Skiing Classics
The big-name resorts in Austria

Austria’s big-name winter sports resorts continue to thrive – and there are many reasons why. With extensive ski areas, modern infrastructure and a wide choice of accommodation, dining and après-ski, they offer something for both serious skiers and snowboarders and those looking for a more relaxed mountain experience on and beyond the slopes.

Explore some of Austria’s most famous resorts and pistes and get ready to embrace the Austrian “Lebensgefühl” in legendary settings.

Kitzbühel

The name is shorthand for ski legend: Kitzbühel has pastel-painted streets, glamorous hotels and the famous Hahnenkamm.

It offers worldclass skiing with 233 km of slopes, catering to beginners on the Kitzbüheler Horn and advanced skiers on the Streif downhill course. You don't need to be a racing line expert to enjoy this winter sports hub, there’s deep variety across the wider KitzSki area, from cruisy circuits and family zones to long valley runs that end in the village centre. Kitzbühel is more than just a ski resort these days, with culture, lifestyle and wellness all taking a front seat. Add toboggan runs, cross-country and winter hiking trails, a weekly activity programme, and award-winning restaurants, and it’s easy to see Kitzbühel’s popularity.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is a stunning city perched amongst the Alps. It’s a two-time Winter Olympic host surrounded by 296 km of slopes, and home of the famous Bergisel. What makes winter in the Innsbruck region so special is the balance between alpine and urban. Here, the thrill of skiing meets the allure of the city, shredding meets sightseeing, and surfing through the snow strolling through charming old town streets. Innsbruck combines the energy of an alpine city with a range of easily accessible ski areas, from Olympic-standard slopes to high-alpine freeride terrain, all included in the SKI plus CITY Pass, and just a 20-min cable car ride from the city centre. It’s the ultimate “ski-city” hybrid for British travellers who want choice and short transfer times - you can be on the slopes within an hour of landing!

New for winter 2026/27:

• On 27 and 28 November 2026, AIDRENALINE will make its debut at the Bergisel. The new event combines sporting competitions and music. Around 160 international athlethes and 20,000 visitors are expected over the two days.  

Schladming-Dachstein

Schladming-Dachstein lives for snow and spectacle. It’s home to the floodlit Night Slalom and the 4-Mountain area connecting Planai, Hochwurzen, Hauser Kaibling and Reiteralm, and 123 km of pistes. It has 222 km of slopes of its own and is part of Ski amadé, featuring 760 km of pistes and 270 lifts. In Schladming-Dachstein you can expect a polished resort experience replete with modern lifts, characterful huts and a year-round culinary scene. The Dachstein Glacier features a not-to-be-missed high-altitude cross-country trail, a Suspension bridge, the Stairway to Nothingness platform, the Ice Palace and Sky Walk. And if that’s not enough, you can try fatbiking, ski yoga, night tobogganing, snowshoeing, or indulge in the Alpine Cuisine by Richard Rauch (special dishes at participating huts across the region).

New for winter 2026/27:

• The Nightrace Schladming on the Planai celebrates its 30th anniversary on 26 and 27 January 2027. 

Zell am See-Kaprun

Between glacier, mountain and a lake, Zell am See-Kaprun is a popular winter holiday destination as well as a training and testing area for national and international skiers. Visitors have access to 408 km of pistes across three region: the Kitzsteinhorn (SalzburgerLand’s only glacier ski area where you can ski from October to May), the Schmittenhöhe (family-friendly slopes meet panoramic views), and the XXL Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, all included in the Ski ALPIN CARD.

There’s also night skiing, ski touring, and cross-country skiing. And if you need a break from the slopes and the trails you can go ice bathing, relax in the Tauern SPA, go tobogganing (365 days a year!) or marvel at more than 30 peaks from the “Kaiserblick“ viewing platform.

 New for winter 2026/27:

• The new 8-seater Kapellenbahn chairlift on the Schmittenhöhe will open in December 2026, taking skiers and snowboarders up to 1,964 m.

St. Anton am Arlberg

Known as the cradle of modern alpine skiing, St. Anton am Arlberg, combines legendary slopes with exceptional hospitality. It welcomes its guests with more than 300 km of marked downhill runs, 85 lifts and cable cars, and 200 km of off-piste terrain. A highlight is the Run of Fame, a 85 km long circuit dedicated to skiing pioneers and celebrities, which can be completed in stages or just one day. Skiing is in the locals‘ blood, so winter sports fans of all ages and skill levels will immediately fell at home here. St. Anton am Arlberg marries top-notch skiing with Tyrolean warmth, polished hotels, and fine dining stops. If you’re chasing race heritage with a luxury finish and adventures beyond the pistes, think winter climbing and ski touring, St. Anton am Arlberg is as blue-chip as it gets.