When it comes to skiing holidays, Austria is one of the most popular destinations in Europe.
Austria has a beautiful nature and terrific ski areas. For a lot of people, a skiing holiday in Austria also means aprés-ski, sing-alongs and bottoms up when it's afternoon, where you can also enjoy the sun on the many comfortable terraces and well-known Schirmbars.
Austria is known for having a cozy atmosphere and an outstanding aprés-ski. People say that once you have been on a skiing holiday in Austria, nothing really measures up.
In recent years Austria has begun a race with other ski resorts to be the leading resort in almost every aspect, and they have invested large sums in ultramodern snow cannons, modern express chairlifts and modern child lifts.
Austria is in the absolute champions league of facilities.
Bad Gastein
Bad Gastein is an old spa town rich in tradition. It is almost as popular in the summer because of its warm spas from natural springs, as it is in the winter for its pistes. This makes Bad Gastein a town full of life and not just ski-tourists.
Bad Gastein is one of three independent ski areas in Gasteinertal, and with a ski lift pass for Bad Gastein you can make use of the entire Skiverbund Amadé which comprises St. Johann, Wagrain, Maria Alm and Schladming. That gives you no less than 300 km of pistes to enjoy yourself on.
On a skiing holiday in Bad Gastein you can also enjoy other things besides skiing. You can try out the thermal baths in town, take a trip to the casino or go dancing at the disco.
It doesn't matter if you're a novice or a pro on the pistes, in Gasteinertal you can find challenges for either.
Wagrain
Wagrain is one of the largest ski areas in Austria, where you can enroll in the ski school and get help from the kind instructors. A great place for families with children!
Wagrain is in the midmost valley covered by the Salzburger Sportwelt Amadé. With the ski lift pass you have access to the entire Skiverbund Amadé, which includes Gasteinertal and Hochkönigs Winterreich among others. Here, there are hundreds of challenges on the pistes for both children, youngsters and elderlies no matter the level of experience.
There are altogether 860 kilometers of piste in Wagrain spread on 280 km of blue pistes, 483 km og red pistes and 97 km of black pistes.
Ischgl
Ischgl, along with St. Anton, Sölden and Saalbach, is one of the most renowned ski resorts when it comes to aprés-ski. The atmosphere is amazing, and people come here just as much for the aprés-ski as for the actual skiing itself.
In Ischgl there is a snow guarantee because of its location more than 2000 meters above sea level, and its ruler-straight pistes make for effective skiing. Here you can find broad red pistes and an amazing off piste, an ultramodern ski area.
Large amounts of money have been invested in Ischgl in order to turn it into the modern resort it is today, anti really lives up to its own reputation of being one of the best and most effective ski areas in the Alps.
Ischgl is located in the Paznaun valley in the Tyrol alongside Kappl and Galtür, and it borders on the swiss duty-free town, Samnaun. Here you can buy perfume, branded articles and other good things at cheap prices. But remember, Switzerland isn't part of the EU, so there are limits as to what you can import.
On your skiing holiday in Ischgl you have access to skiing in the entire Silvretta Arena - a large and impressive ski area that reaches from Ischgl to Samnaun in Switzerland. The area consists mostly of red pistes. There aren't many novices in Ischgl, but there are nice conditions for every level.
If you are going to Austria on your ski trip, remember that the car has to be ready for the trip as well. The rules for winter tyres and equipment in Austria are these:
- From November 1 till April 15 winter tyres are required in snow, sleet and ice. All four wheels have to be equipped with winter tyres marked M+S and with a minimum of 4 mm. tread pattern. The driver is responsible for abiding these rules - in rented cars as well.
- Studded tyres are allowed from October 1 till May 31, but only on vehicles below 3500 kg. All four wheels and trailer must be equipped with studded tyres. The car must wear a special label, and the speed limits are different.
- Type approved snow chains ÖNORM V 5117 and ÖNORM V 5119 are allowed in Austria. You can borrow them in the ÖAMTC offices, or you can rent them at larger border crossings.