Skiing holidays in Austria - which resort to choose?

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: September 2026 | Which ski resort should you choose for a ski trip to Austria? From charming Alpine villages and family-friendly ski areas to glacier skiing, advanced slopes and lively après-ski, we compare eight popular ski resorts and ski areas in Austria and help you find the destination that suits your ski trip.

Which ski resort in Austria is right for you?

There are plenty of great ski resorts in Austria, and which one you choose depends on what you want to get out of your ski trip. Here's our quick guide to the eight destinations in this guide:

• Zillertal – for variety: A good choice for groups of different levels and preferences, with several ski areas and a wide range of options.
• St. Anton – for the experienced skier: Choose St. Anton if skiing is your focus and you are attracted by large ski areas and off-piste opportunities.
• Ischgl – for skiing and partying: Here, good skiing is combined with après-ski, restaurants, concerts and entertainment.
• Sölden – for high alpine skiing and experiences: Glaciers, high-altitude skiing and the spectacular James Bond world 007 Elements.
• Alpbachtal – for charm and alpine village feel: A quieter alternative with cozy villages, beautiful surroundings and great skiing. We have skied here ourselves and enjoyed it very much.
• Bad Gastein – for skiing and spa: Combine days on the ski slopes with thermal baths and relaxation.
• St. Johann in Tirol – for families with children: A smaller and more manageable ski area that is well suited for families and those who prefer a bit more leisurely skiing.
• Zell am See-Kaprun – for glacier and beautiful surroundings: Here you can ski among high mountains, glaciers and the beautiful lake Zeller See.

1. Zillertal – for variety

Zillertal is a long valley in Tyrol with several ski areas and well-known ski resorts such as Mayrhofen. The wide range makes Zillertal a good choice for groups where not everyone wants exactly the same type of skiing. There is everything from easier slopes for beginners and families to more challenging skiing for those who have had time to get many miles under their belts.

Another advantage is that there is plenty to do off the slopes. The valley has restaurants, spas and various winter activities, and those who want a bit more speed can head to lively Mayrhofen. Ski buses and trains also make it possible to get between different parts of the valley.

Suitable for you as: Want to have a wide selection and be able to vary your skiing during your vacation.

2. St. Anton – for the experienced skier

St Anton am Arlberg is one of Austria's most classic ski resorts and is part of the large connected ski area Ski Arlberg. There are long slopes, substantial drops and great opportunities for those looking for more advanced skiing. The area is also known for its off-piste, but anyone venturing outside the marked slopes should of course have the right knowledge and equipment or go with a guide.

St. Anton is not just for those who want to ski a lot. The resort is lively with plenty of restaurants and a well-known après-ski culture. Ski Arlberg also includes resorts such as Lech, Zürs, Stuben and St. Christoph, which provides great opportunities to discover different parts of the area during the same ski trip.

Suitable for you as: Prioritizes skiing highly and would like a large area and more challenging skiing.

3. Ischgl – for skiing and partying

Ischgl is one of Austria's most famous ski resorts for those who want to combine days on the slopes with a lively nightlife. Together with the Swiss Samnaun, the resort forms the Silvretta Arena ski area, where you can ski across the border between Austria and Switzerland.

When the lifts close, life continues down in Ischgl. The resort is known for its après-ski, restaurants, bars and big concerts, not least the recurring Top of the Mountain concerts. Of course, that doesn't mean you have to party to enjoy yourself here, but if you're looking for a quiet alpine village with early evenings, there are other destinations in this guide that are better suited.

Suitable for you as: Want to combine good skiing with après-ski, restaurants and entertainment.

4. Sölden – for high alpine skiing and experiences

Located in the Ötztal, Sölden is a great choice for those who are attracted by high-altitude skiing. There are two glaciers and lifts that take skiers up to several peaks over 3,000 meters in altitude. The high-alpine location contributes to a long skiing season and also offers magnificent views of the mountains.

Sölden also has an unusual attraction in the middle of the ski area. On Gaislachkogl, just over 3,000 meters above sea level, lies 007 Elements, a cinematic James Bond installation that was created after parts of the film Spectre was filmed here. This makes Sölden interesting even for those who like to mix skiing with a different experience.

