Best skiing in Austria? The Arlberg for sure but don’t miss out on the Zillertal Arena – there is some epic skiing there
Gerlos – high, extensive, superb skiing – some of the best in Austria – image © www.skiingaustria.co.uk
One of the themes that we feature on the new Skiing Austria website is the ‘best skiing in Austria’. We think that the best ski holiday resorts in Austria are Lech, St Anton, Stuben, Neustift, Solden, Konigsleiten, Gerlos and Zauchensee. There are some very big names in Austrian skiing clearly missing from this list and some are no doubt very worthy but we had to make it a manageable list. OK so to justify them (and we have skied them all many times) Lech we rate for its intermediate skiing and snow record (Lech being Lech-Zurs) the snow is almost always excellent and if there is little snow in Lech-Zurs then there is none in the rest of the Alps. For intermediates the area is superb. St Anton is unmatched for tough skiing and the amount of it – the new Rendlbahn ski lift should allow more people to sample the Rendl action. Stuben am Arlberg could be the best off-piste skiing in the Alps. The snow record and the size and variety of the routes down from the Albona are very tough to match anywhere. The Stubai Glacier has the best facilities, ski area and snow record combination of any glacier skiing area in the Alps – the kids facilities are outstanding and powder skiing from October right through to June is common. In terms of value to action ratio then we think that Solden has just about the best après ski in the Alps. Sure St Anton and Ischgl are absolutely up there but there is a no-nonsense approach to après ski in Solden and prices can be pretty fair - it aslo has fantastic skiing and 2 glaciers. For ski-in, ski-out then Konigsleiten in the Zillertal Arena gets our nod, pretty chalets, great snow record and one of the best ski regions on the Alps. Gerlos its neighbour is also on the list, great snow record, full-on après ski, skiing to 2500m and part of the superb Zillertal Arena ski region. Zauchensee we rate very highly for its ski-in, ski-out resort hotels, being one of the highest resorts in the region, the shared Salzburger Sportwelt ski region and its proximity to Salzburg. I am sure that not everyone will agree nor will everyone have had the experiences we have had at these resorts, but trust me, we have skied these places a lot and had some incredible days in the mountains in these locations. Let us know your best skiing in Austria.
I think my preference at the moment (of course besides my home valley stubai) is the Zillertal - amazing skiing area and very cool for going out - loads of young people there from all over Europe and I love the Zillertaler accent
but this could change as I will check out some resorts this season hopefully!
I can’t vouch for the appeal of the zillertaler accent, but I do have a good thing to say about the Zillertaler Beer and the fact that Zell am Ziller has both a brewery and almost 2km vertical of skiing above it. When you get to the Zillertal Valley next try the Zillertal Arena – it is less known than many of the other areas (outside of the Austrian, German and Dutch markets) and has the biggest and best skiing in the region. The resorts are superb and diverse- Zell am Ziller has its own brewery, is easy to access and has 2km vertical of skiing above it. Gerlos is set high up on a mountain pass and has great access to the Zillertal Arena ski area as well as pumping après ski, Konigsleiten is the highest of the resorts at 1600m and has great ski-in, ski-out chalets and Hochkrimml has a good range of ski-in, ski-out accommodation is great for beginners and has amazing views down the valley and over the lake. One question: could someone from the Stubai Valley understand someone from the Zillertal Valley? I can barely follow either, it is like Cantonese most of the time to me.
Trust the conversation to get onto beer
Although it is good in the zillertal and you can drink lots of it in Gerlos - thats for sure!! Whilst dancing on a table aswell.
Although I took the more chilled out option and did some beautiful cross country skiing next to the river and then a glass of wine by a fire! I think I must be getting old
Well there can’t be too many better days than a sunny day high in the mountains of the Zillertal Arena, knowing that gravity will take you directly toward the biggest brewery in the region. These Zillertalers know what it takes to make a perfect day!
Kitzbuhel, for me, the snow is not always brilliant, but a fantastic little town with something for everyone, quiet & loud nights. The slopes have everthing the horn has a small public race course & jumps areas for beginners & experts. The skiing area off the Hahnenkamm links up to Pass Thurn. Great pubs & atmosphere.
Thanks for that John. I cannot argue that Kitzbuhel is one of the very best towns / resorts in the Alps. In a similar way I rate Zell am Ziller very, very highly, it is a working town as well as tourist destination and there is a real purpose about the place – it even has the biggest brewery in the region – these are facilities that you simply can’t ignore. Kitzbuhel the resort has the name and is justifiably revered worldwide. From my experience, Kitzbuhel versus the Zillertal Arena in terms of skiing there is only one winner though, the Zillertal Arena blows it away – the skiing is simply fantastic – high, big, varied, rugged, scenic and Zillertaler Beer on offer everywhere.
Why am i only hearing of this brewery after i’ve booked my ski holiday for 2010??? we need to talk!!!
If you head West of Innsbruck you get to Imst where they have so much beer they offer bathing in beer at a brewery. I have yet to try it - the closest has been a late night trickle of beer down the chin, usually the sign to retire for the night. I am not sure if they do brewery tours at the Zillertaler Brewery but it could certainly be another string to the bow of this fantastic ski region.