1) Alpbach

Atmosphere is the name of the game at Alpbach, and boasts absolutely gorgeous scenery for beginners and pros alike. While Alpbach is more tailored for those new to the sport, good snow conditions will pose a challenge for skill sets of all levels. A nursery slope is a mere five minutes away from the main ski area, perfect for practicing snowploughs after a tough lesson, so bring the kids!

A view from Alpbach ski resort, Austria by mapryan

2) St Anton

There are a few reasons why St Anton is one of the top 3 ski resorts in all of Europe, but don’t be lured in by the beauty of this place. St Anton is primarily for serious skiers, and is not recommended for those new to the sport. However, there are a few resorts for the less-serious just a short bus ride away, so don’t let that stop you from encouraging a few of your beginner friends to tag along.

Skiing in St Anton, Austria by vuorikari

3) Kitzbühel

Kitzbühel is known primarily for its beauty and charm. While the annual Hahnenkamm — one of the toughest downhill courses in all of Europe — is held here, what Kitzbühel is really known for is its charm. Warmly welcoming skiers of all skill levels, Kitzbühel is both gorgeous and family-friendly. Even the non-skiers will enjoy their stay here, as the streets are lined with quaint boutiques, luxury hotels, and other trappings that rarely show up at an Austrian ski resort.

Skiing in Kitzbühel, Austria by Mahmut

4) Ischgl

Ischgl is for all you party people out there that love the nightlife just as much as your pair of skis. While Ischgl is not the cheapest of ski resorts, the atmosphere from late afternoon into the early morning hours is electric. Jovial and amicable people dance around every corner, making Ischgl party-central as far as Austrian ski resorts go with some great Austrian ski chalets that you can stay in and recover after the nights activities.

Ski slope in Ischgl, Austria by Leo-setä

5) Obergurgl

Last on the list is the family-friendly Obergurgl, the best Austrian ski resort to take the little ones to. At an extremely high elevation of 1,930m, Obergurgl guarantees snow for a longer season that most ski resorts you’ll find in Austria. While the ski area is somewhat small which will likely irritate experienced skiers, this cozy resort will always have your children within eyesight.

Skiing in Obergurgl, Austria by BeardyRob

There you have it! The five best Austrian ski holiday resorts — now get out there and hit the slopes!

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Incredible view at the top of the Kaprun Glacier, Austria by Jasmic

Austria is sought-after destination also due to its Free-ride opportunities, which are really a lot. Austria is a paradise also for snowboarders, because almost every resort has some kind of a snowboard park. Austria offers a high standard of services including ski schools and ski instructors.

Better ski resorts are mostly above the forest and the cable car rides often to three thousand meters above sea level, while cross-country trails are mainly in the Alpine valleys.

Skiing and winter tourism is in general one of the main sources of income of the Alpine country. Today, Austrian Alps is an International term – more than 70% of visitors to the Austrian Alps are coming from abroad. Although the Austrian Alps do not have a record altitude or length of the ski slopes, but thanks to snow cannons offer favourable snow conditions from early October to late May. Austrian mountains usually have enough natural snow, so artificial snow is often used only for certain parts of the slopes.

Ski Accommodation in Austria

Austria is known for excellent quality accommodation, mostly in the style of a typical Austrian Alps (interiors are wooden, clean and airy, homely hospitality and cozy atmosphere). Austria offers a complete range of accommodation – from hostels to five star hotels, often including at least sauna or Turkish steam room. Four-star hotels are usually greater relaxation centres (often with a pool). Some ski resorts, such as Kaprun Ski Hotels offer a spa, many of them have great water parks and offer lots of Après-ski opportunities.

Skiing in Austria is one of the biggest attractions in the country and if you are skier, you shouldn’t miss this destination!

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So, sticking with Europe, there are several locations that are primary destinations for a good bit of skiing, snowboarding or whatever else takes your fancy. Most places are perfect for all types of people, whether it be families, couples or a bunch of friends. If travelling as a group, why not get some clothing to show that and do some clothes printing with Expressgarmentprinting.co.uk.

In fact, ensure that you do have the correct clothing when skiing in winter as the temperatures can fall dramatically. Wrap up in layers, remember your gloves and don’t forget your long-johns!

France

One of the most popular and obvious destinations for a lovely bit of skiing is France and the country has developed a fantastic reputation for its famous French Alps and its jet-set nature.

