Ski holidays in Austria. The best ski resorts in Austria

When it comes to winter holidays, then special attention should be paid to Austria. Most of the country is occupied by the Alps. This means that there are all conditions for have a nice rest. Austria is a large ski region, which is famous throughout the world for its hospitality. There are about 800 ski resorts in the country. So, today we will try to consider holidays in Austria in the winter of 2019 - which ski resort to choose?

Austria, or the Republic of Austria, is located in Central Europe. The capital is Vienna. Rich history The region includes the influence of such civilizations as the Roman, Celtic, Bavarians, and Franks. Austria has experienced many internal wars - wars for power in the regions or for the independence of regions, and many external invasions. It was part of such states as the Holy Roman Empire and Austria-Hungary. Very, very many dynasties were directly associated with this country or ruled it. The country itself at one time was an aggressor and waged wars of conquest, however, as all countries acted at that time, but by now it has calmed down: now Austria’s policy is mainly aimed at the peace and comfort of its citizens and economic development.

Geographically, for this article dedicated to the ski resorts of a beautiful country, it is important that Austria is 70% covered with mountains. The average altitude in the country is almost a kilometer above sea level. The Alps of North Tyrol, the Salzburg Alps, the Carnic Alps... many alpine regions belong to this country, which means there is the possibility of organizing beautiful resorts, which have now reached almost perfection.

The climate is moderate with a continental bias. Everything depends greatly on the season and altitude; in the valleys of Austria it is quite warm, in the mountains there is a different climate. Ski season in Austria it usually begins in November, its peak is December, January, February, and it ends at the end of March.

Safety

Austria is a wonderful country for family vacation and for novice travelers (as well as for everyone else) because safety in the country is one of the priorities. Tourists are highly respected and valued in Austria. Crime in the country is low, especially in the ski resorts, which are mostly visited not by adventurers, but by respectable and purposeful travelers.

The main rule at ski resorts in Austria is compliance with all safety rules in the mountains. The mountains are majestic, but you shouldn’t joke with them, overestimate your strength, or show an inappropriate penchant for adventure. You should definitely understand in advance how and what operates at the resort, work with an instructor, choose and put on the right equipment, and choose trails based on your level of athletic training. Under no circumstances should you engage in sports in the mountains while drunk or sick or weakened. It is important to keep an eye on the younger members of your family or tour group.

Visa for Russians

Russians require a Schengen visa to visit Austria. A package of documents is prepared, medical insurance is issued, the financial status of tourists is carefully indicated, tickets and booking confirmation are attached, and fingerprints are taken. The main thing is to fill out all the documents correctly. Austrians are willing to give visas within a week or a couple of weeks to those who have honest intentions and confirm them when applying for a visa.

Ski resorts in Austria: what's special about them?

In general, Austria and alpine skiing are almost synonymous. It is one of the most developed countries for winter sports. Everything is here geographical conditions and a truly European level of comfort, as well as excellent attitude towards tourists. Most resorts also have something to do outside of the alpine skiing, which would be an excellent option to take a day off from sports, and would also be suitable for travelers whose family members do not all like sports.

The diversity and excellent condition of Austria's slopes is the main advantage of Austrian ski resorts. The tracks are steep and flat, for beginners who take quick walks, and for professional fans of turns. The Austrians constantly monitor the condition of the slopes; the staff constantly maintains an even snow cover.

Some resorts are combined into large areas: you can buy a pass to five resorts at once, so the variety of trails will be simply huge. Well, as for apresski (rest from a ski holiday) - in Austria in the Alps and best clubs, and a wonderful selection of food and drinks, and shopping areas. In general, the only disadvantage of the ski resorts in this country is that they are really expensive. There are more luxurious and more budget resorts, but in general Austrian prices are quite high. But from what was described above, it is clear: there is something to pay for!

Ischgl

The ski resort of Ischgl is located in Tyrol. The nearest airport is Innsbruck. It is part of the Silvretta ski area and is recognized as the best resort in Austria. Ischgl ranks fourth in popularity in Europe.

The resort has great capacity - there is everything for winter sports in better conditions. The length of all routes is 200 kilometers. They are suitable for both beginners and professionals. For lovers thrills Virgin trails are optimal. The resort has ski areas both with and without forest. There are just no dangerously steep descents.

Most of the trails in Ischgl are red and black.

