Classic ski resorts in Austria

The history of alpine skiing in Austria goes back as far as to the late 19th century! Max Kleinoschegg and Toni Schruf climbed up the Stuhleck mountain (1782m) in 1892 and are still known today as the first Austrian ski-mountaineers. Soon the word was out and pioneers discovered mountain after mountain with the help of their skis. Skiing took off as a popular sport in Europe in the 1920s.

It was then when foreign tourists discovered the pleasure of skiing in Austria and the first ski resorts were developed. Nobel-prize winning author Ernest Hemingwaywas one of them, who stayed a whole winter in the Montafon valley skiing the Silvretta and Arlberg mountains.

Austrian ski pioneers were about to revolutionize skiing techniques. Among them was the famous Hannes Schneider from the Arlberg. Starring in various ski films with the young Leni Riefenstahl made Hannes Schneider one of the first 'celebrities' of the infant ski industry. With his status as first celebrity of skiing he helped to establish his home region Arlberg as the primary ski resort in Austria.

It was then, when the foundations of the now classic Austrian ski resorts were laid. In the far west of Austria, the Arlberg region established itself as the leading destination for skiing in Austria. Skiing fresh powder snow at the Arlberg is still a privilege for all like-minded skiers. Kitzbühel, a picturesque little town in Tyrol, and Gastein, a famous belle epoque spa of its own standing were perhaps the next two candidates competing with the Arlberg for the crown of the Austrian ski resorts. And fourth, the Semmering region in the far East of Austria, close to the border of Hungary.

In my opinion these four skiing resorts are still in the top ranks today. These locations combine tremendous skiing possibilities, modern technical facilities with an authentic 'feel' and a vibrant social life based upon their unique traditions: powder snow and freeriding in the Arlberg region, downhill racing at the famous Hahnenkamm in Kitzbühel, and the combination of belle epoque spas and modern skiing in the case of Gastein and Semmering.

The Arlberg is probably Austria's top ski resort famous for its powder snow. St. Anton/Arlberg, St. Christoph, Stuben, Zürs and Lech are the five distinct villages which form an integrated ski resort. The Arlberg region is sometimes called the cradle of skiing due to the many innovations of Hannes Schneider and his successors and the notoriously thick snow cover during the winter.

Each village has a unique and distinct flair and character. St. Anton (1280m) being the sporty one for the young and party-minded with its adjacent St. Christoph, located almost directly at the Arlberg Pass (1800m). Zürs (1750m) and Lech (1450m) are the noble ones, particularly suited for skiers with thick purses and last but not least Stuben (1500m) is the quiet pearl underneath the Arlberg pass.

Although the Arlberg ski resorts offer dozens of groomed runs with a total length of over 200km it is the huge list of off-piste runs for which the 'trade-mark' Arlberg really stands. The possibilites are virtually endless and include tree skiing around St. Anton, pillow runs near Stuben, pristine meadows in Lech and Zürs and gnarly gullies and couloirs at the Valluga mountain.

Kitzbühel (780m), located in Tyrol, is not only a renowned ski resort but a vibrant small town famous for its annual Hahnenkamm downhill race and for being the 'second home' of the in-crowd from Munich. Its gorgeous landscape full of alpine meadows covered under thick snow was made famous by Austrian paint artist Alfons Walde. In his paintings Walde illustrated alpine life as well as the early years of skiing.

Today, Kitzbühel is part of one of Austria's largest integrated ski areas with more than 50 interconnected lifts and 200 km downhill runs. Despite its relatively low elevation of the town itself and the surrounding mountains (up to just 2000m) it is amazingly snow-sure and enough days with fresh powder are almost guaranteed due its exposure to the snow-delivering north-westerly storms. Thus, it is not only a resort for on-piste skiers who prefer groomed runs but for the powder-seekers as well.

The heart of the Kitzbühel ski resort is without question the Hahnenkamm-Ehrenbachhöhe-Steinbergkogel area with the dreaded Streif downhill run. The famous ski safari connects Kitzbühel over various mountain ranges with higher areas above Pass Thurn at the border between Tyrol and Salzburg.

