Skiing in Austria is a blast for all levels of skiers, even those who have little or no experience on the slopes. The Austrian Alps characterize much of Austria's landscape, and come wintertime, this beautiful alpine country is a skiing mecca. People from all over the globe come to experience the world-class conditions, not to mention the Austria ski lodges, which often have a warm fire going around the clock. A ski vacation Austria experience can be just what the doctor ordered when you find yourself with the winter doldrums, and when you're not churning up some powder in the Austrian Alps, you can interest yourself in some of Austria's other charms, like its cuisine, its culture, and its castles. A great destination any time of year, Austria is prime in the winter.

The top ski holiday Austria destination is Innsbruck, which is the capital of the state of Tyrol. Tyrol in general is an all around great place for skiing in Austria, and Innsbruck makes for the perfect base. The Winter Olympic Games have been held in Innsbruck twice, which helps to give testament to its quality of slopes, and there are no less than five ski areas in the immediate area. From the city, you can even catch a cableway (funicular) up to the trails at Hungerburg, which is a favorite Innsbruck ski area. For the best all around conditions near Innsbruck, Axamer Lizum is ideal, and you'll also want to look into hitting the slopes at Igls, which offers some great runs that extend outwards from under Patscherkofel Mountain.

Also in Tyrol, Kitzbuhel is a world-renowned destination, offering some of the best skiing in Austria. You can take a run here that extends for 50 miles downhill, and the trails through the forest are utterly exhilarating. Two other Tyrol ski resorts worth checking out when planning your ski holiday Austria are St Anton am Arlberg and Seefeld. The former is a most picturesque village, and it offers slopes that reach up to 9,000 feet above sea level. The snow is known to fall in abundance at St Anton am Arlberg, so don't forget your goggles. Seefeld is well-known in Europe, and it is one of the continent's best international ski resorts. Nordic events for the Olympic Games were held here, and if you like cross-country skiing, there are over 100 miles of tracks to enjoy.

Austria Map

While Tyrol is a premier ski vacation Austria destination, the country's most exclusive and chic ski resorts are found further west in the state of Vorarlberg. Lech and Zurs are high-class hangouts where beginners and intermediate skiers will feel right at home. There are a number of wide, gently rolling slopes here where you can take it easy, and many of the resorts can be accessed right off the slopes, meaning you can ski in and ski out. These two Voralberg ski resorts are neighbors, so it won't be hard to include both on your ski vacation Austria itinerary. Bregenz is the capital of the state of Vorarlberg, and you can either base yourself at one of the Bregenz hotels when enjoying your ski vacation, or opt for one of the ski lodges closer to the slopes.

Western Austria is definitely the best part of the country for a ski holiday Austria experience, and in addition to the destinations already mentioned, you can also consider Zell am See, which rests on the shores of one of Europe's cleanest lakes. For those who are heading to southern Austria instead for their ski holiday Austria experience, the city of Klagenfurt makes for a great base. Klagenfurt rests at an elevation of 1,460 feet above sea level, and because the state of Carinthia is quite mountainous, enjoying a Klagenfurt ski vacation in the winter is the aim of many visitors. It's not the best skiing in Austria, but there are a number of ski resorts within an hour or two from the city that will prove enjoyable. One of the more notable Klagenfurt ski areas is found in the municipality of Bad Kleinkirchheim, which is about an hour's drive from the Klagenfurt airport. This ski area is often the site for the Alpine Skiing World Cup, so you can bet that there are some great runs here.

The best conditions for skiing in Austria are found between the months of December and March, though there are some glaciers that can be skied year round as well. Booking your hotel room in advance at one of the Austria ski resorts is always a good idea when possible, though even if you show up without reservations, you should be able to find a fitting place to rest your head. In addition to the ski lodges and more standard hotels, those planning a ski vacation Austria getaway can also consider booking a stay at one of the vacation rentals in Austria. These vacation rentals provide a home away from home where you will enjoy a bit more privacy, and often times, a bit more space as well.