The crunch of fresh powder under your skis is the only sound as you glide through a silent forest of snow laden pine trees, the Alps rising white and majestic on every side. Austria invented the ski resort. The Arlberg region was running ski lessons by 1904. The first ski lift in history, a rope tow powered by a water wheel, was built in Zurs in the 1930s. Today, Austria has roughly 7,000 kilometres of marked pistes and a ski culture that treats the day on the mountain and the evening in the bar as inseparable halves of the same experience. These five resorts represent the best of Austrian skiing, from the legendary slopes of St Anton to the family friendly runs of Obertauern.
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St Anton am Arlberg: The Birthplace of Modern Skiing
St Anton is the spiritual home of alpine skiing. The Arlberg pass connects St Anton, Lech, Zurs, and Warth into a linked ski area of 305 kilometres of pistes and 200 kilometres of off piste terrain. The skiing is challenging. The Valluga North face, guide only, with a 55 degree gradient and a 1,200 metre descent, is legendary among expert skiers. The intermediate runs are well groomed and extensive. The beginners area is limited, so St Anton is best for strong intermediates and above. The apres ski at the MooserWirt and Krazy Kanguruh starts at three in the afternoon and continues until late. Dancing on tables in ski boots is not a myth here. The village itself is attractive, with traditional Austrian architecture, good restaurants, and a lively atmosphere. St Anton is not cheap, but the quality of the skiing and the apres ski justifies the premium.
Kitzbuhel: The Streif and the Medieval Town
Kitzbuhel is famous for two things: the Streif downhill course and the medieval town centre. The Streif is the most terrifying downhill on the World Cup circuit, with an 85 percent gradient at the Mausefalle section. When the race is not on, the run is open to the public. Standing at the top, looking down the slope, you will gain a new respect for the racers who ski it at over 100 kilometres per hour. The rest of Kitzbuhel’s skiing is intermediate friendly and well groomed. The town centre is the most charming in the Austrian Alps, with cobblestone streets, colourful buildings, and a lively pedestrian zone. The Hahnenkamm weekend in January, when the World Cup race takes place, is a festival of beer, cowbells, and Austrian euphoria. Kitzbuhel has been a resort for over a century, and it shows. The infrastructure is excellent, the service is professional, and the atmosphere is sophisticated without being stuffy.
Solden: Glaciers and James Bond
Solden has two glaciers that guarantee snow from October to May. The skiing is excellent, with 144 kilometres of well maintained pistes that range from easy greens to challenging blacks. The village is purpose built and not particularly attractive, but the skiing is the priority. Solden is the setting for the James Bond film Spectre, and the Ice Q restaurant at 3,048 metres, all glass and steel with a view across the Otztal Alps, doubles as the clinic in the film. The restaurant is worth a visit even if you are not skiing. The food is good, the view is spectacular, and the experience of dining at over 3,000 metres is unforgettable. The apres ski in Solden is lively, with several large bars and clubs. The slopes progress logically, making it a good resort for mixed ability groups. Solden is reliable. If other resorts have no snow, Solden will have snow.
Saalbach Hinterglemm: The Best Value Major Resort
Saalbach Hinterglemm is the largest linked ski area in Austria, with 270 kilometres of pistes and 70 lifts. The circular bowl means you can ski the entire circuit in a day without taking your skis off. The resort is intermediate friendly, with wide, well groomed runs that are perfect for cruising. The snowmaking covers 90 percent of the slopes, guaranteeing good conditions throughout the season. The village is traditional, with wooden chalets, a church spire, and a Biergarten. The apres ski scene is second only to St Anton. The cost is significantly lower than the Arlberg resorts. Saalbach offers the best value of any major Austrian resort. The lift pass is reasonably priced, the accommodation is affordable, and the food and drink are cheaper than the premium resorts. Saalbach is the smart choice for skiers who want quality without the premium price tag.
Obertauern: Snow Sure and Family Friendly
Obertauern sits at 1,740 metres on a high pass, and its snow record is the best in Austria. The resort is compact, with 100 kilometres of pistes all above the treeline and all interlinked. The skiing is a loop around the village. You ski out one side and come back around the other, following the sun throughout the day. The resort is family friendly, with good ski schools, gentle nursery slopes, and well marked intermediate runs. The accommodation is reasonably priced, and the resort has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The Beatles filmed part of Help! here in 1965, and the hotel where they stayed, the Edelweiss, still exists. The slopes have not changed much since then. Obertauern is the resort you choose when you want guaranteed snow, easy access, and a relaxed atmosphere. It is not glamorous. It is reliable, friendly, and genuinely enjoyable.
Which Austrian resort would you visit next season, and what is the run you think about in summer?
Published in: Ski Resorts, Skiing destinations. Updated June 11 2026.
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