True winter sports fans love the feeling of making their first turns over a freshly groomed slope. Their hearts beat faster when they draw their lines through the deep snow off-piste. Varied downhill runs, modern lifts such as gondolas and chairlifts as well as huts that are perfect for a culinary summit experience make a day in the snow perfect. So where are they hiding, these places that offer skiers simply everything? In Austria, of course! The best places to ski in Austria each stand out in their own way.

Lech-Zürs

Piste kilometres: 305
Day ticket: € 66,-/adults, € 36,50/children
Snow report

Why? The Arlberg is generally regarded as the cradle of modern alpine skiing. Ski courses were held here as early as 1908, the first ski school followed in 1921. Thanks to the modern infrastructure, more than 300 kilometres of pistes open up from Lech-Zürs. Editor's tip: the ski tour "The White Ring" is one of the most legendary ski tours of all. The half-day sporting challenge encompasses approx. 22 km of ski runs and 5,500 metres in altitude.

Top addresses

Hotel Almhof Schneider
Tannberg 59, 6764 Lech am Arlberg
Tel.: +43 5583 3500
almhof.at
Price: from € 900,-/night

Mail Lech Arlberg
Village 11, 6764 Lech am Arlberg
+43 5583 2206
postlech.com
Price: from € 570,-/night

Restaurant Red Wall Chef's Table
Train 5, 6764 Lech am Arlberg
Tel.: +43 5583 34350
redwall.com

Ischgl

Piste kilometres: 239
Day ticket: € 59.50/adults, € 34.50/children
Snow report

Why? Ischgl is considered one of the most modern ski resorts in Austria - if not the world. Furthermore, the town scores with the highest density of toque restaurants in Tyrol. Gourmets experience top-class refreshment stops here. Editor's tip: from the Piz Val Gronda at almost 3,000 meters you have a breathtaking panoramic view. 

Top addresses

Elizabeth Arthotel
Fimbabahnweg 4, 6561 Ischgl
Tel.: +43 5444 5411
elizabeth.at
Price: from € 500,-/night

Gourmet Restaurant Stüva at Hotel Yscla
Dorfstr. 73, 6561 Ischgl
Tel.: +43 5444 5275
yscla.at

Gourmet restaurant Stiar
Persuttweg 24, 6561 Ischgl
Tel.: +43 5444 5223
stiar.at

Kitzbühel

Piste kilometres: 188
Day ticket: € 49.50 adults/€ 24.50 children
Snow report

Why? Kitzbühel is the epitome of a romantic village. However, every year around the Hahnenkamm Race, which takes place from January 21 to 23 in 2022, it transforms into a mecca for ski fans. The village square beckons with shops and boutiques of international luxury brands. Editor's tip: away from the groomed slopes, the ski area offers over 200 square kilometers of freeride fun.

Top addresses

Hotel Grand Tirolia Kitzbühel
Eichenheim 10, 6370 Kitzbühel
Tel.: +43 5356 66615
grand-tirolia.com
Price: from € 280,-/night

Weisses Rössl Kitzbühel
Bichlstraße 5, 6370 Kitzbühel
Tel.: +43 5356 71900
roesslkitz.at
Price: from € 288,-/night

Gourmet Restaurant Tennerhof
Griesenauweg, 6370 Kitzbühel
Tel.: +43 5356 63181
tennerhof.com

Wagrain

Piste kilometres: 210
Day ticket: € 61,00 adults/€ 30,50 children
Snow report

Why? 70 modern cable car facilities, two World Cup slopes, a large ski swing and many offers especially for beginners and families make Wagrain a great starting point for a variety of experiences on the slopes. There is something for every level of ability. Editor's tip: the 12 Peaks Trophy ski circuit takes you to 12 peaks in the ski area; those who complete the challenge in under 3 days receive a badge as a reward.

Top addresses

Almmonte Preclarum Suites
Widmoosweg 3, 5602 Wagrain
Tel.: +43 6413 7286
almmonte.com
Price: from € 260,-/night

Edelweiss Nature Hotel
Weberlandl 65, 5602 Wagrain
Tel.: +43 6413 8447
my-edelweiss.at
Price: from € 250,-/night

AlmMonte 96 Restaurant
Widmoosweg 3, 5602 Wagrain
Tel.: +6413 7286
almmonte.com

Saalbach-Hinterglemm

Piste kilometres: 270
Day ticket: € 55.00 adults/€ 27.50 children
Snow report

Why? The Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is one of the largest ski areas in Austria. Thanks to the ticket network with the Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See and the Kitzsteinhorn, guests can even enjoy a total of 408 kilometres of slopes with just one ski pass. Editor's tip: the Challenge is the largest ski circuit in the Alps. It takes participants over 12,400 meters in altitude, covering 65 kilometers of slopes and keeps them underway for seven hours.

Top addresses

Alpin Juwel
Haidweg 357, 5754 Hinterglemm
Tel.: +43 6541 7226
alpinjuwel.at
Price: from € 304,-/night

Hotel Alpine Palace
Reiterkogelweg 169, 5754 Hinterglemm
Tel.: +43 6541 6346
hotel-alpine-palace.com
Price: from € 312,-/night

Hotel & Restaurant Prielau Castle
Hofmannsthalstraße 10, 5700 Zell am See
Tel.: +43 6542 729110
castle-prielau.at