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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Photo by Zugspitze.de

The resort in the valley of Loisach river offers a completely ideal ski conditions and hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 1936, World Cup in downhill skiing in 1978, FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 2011 and many others. It is ideal both for lovers of challenging downhill skiing as well as cross-country skiers. In addition, Garmisch-Partenkirchen resort offers a skating track, slopes for alpine skiing and other winter sports.

Popular resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is divided into two areas; Garmisch Classic and Zugspitze.

Garmisch Classic has 40 kilometers of slopes at an altitude ranging from 700m to 2050m and consists of winding slopes leading below the peaks Hausberg, Kreuzjoch and Osterfelderkopf. Here you find both family slopes and killer black slope called Kandahar, which is the most difficult slope of all in the area.

Slopes on the Zugspitze glacier are situated at an altitude ranging from 2050m – 2962m and are mostly red, nicely rugged. The peak of the highest German mountain offers spectacular views over the surrounding Alpine peaks. Since this area is situated on the glacier, it provides a good snow conditions from November to May

Photo by Zugspitze.de

Ski pass prices and opening hours
You can buy Top Snow Card which allows you to use the extended range of up to 87 lifts in 215 km of slopes in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen resort and the wider area. Two-day ticket costs €72,50 for adults and €43,50 for children from 6 to 15 years. Seven-day card costs €218 and €131 for children.

The area also offers a top-level service and luxury hotels and atmosphere of a real mountain resort. You can find here also a ski school, rental equipment and a variety of wellness services.

For further information visit Zugspitze.de.

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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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