The Alps cover a whopping two thirds of Austria, so it’s no surprise that people associate the country with skiing and winter sports. However, Austria’s history of skiing is much more than just a love of all things winter. Modern alpine and downhill skiing was invented, pioneered and perfected here; to this day it remains the ultimate location for  racers to write their names in the history books. So for skiers chasing history, racing prestige, and world-class terrain, here are our highlights.

Innsbruck (Tirol)

For skiers chasing history, racing prestige, and world-class terrain look no further than Innsbruck, a stunning city perched amongst the Alps. It’s a two-time Winter Olympic host surrounded by a dozen resorts, Olympic downhill and slalom runs, and home of the famous Bergisel.

What makes winter in the Innsbruck region so special is the harmonious balance between alpine and urban. Here, the thrill of skiing meets the allure of the city, shredding meets sightseeing, and surfing through the snow meets strolling through charming old town streets. Innsbruck is where a living alpine city meets a constellation of easy-to-reach ski areas with genuine Olympic-grade descents and high-alpine freeride, all covered by the SKI plus CITY Pass.

The pass covers 12 ski areas around the capital of Tirol, totalling 265 km of pistes and 108 lifts, plus 22 other attractions (including the Alpine Zoo to Swarovski Crystal Worlds), so guests can shred in the morning and museum-hop or spa-soak in the afternoon. It’s the ultimate “ski-city” hybrid for British travellers who want choice and short transfer times, you can be on the slopes within an hour of landing!

NEW FOR WINTER 2025/26

• Expanded SKI plus CITY experiences with additional attractions.
• Improved transport connections between ski areas and city centre.

Schladming-Dachstein (Styria)

Schladming-Dachstein lives for snow and spectacle, home to the world-famous floodlit Night Slamon and the biggest ski area in Styria; the 4-Mountain area cover more than 120km of piste (it’s made up of Planai, Hochwurzen, Hauser Kaibling, and Reiteralm). In Schladming you can expect a polished resort experience replete with modern lifts, broad groomers, characterful huts and a year-round culinary scene. The Dachstein Glacier is home not only to the region’s highest-altitude cross-country trail, but also to the longest glacier trail in the world.

The 2025/26 calendar is packed with both culture and sport, including the Nordic Winter Open and World Cup Nordic Combined in nearby Ramsau. And yes, the Night Slalom returns 27–28 January 2026, drawing huge crowds and world-class athletes to race under the lights.

There is a wide range of activities beyond skiing as well, from fat-biking and winter hiking, to alpine and cross-country skiing, as well as the now famous Dachstein Culinary Run, which combines alpine sport with the region's ever expanding culinary prowess. If that's not enough, you can try snowshoeing, tobogganing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and so much more.

NEW FOR WINTER 2025/26

• Ski Opening: Backstreet Boys live at Planai Stadium (5–7 Dec 2025)
• Ramsau am Dachstein once again hosts Dachsteinlauf, a popular cross-country skiing event
• 3 new lifts installed
• New sustainable snowmaking facilities installed
• From November 2025, the Zirngast house will re-open as a boutique hotel

Kitzbühel (Tirol)

The name is shorthand for ski legend: pastel-painted streets, glamourous hotels, and the fiercest downhill on earth: the Hahnenkamm. This downhill has shaped legends and lured generations of skiers to test gentler, parallel pistes on the same face. Kitzbühel offers world-class skiing with 233km of varied slopes, catering to beginners on the Kitzbüheler Horn to advanced skiers on the legendary Streif downhill course.

But you don't need to be a racing line expert to enjoy Kitzbühel, there’s deep variety across the wider KitzSki area, from cruisy circuits and family zones to long valley runs that end in the medieval centre. You can marry ski days with culture, spa time and shopping: coffee on the Stadtplatz, a late lunch in a mountain hut, then wellness back at your hotel. Kitzbühel is more than just a ski resort these days, with culture, lifestyle, and wellness all taking a front seat.

This historic resort combines urban flair with characteristic Tyrolean hospitality, offering culinary variety and exclusive shopping opportunities. Add toboggan runs, countless cross-country and winter hiking trails, a weekly activity programme, and award-winning restaurants, and it's no surprise that guests return again and again.

NEW FOR WINTER 2025/26

• Kitzbühel will host Austria’s prestigious KURIER ROMY film and television awards for the first time as part of its winter opening on Friday, 28 November 2025
• 86th Hannekamm Race- 19th-26th January

Arlberg (Tirol/Vorarlberg)

Known as the cradle of modern alpine skiing, the Arlberg connects icons St. Anton, St. Christoph, Stuben, Zürs, and Lech into Austria’s largest linked ski playground with 300 km of marked slopes and 200 km of off-piste trails. The 85 state-of-the-art cable cars and lifts offer the highest standards of safety, comfort, and efficiency. The region is also a founding member of ‘Best of the Alps’, the quality association of the 13 most renowned alpine destinations. Skiing is in the locals' blood in the Arlberg region, it has been part of everyday life here for more than 100 years, so there’s nowhere better equipped to provide an authentic winter experience with a touch of luxury.

Here you'll find deep snow, storied ski schools, and miles of varied pistes that reward mileage and skill. On the Lech-Zürs side, you can tick off the iconic White Ring circuit linking traditional villages with view-laden ridges; on the St. Anton side, long fall-line reds funnel to a lively après scene you may have heard about. Off-slope, the villages marries Tyrolean warmth with polished hotels, top notch ski schools and a clutch of fine-dining stops. If you’re chasing race heritage with a luxury finish and snow reliability to match, Ski Arlberg is as blue-chip as it gets.

NEW FOR WINTER 2025/26

• New après-ski and culinary events planned.
• Hotel Kristberg a brand-new luxury hotel opens in December 2025 with 27 exclusive suites, extensive spa area and Scotch Club 1966.

Zell am See-Kaprun (SalzburgerLand)

Between glacier, mountain and a glittering lake, Zell am See-Kaprun and the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier have become a major training and testing area for national and international ski teams. The Schmittenhöhe mountain above Zell am See has hosted FIS races in the past, particularly women’s World Cup events in the 1980s and 1990s. If that’s not enough, the Schmittenhöhe Ski Movie track allows you to try your hand at a Giant Slalom course, both timed and filmed so you can watch back the footage like a pro! The Ski ALPIN CARD links 408 km of pistes across Schmittenhöhe, the Kitzsteinhorn glacier and the Skicircus, home to Austria’s largest funslope (1.3 km) on the Schmittenhöhe.

Freeriders can now try Freeride Monday on the Kaprun glacier for skills and safety sessions with pros. When it's time to relax after a day on the slopes or in the town, the TAUERN SPA spreads over 20,000 m² (12 pools, 10 saunas, Skyline Pool) and the lakeside Star Advent markets are like Christmas postcards brought to life. A resort ever ahead of the curve, you can now use your smartphone as a lift ticket via the Zell am See-Kaprun app all you have to do is buy, load, tap, and go.

NEW FOR WINTER 2025/26

• Smart-phone ski passes available on Zell am See-Kaprun app.
• Bergwelten Ski Touring Festival (28–30 Nov 2025, Kitzsteinhorn).
• Freeride Monday on Kitzsteinhorn (Dec–Apr).
• Ski’n’Brunch early-access Thursdays (Jan–Feb 2026).

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