If you’re in the mood for lots of kilometres of slopes, the Austrian ski resorts are the perfect place for you. SnowTrex presents the 10 largest ski resorts in Austria with the most kilometres of pistes.
1. Ski Arlberg
Piste length: 302 km
Altitude: up to 2,806 m
The Arlberg is considered the cradle of alpine winter sports in Austria and is one of the most popular ski resorts in Austria. For some years now, it has offered Austria’s largest interconnected ski area, with 302 kilometres of pistes.
The Arlberg is mainly known and loved for its varied pistes, which range from blue to untracked, and therefore offer real challenges for freeriders and deep-snow skiers. There are also fun parks, of course. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a party feeling, St. Anton is the place to be, as après-ski is as much a part of skiing here as the snow itself and is celebrated accordingly after the last descent of the day.
A total of four lifts (Flexenbahn, Trittkopfbahn I + II and Albonabahn II) connect the once separate ski areas of St. Anton/St. Christoph/Stuben and Lech-Zürs/Warth-Schröcken.
2. Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn
Piste length: 270 km
Altitude: up to 2,096 m
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The Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm has been connected to Fieberbrunn for a few years now. Thanks to the marriage of Glemmtal and Pillerseetal, the ski area has grown to 270 kilometres, making it the largest ski area in Salzburger Land. Several attractive ski circuits run through the area, such as the 40 km long Skicircus circuit, which passes all the important (viewing) stations.
The entrances to the Skicircus are in Saalbach and Hinterglemm, in Leogang and also in Fieberbrunn. Valley descents also lead back to all the main resorts.
3. SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental
Piste length: 244 km
Altitude: up to 1,829 m
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental is the largest ski area in Tyrol and one of the largest interconnected ski areas in Austria, with 244 kilometres of pistes.
90 lifts, numerous children’s areas for the youngsters, snow parks for freestylers, ski routes for deep snow fans and modern snow-making facilities are all part of the recipe for success of this popular ski area. There are many access points along the two valleys, for example in Brixen im Thale and Westendorf. On the northern side of the mountain, there are valley stations in Going, Ellmau, Scheffau, Söll and Itter.
After skiing, some people just want to go to bed, while others are still full of energy. Families can enjoy one of the three floodlit night toboggan runs, while party-goers will find all genres of music in one of the many mountain huts.
4. Silvretta Arena Ischgl-Samnaun
Piste length: 239 km
Altitude: up to 2,872 m
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Ischgl not only offers après-ski, but also a large ski area of the finest quality in the Silvretta Arena. The village lies at 1,400 m above sea level, with the highest lift reaching up to almost 2,900 m. Access to this ski area is via Ischgl and Samnaun.
The almost 238 kilometres of pistes are spread across the Tyrolean Paznaun and across the border into the Swiss Samnaun. The Flimjochbahn cable car takes you from the famous Idalp up to the national border and on to Samnaun.
Incidentally, the highest customs office in Europe is located on the mountain pass at 2,756 m. As you can shop duty-free in around 50 duty-free shops in Samnaun, you could end up in a customs check on the piste on the way back to Ischgl – even with skis on your feet.
5. Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
Piste length: 214 km
Altitude: up to 2,828 m
The villages of Serfaus, Fiss and Ladis offer countless amenities for parents and children, from children’s ski centres to e-buggy hire.
But “grown-up” winter sports enthusiasts also get their money’s worth here: fun sports equipment for the piste, snow parks for the young and wild and numerous panoramic runs await skiers and boarders. There are a total of 214 kilometres of pistes to ski, most of which are marked blue and red.
6. Kitzbühel
Piste length: 188 km
Altitude: up to 2,000 m
In the heart of the Kitzbühel Alps lies Kitzbühel, a popular celebrity ski resort and venue of the legendary Hahnenkamm race. On the Kitzbüheler Horn, the Resterhöhe, the Pengelstein and the Hahnenkamm, 188 kilometres of perfectly groomed pistes stretch across the Ehrenbachhöhe and the Gaisberg. Of course, the world-famous “Streif” downhill run is also part of the whole thing, although winter sports enthusiasts can only ski parts of it during the season.
By the way: the connecting cable car in the valley, which runs from Kitzbühel to Westendorf, is appropriately called the “Streifzug”. There are access points to the impressive Kitzbühel ski area in Jochberg, Aurach, Kitzbühel and Kirchberg.