Ischgl hotels are the best in the Alps. The five-star establishments here are fabulous. But there is something to choose for those who are counting on the middle price category. There are plenty of three-star hotels, but very few budget ones. A separate feature of Ischgl is its multi-level nature; some hotels are connected to the ski lifts using escalators underground.

The resort has several ski lifts various types. With their help, tourists can get to anywhere in Ischgl. In addition to the trails, vacationers can visit a water park, saunas, bowling, a Turkish bath and much more. Restaurants and bars offer a wide selection of drinks and various dishes. Snowboarders will also love Ischgl; there is a whole entertainment area with 30 obstacles for them. From Ischgl it is easy to get to Switzerland if you have a visa - in the small village of Samnaun there is an excellent duty-free zone for shopaholics.

Bad Gastein

Bad Gastein is located in the Gasteinertal valley. There are several villages located near the resort. This will allow every vacationer to find the most suitable option for themselves. The resort is famous for its radon springs, which have healing properties. At the beginning of the last century, Bad Gastein was recognized as the main health resort in Austria. This is the main advantage of the resort - the opportunity to combine leisure and treatment. In the very center of the town there is even a waterfall, and also swimming pools with thermal water, saunas, spa programs.

The ski slopes are equipped with everything necessary to create optimal conditions for normal recreation. Skiers will not be bored here. High-quality instruction schools, cross-country skiing trails, numerous slopes, swimming pools and much more await every vacationer. Almost all routes lead directly to settlements. Therefore, entertainment can begin immediately after you cross the threshold of the house. The resort has 3 slopes for luge enthusiasts.

In addition to treatment and sports, this resort has a lot of entertainment: a casino, bowling alley, many nightlife establishments, amusement parks for younger travelers. The downside of Bad Gastein is its really high cost.

Innsbruck

Is the most famous resort: The Olympic and Paralympic games were even held there. It includes several different resorts, great developed infrastructure and has an exceptionally pleasant and calm atmosphere.

The total length of the tracks is more than 300 kilometers. In total, there are 9 different resorts near the city, they are very close, a maximum of an hour. Ski resorts They offer, in fact, alpine skiing, mountaineering, and hiking.

The slopes of Innsbruck resorts are suitable for athletes of different skill levels: from green to black. The resorts of Patscherkofel and Muterer Alm have very easy trails suitable for children. You can also go sledding. And experienced skiers will pay attention to Aksamer-Litzum.

The big advantage of Innsbruck is that you can combine ski holiday here you can explore many attractions: temples, palaces, museums, lots of entertainment for children, a great solution would be to celebrate in Innsbruck New Year or Christmas.

Mayrhofen

The resort is located in the Ziller Valley. The peculiarities of the resort are its relative - in comparison with many other Austrian - affordability, focus on family entertainment, and many ski schools. You can even go to Mayrhofen with kids, because the resort is located approximately 600 meters above sea level.

Near the resort there are the villages of Hippach, Ramsau, Finkenberg. They are even more relaxed than Mayrhoffen, where there are still parties. The villages will be a wonderful place to relax for cross-country skiing enthusiasts. Snowboard lovers can go to a special park that has its own ski lift, areas for athletes of any level, and many jumps.

The resort has a lot of blue, flat pistes (Ahorn zone), on the other hand, and professionals have plenty of places to ski (the steepest piste in the country is in the Penken zone). Ski buses are very accessible here and often run to the bottom of the cable cars from anywhere in the resort. Mayrhofen also has the longest cable car.

You can stay in Mayrhofen quite inexpensively, as was said. There are a large number of boarding houses aimed at families with average incomes. The guest house can be booked for 3,500 rubles per day.

Despite its accessibility, shopping is very developed in Mayrhofen. There is a farmers market in the town - if you live in an apartment and cook for yourself, you can easily buy the freshest delicacies of Tyrolean cuisine there: sausages, mulled wine, strudel. At Christmas, a large market begins at the resort, one of the most interesting in Austria in general. You can bring with you from the resort a gift for every taste - from exquisite Swarovski products to a traditional Tyrolean blouse made of natural fabric, from chocolate to Nutcracker dolls.

Kaprun and Zell am See

Kaprun is located near the glacier of the same name, where you can ski throughout the year. This is an excellent resort for those who have just begun to join the world of skiing. The hotels are located close to the highways, so little travel time is needed.

