The Most Beautiful Ski Resort in Austria, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the ski resort you think is the most beautiful!

Updated on May 6, 2024 06:20

Deciding on the best ski resort to visit in Austria can be a complex decision with many factors to consider, from the quality of the snow and variety of slopes to the beauty of the surrounding landscape. A ranked list of these resorts provides a clear and consolidated view of how they stack up against each other, based on the preferences of a wide audience. This ranking gives new visitors a way to easily identify top-rated ski destinations, while also offering seasoned skiers a chance to share their experiences by voting for their personal favorite. The active participation in these rankings not only keeps the list accurate but also helps others make informed decisions about where to spend their winter holidays.

What Is the Most Beautiful Ski Resort in Austria?

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68
votes
Johnfmh at English Wikipedia · Public domain

St. Anton am Arlberg

Known for its challenging terrain, St. Anton am Arlberg is one of the most beautiful ski resorts in Austria. It has over 300km of ski runs, breathtaking views, and a lively après-ski scene.
St. Anton am Arlberg is a picturesque ski resort nestled in the Tyrolean Alps in western Austria. Surrounded by stunning mountain peaks, it offers breathtaking views and a charming alpine atmosphere. Known for its world-class skiing opportunities, St. Anton am Arlberg caters to both beginners and advanced skiers with its extensive network of slopes and trails. The resort also boasts a vibrant après-ski scene, with numerous bars, restaurants, and shops to explore. With its combination of natural beauty, challenging slopes, and lively atmosphere, St. Anton am Arlberg is truly a haven for winter sports enthusiasts.

Location: Tyrolean Alps, western Austria

Skiing Difficulty: Beginner to Advanced

Number of Pistes: 305 km

Elevation: 1,305 m - 2,811 m

Lift System: 88 lifts
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27
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Kitzbühel

Kitzbühel is a charming medieval town with cobbled streets and historic buildings. The ski resort has over 200km of runs, stunning scenery, and a wide range of activities for non-skiers.
Kitzbühel is a picturesque ski resort located in the Tyrolean Alps in Austria. It is known for its charming medieval town, stunning mountain views, and top-notch ski facilities. The resort has a rich history dating back to the 19th century when it first gained popularity among aristocrats and members of high society.

Elevation:: 800m (2,625 ft) - 2,000m (6,562 ft)

Ski Area:: 179 km (111 miles) of slopes

Pistes:: 66 km (41 miles) of blue runs, 78 km (48 miles) of red runs, 35 km (22 miles) of black runs

Longest Run:: 8.3 km (5.2 miles)

Lifts:: 54 lifts
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19
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Florian Lindner · CC BY 2.5

Lech-Zürs am Arlberg

Lech-Zürs Tourismus GmbH

Lech and Zürs are two neighboring villages that form a ski resort with over 300km of runs. It is known for its luxury accommodations, excellent restaurants, and beautiful scenery.
Lech-Zürs am Arlberg is a stunning ski resort situated in the Austrian Alps. It is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, majestic mountains, and world-class skiing opportunities. The resort offers a perfect blend of traditional alpine charm and modern amenities, making it a popular destination for both leisure and adventure seekers.

Elevation: 1,450 to 2,811 meters

Ski Slopes: 305 km of slopes

Lifts: 88 lifts

Runs: 131 runs

Snowmaking Coverage: Operational on 70% of slopes
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7
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Ischgl

Ischgl is a modern ski resort with over 200km of runs, a vibrant nightlife, and stunning views of the Alps. It is also known for its high-quality restaurants and excellent shopping.
Ischgl is a stunning ski resort located in the Paznaun Valley in Tyrol, Austria. It is known for its picturesque alpine setting, breathtaking mountain views, and world-class skiing opportunities. Ischgl offers an exceptional winter sports experience combined with a vibrant après-ski scene, making it a popular destination for both ski enthusiasts and partygoers alike.

Elevation: 2,872 meters

Ski Area: 238 kilometers of slopes

Number of Lifts: 45

Longest Ski Run: 11 kilometers

Snowmaking Coverage: 90% of slopes
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8
votes
Mayrhofen

Mayrhofen is a charming village with a ski resort that has over 130km of runs. It is known for its lively après-ski scene, beautiful scenery, and a wide range of activities for non-skiers.
Mayrhofen is a picturesque ski resort located in the Zillertal Valley in the Austrian state of Tyrol. Surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, Mayrhofen offers unparalleled beauty for nature enthusiasts and ski enthusiasts alike. The resort is known for its charming Alpine village vibe, offering a mix of traditional and modern architecture, cozy accommodations, and friendly hospitality. Mayrhofen attracts visitors from around the world who are drawn to its excellent ski conditions, diverse slopes, and vibrant après-ski scene. With its perfect blend of natural beauty, ski facilities, and lively atmosphere, Mayrhofen promises an unforgettable winter getaway.

