With the Alps covering over 60 pc of its surface, Austria's rich offer of tourism opportunities has bagged some prestigious titles like ‘cradle of alpine skiing’, ‘most beautiful village’, ‘Après-Chill’, with a lot to be explored.

Austria holds firm as a winter destination for holidaymakers. The Alps covering over 60 pc of its surface, making Austria a playground for skiers and fans of all kinds of winter sports. And then, of course, there’s the famous ‘Gemütlichkeit’, the romantic Christmas markets, and all the hearty signature dishes from Schnitzel to Kaiserschmarred and Tiroler Gröstl.

Austria National Tourist Office says in a press statement that to experience a winter filled with happy moments around the clock, travellers must experience winter holidays the Austrian way.

Winter in Tirol

Arlberg

The Arlberg region ranges from Tirol to Vorarlberg and is home to five legendary holiday spots, Sporty St Anton, Lech, famous for its award-winning restaurants, popular ski hideaway Zürs, historic St. Christoph, and family-friendly Stuben all combine winter fun with Tyrolean charm. Often dubbed the ‘cradle of alpine skiing’, Arlberg is one of the snowiest regions of the Alps, the largest connected ski area in Austria and one of the top 5 worldwide.

New in 2023/24: A new 8-person gondola lift in Stuben (Albonabahn I) and modern snow-making facilities in Schröcken.

Gurgl 

Gurgl in Tirol’s Ötztal valley sits amid snow-covered three-thousanders and scores with its snow-sure pistes, premium ski-in/ski out hotels, gourmet restaurants and international flair, it has turned into an inside tip for holidaymakers cherishing the bright sides of life. Skiers can look forward to 112 km of pistes, 25 lifts and no waiting times to get whisked to the top of the mountains. The Ötztal Super Skipass includes 5 additional winter resorts, namely Sölden, Hochoetz-Kühtai, Niederthai, Gries and Vent). Skiers can try early morning skiing and floodlit night skiing and tobogganing. Gurgl is also a popular spa destination, meaning skiers can relax their muscles in style after a long day on the slopes.

New in 2023/24: Luxury hotel Sportlers Lodge in nearby Sölden with a three-storey spa, a 150 m² infinity rooftop pool and fabulous mountain views.

SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser

The board says Brixental, just one hour from Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Munich, unites nine mountain villages and is an award-winning region. It’s one of the largest, most modern, and sustainable ski resorts in the world. Featuring 270 km of groomed slopes and 20 valley descents, it has been powered by 100 pc green electricity for more than 20 years and has had one of the first solar-powered lifts in Austria since 2008, making it both a fun and sustainable resort. SkiWelt is also home to Austria’s largest night resort, of about 13 km.

New in 2023/24: The sign-posted SkiWelt Tour taking skiers and snowboarders around the whole region without having to take a single lift twice. It can be taken clockwise (69 km) or anti clockwise (84 km).

St Johann

St Johann in Tirol and its neighbouring villages Oberndorf, Kirchdorf and Erpfendorf are located right in the heart of the Kitzbühel Alps and are a leading destination for family winter holidays. The mostly family-run hotels cater to the needs of even the youngest guests, there are ski schools, tobogganing, Segway tours and special kids’ programmes, with the adventures accompanied by the region’s mascot Yappy. The board says skiers can stay in cosy St. Johann, about 42 km of slopes, or choose the 3 Länder Freizeit Arena ski pass which is 171 km, or go big with the Super Ski Card at 2,750 km plus 3 glaciers.

New in 2023/24: The Dynafit Skitourenpark for ski touring fans, with some trails also accessible in the evening.

Zillertal 

Zillertal valley, consisting of the ski regions Fügen-Kaltenbach, Zell-Gerlos, Mayrhofen-Hippach and Tux-Finkenberg, boasts 544 km of slopes and the steepest run in Austria. 180 modern cable cars and lifts take guests up to 3,250 m above sea level in no time. The Zillertal Superskipass gives unlimited access to all of this, and includes ski buses and public transport on top. Plus, the snowy fun in Zillertal doesn’t end with the groomed pistes, the ski region is also a hotspot for freeriders, adds the statement. Add the cross country and winter hiking trails, the traditional huts, family-run hotels, and adventures like the Hintertux Nature Ice Palace.