A special feature of the Kaprun resort is the mountain train, on which athletes travel from the city directly to the glacier. The trails are intended mainly for beginners and amateurs. Near the resort there is a real medieval castle, church and lake.

The disadvantages of the resort include the fact that it is small, but you can go to neighboring Zell am See. Zell am See is part of the European Sports Region united with Kaprun. It is suitable for intermediate level athletes.

A special feature of the resort is that the trails of varying difficulty are located in different places, so it is impossible to confuse and disturb someone. There are many hotels in Zell am See to suit all tastes, except, perhaps, the most budget ones. The local lake hosts evenings with Austrian music, and Salzburg is also nearby with many attractions.

To summarize, there are a lot of resorts in Austria. The article describes only the most popular or interesting ones; it is impossible to talk about them all. But if you value high-quality ski holidays, and also want a unique combination of tradition and modernity, the aesthetics of nature and human creations, you should definitely go on a ski holiday to Austria in 2019, no matter which resort you choose.

Austria is famous throughout the world for composers, beer and schnitzels. But no less important is the fame of this small country provide stunning Alpine ski resorts, the rumor about which flies throughout Earth. High mountain climate, snow-white slopes, amazing service - all this can be seen in Austria.

In total, there are just under 400 resorts in Austria. Most skiers choose alpine places, since prices in this country are relatively lower than neighboring countries- France, Switzerland, Germany. And the quality in some is even better than expensive settlements.

But before choosing a resort, you should remember that alpine slopes not for beginners, and most of them do not have green trails. Of course, there are ski schools, but if you want to build up your experience, it is better to choose easier mountains.

Ski resorts in Austria on the map (TOP 5):

Ischgl

Now this resort is considered one of the most visited. And statistics don’t lie. They love it for its excellent slopes, because even during a thaw, skiers will not be disappointed - snow cannons are placed everywhere.

Various tracks are suitable for amateurs and professionals: for cross-country skiing you can find wide plains, but for thrill-seekers there will be bright “red” and “black” tracks.

The ratio of the routes is as follows:

"Greens" - 0
"Blues" - 40
"Reds" - 80
"Black" - 15

The total length of the tracks is 230 kilometers.

Photos of the ski resort Ischgl:

Modern lifts transport athletes in a matter of minutes. Here you can see the world's first double decker lift which can accommodate up to 180 people.

Other types of lifts:

23 chairlifts
3 cabins
2 cable cars

The ski pass has the same price in both “high” and “low” seasons - 45 euros per day.

Read the full article about the Ischgl ski resort.

Hotels in Ischgl:

Sölden

This resort is famous for hosting the first stage of the Alpine Ski World Cup since 2002. And Sölden itself attracts tourists with a large selection of slopes and trails, of which there are 146.

In addition, there are two glaciers here - Rettenbach and Tiefenbach. The cable cars can take you to a height of 3300 meters. And for a peaceful rest of body and soul, the Aquadom health center is located not far from the resort.

Photos of the resort Sölden:

In the “high” season, a ski pass for a day will cost 50 euros, and in “low” 46 euros.

Hotel prices in Sölden:

St. Anton

We can say that this is where the origins of Austrian ski holidays begin. Back in the 30s of the last century, Hannes Schneider opened the first ski school on the site of today's resort. A little later, the neighboring village of Zurs became famous for the country's first ski lift.

Perpetually snow-capped St. Anton is a very diverse place - 100 runs, 96 lifts, and some of them have warm seats. Local schools employ smart and educated instructors who will teach you how to ride even from scratch. And in the settlement itself there are always types of evening and night recreation.

The price of a ski pass for both seasons is 50 euro/day.

Photos of the resort St. Anton:

Hotels in St. Anton:

Saalbach-Hinterglemm

When asked what is the largest mountain arena in Austria, it is worth answering without a doubt about the resort, which includes Saalbach, Hinterglemm and Leogang. They say about it that you can travel along the slopes all day and never ride the same lift.

The 200 kilometers of trails are divided into:

29 "blue"
26 "red"
5 "black".

There won't be any green ones here, but professionals will love the challenging 4-kilometer-long track. If the skier is still not confident in his skills, then it is advised to try simple slopes below forest level.

Photos of the resort Saalbach-Hinterglemm:

A ski pass in the “high” season will cost 47 euro/day, and in “low” 40 euros.

