Innsbruck is a true winter sport paradise. The picturesque Tyrolean capital is nestled right in the centre of dozens of ski areas and seems to be tailor-made for a winter holiday. With nonstop flights on EasyJet from London and Bristol and plenty of shuttle buses once you arrive in Innsbruck, it’s a perfectly doable option for a week of skiing or snowboarding. Once in Austria you can choose to stay in Innsbruck itself or exploring a bit further along the winding valleys. Whatever you choose, you are sure to fall in love with the outstanding food, warm hospitality and first-class skiing.
If you fancy staying in the colourful town of Innsbruck, an Olympia SkiWorld Innsbruck lift pass will give you access to nine nearby ski resorts covering over 300km of pistes. The pass also includes access to Stubai Glacier for all-season skiing. Resorts are linked by a shuttle bus.
Half-hour drive, 20km
Seefeld is a small but beautiful ski area located quite close to Innsbruck. The ski area only has 40km of downhill pistes but Seefeld is better known for its 200km of cross-country trails, which wind peacefully through the trees. This former Olympic host town has child-friendly facilities and is popular with families.
Half-hour drive, 50km
The quaint little ski area at Oetz im Ötztal is the perfect place for beginners and families, with mostly easy runs interspersed with some more challenging ones. It’s easy for new skiers and snowboarders to take to the sport when blessed with such awe-inspiring views!
1 hour drive, 60km
The Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau ski area links Alpbach and Wildschönau, giving access to 130km of slopes and making this one of Tyrol’s largest ski areas. The terrain is suitable for every level, from beginners to experts. Good facilities for children and reasonable prices makes this is popular place with families in particular.
1 hour drive, 60km
Just across the border from Innsbruck is the Garmisch-Partenkirchen ski area, located at the foot of the highest mountain in Germany. Snow is guaranteed thanks to the glacier and the top of the mountain boasts a view spanning four countries. Garmisch is famous for the Kandahar World Cup run and for its endless cross-country trails.
1 hour drive, 80km
Gerlos is just one of a few popular resorts in the Zillertal Arena, the others being Wald-Königsleiten, Gerlosplatte and Zell am Ziller, which is a good choice for families. Gerlos is popular with the Dutch and you can count on a rowdy nightlife scene. The skiing is also stellar, especially for intermediates.
1 hour drive, 70km
Mayrhofen is a legendary name in the skiing and snowboarding world, and a lift pass here also gets you access to the entire Ski Zillertal 3000 ski area with its 200km of slopes including glacier skiing at the Hintertux Glacier. Après-ski is top-notch and the event calendar is packed.
1 hour drive, 80km
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental is behemoth, with nearly 280km of pistes spread out over nine resorts, including Söll. Family-friendly facilities and an abundance of on-mountain restaurants make for an enjoyable and relaxing holiday. This is a particularly good choice for beginners and intermediates.
1 hour drive, 80km
Sölden-Hochsölden is known for its lively nightlife and numerous events that draw crowds from all over the world. The ski area has something for everybody, with 150km of pistes, modern lifts and guaranteed snow thanks to the glaciers and the snowmaking facilities.
1 hour drive, 100km
Chic St. Anton am Arlberg is a favourite with the rich and famous, and the resort boasts luxury hotels and a trendy nightlife scene. Expert skiers come here to try their skills on St. Anton’s challenging slopes. Intermediates are better off at Lech and Zürs, which are linked to St. Anton through the vast Ski Arlberg ski area.
1.5 hour drive, 100km
Kitzbühel has a sophisticated vibe, thanks in part to its medieval village centre, which dates back to the 14th century. The ski area is linked with Kirchberg and has terrain for all levels, including dedicated snowboard areas and plenty of off-piste.
1.5 hour drive, 100km
Ischgl is one of Austria’s best ski resorts, with 230km of high-altitude slopes, gorgeous views and an efficient lift network. As well as being a frequent host for international snowboard competitions, Ischgl and its bustling pedestrian centre also enjoy a great après scene in their own right.
1.5 hour drive, 100km
Hugely popular with Brits for its après-ski scene, Obergurgl-Hochgurgl has been around since the 1930’s and has retained much of its traditional charm. The high-altitude ski area is outfitted with modern lifts and is easy to access from the ski-in, ski-out resort centre. Gurgl is close to Sölden and the other resorts in the Ötztal ski area.
Not a fan of Innsbruck? Here are some other skiing hubs:
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