New in 2023/24: The 10-seater gondola lift Krimml-X-Press and the 2-seater chairlift 6 CLD Mitterleger in Zillertal Arena, as well as Visorium, an indoor leisure facility in Mayrhofen where visitors can learn interesting facts about the Zillertal in a playful way.

Innsbruck

In Innsbruck, skiing meets sightseeing, and urban amenities are combined with the world-renowned winter sports facilities of the Olympia SkiWorld. The Ski plus City pass gives guests access to no less than 13 ski areas with a total of 308 km of pistes, 111 lifts and cable cars, many of them accessible right from the heart of the city. Away from the slopes, 22 sightseeing and cultural activities await, from the Bergisel ski jump to the Swarovski Crystal Worlds and the alpine zoo. Families with children will especially value the huge variety of winter adventures.

New in 2023/24: A new family-friendly toboggan run over 1,300m in nearby Kühtai and H5 Studio, the new partner hotel of nearby Grauer Bär right in the heart of town.

Kitzbühel 

One of the birthplaces of alpine skiing and the home of the famous Hahnenkamm races, Kitzbühel ranks among the best and most well-known winter resorts in the world. As many as 233 km of slopes, 57 lifts, 11 ski schools, more than 60 mountain huts and up to 200 km of skiing await. The Hahnenkamm cable car is just three minutes away from the historic centre and several descents end in the heart of the village. Add the toboggan runs, the countless cross-country and winter hiking trails, the weekly activity programme, and award-winning restaurants.

New in 2023/24: Two 6-seater chairlifts replacing the 6SB Trattenbach and 6SB Gauxjoch from December.

Alpbach

With four mountains and two valleys is one big winter adventure for the whole family. SkiJuwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau, less than one hour away from Innsbruck and home to Austria’s ‘most beautiful village’ Alpbach, ranks among the most child-friendly ski resorts in Tirol. Skiers and snowboarders can look forward to 113 km of slopes, 45 lifts, 10 ski schools, snow parks and picturesque untouched nature. Special adventures include early morning and night skiing, co-piloting sessions on piste bashers, tobogganing and the top of Alpbach, featuring an observation tower, a restaurant, and a platform with stunning panoramic views.

One of the largest linked, cross-border ski areas in the Alps, Ischgl and its neighbouring resorts Galtür, Kapp and See give holidaymakers the full Alpine luxury experience. The resort features 364 km of snow-sure slopes up until early May, 45 state-of-the-art gondolas and chairlifts, and thrilling off-piste freeriding. Winter sports enthusiasts can take their pick from countless four and five-star hotels, while foodies will enjoy dining at a different award-winning restaurant every night of their stay, Ischgl, home to more toque-awarded restaurants than any other destination in Austria, has been named the Tyrolean gourmet mecca by Gault-Millau restaurant guide ‘A la carte’.

New in 2023/24: New hotel Luf Lodges, a mix of luxury, comfort, and closeness to nature amid the breathtaking alpine mountain landscape.

Winter in Salzburgerland

Zell am See-Kaprun

Zell am See-Kaprun is SalzburgerLand’s only glacier ski resort, ensuring skiing fun from as early as October thanks to the Kitzsteinhorn. Winter sports enthusiasts await fun slopes for all ages, thrilling snow parks and freeride options and spectacular views of Lake Zell. The Ski Alpine Card connects three resorts and gives guests access to 408 km of slopes, including one of the world’s largest fun piste on the Schmittenhöhe. Alternative activities include the Tauern Spa, snowshoeing, torch-lit winter hikes, and stunning viewing platforms. A special feature of Zell am See-Kaprun is ‘Après-Chill’, the relaxed version of après-ski with open fires and lounge music.

St Johann

St Johann in Salzburg is just 60 km south of the city of Salzburg and makes an ideal destination for a family snow holiday. Guests can enjoy skiing like back in the day, including at the Hahnbaum family area, where children and newbies of all ages will master their first turns at the platter lift free of charge. A highlight for families is the SoKiWo St Johann Kids Week, a fun-packed adventure programme on and off the piste from April 3 – 7, 2024). St. Johann is part of Snow Space Salzburg, one of Austria’s five largest ski regions, connecting it with Flachau, Wagrain and Flachauwinkl/Zauchensee and featuring a total of 210 km of slopes, including two World Cup runs. Holidaymakers can ski-in/ski-out right from their hotel door!