Saulire, 2700m, Courchevel, France by Pete southsea

On the border with Italy and Switzerland is Courchevel, the largest resort of the prestigious Three Valleys (3 Vallees) area in the Savoie province of France. The Three Valleys holds the world’s largest ski domain and has a total of 372 miles of trails and slopes; as an example of how big the area is, America’s six largest ski resorts would fit inside the Three Valleys.

Courchevel is built on four levels and is possibly the most luxurious location for skiing thanks to its expensive range of shops and bars, as well as luxury hotels; something celebrities often take advantage of, so keep your eyes peeled.

Turkey

Possibly not one of the first places you’d think of for a great skiing holiday is Turkey, but the resort of Uludag is a far cry away from warm beaches and cocktails by the pool.

Uludag range, Turkey by Bicounet

Turkey seems to have jumped on the opportunity of being able to tempt holiday goers in with their mountainous ranges, especially when there’s been some snowfall. In mythology, Uludag is the fabled Mount Olympus where the gods watched the Trojan War. However, now the mountain’s primary purpose is to reign in the tourists.

The slopes are usually open from December through to March and as well as the opportunity for skiing, the national parks are also great places to explore.

Austria

One of the more purposeful settings for skiing holidays and other extreme sports is the Austrian resort of Kitzbühel. The location has one of the most demanding runs in the form of the Hahnenkamn.

Kitzbuhel Alps, Austria by Mahmut

There are great slopes for beginners, as well more challenging slopes for those with a good deal of experience and confidence in their skiing. A great deal of investment has gone into the site and so the likes of ski lifts and other amenities have been vastly improved of late.

Also available are a fantastic array of hotels, bars and restaurants for when you’re not hitting the slopes.

About the author: Sam writes for Express Garment Printing and you can click here for great deals on printed polo shirts and printed hoodies.

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Though there are many ski destinations that you can choose from, here are a few of the best among the lot in Europe.

Courchevel, France

Providing you with some great ski spots and breath-taking views, Courchevel ranks among the top skiing spots on the planet. Courchevel also boasts a well-connected lift system and the biggest ski area in the world. You can find many resorts within this valley, offering you great services at decent prices.

Skiing in Courchevel, France by Leo-setä

Val d’Isere, France

Ranging to altitudes of almost 3500 metres, Val d’ Isere provides great skiing opportunities. Some of its snow-capped peaks are something you cannot just afford to miss out on. After indulging in some skiing, you will be warmly welcomed at the various ski-chalets out there, offering a range of luxury facilities like indoor heated pools, sauna and Jacuzzi.

Photo of Val d’Isère, Savoie, France by genevieveromier

Seefeld, Austria

Ever heard of cross-country skiing? You can experience the same at Seefeld. This has been one of the main attractions among tourists here. With neatly laid out well maintained courses and powdery snow, Seefeld is an ideal destination for beginners and expert skiers.

Photo of Seefeld, Austria by Mccallusa

Levi, Lapland

Called as Santa’s home off-season, Levi is sure to be a hit among the kids. Another great skiing destination that offers you great views, Levi’s brightly lit slopes and fine snow enhance your overall skiing experience. There are many resorts out here, which will appeal to the younger crowd and where you can also spend some cosy family time.

Photo of Levi, Finland, Lapland by Jann Kuusisaari

Megeve, France

A small yet beautiful town cradled within huge snow-capped peaks, Megeve is another dreamy destination you can visit to try out skiing. With various tournaments being held here every year, Megeve provides around 217 ski slopes for its skiers to enjoy.

Owing to its quiet and natural beauty, Megeve is quite popular among the wealthy crowd. Visited by many businessmen and celebrities, Megeve boasts excellent luxury resorts providing some top class facilities and easy access to the slopes.

Photo of Megeve, France by Leo-setä

Once back after a great session of skiing, you will be happy to wind up at one of these looking forward for another adventure packed day.

How to plan your ski-trip?

So you have chosen your destination. The next step in planning your ski-trip would be choosing the right ski-resort. Ski-resorts take care of all your travel needs providing you services like hotel, accommodation, or even transport at times. So choosing your ski-resorts wisely is very important when planning your trip.

Andy is an expert associated with Burger Davis SIR, an international realty company that offers a range of luxury real estate in France and world wide. A home away from home,Burger-Davis Sotheby’s International Realty provides a range of luxurious ski-resorts to choose from. Burger-Davis provides an exclusive range of ski-chalets where you could be offered royal services like getting a private chef cook for you or even a helicopter transfer.

