PHOTO: © Oesterreich Werbung, Christoph Oberschneider
As we move towards winter, now’s the time to plan some quality time with family and friends – so take the opportunity to create some unique memories that will last a lifetime by experiencing a winter holiday the Austrian way.
Where better to find stunning scenery, a relaxed atmosphere and the chance to start your day skiing freshly-prepared slopes as you wonder at the views down the valley, followed by a late breakfast at a traditional mountain hut. Once you’ve skied to your heart’s content, head back to your home-from-home and enjoy some mulled wine by a crackling fire, or time in the spa.
After all this you will have truly experienced a winter holiday the Austrian way – so take a look at some of the exciting destinations there are to choose from, plus upcoming Christmas events to get you in the festive spirit…
Tirol boasts over 80 ski areas and 3,000km of skiable land, from expansive and famed resorts to local hidden treasures.
PHOTO: © Oesterreich Werbung, Christoph Oberschneider
Gurgl in Tirol’s Ötztal valley offers snow-sure pistes, premium ski-in/ski out hotels, and gourmet restaurants. Skiers can look forward to 112km of pistes and 25 lifts. The Ötztal Super Skipass includes five additional winter resorts (Sölden, Hochoetz-Kühtai, Niederthai, Gries and Vent). There’s also the chance to try early morning skiing and floodlit night skiing and tobogganing. New in 2023/2024 is the luxury hotel Sportlers Lodge in nearby Sölden.
Zillertal boasts 544km of slopes and the steepest run in Austria (max. gradient: 78%). The Zillertal Superskipass gives unlimited access to all of this, and includes ski buses and public transport. New in 2023/2024 is the 10-seater gondola lift Krimml-X-Press and the two-seater chairlift 6 CLD Mitterleger in Zillertal Arena.
In Innsbruck, the SKI plus CITY pass gives guests access to no less than 13 ski areas with a total of 308km of pistes, 111 lifts and cable cars, many of them accessible from the heart of the city. Innsbruck has Christmas markets right under the famous Golden Roof, on the main square and the shopping street Maria Theresien Straße, as well as at Hungerburg Castle. An annual highlight is Innsbruck’s Christkind Parade (“Christkindleinzug”), on 17 December.
One of the birthplaces of alpine skiing and the home of the famous Hahnenkamm races, charming Kitzbühel ranks among the best and most well-known winter resorts in the world. 233km of slopes, 57 lifts, 11 ski schools, more than 60 mountain huts and up to 200km of skiing await.
Further Tyrolean resorts offering festive markets, include Kitzbühel, Seefeld, St. Johann, Zillertal (check out Mayerhofen’s festive highlights), Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau, St. Anton am Arlberg and Kufstein. And SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental is the proud home to Europe’s highest Christmas market at 1,555m.
SalzburgerLand in winter has 1,140km of blue runs, 1,305km of red and a tremendous 305km of black – all accessible with the Salzburger Super Ski Card.
Zell am See-Kaprun offers winter sports enthusiasts fun slopes for all ages, thrilling snow parks and freeride options. Alternative activities include the Tauern SPA, snowshoeing, and torch-lit winter hikes. Zell am See-Kaprun also has several Christmas markets, with a handful right in the heart of the skiing towns and one at Kaprun castle, while Salzburg’s Mountain Advent in Grossarltal is a long-term go-to place for festive family markets.
St. Johann in Salzburg makes an ideal destination for a family snow holiday. It is part of Snow Space Salzburg, one of Austria’s five largest ski regions, connecting it with Flachau, Wagrain and Flachauwinkl/Zauchensee and featuring a total of 210km of slopes, including two World Cup runs. A bonus is holidaymakers can ski-in/ski-out right from their hotel door!
Categories: Austria, Holiday News & Special Offers, News