Hotels in Saalbach:

Kirchberg and Kitzbühel

Both resorts are located next to each other - the distance between them is only 6 kilometers. This is where you can feel the real Tyrolean atmosphere. It is sometimes said that its name is inseparable from the concept of “skiing”. But in small Kirchberg there is the famous Streif track.

There are practically no queues for the lifts here - each has about 70 lifts of different types.

Photos of the resorts Kirchberg and Kitzbühel:

A ski pass purchased at one of these resorts is valid throughout Tyrol. It will cost 47 euros in the high season, and 42 euros to "low".

Hotels in Kitzbühel:

Climate, weather and seasons in Austria

The Alps primarily influence the country's climate - they do not allow large quantity precipitation inland. But on the outskirts of the mountains, up to 3000 mm falls per year. But the country also never gets cold - in winter in the capital the average is +3, and at ski resorts it drops to a maximum of -5 degrees and a little lower at higher points.

The Austrian summer is warm, sometimes even hot, but there is still no scorching sun there. Dry weather helps cope with the heat. If in winter most tourists flock to the mountains, then in spring and early summer it is best to visit the sights and tourist places countries. People often come here to relax on the warm lakes of Carinthia.

In autumn, you can enjoy the nature of Austria and feel a real influx of inspiration to the music of Mozart. Mild weather will allow you to walk along the streets of ancient cities and not be afraid of a sudden downpour.

Cost of accommodation and food

Housing prices primarily depend on the season - from December to February and from July to August they are the highest, since the influx of tourists on these days is the greatest. Of course, you can find an inexpensive apartment for 35 euros per day, but there is an option to relax on a grand scale in a spacious cottage; the cost, accordingly, will rise several times.

In addition, the list of popular places to stay includes excellent hotels and inns at an affordable price. In resort villages you can always stay close to the center and have access to all the entertainment within walking distance.

You don't have to worry about food - there are grocery stores, cafes, restaurants and bars everywhere. The quality is excellent, but you have to pay for it. You can pay 10–20 euros for lunch. Hotels most often offer free breakfast.

Other leisure activities at resorts

Experienced skiers can get bored of skiing all day in a row, and then they want change and new sensations. Then there is an option to try out a snowboard by renting it; take a breeze on a snowmobile; experience the beauty of the night Alps while riding after sunset.

In the villages and nearby cities there are cafes, bars, and night clubs. Austrian resorts are also good because they always have a decent spa. The stores have a huge range of souvenirs and gifts for relatives for every taste. Sometimes there are skating rinks, and there are playgrounds for the little ones.

It's very difficult to get bored in Austria - it's a diverse amazing country. The ski resorts will satisfy even the most experienced skier, and he will definitely want to return here, because the Alps are simply impossible to forget!

Thanks to the temperate and continental climate, there are no strong temperature changes here, and even in sweltering heat it is practically not encountered. The country is famous for its ski resorts with slopes of varying difficulty levels and good infrastructure. So conquer Mountain peaks need from to end .

When to go on vacation to Austria on the lakes? August is also considered the peak of the season, when the water reaches +28 oC. It is more comfortable to conduct excursions in the off-season.

Austria in winter

Austria — popular place fans of alpine skiing and snowboarding of any level of training. The diverse landscapes and excellent infrastructure of Innsbruck, Ischgl, Sölden, Mayrhofen, Zell am See and other resorts create a unique atmosphere. The temperature rarely drops below -8 oC, and the dry air makes it easy to endure the local cold. On the plains the temperature stays around 0 oC, and active recreation can be combined with excursions to Salzburg, Graz and, of course, Vienna.

Austria - this is, first of all, alpine skiing and snowboarding. The country traditionally ranks first in terms of attendance by Russian skiers.

Why ski Austria so popular?

a huge selection of ski areas;
great attention to skiers of different skill levels;
excellent ski schools;
modern, constantly updated resort infrastructure;
perfectly prepared slopes;
first-class hotels with a homely atmosphere;
reasonable pricing policy in restaurants, equipment rental shops and hotels;
Numerous après-ski options.

And cozy mountain huts and peasant estates, alpine glaciers and meadows create a wonderful backdrop for skiing and snowboarding!

When is the best time to go to Austria?

The best time for a ski holiday is Catholic Christmas and New Year's week, from the second week of February to mid-March. The first week of January during Orthodox Christmas and Russian children's school holidays- traditionally the most convenient time of rest for Russian skiers.

