Austria, like many countries around the world, is famous for it’s food. Schnitzels, Strudels, and Kaiserschmarrn to name a few. But Austrian food is so much more than this. This winter we invite you to try the less explored side of Austrian food; gourmet, luxury, and michelin stars! For travellers who want fine dining, spa hotels, and indulgence on and off the slopes, these are our highlights.

Paznaun-Ischgl (Tirol)

Paznaun-Ischgl is unsurprisingly a long-time favourite for British skiers; combining Michelin-level dining with buzzing après-ski and more than 230 km of top-class skiing. It’s indulgence at altitude and perfect for foodies who don’t want to compromise on fun. Ischgl pairs big-mountain skiing with big-night energy and a serious gourmet streak; the Paznaun valley rounds it out with family-centric Galtür, Kappl and See.

Ischgl has built a reputation as the culinary capital of the Alps, Restaurant Stüva in Hotel Yscla holds two Michelin stars for Chef Benjamin Parth's exceptional cuisine and the Genussrestaurant Sunna has garnered a top reputation for its blend of Tyrolean tradition and innovative flavours. Beyond Ischgl, the Paznaun valley widens the palette: Galtür is quieter and family-minded with Nordic and winter hiking built in; Kappl and See are comfort-first, easy-going areas that punch above their size for families and beginners.

Ischgl provides the ultimate luxury experience, with stunning four- and five-star hotels, as well as numerous award-winning restaurants. It’s been dubbed the Tyrolean gourmet mecca by Gault-Millau restaurant guide “A la carte”. For some wellness and recovery after a hard day on the slopes, try the luxury spa Silvretta Therme, known for its 1,500-square-metre sauna area with an Alpine rose steam bath, a herbal sauna, and numerous other saunas.

NEW FOR WINTER 2025/26

• Ischgl: Höllbodenbahn C1 and Sassgalunbahn C3 (D-Line) to boost capacity and comfort; themed chairs and PV panels integrated.
• Kappl: New Diasbahn 10-seater gondola for faster, barrier-free access
• See: Refurbished Familienglück 6-seater and expanded family/beginner park
• € 50 million Euro to be invested in the Silvretta Arena modernisation
   

Ötztal (Tirol)

Ötztal has quietly become a home for luxury skiing. The region covers 6 ski areas with the Ötztal Super Skipass (Sölden, Hochoetz-Kühtai, Niederthai, Gries, and Vent), 140+ km of cross-country ski tracks, 11 toboggan runs, and 250+ km of winter hiking trails. It's a blend of luxury spas and family run hotels, endless snow-sure pistes and epic views. Gurgl is surrounded by snow-covered peaks over 3,000 m high, guaranteeing snow all season long! It boasts a plethora of premium ski-in/ski-out hotels with gourmet dining options, making it a home-away-from-home for those who appreciate the finer things in life.

At the very top of the Gaislachkogl, the glass-cube restaurant ice Q (which featured in James Bond’s Spectre) serves to-die-for cuisine at 3,048 m with two Gault Millau toques and a wine list almost as impressive as the views. For a more intimate setting, the Michelin-starred Austria Stuben offers just 16 seats and a carefully curated eight-course tasting menu with wine pairings, perfect for a once-in-a-lifetime gourmet experience. It also houses the wine cellar for PINO 3000, a rare, collaborative Pinot Noir from Austria, Germany, and Italy that matures in oak barrels at 3,048 m inside Sölden’s Ice Q wine cellar, giving it a uniquely fresh, alpine character.

Sölden delivers the adrenaline: two glaciers, freeriding paradise, with a cinematic Bond-backdrop sprinkled through its mountain architecture. And if you can’t get enough during the day, you can try early morning skiing or floodlit night skiing and tobogganing.

NEW FOR WINTER 2025/26

• Sölden - Kids on Ski: free kids’ courses + rental. Click here for more details.
   

Zillertal (Tirol)

The Zillertal is one of Tirol's largest ski areas, catering to both beginners and experts. The area boasts a whopping 180 lifts, 548 km of slopes, and Austria’s steepest run (Harakiri - 78% gradient). The Zillertal Superskipass gives unlimited access to all winter resorts in the area as well as free public transport to get you around the valley. Thanks to its altitude, peaking at 3,250 metres above sea level, skiing here is possible well into April.

However, it's not just downhill skiing. Zillertal is equally renowned for its off-piste and freeride skiing. The region also features cross-country and winter hiking trails, traditional huts, family-run hotels, and unique adventures like the Hintertux Nature Ice Palace, making it a dream destination for winter holidays.

Zillertal is also rapidly becoming a foodie’s paradise. Dining options range from slow-food huts to contemporary bistros and chef-driven menus; nightlife can be as exciting or laid back as you like, with venues to serve all tastes. Two restaurants here proudly hold Michelin stars: Guat’z Essen in Stumm, which also boasts a Green Star for sustainability, and Genießerstube at the Alpenhof in Tux, both offering refined regional menus with seasonal precision.

NEW FOR WINTER 2025/26

• New SkyRide Ahorn: Visitors can enjoy an open-air gondola experience on the Ahornbahn's open-air panorama deck with views of the Zillertal Alps.
• New valley-wide winter-hiking and touring programmes.
   

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