access to off-piste territory stretching as long as 200km. The fresh snow that is always available in this area is every freestyler’s dream. There are bars and hotels around to patronize with friends for some relaxation after a skiing experience.
- Mayrhofen
This resort is the perfect choice for confident skiers. It boasts one of the Alps’ great snowboarding areas. It is a skier’s favorite especially for those that love to party. The snowpark around its surrounding is second to none. There are lines for every level of skiers from beginners to professionals. It is usually quiet in the early hours of the day but becomes boisterous by the afternoons all the way into the evenings.
- St Anton
This is one of the world’s most famous ski resorts. It is located in Arlberg and home to some of the most challenging slopes in the Alps. It sits in a narrow valley and has a car-free center. It also bustles with activities throughout the day and far into the night. The slopes surrounding St Anton offer incredible diversity from the steppes of the Valluga to the gentle village slopes around Nasserein. To ensure that the area is always snow-sure, there is an extensive artificial snow-blower system. One of the very first cable cars in the Alps was installed here about a century ago.
- Serfaus – Fiss – Ladis
It is a large Austrian resort that is a popular choice for families. It has a balanced selection of slopes that combine to create about 200km of terrain for skiing. You can do night skiing here and also do timed skiing competitions with your family and friends. There are also a number of lively spots within this area like bars and clubs.
- SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixenter
This is one of the largest ski resorts in the world. It is family-friendly and offers about 285km of perfectly groomed runs for any skiing ability. There are downhills and fun parks for people to have a go at obstacle courses and practice jumps. There are also floodlit toboggan runs and igloo villages. You can party at resident ice when night falls or watch stunning firework displays.
- Kirchberg/Kitzbuhel – Kitzski
This Austrian ski resort is known famously for its historic Hahnenkamm downhill ski race. Some renowned skiers made their name off this venue but some skiers have also sustained life-threatening injuries. Even with all the scary nature, the terrain is an excellent resort for intermediates. The low base altitude means snow reliability can be an issue. When you are not skiing here, there are quite a number of fashion boutiques, fantastic restaurants, and lively bars to patronize.
Final word
Exercising boosts one’s mood and skiing is no exception. There are so many ski resorts worldwide and depending on which of them is within your proximity, you can go ski with friends and family. Most ski resorts also have hotels, spas, and bars. So, you can have a massage to ease out your muscles after skiing or hang out with friends at the bar. Ski resorts in Austria promise these and a lot more
