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Austrian winter spots worth discovering

Beyond Austria’s best-known ski destinations, there are plenty of resorts that remain relatively undiscovered but offer excellent conditions for a winter holiday. These lesser-known areas combine well-prepared slopes, reliable infrastructure and authentic alpine surroundings, often with a more relaxed and more personal vibe.

The following resorts are tailormade for travellers looking to experience Austria and the “Lebensgefühl” away from the crowds.

Graz Region

The Graz Region brings together vibrant urban life and nature escapes. Austria's second-largest city (345,000 people) is the country's Capital of Delight, an UNESCO World Heritage Site and a recognised City of Design. It’s a city shaped by contrast. Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture blends effortlessly with the red rooftops and hidden courtyards of the old town. Graz combines creative energy with a relaxed lifestyle and - during the Christmas period - a festive vibe. The city centre comes alive with decorated squares and streets, 15 Christmas markets within walking distance of each other, and a large nativity scene carved from ice (for the 30th time this year). Outside the city, there’s the LUMAGICA festival, where visitors can walk through an enchanting light installation park-

Holiday Region TirolWest

One resort, six villages and 1,000 km of pistes at your doorstep: The holiday region TirolWest makes a skiing break feel like a breeze. Sitting at the crossroads of some of the Alps’ biggest names, it has a dedicated Skisafari shuttle that picks guests up at their accommodation and drops them at marquee areas like St. Anton, Lech-Zürs, Ischgl, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Hochzeiger and Kaunertaler Gletscher, for just €10 / £8.5 per day (lift pass extra). From the local Venet “pleasure ski area” to bucket-list giants; it's a great value, zero-faff way to mix things up. Away from the slopes, guests can go ice bathing, snowshoeing, winter hiking, ski touring, cross-country skiing, ice skating or explore the nature park Kaunergrat, either on foot or as part of a husky adventure tour.

New for winter 2026/27:

• The Venet, TirolWest's local mountain, reopens its lifts in December 2026.

Carinthia

Carinthia iis Austria at its most relaxed. It's often affectionately called the sunny side of the Alps. Here, you can slow down and take a break from everyday life while spending time outdoors. The vibe is relaxed and calm, think Alpine-Adriatic cuisine, Carinthian bathhouses, thermal spas, and long, glowing spring afternoons. There are 30 ski areas across Carinthia and neighbouring East Tirol (included in the Kärntner Skipass) and more than 800 km of pistes, including on the Großglocker, Austria’s highest mountain at 3,798 m. For something off the slopes, you can try the natural ice rink, Lake Weissensee, amidst the mountains. Love ski touring? The Nockberge Trail strings together five areas for bookable, luggage-shuttled ski-tour trekking with hotel overnights.

New for winter 2026/27:

• Starting on 26 October, the new 10-person Kanzelbahn II gondola at the Gerlitzen (from Kanzelhöhe to the summit at 1,911 m) will replace the old 4-person chairlift.

• Over at Nassfeld, the new Tressdorfer Albahn will open in December 2026. The detachable six-seater chairlift replaces three drag lifts.

• Guests at the Nassfeld can now also collect badges and win prizes while skiing. All they have to do is register online for the Nassfeld Challenge before they head out.

Kleinwalsertal

The Kleinwalsertal sits in the Allgäu Alps and is part of Austria, but can only be reached by road via Germany's Allgäu region. This unusual location shapes the valley, along with its blend of alpine scenery, Walser culture, and the short distances between villages, accommodation, and starting points for outdoor activities. Winter sports fans can head straight to the Oberstdorf Kleinwalsertal Ski Resort and ski in two countries and across more than 130 km of slopes with one pass. There are also 50 km of groomed winter hiking trails ranging from relaxed walks to more challenging tours along with cross-country skiing trails, husky adventures and winter hiking highlights such as the Breitach Gorge. Wellness is also a big thing here, with many hotels offering day passes.

New for winter 2026/27:

• After more than 60 years, the Walmendingerhornbahn is being replaced by a new cable car, carrying 80 passengers, double the previous capacity. The floor-to-ceiling glazing ensures panoramic views along the way.

Stubai Valley

Some winter holidays are all about skiing, others are about how they make you feel. Cosy Stubai Valley in Tirol brings together the best of both worlds. Home to four ski areas and a glacier, it offers fun on 65 km of slopes, alpine scenery, and many opportunities to experience winter beyond the pistes. Guests can spend their mornings carving fresh tracks, mastering their freeriding skills or hitting the snow park, and their afternoons enjoying a family toboggan run, exploring the Christmas markets or marveling at the panoramas from the Top of Tirol viewing platform at 3,210 m, amidst the Stubai Alps and more than one hundred three-thousanders. Those eager to walk while taking in the views can take their pick from 80 km of winter hiking and 60 km of cross country skiing trails.

New for winter 2026/27:

A new light park is being created on the shores of Lake Kampler See in Neustift. From the end of November up until February, animal sculptures will illuminate the path around the lake.