Top Austrian Ski Resorts: Holiday of a Lifetime

Two-thirds of the total area of Austria are situated in the mountains. The choice in skiing areas therefore is simply tremendous. Vorarlberg, Tyrol and Saalbach-Hinterglemm are leading the list of top resorts which offer a maximum of the best skiing experiences.

Skiing in Austria means taking your pick from a mind-boggling number of more than 600 places, on a total of over 7000 runway kilometres. However, eco-conscious considerations are increasingly influencing the choice of skiing destinations. Many put a skiing area and hotel that operate environmentally friendly front and centre. Because in the end, it is the endless tons of artificial snow produced by snow canons that cause the most negative impact on the environment – as well as the carbon footprint of driving to the slopes by car, creating up to 80 percent of a ski resort’s CO2 emissions. Knowing that a decent train and ski bus connection will make your journey environmentally friendly from the start can be the ultimate criterion to change the vote.

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Top Austrian Ski Resorts: Arlberg/Vorarlberg

Famed as the birthplace of skiing, the Arlberg in the Vorarlberg region is the biggest ski area in Austria, boasting 305 km of downhill skiing. It is home to a number of Austrian holiday destinations, including the legendary St. Anton, Lech, St. Christoph and Zürs. With a wealth of varied runs to suit every level, there is something for everyone – whether it is your first time on the mountain or you are a seasoned pro.

The Arlberg is also one of Austria’s most snow-sure ski resorts thanks to its altitude reaching 2811 m. The entire ski area is covered by a single lift pass and a state-of-the-art lift system.

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The après factor

“I’ve had…the time of my life”, some might start singing on their train ride back home from the Arlberg region. Rated as ‘the wildest one’, St. Anton attracts skiers from all over the world for its famous après-ski scene. Singalongs and nightly dance parties fueled by supersized beers and Jägermeister shots are the rule here. For those looking to enjoy a quieter holiday in the region, the attractive resort of St. Christoph, Austria’s ‘snow paradise’ at 1800 m altitude, might be the better choice.

The ECO-factor

Thanks to the train connection in St. Anton, access to the resort by public transportation is made easy and guests will find upfront information on the trail map about the areas currently restricted for skiing.

The modern ski lifts are energy efficient and the first solar power facility was installed at the mountain station of the Kriegerhorn lift in Lech as early as 2002. The resort ensures the Eco-friendly construction of slopes and snow-making facilities, while the ski buses throughout the entire region are praised as the Arlberg Eco-highlight: It is recommended that guests simply leave their cars outside the town, as St. Anton and the individual villages, as well as all parts of Lech and Zürs, are connected by the ski bus. Peaceful Oberlech meanwhile remains entirely car-free throughout the winter season.

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Top Austrian ski resorts: SkiWelt/Tyrol

The second biggest ski resort in Austria is the SkiWelt in Tyrol, a region famous for its family-friendly hospitality. Austria’s largest night skiing area and many other experiences await just one hour from Munich. The SkiWelt connects a number of picturesque ski resorts, including Ellmau, Söll and Westendorf. You will find 284 km of piste to explore with dedicated areas for beginners and children, as well as snow parks for freestyle fans.

The family factor

SkiWelt is a great destination for families, with a variety of wide, gentle pistes. The Austrian ski resorts of Ellmau and Westendorf for example feature attractive and laid-back options, perfect for families. Those looking for something livelier should head to Söll, which has a fun après-ski scene and great night skiing opportunities. 80 rustic ski huts, restaurants and bars on the mountain serve relaxed, long lunches. They offer great value for money and guests love the traditional Tyrolean hospitality to be found here.

The environmental factor

The SkiWelt at Wilder Kaiser-Brixental won the Ecological ‘World Snow Awards’ in 2017: From the solar-powered ‘Sonnenlift’ in Brixen via the solar system installed at the Jochbahn lift, through to ECO-friendly snow-making, the SkiWelt’s environmental protection activities are exemplary. In summer, the snow reservoirs are filled mainly with precipitation and snow melt. The piste machines are equipped with a sophisticated system for measuring snow depth on the slopes: This GPS-controlled slope-management system allows efficient and resource-saving management of snow, and consequently creates huge savings in technically generated snow and energy. 100 percent of renewable energy from Tyrolean hydroelectric production has been used for decades at the SkiWelt, and in all villages, ski buses run to the lifts.

In addition, free charging points for electric vehicles are available in the car parks at Scheffau, Hopfgarten and Brixen, while renewable energy or waste heat is used to heat different lifts. Last not least, the ski huts use mainly regional produce and pay attention to sustainability policies in general, through to ecological waste management.

Top Austrian Ski Resorts: Saalbach-Hinterglemm

With a total of 270 km of pistes, Saalbach-Hinterglemm is one of the largest ski resorts in Austria with a diverse offering.

The ski area is attractive for both advanced skiers and intermediates, the latter of which enjoy plenty of blue and red runs to choose between. Advanced skiers will find challenging terrain on the north-facing side of the ski area and the ‘Nordabfahrt’ – a black run which features panoramic views of Saalbach. Keen skiers also tackle the ‘Skicircus’ challenge. This circuit takes on 72 km of piste linking all five villages of the ski area.

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Expanse and après factors

The addition of the Zell am See gondola linking the ski area to Zell am See and Kaprun means that skiers can now access a total of 408 km, an expanse of terrain which theoretically makes the resort the biggest ski area in Austria. However, the route from Zell am See back to Saalbach involves a short bus ride – and until a linked return is possible, the resort misses out on the ‘biggest’ title just so. For many après fans however, Saalbach-Hinterglemm is already top of the list. Aside from the usual ‘oompah’, Saalbach is also home to some quirky bars: ‘Zum Turm’ for example was a medieval jail in a former life, while the ‘Goaßstall’ bar features a unique goat theme.

ECO-boost

Travelling to Saalbach-Hinterglemm by public transport is stress-free, affordable and, above all, climate-friendly. Throughout the winter season, guests with a valid lift ticket can use the ski bus daily from 08:30 to 17:00 free of charge.

While the term ‘artificial snow’ often triggers associations with chemicals, the entire technical snow making system for the Skicircus is fed from spring, rain and melt water, without the addition of chemicals. And at any time of year, there is access to a continuous hiking and biking trail throughout the Glemmtal valley, entirely without road traffic.

Top Austrian Ski Resorts: The Recap

All of the destinations above tick off the ‘white expanse’, diversity, fun and ECO factors, while number one – the Arlberg – may trump the others with its large preserves of natural snow. However, both family-friendly Tyrol and après winner Saalbach-Hinterglemm use environmentally protective technology for artificial snow creation – and further score with CO2-friendly transport options. Take your pick, and enjoy the holiday of a lifetime, with a good conscience and much fun on top.

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