Ready to hit the slopes? Well even if you are not yet into skiing, you will be after reading about the fascination of skiing. Writing this as a ski teacher, I can truly say skiing is simply the best thing ever. And if you are wondering why this blog is going online in the summer - its the smartest decision to book and plan your ski trip early on, so you don’t have to pay a lot more money when booking last minute and missing out on the best places.
Tips for a Budget-Friendly Ski Vacation
- Off-Peak Pow-Wow: Planning your trip during off-peak season weeks can save you cash. Plus, you'll avoid the crowds and have the slopes practically to yourself, which doesn’t just give you stunning views but also improves the overall quality to ski.
- DIY Eats: Sure, mountain restaurants are charming, but they can also give your wallet a workout. Pack your own sandwiches and snacks to keep your energy up without depleting your funds. In most guesthouses, it is a very common thing to prepare yourself at breakfast an extra sandwich and bring them in your ski jacket.
- Gear Galore: No need to splurge on brand-new gear. Renting equipment at the resort is a smart move. You'll save money and precious suitcase space – wintry clothes take up enough room as it is! Another option is to buy secondhand since a lot of people only use their ski wear one week per year, and a lot of pieces stay.
- Hidden Gems: Explore less-known ski spots. They're often just as breathtaking as the famous ones, but with smaller price tags and a cozier vibe.
- Après-Ski Adventures: The fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down – it just gets louder! Après-ski is where the party at. Swap ski tales with fellow adventurers, warm up with a cup of Glühwein (mulled wine), and dance like no one's watching. It can also be a simple beer or blending in with the locals and bringing along some herbal liquor shots like the well-known ´Jägermeister` to start the party the right way.
But enough with all the background information - first of all you need to choose the right ski resort!
I have skied my whole life and mostly explored lots of different ski resorts around Austria, so these are my personal favourites.
The 6 Best Ski Resorts in Austria: Suited to Every Interest and Budget
1. Sölden
Sölden is a rather big ski area, with a glacier area. This makes it one of the very lucky snow-safe resorts in the area of the alps and also makes it possible to have one of the longest seasons starting in October and ending in May. The town has one main road with all the fun stores, plenty of bars, cozy hotels, apartments and restaurants. Sölden also has an impressive nightlife that is very approved by me and my colleagues in my recent ski season that I spent in this beautiful resort. All in all just the perfect combination of great skiing and lively aprés skiing.
2. Wilder Kaiser
The area of ´Wilder Kaiser` includes 4 towns where you can take a gondola to the connecting mountain with an impressive amount of slopes and a variety of difficulty levels, that are fitting from beginners to advanced skiers. When I was skiing there last, what I liked most is that you can ski from the first town to the one furthest away in one day and you will always come across a slope you haven’t skied on yet. It consists of Ellmau, Scheffau, Going and Söll.
3. Obertauern
Obertauern boasts one of the highest snowfall records in Austria, guaranteeing you the greatest fun while skiing. Plus, the variety of slopes and the resort's layout make it easy to maximize your ski time as it is very easy to find your way around the resort. What makes Obertauern a very nice resort is the balance between the family-friendly ski schools and cozy mountain chalets and enough fun in the après-ski.
4. Mayrhofen
Based around a large yet attractive valley village in the scenic upper Ziller Valley (the Zillertal), Mayrhofen, has excellent amenities with two local ski areas that offer plenty to entertain skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Calling all adrenaline junkies! Mayrhofen is the ultimate playground for those who crave adventure on and off the slopes. From shredding challenging runs to testing your courage on the Penken Park, this resort has it all. And after a day of skiing, the vibrant aprèsski scene is the best way to enjoy yourself after the exhaustion and fun on top of the mountain.
5. St. Johann in Tirol
St Johann has a charming small-town feel and with the focus firmly on putting children first, it’s ideal for a family ski holiday. A popular and picturesque ski resort as it offers relatively affordable lift tickets, cozy lodges, and a side of stunning Alpine views that'll make your Instagram followers swoon. Imagine skiing down pristine slopes, surrounded by stunning alpine landscapes, and then cozying up in quaint lodges.
6. Saalbach-Hinterglemm
The ski area surrounding Saalbach is laced with well-groomed blue and red slopes, a lot of them long and perfect for cruising yet with a high proportion of unrelenting intermediate challenges too.
Delightfully peaceful during the morning, this cozy community changes character during the après-ski hours and is filled with pulsating bars and restaurants. A big plus is that the Ski Alpin lift pass covers not only Saalbach-Hinterglemm, but also the See/Kaprun area, creating a truly mammoth ski domain.
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Whether you are a skiing newbie or advanced, you’ll find everything you need in abundance on and off the slopes of Austria! Pack your warmest clothes, and let's slide in those slopes.
