Austria. Media News. Ski like a Local

Dear friend of Austria,                                                     

In Austria, skiing isn't just a sport; it's part of our identity, deeply rooted in our history and a certain enjoyment of life – our Lebensgefühl. Austrians learn to ski as soon as they can walk, and embracing this sport means embracing a whole lifestyle surrounding it – combining adrenaline-pumping activities with social and cultural immersion, artisanal food, a sense of Gemütlichkeit, and enjoying the genuine hospitality, all set against stunning Alpine views. Skiing in Austria is truly a way of life – join us and experience it like a local!

We are also thrilled to announce a few exciting Austrian resort additions to the EPIC and Indy ski passes. 

I hope to see you on the slopes this winter!

Warmly,
Sigrid Pichler

Manager of Public Relations
Austria Tourism New York City

sigrid.pichler@austria.info​
www.austria.info

Our winter tagline "Ski Like A Local" reflects the spirit of the Austrian ski experience, where deep-rooted Alpine culture blends skiing with local traditions, artisanal cuisine, and music in charming historic villages. Everybody can enjoy vast networks of perfectly groomed slopes for all skill levels, breathtaking scenery, and excellent value for money across lift passes, rentals, accommodations, and après-ski. Family-run hotels and restaurants provide warm, personal hospitality, while world-class transportation infrastructure on and off the mountains as well as sustainable practices ensure a most enjoyable stay.  

Now let's get to it and explore some of our favorite resorts!  ... Oh, before you do, make sure you watch the clips (on each destination page) with Katie Burrell - comedian, director & "professional leisure athlete" - as she explores Austria’s top ski regions, teaming up with locals to uncover the secrets of skiing like a true insider. From carving powdery Alpine slopes to tucking into hidden gourmet huts and discovering off-the-beaten-path winter adventures, Katie dives in deep! Really, watch this clip, it sums it all up! 

Ski Ischgl Like A Local: Ischgl in the Paznaun Valley (Tirol) has a long season, excellent mountain concerts and events, as well as several award winning restaurants. Ikon Pass. 

Ski Zell am See-Kaprun Like A Local: The glacier, the mountain and the serene lake create the spectacular scenery at Zell am See-Kaprun (Salzburg). At the edge of the Hohe Tauern National Park, a short drive from the Sound of Music hotspot, Salzburg (City). Epic Pass. 

 Ski Sölden/Gurgl Like A Local: In the Ötztal Valley (Tirol), Sölden and Gurgl feature high-altitude skiing at nearly 11,000 feet, two glaciers, impressive architectural sites and experiences in the mountains (especially of the shaken not stirred kind). Epic Pass. 

Ski Kitzbühel Like A Local: Kitzbühel (Tirol), a former mining town, is considered the epitome of Alpine luxury, birthplace of the Ski World Cup (founded in 1966); it hosts the legendary Hahnenkamm Race. Ikon Pass.

Ski the SkiWelt Like A Local: Started in 1977 as a community project when a group of visionary and regional thinkers from six villages in Tirol's Kitzbühler Alpen region linked up to form an interconnected "ski world", it is now one of the world's largest, most modern, and ecologically friendly ski resorts with 174 miles of slopes. Indy Pass. 

Ski Schladming-Dachstein Like A Local: In 1953, the first ski lifts were built in Schladming (Styria). In 1993, it became the first town outside the United States to host the Special Olympics World Games, with Arnold Schwarzenegger, a native of nearby Graz, as a co-initiator. No pass (yet).

Ski Arlberg Like  A Local: Native Hannes Schneider brought Alpine skiing as we know it today into the world by developing the 'Arlberg technique' (a progressive system that takes the skier from the snow-plough turn to parallel turns). In 1921, he founded the world's first ski school in St. Anton, drawing enthusiasts from around the globe and spreading his technique worldwide. It is still the leading skiing technique today, earning the Arlberg (in Tirol and Vorarlberg) its well-deserved recognition as the 'Cradle of Alpine Skiing. Skiing is in the locals' DNA, and the region is populated by 1,000 ski instructors in 50 ski schools that cater to everyone's skill levels. To no surprise, the local Ski Club Arlberg, one of the oldest in the world, boasts an impressive tally of 118 medals from Olympic Games and Ski World Championships, including numerous skiers who proudly call the Arlberg their home. Epic pass. 

   

EPIC
Silvretta Montafon (2025/26 addition): With nearly 90 miles of pistes, 35 lifts and terrain reaching up to 7300 feet, Silvretta Montafon is one of Vorarlberg’s most sport-oriented ski resorts. Freeriders will find secured powder zones, Alpine routes and five Black Scorpion runs (not venomous but adrenaline inducing) with gradients of up to 67 percent.

Next up - a big bold name ...
Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn together with Zell am See- Kaprun (2025/26 addition): hard to say, magnificent to ski - the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is one of Austria’s largest interconnected ski areas, offering 170 miles of slopes across all difficulty levels. Sixty cozy mountain huts highlight Alpine lifestyle and Austrian cuisine... but for the Epic skier, that may not quite do it .. now under the Ski Alpin Card together with Zell am See-Kaprun, the mountains offer 255 miles of pistes, with 121 lifts, in both Salzburg and Tirol.

Mayrhofen- Hintertux (2025/26 addition): In Tirol's Zillertal Valley, the Hintertux Glacier offers yearround skiing on 38 miles of pistes. 

as well as Sölden (2025/26 addition) in Tirol's Ötztal Valley and the Arlberg region straddeling Tirol and Vorarlberg

IKON
Kitzbühel (Tirol)
Ischgl (Tirol)

INDY
Innsbruck (Tirol)
SkiWelt (Tirol)
additions 2025/2026 season:
Kaunertal Glacier (Tirol)
Pitztal Hochzeiger + Pitztal Glacier (Tirol)
Steinplatte Waidring (Tirol)
Oberstdorf / Kleinwalsertal (Vorarlberg)
Rauris (Salzburg)