7. Zillertal Arena
Piste length: 150 km
Altitude: up to 2,500 m
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And another family-friendly ski area makes it into the top 10 largest ski areas: the Zillertal Arena is situated right after the entrance to the valley. In terms of kilometres, it is almost on a par with Sölden and, like the Ötztal ski area, is primarily designed for families and leisure skiers. All family members feel at home here: mum and dad drop off the little ones at the guest kindergarten and the older kids at the ski school to experience Austria’s longest valley run, among other things. Meanwhile, the teenagers can have fun in the snow park or compete in the “Arena Champion”.
The entrance to these ski areas can be found in Zell am Ziller, Gerlos, Hochkrimml-Gerlosplatte and Königsleiten. Zell am Ziller is located in the valley and offers the most bus and train connections to other resorts.
8. Sölden
Piste length: 143 km
Altitude: up to 3,340 m
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Sölden may not be the largest ski resort, but it does have two glaciers and is situated at altitudes of up to 3,340 m where snow is absolutely guaranteed. The Sölden ski area offers all kinds of sporting variety, such as racetracks and fun parks, as well as panoramic restaurants and photo points.
To explore the summit views and pistes on the glacier at length, we recommend the “Big3 Rallye”. The day tour to Gaislachkogl (3,058 m), Tiefenbachkogl (3,250 m) and Schwarzer Schneid (3,340 m) is primarily for fit winter sports enthusiasts and rewards them with fantastic mountain experiences.
James Bond has also been to Sölden. The most popular and best-known filming location is probably the Ice Q restaurant on the Gaislachkogel, an imposing glass cube.
9. Mayrhofen
Piste length: 142 km
Altitude: up to 2,500 m
The 142 km of pistes in the Mayrhofen ski area are divided into two fun areas: Action on the Penken, pleasure on the Ahorn. In addition, the 3S-Penkenbahn cable car heralds a new era of skiing comfort in Mayrhofen: after all, transport up the Penken could hardly be easier.
At the top, the black runs Harakiri (no. 34) and Devil’s Run (no. 12) as well as the Vans Penken Park await ambitious winter sports enthusiasts. Opposite is the Ahorn, the pleasure mountain with wide family pistes and a new Funslope, where you can round off a day’s skiing with a relaxing drink in the White Lounge.
10. Vier-Berge-Skischaukel Schladming-Planai
Piste length: 123 km
Altitude: up to 2,015 m
There are eight ski areas in the Schladming-Dachstein-Ski-Amadé ski region, which combine a total of 232 kilometres of groomed pistes. One of these is the Vier-Berge-Skischaukel ski area between Hauser Kaibling and Reiteralm, where 123 kilometres of pistes are seamlessly connected. The four largest Styrian ski mountains each offer unique views and different sporting orientations.
The offer with children’s areas, fun parks, cross park, pleasure island with panoramic loungers, sound piste, sky toilet, photo point, timing racetrack and several valley runs is varied and entertaining. There are direct connections to the ski area from Haus/Ennstal, Schladming, Pichl and Gleiming via lifts and gondolas.
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FAQ’s on the largest ski resorts in Austria
What are the three largest ski resorts in Austria?
At the top of the three largest ski areas in Austria is the Ski Arlberg ski area, which is considered the cradle of alpine winter sports in Austria and is the largest connected ski area in the country with 302 kilometres of pistes. In second place is the Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, the largest ski area in Salzburger Land with 270 kilometres of pistes. SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental completes the top 3 with 244 kilometres of pistes.
In which of the largest ski areas in Austria are unique experiences such as night skiing or glacier skiing possible?
For a unique skiing experience, some of Austria’s largest ski resorts offer special activities. SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, for example, attracts visitors with floodlit night toboggan runs, which are always good for an exciting and action-packed experience in the snow after sunset. Sölden, with its two glaciers, offers glacier skiing up to 3,340 metres, making it an ideal destination for high-mountain skiers.
What attractions do Austria’s largest ski resorts offer away from the slopes?
Away from the slopes, Austria’s largest ski resorts also offer a varied programme. The Ski Arlberg ski area is not only known for its pistes, but also for its vibrant après-ski life in St. Anton. The SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental also offers a lively après-ski scene in addition to skiing. In Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, families are particularly welcome with offers such as a children’s ski area and e-buggy hire. The Zillertal Arena is another family-friendly destination that scores with a guest kindergarten and numerous activities for children and adults.
Which of Austria’s largest ski resorts are the highest and therefore offer the best snow guarantee?
Some of the largest ski resorts in Austria are also some of the highest. With its two glaciers and altitudes of up to 3,340 metres, Sölden is one of the ski resorts with the best snow conditions. The Silvretta Arena Ischgl-Samnaun with a maximum altitude of 2,872 metres and Ski Arlberg with an altitude of 2,806 metres also offer a high level of snow reliability in winter.
