Skiing in Austria: Everything You Need to Know

60% of Austria is mountain terrain, nearly as much as Switzerland. So, there is some of the world’s best skiing in Austria. There are a lot of ski resorts in Austria to choose from, and each offers something a little different. Find out everything you need to know about Austrian skiing, the countries resorts, and more for your upcoming holiday here.

Understanding the Skiing in Austria

During the winter months, the world-class skiing on offer pulls in the crowds to Austria. The Arlberg ski area (one of the largest linked areas in the world) is characterised by high sunny bowls and varied terrain. Home to the popular resorts of St. Anton, Lech, Zürs, Stuben and St. Christoph the slopes offer diverse runs for beginners and the more advanced. There are 200km of off-piste to enjoy on a luxury ski holiday here as well as deep snow ski runs and racing circuits.

Lech and Zürs nearby offer their traditional charm; with good links to St. Anton, they offer a family-friendly atmosphere alongside an array of upmarket luxury ski chalets and hotels.

The ski area around Kitzbuhel is world-renowned and is home to the famous Hahnenkamm race. With 170km of pistes, there are plenty of options for all levels of skiers.

Visiting the Austrian Alps in Summer

Austria is a beautiful destination for a holiday in both summer and winter. And it’s worth mentioning that although you can’t ski in summer, it’s still well worth the trip even without the snow.

The ski season varies depending on the height of the resort but can run from the beginning of December until the end of April. Lech in particular benefits from a fantastic snow record.

The best time to stay in one of our luxury chalets in Austria during the summer months is from May to September, with temperatures peaking in July and August. Visitors can expect warm and sunny weather during the peak summer months, making it a lovely time to visit.

Which Ski Resort in Austria to go to

All Austrian ski resorts, even those outside the Tyrol region, benefit from Tyrolean charm. That’s the trademark Austrian aesthetic and atmosphere that fills the minds postcard of the Austrian Alps. Prepare to be immersed in Gemütlichkeit (the feeling of warmth, friendliness, and good cheer), both on and off the slopes.

The national heritage of delicacies (the croissant was invented in Vienna, not Paris) and decency (declaring permanent international neutrality in 1955) create a captivating mix. That means you’ll feel at home wherever you choose. To find out more about a specific resort, use our luxury ski resort finder below, or get more advice here first.

The Ski Resort in Austria with the Best Skiing

Austria provides arguably the best alpine skiing in the world. The Austrian government has invested heavily in the infrastructure, so the ski lift systems are numerous and highly efficient. You’ll also find that safety is prioritised, more so than in some countries. Children under 15 are obligated to wear helmets.

Defining the best resort for skiing is difficult, as they are all top-tier. It depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking to challenge yourself Kitzbuhel’s Kitzski ski area has a great range of slopes, capped with The Streif run, with gradients up to 85% and massive jumps. We’d rather enjoy this run as a spectator of the annual Hahnenkamm ski weekend in January.

If you are looking for the largest area to explore, head to the Alrberg ski area. This can be accessed from St. Anton, Lech, St Christoph and Zürs.

If you are looking for somewhere with guaranteed snow, there are lots of great options. Of course, no ski resort is going to be covered in snow all year. However, some Austrian ski areas have access to glacier skiing 365 days a year. Beyond that, the general rule to follow is that higher altitudes are colder, so moisture is more likely to settle as snow at higher resorts.

The highest resorts in Austria include St Christoph (1,800m) and Zürs (1716m). Austria has resorts at slightly lower altitudes than elsewhere in the Alps. However, it has some of the highest ski areas in the world. So even if the resort is a little warmer, the ski areas are usually winter wonderlands.

The Best Ski Resort in Austria for Non-skiers

For non-skiers, most of the Austrian ski resorts offer plenty to do for those not rushing down the runs. St Anton has a charming pedestrian main street lined by boutiques, bars, and restaurants. Spas are also high on the agenda at many of our luxury ski chalets for those who want to simply relax.

With such a varied landscape, the country offers plenty to do during the summer months. White water rafting, canyoning and cycling are just a few of the activities on offer when staying in one of our luxury summer chalet rentals in Austria.

The Best Ski Resort in Austria for Après Ski

We get the feeling that if Austria was a person, he’d be your fun uncle. Yes, he has an important job, although that job is organising Red Bull’s world-leading mountain events. But when he’s out of the office and off the slopes, he’s helping you become familiar with Austria’s second-most famous drink – Jägermeister. He’s as quick to dance to Europop as he is to make friends with that lovely family at the next table. His name is Arnold, and he’ll be back, likely with a round of steins and schnapps.

All jokes aside, Austrian après is great fun. The famed communal atmosphere of après can be found across the Alps but hits its peak here. Of course, you can find quieter bars and restaurants, or keep completely to yourself. But it’s worth a look in the louder establishments, even if you don’t do dancing on tables, to see what all the fuss is about.

If we had to pick just one resort as our favourite, it would be between Lech and St Anton. Their linked ski areas provide easy access to each other. Both have epic hospitality venues on and off the mountain, with upscale restaurants. Soak up the atmosphere at the MooserWirt, in St Anton, to find out why its slogan is “legendary fun since 1989”.