Suitable for you as: Likes high alpine skiing, glaciers and wants something more than just ski slopes.

5. Alpbachtal – for charm and alpine village feel

Alpbachtal has a special place in our hearts as it was where we took our first ski trip to the Alps. We stayed in the small village of Reith im Alpbachtal and enjoyed the combination of skiing, beautiful mountains and the relaxed atmosphere. Here we could ski during the day and then settle down in a restaurant or in the sun with something good to eat and drink.

Today, Alpbachtal is part of the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau ski area. From Reith you can start skiing directly in the village, and it is also possible to continue to other parts of the area. For us, a big part of the charm was that Alpbachtal felt smaller and quieter than many of the large and famous ski resorts.

Suitable for you as: Looking for a charming alpine village feel, nice slopes and a slightly quieter ski holiday.

READ MORE: Skiing in Alpbachtal – our best tips

6. Bad Gastein – for skiing and spa

Bad Gastein is a classic Austrian ski and health resort, dramatically situated on the mountain slopes of the Gastein Valley. Here you can combine skiing with something that not all Alpine towns can offer: warm thermal waters. After a day on the slopes, for example, you can sink into the pools at the Felsentherme, located in the middle of Bad Gastein.

Skiing is available on several mountains and ski areas in the Gastein Valley, so you can vary your skiing during your holiday. Bad Gastein is also relatively easy to reach without a car as the resort has its own railway station.

For a few years now, you can travel by night train all the way to Austria, with Snälltåget offering direct trains to the Alps. Marcus has recently started a guide to Bad Gastein, where you can find more information if you want to plan your trip.

Suitable for you as: Want to combine skiing with thermal baths, spa and relaxation.

7. St. Johann in Tirol – for families with children

St Johann in Tirol is a significantly smaller ski area than Ski Arlberg and Zillertal, for example, but that can also be an advantage. Here the skiing is more manageable, with plenty of wider and easier slopes that are suitable for families, beginners and those who would rather enjoy skiing than chase as many piste kilometers as possible.

There are ski schools and areas for children, and around St Johann there are also other winter activities for days when the whole family doesn't want to be on skis from morning to night. The resort is also located in a part of Tyrol where there are several other ski areas within reach if you want to vary your activities.

Suitable for you as: Traveling with children, are a beginner or prefer a smaller and more manageable ski area.

8. Zell am See-Kaprun – for glaciers and beautiful surroundings

Zell am See-Kaprun has a location that is hard to compete with. Here, high alpine peaks and the beautiful lake Zeller See meet, and above Kaprun rises the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. We have visited Zell am See ourselves in the summer and were very impressed by the dramatic nature. Coming back when the mountains are covered in snow is definitely on the wish list.

In winter, you can combine skiing around Zell am See with glacier skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn. The Ski ALPIN CARD also gives you access to a much larger ski area, which also includes Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn. This is therefore a good option for those who want to both enjoy a lot of skiing and live in a real town with restaurants, shops and the beautiful lake right next door.

Suitable for you as: Want to combine glacier skiing and large ski areas with an unusually beautiful environment.

Which ski resort in Austria should you choose?

Which ski resort in Austria is the best simply depends on what you are looking for. For us, Alpbachtal was a perfect introduction to skiing in the Alps, with nice slopes and a cozy alpine village feel. Next time we would like to try one of the other destinations in this guide.

If you want a lot of skiing and large areas, St. Anton, Zillertal or Sölden are a good fit, while Ischgl attracts those who also want to have some fun in the evenings. For families with children, St. Johann in Tirol is an interesting alternative, and those who like to end their skiing day in warm water can instead take a closer look at Bad Gastein.

No matter which resort you choose, one thing is certain: Austria has a lot to offer for a ski holiday.

More inspiration about Austria

Here you will find more inspiration and reading about Austria, about everything from nature and cities to food and experiences:

• Things to do in Salzburg
• Things to do in Innsbruck
• Cross-country skiing in Austria
• Winter trip to Vorarlberg
• Austrian food