Elevation: 630 meters (2,070 feet)

Ski Area: 136 kilometers (85 miles) of slopes

Ski Lifts: 57 lifts in total

Ski Difficulty: Beginner: 39%, Intermediate: 49%, Expert: 12%

Highest Ski Point: Ahornspitze at 2,487 meters (8,159 feet)
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12
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Sölden

Sölden is a modern ski resort with over 140km of runs, excellent snow conditions, and stunning views of the Ötztal Alps. It is also known for its futuristic architecture and a vibrant nightlife.
Sölden is a renowned ski resort located in the Ötztal Valley, Tyrol, Austria. It is situated at an altitude of around 1,377 meters above sea level, surrounded by stunning Alpine peaks. Sölden offers a perfect combination of natural beauty, modern infrastructure, and a vibrant apres-ski scene.

Altitude: 1,377 meters

Location: Ötztal Valley, Tyrol, Austria

Ski Area: 144 kilometers of slopes

Longest Slope: 15 kilometers

Snow Reliability: High due to extensive snowmaking capabilities
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5
votes
Andrew Bossi · CC BY-SA 2.5

Zell am See

Zell am See is a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Zell, with a ski resort that has over 140km of runs. It is known for its stunning scenery, excellent restaurants, and a wide range of winter activities.
Zell am See is a picturesque city located in the Austrian Alps, known for its stunning natural surroundings and charming lakeside setting. This idyllic town is situated in the Zell Valley, nestled between the majestic mountains and the sparkling Lake Zell. Zell am See offers a seamless blend of alpine beauty, a rich history, and a wide array of outdoor activities, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.

Location: Zell Valley, Austrian Alps

Geography: Surrounded by mountains and located next to Lake Zell

Population: Approximately 9,700

Tourism: Popular tourist destination

Outdoor Activities: Skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, water sports
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2
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Saalbach-Hinterglemm

Saalbach-Hinterglemm is a large ski resort with over 270km of runs. It is known for its varied terrain, excellent snow conditions, and lively après-ski scene.
Saalbach-Hinterglemm is a breathtaking ski resort located in the Austrian Alps. It offers a perfect combination of stunning natural landscapes, excellent ski slopes, and a vibrant après-ski scene. Created by the ski resort planner Sepp Kahn in the 1960s, Saalbach-Hinterglemm has become one of the most popular winter destinations in Austria.

Elevation: 840m - 2100m

Ski slope length: 270 km

Number of lifts: 70

Difficulty levels: 40% easy, 50% intermediate, 10% advanced

Snowmaking coverage: 90%
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12
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Obertauern

Obertauern is a ski resort with over 100km of runs, excellent snow conditions, and stunning views of the Radstädter Tauern mountains. It is also known for its lively nightlife and a wide range of winter activities.
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3
votes
C.Stadler/Bwag · CC BY-SA 4.0

Bad Gastein

Bad Gastein is a historic spa town with a ski resort that has over 200km of runs. It is known for its stunning Belle Époque architecture, natural hot springs, and a wide range of winter activities.
Bad Gastein is a picturesque ski resort located in the Gastein Valley, in the Austrian Alps. It is renowned for its stunning natural scenery, charming Belle Époque architecture, and therapeutic hot springs. The town is nestled in a valley, surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains, offering breathtaking views and a unique alpine experience to visitors.

Elevation: 1,002 meters (3,287 feet)

Ski Area: Großarltal-Dorfgastein

Ski Slopes: Over 200 kilometers (124 miles) of slopes

Ski Lifts: Total of 50 lifts

Terrain: Varied terrain suitable for all skill levels

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Ranking factors for beautiful ski resort

Scenery and views

The natural beauty of the surrounding landscape, including mountains, forests, and lakes, is crucial to a ski resort's appeal.
Quality of ski slopes

Well-groomed slopes with varying levels of difficulty, good snow conditions, and modern lift systems make a ski resort more enjoyable for skiers and snowboarders.
Village atmosphere

A charming and authentic Austrian architectural style, along with a lively village center featuring shops, restaurants, and accommodation options, add to the overall experience.
Snow reliability

Consistent snowfall and the ability to produce artificial snow if necessary ensure great skiing conditions throughout the season.
Variety of activities

Ski resorts offering additional winter activities, such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and sledging, cater to a broader range of interests and preferences.
Family-friendliness

Facilities and services catering specifically to families, such as ski schools, child-care services, and family-friendly accommodation options, make the resort more appealing for visitors with children.
Accessibility

Easy access to the resort via road, rail, or air travel is an important factor, as it reduces the time and effort required to reach the resort.
Accommodation options

A range of accommodation options catering to different budgets and preferences, including hotels, chalets, and apartments, ensures a comfortable stay for all visitors.
Nightlife and après-ski

A lively après-ski scene with bars, clubs, and live music is appealing to visitors looking for entertainment and relaxation after a day on the slopes.
Value for money

Ski resorts that provide a great overall experience at a reasonable price are more attractive to visitors with varying budgets.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful ski resort in Austria. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or resort is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1774 views
162 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each resort once every 24 hours. The rank of each resort is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most beautiful ski resort in austria

Austria is known for its stunning alpine landscapes and world-class ski resorts. With over 400 ski resorts in the country, choosing the most beautiful one can be a daunting task. However, there are a few resorts that stand out from the rest. The Austrian ski resorts offer breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, pristine slopes, and charming villages. The resorts also boast modern facilities, excellent skiing conditions, and a wide range of activities for all levels of skiers. In this article, we'll explore some of the most beautiful ski resorts in Austria and what makes them unique.