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Photo by sport-alber.com

Ski rental in St. Anton/Arlberg

St. Anton and the surrounding areas are perfect for a winter holiday. In an area of around 50 km², winter sport fans will find a large variety of cross country runs, slopes, and ski lifts. For all those who do not own winter sport equipment, or who want to try out skiing or snowboarding for the first time, the Ski hire St.Anton and the Ski rental St Anton will be pleased to provide the necessary skiing and snowboarding equipment upon payment of a charge.

Snowboarding in St. Anton

The St. Anton Park is a true paradise for snowboard fans and all those, who want to try snowboarding for the first time. Especially designed for snowboard activities, the area offers a variety of challenges including natural pipes and many other possibilities for corner jumps, spins etc.

St. Anton invites you

If you opt for a winter holiday in Austria you will take many good memories home. Enjoy typical Austrian hospitality, excellent Austrian kitchen and take advantage of everything that the Arlberg Region has to offer you. Sleigh rides in the snow, a tour in a horse drawn coach through the winter landscape, snowboarding, skiing and many other activities ensure a perfect winter holiday for you and the entire family.

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Photo by oetztal.com

Ötztal Valley Resorts have a total of more than 300 km of ski slopes, which lie at an altitude ranging from 1377 to 3340 meters above sea level and thus can boast an elevation of nearly 2,000 metres. The most famous ski resort of Ötztal is exclusive Sölden, which offers about 150 kilometers of ski slopes, spreading partially on two glaciers and three peaks with a height exceeding 3,000 meters above sea level. This makes Sölden really a unique ski resort in Austrian Alps. More than 100 kilometers of slopes has another luxury resort Obergurgl-Hochgurgl. But Ötztal is also suitable for cross-country skiers as you can find here around 185 kilometres of cross-country trails.

Ski pass prices and opening hours
Lifts in the Ötztal runs from 8:30 to 16:30. One-day ski pass costs €45 in the most popular resorts like Sölden and Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, and six-day ski pass costs about €230.

Also an offer of après-ski activities is on a high level in Ötztal. In addition to restaurants, bars, shops, you can try out all sorts of winter sports and the icing on the cake is a luxury aqua park situated in the town Längenfeld.

For further info visit oetztal.com website.

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Photo by stuben.com

Resort St.Anton-St.Christoph-Stuben offers a total of 115 km of ski slopes, which are located at an altitude ranging from 1304 metres to 2811 meters above sea level. 49 kilometres are ski slopes of blue difficulty, 53 km are of red slopes and 13 kilometers of tracks boasts black level. Additional 100 kilometres are off the groomed slopes.

There are a total of 38 lifts in operation here (5 cabins, 17 chair lifts, 16 poma lifts). They can transport over 58,000 skiers per hour. Of course there is a number of snow parks and a ski schools and you can even use approximately 40 km of cross-country ski trails.

Lifts in St.Anton-St.Christoph-Stuben runs from 8:45am to 4:15pm. Adult daily ski pass costs €45.50, and six-day ski pass costs €219.

An offer of après-ski activities in the village of Stuben can not even compare to the well known and famous St.Anton, the legendary town, which is the main site of an area. But anyway Stuben is still very nice and suitable for all types of skiers and offers really nice skiing in Austrian Alps with great view of the surrounding peaks.

For further information visit an official site of Stuben ski resort.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Cristian Bortes

Funicular Kaprun – Kitzsteinhorn peak has the highest mast in the world with a height of 120 meters. Kaprun ski resort, which is situated at an altitude of 2000 m can be reached only by cable car from the village below. Once there was also a funicular train, which led through a tunnel in the rock, but it had an accident on 11 November 2000, when the fire occurred inside the tunnel and claimed the lives of 155 people and only 12 survived.

Kaprun ski resort with Kitzsteinhorn glacier is ideal place for winter holidays but offers a wide range of sporting activities even in the summer. The charming town of Kaprun is situated at an altitude of 786 metres above sea level and forms a gate to the National Park Hohe Tauern.

During the winter holidays you can try many fun activities in Kaprun. You can take nice walks around, ice skating, snowshoe hiking, sledding or a horse drawn sleigh ride through the winter wonderland. This charming place offers a wide range of accommodation from comfortable hotels, through apartments and guest houses to chalets.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Cristian Bortes

The big advantage of this resort is that you can ski all year round on Kitzsteinhorn glacier. Glacier at a height of more than 3000 meters is ideal for skiing also in the warm season. A huge number of beautiful slopes for beginners and advanced skiers attract also snowboarders. If you arrive with the cross-country skis, you enjoy a beautiful trail with a total length of 200 km.