The Kitzbüheler Horn at the opposite side of the town offers a quieter environment with nice runs over pristine alpine meadows. Freeride runs such as the Hoferschneid appeal to the younger sportier crowd.

The Gastein valley in the province of Salzburg enjoyed an early reputation as a spa for the noble elite in the course of the 19th century. Princes and barons used to cure their small and large health problems in the fresh air environment of this alpine valley.

Today the Gastein valley offers five different ski resorts of which the two largest, Bad Gastein-Stubnerkogel and Bad Hofgastein-Schlossalm are interconnected via the Angertal lift system. For skiers interested in a high alpine flair Sportgastein (1600-2700m) in the last corner of the valley is the right choice. Sportgastein is the local hot spot for Salzburg's freeriding youth offering various possibilities both for powder as well as for spring-like corn conditions. A true gem is the famous Nordabfahrt leading from the top of the Kreuzkogel (2686m) down to the street connecting Bad Gastein with Sportgastein and offering a vertical of about 1400m. The return is easily arranged by taxi or the offical ski bus. The snow-sure valley floor in the gorgeous environment of the Hohen Tauern is also loved by cross-country skiers who find plenty of space at the foot of the Schareck (3122m).

A hidden gem of Gastein is the Graukogel resort in Bad Gastein. Once famous for downhill racing the steep and shadowy runs are now often overlooked by tourists but popular playground among the locals.

The heart of the Gastein ski region is the interconnected Stubnerkogel-Angertal-Schlossalm area with its three distinct entry points in Bad Gastein, Angertal and Bad Hofgastein. More than two dozen modern lifts guarantee a fast and easy uphill transportation. The many groomed runs are for all tastes. Beginners, families with kids as well as expert skier will find enough possibilities to satisfy their needs. A real gem is the Hohe Scharte run down to Bad Hofgastein. A long (approximately 8km) run ideal suited for the intermediate.

Further down the valley the little village of Dorfgastein offers a family-oriented ski resort with direct ski connection to Grossarl in the neighboring valley. This village is especially suited for the skier who is looking for a quiet mountain village.

The Semmering Pass (982m) is just about 80 kilometres south of Vienna of world fame due to its historical mountain railway built between 1848-1854. The Semmering earned its credentials in 1998 when this region got inscripted as world heritage by the UNESCO.

A classic ski resort just in the vicinity of Vienna? You must be joking! However, since Vienna is located just at the Eastern edge of the Alps, the possibilities for skiing near Vienna are plenty and the region boasts quite many attractive ski resorts. Though it may sound surprising, but the Semmering was Austria's first glamorous ski resort back in the era of the 1920ies. Easily reached by train from Vienna (as well as from Graz, the second largest city of Austria) the Semmering earned early a good reputation as a recreational and sporty resort.

Equipped with shiny and luxurious belle epoque hotels (Panhans hotel being the most famous one) the region attracted visitors from the whole of Europe. The many historical mansions of the Viennese upper class (among them many famous artists and writers) of these time give this region its distinct appearance. A cultural heritage of which the region draws until today. With the political and economical turbulences of the Second World War the Semmering region departed temporarily from its role as trendy resort.

However, the political and economical re-integration of Eastern Europe brought a welcomed come-back of the Semmering region. Today the Semmering is probably the most popular ski resort among the growing number of Hungarian (and Slovak) skiers.

Today the ski resorts around the Semmering (Hirschenkogel, Spital/Semmering and some other nearby resorts like Niederalpl, Wechsel or Rax) offer modern lift facilities and groomed runs of various length and difficulties. Artificial snow-making guarantees good conditions despite the region's relative low altitude (500-1780m). The Hirschenkogel offers probably Austria's best night-time skiing.

Unbeknownst to many, the region is also very attractive for backcountry skiing and freeride, especially tree skiing.