What do you need to be prepared for?

In hotels: One of the attractions of Austrian hotels is that after the reception is closed, the front door can only be opened with the key to your room.
Solution: Take your keys with you if you go for a walk in the evening.

At ski equipment rental offices: There are very few basic models of equipment (the cheapest according to price lists). And “top” equipment is 1.5-2 times more expensive.
Solution: take your skis with you or book in advance (preferably by e-mail, telephone orders are often lost).

With credit cards: the vast majority of restaurants, hotels and even ski pass sales points do not accept payment credit cards.
Solution: Have the necessary cash reserves with you.

The language barrier: service workers (hotels, restaurants), as a rule, own English language. But taxi and bus drivers, employees of many municipal services, as well as owners of private boarding houses communicate exclusively in German.
Solution: learn a few common phrases in German. Our phrasebook will help you with this.

Alpine skiing in Austria is the best service in the world and maximum adrenaline!

Austrian Alps

The Austrian Alps, in addition to the pre-alpine hills in the East, include three main mountain ranges: Northern Limestone Alps (NCA), High Alps (HA) and Southern Limestone Alps (SCA). SIA have many natural valleys that shelter such creations of human hands as, and. VA start from the Oetztal valley (,) and stretch through to and. VA have several comfortable passes, and car roads The Brennerpass and Grossglockner-Hochalpenstrasse are perhaps the most famous complex combinations of tunnels, bridges and fantastic landscapes in Europe. JIA is Austria's natural border with Italy and Slovenia.

The Austrian Alps are lower than the neighboring Western Italian, Swiss and French, but special climatic conditions Associated with high natural humidity and the more northern (relative to its neighbors) position of the country, while the heavenly office observes the low temperatures required for winter, they delight in the exceptional quality of snow, especially in high mountain resorts.

The birthplace of modern alpine skiing

The name of Austria is forever associated with modern ski technology. As you know, until the end of the century before last, the main technology ski slope there was a Scandinavian telemark (an exquisite style that amazes with its originality and unexpected grace on modern slopes, just like some old-timer convertible on modern highways!). This retro style was based on the use of bindings not unlike cross-country ski bindings. At the beginning of the last century, the Austrian Hannes Schneider radically fixed the heel of a skier, using the “snow plow” technique, which allows him to constantly control the pressure on the entire sliding surface. The popularization of the new method deserves special mention: along with organizing competitions that attracted the attention of professionals to the new technique, Schneider also used the then young cinema to spread his school among amateurs. And already in the 30s, after H. Schneider’s school moved to the USA, the new technology became almost worldwide.

Seasonality

High season: Catholic Christmas and New Year's week (December 22 - January 2), as well as from the second week of February to mid-March. The first week of January during the Orthodox Christmas period and Russian children's school holidays is traditionally the most convenient time for Russian skiers to rest.

Low season: from early December to Christmas, mid-January (from 13.01 to 27.01), from the end of March to the end of April.

Visa

On December 1, 1997, the Republic of Austria joined the Schengen area.
The deadline for submitting a visa application is 10 days before the start of the trip (in high season - 2-3 weeks)
The visa processing time is 7 calendar days (in high season - up to 14 working days).

Documents required to apply to the Embassy of the Republic of Austria in Moscow:

A foreign passport, the validity of which expires no earlier than 3 months after the end of the trip,

1 completed form,

Certificate from place of employment indicating annual income,

Medical insurance against accident, valid in the territory of the Schengen countries during the trip,

Invitation from the host (hotel),

Air tickets (or a printout of your air ticket reservation).

48 EUR when submitting documents independently, 60 EUR when submitting documents through a travel agency

Telephone codes

Austria (from Moscow): 8-10-43-[area code] - subscriber number.
Austria (to Moscow, from any phone): 007-[city code in Russia (Moscow - 495) or network code mobile communications] - [subscriber number].
Austria. Vienna (from Moscow): 8-10-43-1- [subscriber number]
Austria. Salzburg (from Moscow): 8-10-43-662- [subscriber number]
Austria. Innsbruck (from Moscow): 8-10-43-512- [subscriber number].