When you have a catered ski chalet, you can create your own après paradise, whatever the resort. Often, these luxury chalets have bar areas that can be staffed when you return from the slopes. Perfect for those days when you want to unwind away from the hustle and bustle.

Best Places to Eat and Drink in Austria

The Austrians take their food and drink very seriously. Often traditional-style Austrian cuisine lends itself to hearty meals to warm you up after a day on the slopes, such as the local dish of Goulash. Offering great value, the service and hospitality in Austria are some of the best in the Alps. Stay in one of our luxury ski chalets with a private chef and be greeted with delicious gourmet meals each evening, making the most of seasonal ingredients.

Renowned for their cakes and pastries, a luxury ski holiday in Austria would not be complete a slice of warm apple strudel or their famous Sacher Torte, both of which can be found in most cafes and restaurants. There are plenty of mountainside restaurants to stop for lunch, particularly in Kitzbuhel; the Panorama Alm offers plenty of alpine charm, an outdoor terrace and robust meat dishes.

Perhaps Austria’s most famous ski resort, St. Anton is as well known for its lively après as it is for its skiing. Party until the early hours in bars, or for a quieter night head to St. Christoph.

Luxury Chalets in Austria

We make finding your perfect ski chalet as easy as a horse-drawn cart ride through one of Austria’s traditional villages. Of course, you can browse our list or map of luxury chalets in Austria below. But if you’d rather discuss your requirements with our luxury travel experts, we can match you to your best options.

That’s not all we offer. After booking, we can assist by booking transfers, ski lessons, activities and more. Before booking, we can provide any guidance you may need. For example, if you are keen on a luxury Austrian ski chalet, but do not know which resort suits you, we can suggest where to go. We’ve detailed the key points here.

Why Visit Luxury Ski Chalets in Austria

If you love warm hospitality and lively après skiing as much as you love great skiing, then our luxury ski chalets in Austria are for you. Austria is where après ski was born, and it’s still as welcoming as ever! But it’s the skiing that is the real star of the show in Austria. Staying in a luxury ski chalet in resorts like St Anton, Lech, Zürs and St Christoph gives easy access to the world-class Arlberg ski area. This is a huge and well-linked ski zone with a good range of skiing for all abilities and a great selection of mountain restaurants.

A luxury ski holiday in Austria has it all and more, from quaint picturesque villages, exclusive ski resorts and brilliant skiing to the best après ski in the Alps. There are plenty of summer activities as well as a warm welcome that you just can’t beat. Whether you are looking for a luxury catered ski chalet or a self-catered ski chalet holiday, you are likely to find it in Austria.

Firefly Collection has a fantastic range of Austrian luxury ski chalets, from cosy alpine retreats to highly glamorous ski chalets such as Chalet N in Lech, offering state-of-the-art technology and heavenly spa facilities.

What to Look for in Luxury Ski Chalets in Austria

Whether you know where you want to go, or are happy with any Austrian ski resort, the chalet itself is the main decision to make. Focusing on the features of the chalet helps refine your selection. Think about what’s most important to you, what does it have to have?

Most people prioritise luxury catered ski chalets in Austria. The appeal of having a private chef making amazing food served in the beautiful dining room is hard to beat. Ski-in/ski-out luxury chalets are the second most demanded. It’s always great to ski right from your doorstep, but many of our chalets come with optional driver services. That means it’s easy to ski in any and every area near the resort, without having to carry your skis across town.

Other popular collections include luxury chalets with swimming pools, for a lovely soak after a day of fun on the mountain. And luxury chalets with hot tubs, for a similar purpose, but with more bubbles. Of course, we also offer luxury chalets with gyms, if you simply cannot skip a session. And we have a range of self-catered luxury chalets if eating out or cooking for yourself is more your style.

Our Favourite Luxury Ski Chalets in Austria

In recent years there have been several new luxury ski chalets in Austria which have raised the bar even higher in terms of luxury, style, and quality.

Chalet N in Lech is one of the very best luxury ski chalets in Austria if not the world. This incredible chalet is in Oberlech, directly on the piste for easy ski-in/ski-out access to the fabulous slopes of the Arlberg ski area.

Also in Lech is the gorgeous luxury ski chalet known simply as Uberhaus. Uberhaus sits right on the piste so offers true ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes. Its piste-side hot tub means the lucky guests can soak in the hot bubbly water whilst gazing out over the slopes and the village of Lech below.

Another stand-out ultra-luxury ski chalet in Austria is Chalet Lena, located in St Anton. Built just a few years ago, Chalet Lena boasts a swim-in/swim-out pool and a stunning central feature fireplace in the lounge.

Booking a Luxury Ski Holiday in Austria

Have you decided to set your luxury skiing holiday in Austria? Bursting at the seams to get up the mountains? Head full of sky-high hot tubs? Less keen to spend all week searching?

Get in touch, and we can match you to a selection of the best ski chalets based on your needs.

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