Is it your first time booking a ski holiday? Or do you have beginners in a mixed ability group? Our experts have selected the best ski resorts for beginners in Austria. We have taken into account the location of beginner areas, the number of easier runs and non-snow activities. Take a look at our top 10 resorts for beginners skiing in Austria.
Alpbach
Located in the Ski Juwel ski area, Alpbach is a charming ski resort. It’s one of the best ski resorts for beginners in Austria because of the amount of easy terrain and dedicated learning areas. There’s a good choice of ski schools, with excellent ski instructors. The views are spectacular whether you’re in the village or on the slopes. There’s 29km of blue runs to cruise down and the resort isn’t too big to get lost down a trickier run. Off the slopes, the locals are very welcoming and there’s a good choice of bars and restaurants.
Stay At:
The Böglerhof is Alpbach’s leading hotel. Furnished in elegant, Tyrolean style, it is steeped in history and offers friendly and superior service.
Ellmau
Part of the SkiWelt ski area, Ellmau is perfect for first-time skiers. The 122km of blue runs and fantastic beginner area facilities, making it one the best for beginners skiing in Austria. There’s an excellent choice of ski schools to choose from. The village itself is very relaxed and there’s plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy. If you have a full SkiWelt ski pass you can access 284km of pistes as you progress from the nursery slopes.
Stay At:
The Hochfilzer is a popular family run hotel in Ellmau which offers high standards of cuisine and service.
Kaprun
Kaprun is a quiet mountain village but is considered one of the best ski resorts for beginners in Austria. The slopes are suited to beginners and are easy to access on the mountain. There is 57km of blue runs to progress your skiing on. The ski resort has over 30 venues to eat at and plenty of bars too. Kaprun has an ice arena that has great non-ski activities. You can also try tubing or tobogganing when you’re not on the main ski slopes.
Stay At:
Hotel Toni in Kaprun is a lovely four-star hotel decorated in a traditional Austrian style with wood panelling and warm colours.
Lech
Lech has something for all abilities of skiers. However, it makes the best ski resorts for beginners in Austria list because of the dedicated nursery slopes and excellent piste prep. After you progress from the nursery area you can explore 133km of easy rolling blue runs. There are incredible luxury accommodation options in the resort. A great way to enjoy the mountains in top-class comfort. The mountain views in the main village and on the slopes are breath-taking.
Stay At:
With its first class service and top cuisine the Arlberg enjoys an excellent reputation around the world.
Mayrhofen
Mayrhofen has a diverse selection of ski runs on the piste map. The 60km of blue runs and dedicated learning areas show it has some of the best beginners skiing in Austria. Beginners can head to the Pepis Kinderland on the Penken summit and the Übungsland Penken at the top of the Penkenbahn. Kids can enjoy the Fun ride Ahorn park with obstacles and an easy skicross course. Located in the Zillertal ski area the Austrian ski resort has beautiful mountain views. The village itself had kept a traditional alpine charm. There’s lively après bars but also relaxing places to enjoy a bite to eat or drink too.
Stay At:
Hotel Elisabeth in Mayrhofen, Austria, is a luxury adults-only hotel famous for its superb cuisine.
Niederau-Oberau
Linked to neighbouring ski resort Alpbach, Niederau-Oberau is one of the best ski resorts for beginners. The nursery slopes are ideal for learning to ski or snowboard. It’s one of the most beautiful ski destinations located in the Wildschonau Valley. You can also progress to 26km of blue slopes after you’ve mastered the nursery slopes. In the village, there are great choices of bars and restaurants, as well as shops too.
Stay At:
Hotel Sonnschein is a fantastic hotel located in Niederau-Oberau. Styled in traditional Alpine architecture, the hotel is made up of a range of spacious rooms and apartments as well as an extensive selection of free leisure facilities.
Obergurgl
Towards the end of the Otz Valley is Obergurgl. There are dedicated nursery slopes and easy terrain in Obergurgl and neighbouring Hochgurgl. This is why Obergurgl is one of the best ski resorts for beginners in Austria. It’s one of the highest ski resorts in Europe with an altitude of 1,930m-3,080m, making it a snow-sure destination. The main town has a tranquil atmosphere with next to no traffic. There’s a good choice of restaurants, bars and accommodation in the ski resort.
Stay At:
Set above the village, Hotel Bergwelt is a member of the unrivalled selection of ‘Small Luxury Hotels of the World’.
Saalbach-Hinterglemm
Hinterglemm in particular has some of the best beginners skiing in Austria. The nursery slopes are on your doorstep in the village is perfect for first-time skiers. There’s a whopping 140km of blue runs once you’ve progressed onto the main mountain too. The blue runs from Zwolferkogel towards Hinterglemm are ideal for cruising. Neighbouring Saalbach also has some great blue runs to enjoy too once you can get around the piste map.
Stay At:
Alpin Resort has excellent modern and stylish facilities in the big leisure area.
Seefeld
Seefeld is an ideal ski resort for beginners because it is quiet and has a good range of gentle terrain. There is 27km of slopes in the area, 19km of those are easy blue runs to progress on. The nursery slopes are in an ideal location with easy access from the main village. It is a stylish ski resort with great luxury accommodation options. There’s a good mixture of traditional architecture and modern facilities to enjoy.
Stay At:
This luxurious hotel has accommodated many sophisticated guests looking for that special atmosphere of exclusivity in its rooms and facilities.
Sölden
Down the road from Obergurgl, Sölden is also considered one of the best ski resorts for beginners in Austria. The majority of runs on the mountain are blue with 74km to explore once you’ve progressed from the nursery slopes. There’s a vast selection of cruisy blue runs in the Giggijoch area. For a longer run, the number 38 descends from the 3370m peak of the Schwarze Schneid is a great scenic blue. There are plenty of off-slope activities too with a James Bond installation to visit.
Stay At:
Set amongst the pines, each of Hotel Das Central’s 121 rooms and suites are unique and exude opulence, yet retain Tyrolean charm.
Söll
Another SkiWelt ski resort that makes our best ski resorts for beginners in Austria list is Söll. It attracts both mixed ability groups and families. There are fantastic beginner areas and 122km of blue pistes to explore. The north-facing location of the majority of the slopes makes it one the most snow-sure destinations in the Alps. The village itself has a relaxed atmosphere, however, there are a few lively bars if you’re looking for a party.
Stay At:
Hotel Bergland is a traditional family-run Tyrolian style hotel located close to the slopes in Söll.
Westendorf
Westendorf is built perfectly for beginner and family skiing. The nursery slopes are located directly near the main village for easy access. If you’re looking to book lessons there are fantastic ski schools available with top ski instructors. In addition, there are 122km of blue runs to progress on when you’ve mastered the nursery slopes. The village itself is small and friendly so you can easily get around and not get lost.
Stay At:
Westendorf’s leading hotel, with uninterrupted mountain views from its sunny terrace, the superior Vitalhotel Schermer is known for its standard of comfort and cuisine as well as its extensive leisure facilities and fitness programme.
For more information about the best ski resorts for beginners in Austria, speak to one of our ski experts on 0207 471 7700.