Features of the Austrian service

Hotels. One of the attractions of Austrian hotels is that after the reception closes, the front door can only be opened with the key to your room... Don't forget to take the keys with you if you go out for a walk in the evening. Saunas. The Austrians know and love the bathhouse no less than the Russians. It is customary here to steam (for hygienic reasons) not with brooms, but with towels. The real virtuosos of their craft - the local bathhouse attendants (bademeisters) - have deep traditions of steaming and do not understand the dry Finnish sauna or the cool Roman sanariums, just like us. However, there is almost no chance of “meeting” a real steamer in a hotel sauna: the ritual of “steaming” (Aufguss) is most often performed according to a schedule in “public” saunas of resort water-thermal complexes and consists of 2 (according to the mood of the public - 3- x) flavored giveaways. It is customary to go to public saunas “without covering”, and this rule is not subject to discussion either in Austria or Germany and has no exceptions.

Ski equipment rental offices. There are two main problems. The first is that there are very few basic models (the cheapest according to price lists). And “top” equipment is 1.5-2 times more expensive. There are two options for solving the problem: 1) take your skis with you, 2) book in advance (preferably by e-mail, telephone orders are usually lost). The second problem is drying the boots. The problem is painful in the truest sense of the word. Therefore, even if you go to the mountains once a year, have your own ski shoes.

Credit cards. Many restaurants, hotels and even ski pass sales points do not accept credit cards. Carry the necessary cash reserves with you. Let us remind you that the most favorable exchange rate for rubles and dollars to euros is in Moscow.

The language barrier. Service workers (hotels, restaurants), as a rule, speak English. But taxi and bus drivers, employees of many municipal services, as well as owners of private boarding houses use exclusively German to exchange information with the outside world.

About some aspects of selection Austrian resorts for this guide

Our review of Austrian ski resorts did not include more than 50 ski regions. Except objective reasons(small ski area and modest infrastructure and low attractiveness for specifically flying through half of Europe), we would like to note some subjective points that prevent us from including even those resorts that, according to objective indicators, could be included.

Montafon(ski area from 650 m to 2,300 m, length of slopes - 203 km). Montafon is picturesquely located in the western part of Vorarlberg and is where some of the Swiss ski touring routes end. However, the miniature and “sleepy” nature of the resorts included in the region, combined with the fragmentation of ski areas (2 km + 26 km + 5 km + 46 km + 3 km, etc.), forcing the use of ski buses, are a sufficient reason to visit the typologically similar, but better located Sportwelt Amade (Flachau or Wagrain) or Gasteinertal (Bad Gastein or Bad Hofgastein), not to mention the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser (Hopfgarten or Söll) or Kitzbühel.

Nauders / Nauders(ski area from 1400 m to 2850 m, length of slopes - 111 km). This no less picturesque resort is a place of real tourist pilgrimage, but... in the summer! If for a relaxing summer holiday in the mountains a very mediocre ski infrastructure, mediocre hotels and a poorly developed evening entertainment industry are not a hindrance, then in winter these shortcomings become of serious importance. For comparison, we can cite bare facts: 55 km of slopes in Kaprun (ESR) are served by 28 ski lifts, and in Nauders 66 km of slopes are served by only 14, that is, there are 4.7 km of slopes per ski lift here, and 1.96 km in Kaprun . And if we take into account that the number of guests in Kaprun and in Nauders differs by an order of magnitude (5,500 people and 4,011 people, respectively), then the congestion of the ski lifts in Nauders compared to Kaprun becomes obvious. The remoteness of hotels from ski lifts completes a number of subjective arguments against.

Regarding the small glacial zones presented in our guide, we would like to note that the value of resorts offering guaranteed snow, even from the point of view of common sense, should not be questioned. For this simple reason, we tried to include all the main glacier ski areas in “our program”. Only the Kaunertal Glacier remains outside the scope (ski area from 2,150 m to 2,330 m, length of pistes - 38 km), which is located only 26 km from (Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis) and, by and large, does not need a separate detailed presentation.

Austria is a premium class in the world of ski holidays. And this is not surprising: the inhabitants of the Austrian Tyrol and Salzburg came up with the idea of skimming the cream from the legendary alpine meadows not only in the emerald summer, but also in the frosty snowy winter, before anyone else in the world - more than 100 years ago. The first downhill competitions took place in the Austrian Alps in 1904, and the first one was opened in 1922. ski school, in 1928 - the first ski lift and, in fact, the ski lift were launched travel business generally.

Over the course of a century, hardworking, careful, stubborn Austrians managed to build a real snow empire on the slopes of their native Alps, including more than 800 ski resorts and about 50 ski areas, almost 20% of which operate all year round.

