Austria. Media News. Ski Like A Local

Dear friend of Austria,                                                     

In Austria, skiing isn't just a sport — it's a way of life. From family-run mountain huts to vertical drops topping out at 6500 ft, Austria's ski regions blend world-class terrain with genuine Alpine hospitality that's been passed down through generations. This season, we're taking you through eleven of the country's best resorts, where you can Ski Like A Local and chase the true Austrian Lebensgefühl on the slopes. 

Keep the stoke alive (this may be the close-to-perfect translation for Austrian Wintertime Lebensgefühl) - and hope to see you on the slopes this season!

Warmly,
Sigrid Pichler

Manager of Public Relations
Austria Tourism New York City

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

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Kitzbühel brings pure Alpine luxury and timeless style to the slopes, long known as one of the glitziest stops on the ski circuit. In the heart of the Austrian Alps, it is the birthplace of the Ski World Cup, founded in 1966. It hosts the Hahnenkamm Race, the world's most prestigious ski race, drawing over 80,000 ski fans every year.

The Arlberg, the "Cradle of Alpine Skiing," is where modern ski instruction was born. Hannes Schneider brought Alpine skiing as we know it today into the world by developing the 'Arlberg technique' and in 1921, he founded the world's first ski school in St. Anton. 5 unique villages in the region make for Austria's largest connected ski resort and the 5th largest in the world.

Sölden/Gurgl, nestled in the Ötztal Valley, is Austria's second-highest ski destination, offering 161 miles of slopes, high-altitude skiing at 5,900 ft, two glaciers, luxurious hotels, and impressive architectural sites at 10,000 ft, including the James Bond Experience 007 ELEMENTS.

   

Winter 2026/27 brings a major shake-up for pass holders: four Austrian resorts have newly joined the Epic Pass lineup.

Silvretta Montafon offers a quieter escape where Alpine tradition and modern ski culture meet amid dramatic valley scenery — and it's now part of the Epic Pass for up to 5 ski days for the first time this season. Nearly 90% of the terrain sits above 4,900 ft, ensuring excellent snow reliability throughout the season.

Zillertal, home to Mayrhofen and Hintertux, boasts one of the country's longest ski season thanks to reliably snow-sure slopes across four interconnected areas, and has just been added to the Epic Pass this year. But Zillertal is more than its slopes — it’s the people and villages that give the valley its soul.

Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Leogang, Fieberbrunn links three resorts into one of Austria's largest connected ski areas in the scenic Salzburg region, and is one of this year's newest Epic Pass additions. Known as the "Home of Lässig" (cool), the region is a thrilling, adventure-packed ski paradise with more terrain than you could possibly cover in a week.

Zell am See-Kaprun - the glacier, the mountain and the serene lake create spectacular scenery in Zell am See-Kaprun. It's a natural paradise on the edge of the Hohe Tauern National Park, just a short drive from the Sound of Music hotspot, Salzburg - another brand-new Epic Pass addition this year.

Many of our favorite resorts now ride on EPIC, IKON, and INDY. No matter your budget, travel style, or preferred terrain, you can easily make your way up the Alps in Austria using one of these passes:
EPIC Pass: Arlberg,  Silvretta Montafon, Skicircus-Saalbach & Zell am See-Kaprun, Sölden, Zillertal
IKON Pass: Ischgl, Kitzbühel
INDY Pass: Obertauern, SkiWelt Area 

   

Schladming-Dachstein keeps things lively with non-stop snow sports, buzzing après-ski, and a storied history hosting international Ski World Championships events. The vibrant heart of the ski region is the town of Schladming, which was shaped by 13th-century mining. In 1953, the first drag lift was built on the Planai. Since then, Schladming has developed into a renowned Austrian ski hub, hosting Ski World Championships and World Cup races.

The SkiWelt ranks among the world's largest and most modern ski areas, yet still holds onto its family-run charm. The area features nine authentic mountain villages, each providing direct access to the pistes. These villages boast family-run accommodations and the highest density of mountain huts and inns in Austria (over 80), offering the best Tirolean hospitality and a full immersion into the local way of life.

Obertauern earns its reputation as Austria's snowiest resort, with ski-in/ski-out convenience and a strong culinary scene at 5,748 ft. Obertauern’s history is just as distinctive as its ski terrain. In 1965, the Beatles filmed scenes of their movie HELP! here, leaving behind monuments and stories that music fans still seek out today.

  

If one resort captures the full spectrum of Austria’s ski culture, it’s Ischgl. Tucked into Tirol’s Paznaun Valley and linked across the border with Switzerland’s Samnaun, the Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun combines extensive, snow-sure skiing with a distinctly cosmopolitan Alpine atmosphere. From groomed cruisers and challenging terrain to serious freeride lines around Piz Val Gronda, skiers of all levels can find their own version of the mountain experience.

What sets Ischgl apart is the way it balances adventure with indulgence. By day, 46 state-of-the-art lifts whisk skiers across 148 miles of runs; by evening, the village shifts effortlessly from mountain playground to culinary and entertainment destination. Nine toque-awarded restaurants include Stüva at Hotel Yscla, led by one of Austria’s youngest five-toque chefs, while traditional taverns offer a taste of the region’s centuries-old hospitality. The legendary Top of the Mountain Concerts have brought international stars to the slopes for more than 30 years, and the Silvretta Therme provides a modern retreat for soaking and unwinding after a day outdoors.

For winter 2026/27, Ischgl is adding another layer of comfort with the new Höllkarbahn C2. The eight-seater chairlift features weather-protection bubbles, heated seats and advanced monitoring systems, transporting up to 4,200 passengers per hour. The new lift is part of more than €50 million in investments by Silvrettaseilbahn AG aimed at improving comfort and visitor flow throughout the ski area. Modernisation is also continuing on the Samnaun side, where the Twinliner is receiving new cabins and updated technical systems.

And there’s more happening throughout Paznaun. Nearby Galtür is introducing the new Kopsseebahn while using stored snow to open around five kilometres of cross-country skiing as early as November 5. Kappl is adding a new snowpark designed for different ability levels, along with freestyle camps for young skiers and snowboarders.

With its wealth of family-owned four- and five-star hotels, sophisticated après-ski scene, exceptional dining and deep-rooted Alpine hospitality, Ischgl demonstrates that luxury and authenticity can coexist. And with its recent addition to the Ikon Pass, this quintessentially Austrian ski destination is easier than ever for international skiers to make part of their winter season.

There is always a bit more Lebensgefühl to be had - even beyond the slopes and chasing of vertical drops! 

Cold water, clear head: Ice bathing in Austria's glacial lakes and Alpine waters is less about braving the cold and more about the clarity that follows it. Guided workshops at spots like Millstätter See or the Hintertux glacier lake ease first-timers in, breath by breath.

Following winter's trails: Snowshoes have been around for roughly 12,000 years — Austria just made them a lot more scenic. Follow a national park ranger through the Alps and you might spot the "Big Five of the Alps": ibex, golden eagle, ptarmigan, chamois, and bearded vulture.

Fun for all ages: Tobogganing in Austria isn't a quick backyard slide — it's a full day out. Ride a lift or "Toboggan Taxi" up, stop for Kaiserschmarren at a mountain hut, then race back down through powdery snow.

Give yourself some rest: After a day on the slopes, thaw out in warm thermal water, sweat it out in a sauna, or just float until your muscles forget the cold ever happened. It's the contrast between ice and warmth that makes an Austrian winter so restorative.