Zell am See and Kaprun are the popular resorts in the sports centre of Europa Sportregion. 58 most modern lifts and funiculars will take you to the tops like Kitzsteinhorn (3,203 m) or Schmittenhöhe (1,965 m). There are already 130 km of beautiful slopes waiting for you. It is ideal both for lovers of the fast and also quiet skiing. There are also pleasant, not too difficult slopes, ready for families with children.

Season on the Schmittenhöhe, which is slightly lower than the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, lasts from December to May.

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Outside of the building you can enjoy Salt sauna (90 °C), Forest sauna (70 – 95 °C), Infra-red cabin, Jacuzzi (32 – 34 °C), Trunk showers, Relaxation cave, Rest room, Shower house and Summer bar.

But it is still not everything you can expect from Sole-Felsen-Bad. The Spa centre includes also Water World with 7 different swimming pools including Rock salt pool (1.5% salt with 32 – 34 °C), Relaxing Salt Lagoon (indoor & outdoor, 5% salt, 32 – 34 °C), Granite bath (5% salt, 32 – 34 °C), Sport freshwater pool (26 – 28 °C), Children’s freshwater swimming pool (28 – 30 °C) and 1 65 meters long slide.

Salt pools contains different concentrations of salt, and are equipped with water massage beds, springs, whirlpools and massage jets.

The basic admission to both Sauna World and Water World is €20,90 for the whole day, but you can decide whether you want to visit just Sauna or just Water World. It is also possible to stay here for shorter time, which is much cheaper. During your visit you can stay at the camping or hotel which are directly at the Sole-Felsen-Bad.

For further details see the official website of Sole-Felsen-Bad.

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The spa is located in a quiet Upper Austrian spa town of Bad Schallerbach, about 45 km from the city of Linz.

Curative treatments and massages
Rare hot spring is used mainly for curative procedures. Bad Schallerbach Spa offers baths with a wide and exclusive range of massages from all around the world in the uniquely decorated relaxation rooms. In addition to the traditional medical massages you can also choose Asian, African or even Australian massages associated with aromatherapy and herbal wraps. Among 17 types of massages from around the world you can find favorite Japanese Shiatsu, Turkish Hamam or African Vunkuwa.

Water World and Aquapark
Eurotherme Bad Schallerbach includes a swimming pool with sea waves, 109 m long wild river, water canyon, high-speed water slide “Kamikaze” or multimedia water enjoyment “Starlight Express”, which unites the world of water, music and colors.

For children under 5 years there is specially adapted mini water park “Aquamundus”.

In the garden area there is available sandy “Happy Park”, with many climbing frames, sandpits and slides. Wonderful water park Aquapulco with the atmosphere of tropical Caribbean offers rich opportunities for children and adults – regardless of the weather.

Area “Relaxium”
Area “Relaxium” combines indoor sauna paradise on 1,500 m2 and outdoor saunas on 3,500 m2, which are designed in the style of mountain villages with thermal lakes. For your relaxation, there is a total number of 20 variously equipped spaces. Whirlpool in the heart of Relaxium, waterfall, hot spring cave “Grotta Mare” with highly salty water like the Dead Sea and relaxation space “Musicarium” with heated beds, headphones with relaxing music and the effect of a starry sky. That’s just few things you can enjoy in this great Spa resort!

Colorama
Absolutely unique is the attraction “Colorama”. This relaxing spa section uses color therapy knowledge, with proven effects of colours on the well-being. Surrounded by slowly alternating colored lights you can relax in the indoor or outdoor pool with massage benches, beds and pavement, or enjoy views of the park area or of the illuminated “Colorama” forest.

Hotel Paradiso
You can stay at comfortable modern four star hotel “Paradiso” which is directly connected to the spa area. Rooms are equipped in accordance with the atmosphere of the spa. The hotel has a restaurant offering culinary specialties and a bar. The hotel is surrounded by rich greenery, floral gardens in the style of the southern sea, alleys and trails for jogging and spaces for gymnastics in nature. The hotel is also equipped with highly modern facilities for seminars and conferences, smaller or even greater range of up to 700 participants.

For further details you can visit official website of Eurothermen Resort Bad Schallerbach.

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