Today, Austria is a leader in receiving skiers and snowboarders. Short flight, well-equipped various slopes - both for children and beginners, and for severe off-piste skiing, wide choose accommodation - from 5-star hotels to more than budget apartments that can be rented “shared”, the best apre-ski in the world - all this attracts tens of thousands of tourists “armed” with skis and snowboards to the Austrian slopes of the Alps every year.

Express information on the country

Austria (Republic of Austria)- a state in Central Europe.

Capital – Vein

Largest cities: Vienna, Graz, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck

Form of government- Federal Republic

Territory– 83,871 km 2 (112th in the world)

Population– 8.4 million people. (94th in the world)

Official language- German

Religion– Catholicism

HDI– 0.885 (23rd in the world)

GDP– $436.88 billion (27th in the world)

Currency– euro

Borders with: Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Germany

Thanks to visa-free travel, Austria has become much more accessible than before. We have compiled for you a list of the most interesting Austrian ski resorts, which will delight you with a variety of slopes and high-quality service.

Attention! The ski regions of Austria have their own rules, which are somewhat different from the global ones. Therefore, please note:

*there are no traditional amateur “green” trails on the local slopes. Their place is taken by “blue” ones - they are intended for training beginners;

*most lifts operate between 8:30 and 16:00. Only some slopes provide the opportunity for evening skiing. So it makes sense to think about evening leisure in advance;

*booking a room in hotels and apartments here is accepted from Saturday to Saturday: checking in mid-week can be difficult.

Ischgl

The most fashionable and pretentious ski resort in the Tyrol region. Ischgl is often called the “Austrian Courchevel” - for the same focus on expensive, high-quality service and an active social life off the piste. Concerts of world-famous stars regularly take place here - Madonna, Sting, Elton John “celebrated” in Ischgl... Another feature of Ischgl is the abundance of shopping places: the resort has official stores of many of the world's most famous brands. As for the skiing opportunities, they are also excellent here: 90% of Ischgl’s pistes are located above 2000 m above sea level, and therefore they are not threatened by winters with little snow, snow - real, alpine, sparkling - is always here. The resort is suitable for families with children: there is a ski school with more than a hundred instructors, “tailored” to work with children, and a kindergarten.

Trails: the total length of the descents reaches 238 km. More than half of the slopes are classified as “red” - intended for experienced skiers. There are also cross-country ski trails. A special treat for snowboarders: Ischgl is among the top best resorts for snowboarding in Europe. It offers boarders a half-pipe, four jumps and ample opportunities for off-piste skiing.

Ski season: mid-November - early May.

Ski pass cost: from 210 to 240 euros depending on the season (during the periods from November 24 to December 23, from January 7 to 20, from April 18 to May 1, the cost of the ski pass is reduced). Children's passes are cheaper - about 150 euros.

Bad Gastein

If Ischgl is the “Austrian Courchevel,” then Bad Gastein, located near Salzburg, is called the “Austrian Monte Carlo” - thanks to the oldest mountain casino, the town’s classic European architecture and a wide range of après-ski options. The ski resort has several thermal springs and the corresponding infrastructure (salons for spas and beauty treatments, radon baths, salt adits), thanks to which tourists can combine a ski holiday with relaxation in the sauna and general wellness.

Trails: up to 220 kilometers of perfectly prepared slopes at altitudes up to 2700 m. More than 60% are red slopes (of medium difficulty). The resort also has cross-country ski trails, a fan park and two half-pipes for snowboarders. There are opportunities for virgin skiing.

Ski season: December - March.

Ski pass cost: about 200 euros for six days. For children (under 15 years old) and youth (under 19 years old) prices are one and a half to two times lower.

Kitzbühel

One of the most famous and popular ski resorts not only in Austria, but throughout the world. The ancient town of Kitzbühel began welcoming skiers back in the 1920s and is now considered the cradle of alpine skiing in Austria. You can ride not only in the (very expensive) Kitzbühel itself, but also in the surrounding regions associated with the “cradle” common system routes

For example, it’s a stone’s throw from Kitzbühel to the Söll region, which unites several small ski villages with more than humane costs of living and an abundance of easy “family” slopes.

Trails: up to 200 km of well-equipped and groomed trails, more than a third of which are intended for beginner skiers, including children. However, this does not mean that a professional in Kitzbühel has no place to turn around: here is the steepest slalom track in the Alps, Streif, which hosts the world's most serious downhill competitions: the slope angle of 85 degrees ensures a descent speed of up to 140 km/h.

Ski season: December - March.

Ski pass cost: about 200 euros for six days. The resort offers a discount for children (up to 15 years old) and youth (up to 19 years old). Ski passes for 12 days are also available for around 320 euros.

Mayrhofen

Located in the Ziller Valley (also called the Tyrolean Valley), the resort is considered a real ski mecca of the Alps. Four narrow roads connect in Mayrhofen mountain valleys, each of which provides opportunities for varied riding. But, of course, the most famous is the Tuxertal valley, leading to the largest glacier in Austria - Hintertux, thanks to which skiing is possible all year round in Mayrhofen. In general, the Tyrolean Valley unites ten ski regions at altitudes from 550 m to 3286 m, connected by both common trails and excellent bus service. Therefore, to ride the legendary Hintertux or relax in the water park in the evenings, you don’t have to live in Mayrhofen itself: you can find inexpensive apartments in one of the villages nearby.

Trails:up to 150 km of groomed trails, most of which belong to the blue (entry level of difficulty) or red (intermediate) categories. The length of the black slopes is up to 20 km: this also includes a slope with the eloquent name “Harakiri”, the slope of which reaches 78 degrees.

Ski season: all year round.

Ski pass cost: 205 euros for 6 days or 377 euros for 13. Children (under 15 years old) and youth (under 19 years old) are provided with significant discounts: prices for a children's ski pass start from 92 euros for 6 days of skiing.

Kaprun

For real fabulous place for those who want not only to have a great ride, but also to breathe in the atmosphere of the real, original Alps. The touching provincial town is located at the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn mountain with a height of 3203 m, from which the “tongue” of the Kaprun glacier stretches, providing the opportunity for year-round skiing.

Kaprun itself is more like a classic alpine village framed by a mountain wall: there is no snobbery, noise, or fuss, and therefore it is ideal for a family holiday. The local medieval castle and prepared trails for mountain walks in any season will give tourists a special atmosphere. For many years, the signature attraction of the ski resort was the mountain train, which took you to the glacier area, but it was replaced by cable car- which is also not bad.

Trails: about 50 km of prepared blue and red slopes, as well as over 30 km of cross-country ski trails. If you wish, after enjoying the alpine atmosphere of Kaprun, you can easily and quickly get from the town by bus to Zell am See - a more modern and noisy resort with an abundance of different trails, including black ones.

Ski season: all year round.

Ski pass cost: 209 euros for 6 days. For children (under 15 years old) and youth (under 19 years old) prices are reduced by approximately one and a half to two times.

Where to go if you...

…just learn how to ski and snowboard: Mayrhofen, Zell am See, Kaprun, Lech, Serfaus, Obertauern;

...you ride confidently and love speed: Ischgl, Bad Gastein, Kitzbühel, Mayrhofen, Zell am See, St. Anton, Serfaus, Saalbach;

…love off-piste skiing and freeride: Ischgl, Kitzbühel, Zell am See, Mayrhofen, Lech, Serfaus, Saalbach, Obertauern;

...prefer snowboarding: Ischgl, Mayrhofen and the entire Zillertal region, Bad Gastein, Sölden;

...appreciate not only alpine skiing, but also cross-country skiing: Mayrhofen, Kaprun, Zell am See, Innsbruck;

…love to roll down the slope straight to the hotel door: Hochgurl, Obergurgl, Obertauern, Zürs;

...craving a varied holiday with a daily change of activities: Ischgl, Sölden, Lech, St. Anton, Saalbach-Hinterglemm;

…would like to have a peaceful holiday with your family and children: Kitzbühel, Kaprun, Mayrhofen, Zell am See, Serfaus;

...don’t ski, but want to feel the atmosphere of a ski resort and not get bored: Kitzbühel, Kaprun, Bad Gastein, Seefeld, Innsbruck;

…love to eat delicious food: Ischgl, Kitzbühel, Bad Gastein, Mayrhofen, Seefeld, Innsbruck, Kirchberg, Seefeld;

...need a variety of evening entertainment, parties and shopping: Ischgl, Mayrhofen, St. Anton, Obertaurn, Bad Gastein, Innsbruck, Seefeld.

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