Short transfer times are ideal for maximising your time on the slopes. It also helps with the cost of your holiday too. There are some fantastic ski resorts to visit near Innsbruck Airport, with something for everyone. Our ski experts have created a guide to the best ski resorts near Innsbruck.
Seefeld, Austria – 30 minutes transfer time – 20km
Seefeld combines style and fashion with stunning views. It is one of the leading ski resorts for cross country skiing with 250km of tracks to enjoy. It is also a regular stop on the FIS Cross Country World Cup Tour, where the world’s best battle it out. In addition, there’s 27km of alpine skiing, that’s mostly suited to beginner and intermediate skiers.
It’s a small ski resort but has lots happening on and off the mountain. There are over 50 different restaurants, that serve local Tirolean cuisine and international menus. If you’re looking for a drink, there are many bars with different atmospheres. Fledermaus, Jeep and Le Dome are the most popular spots in town.
Kühtai, Austria – 40 minutes transfer time – 39km
Kühtai is located between the Ötztal and the Stubai mountain ranges and has a fantastic snow record because of where it’s situated. It has 46km of slopes mainly suited to intermediate skiers. The vast majority of the slopes are red runs with varying steepness. You will be amazed by the surrounding stunning scenery on and off the slopes.
No matter where you’re staying in Kühtai, you have fantastic access to the slopes with the main slopes on your doorstep. If you’re looking for a bite to eat at Pizzeria Da Bruno
Alpbach, Austria – 1 hour transfer time – 60km
Part of the Ski Juwel ski area, Alpbach is a charming ski resort to visit. Only an hour transfer time, it is one of the best ski resorts near Innsbruck. You can ski 109km of slopes and the views are breathtaking. There are also great links to neighbouring ski resort Niederau which opens up even more terrain to enjoy. The skiing is suited to all abilities and there are great facilities for children, which is ideal for family holidays.
On the mountain, the Hornboden is a popular place to eat near the top of the main Wiedersberhornbahn lift. In the village, Hotel Post and Gasthof Wiedersbergerhorn serve fantastic Austrian cuisine and have a great wine list. For the best pizza in town, head to Pizzeria Messner’s. Locals and tourists often meet at the Gasthof Jakober for a drink in the evening.
Garmisch Partenkirchen, Germany – 1 hour transfer time – 60km
Over the border into Germany, Garmisch Partenkirchen is a great ski resort near Innsbruck. The German ski resort is steeped in ski racing history hosting events for the 1936 Winter Olympics and the current FIS Alpine World Cup. You can ski 40km of slopes in the area. One of which is the famous Kandahar black run. It is also fantastic for beginners and intermediates with plenty of gentle terrain.
Enjoy Bavarian specialities in the local mountain huts that are slopeside. Expect wild game, potato dumplings, warming stews and Schnitzel. Garmisch Partenkirchen has a lively nightlife with great bars, restaurants and accommodation to enjoy. The liveliest spot in town is near the central station with plenty of bars to have a drink after a day on the slopes.
Mayrhofen, Austria – 1 hour transfer time – 70km
Mayrhofen is one of the largest interlinked ski resorts near Innsbruck. Part of the Zillertal ski area, you can ski 204km of slopes with great access to nearby Fügen, Kaltenbach, Zell am Ziller and the Hintertux Glacier. The piste map has something for everyone. You can challenge yourself on Austria’s steepest black slope, the Harakiri. There are also excellent dedicated learning areas for beginners and many gentle blues to progress on.
Off the slopes, there’s a lively atmosphere in Mayrhofen. There are plenty of bars, clubs and restaurants to enjoy after a day on the slopes. It’s also home to the famous Snowbombing ski festival which has had acts such as Stormzy and Liam Gallagher in the past. Bruck’n Stadl is the best spot for nightclub-style après-ski, with music until the early hours of the morning. If you want a more upmarket evening the Mamma Mia restaurant in the Hotel Elisabeth has an amazing Italian menu.
Söll, Austria – 1 hour transfer time – 80km
Part of the SkiWelt ski area, Söll is a great place for mixed ability groups and family ski holidays. If you buy a full lift pass you can access 284km of slopes in the area. It’s a snow-sure resort due to the north-facing slopes and great snow record. Located at the foot of the Hohe Salve Mountains, the views are delightful on and off the slopes.
Off the mountain, there are great activities to enjoy with curling, swimming, paragliding, squash, bowling and winter camping to enjoy. The Panorama swimming baths include an indoor pool with a hot outdoor pool, sauna, massage parlour and tanning studio. The best spot for a drink is the Moonlight Bar at the bottom of the valley.
Sölden, Austria – 1 hour transfer time – 80km
Sölden has one of the longest ski seasons for ski resorts near Innsbruck. It offers excellent glacier skiing so regularly opens in October and closes in mid-May. The FIS Alpine World Cup regularly has its opening ski race there because of the early season reliability. You can ski 155km of slopes and there’s also fantastic off-piste terrain to enjoy too.
If you’re a James Bond fan, you must visit the 007 Elements installation. It’s inspired by Sölden’s involvement in the film Spectre. If you’re a foodie, you will love the Ice Q restaurant at the top of the mountain, with excellent food and views to match. The nightlife in the village is lively with plenty of bars and clubs to enjoy. Fire and Ice is a great spot to enjoy late-night dancing.
Westendorf, Austria – 1 hour transfer time – 80km
Part of the SkiWelt ski area, Westendorf is ideal for a family ski holiday. It has nursery slopes directly near the main village, which makes learning how to ski a lot easier for beginners and children. There is also 284km of slopes to explore which has something for everyone. In addition, Westendorf has great links to neighbouring ski resorts Ellmau and Söll.
The village itself has a traditional alpine charm with a modern twist. If you’re looking for something to eat there are a large variety of restaurants within the resorts’ hotels. For the best Austrian alpine cuisine head to Wastlhof, Klingler or Berggasthof Stimmlach. For a small village, Westendorf has a great selection of bars available to visit. The Liftstuberl and Gerry’s are the most popular spots.
St. Anton – 1 hour 30 minutes transfer time – 100km
Located in the Arlberg ski area, St. Anton delivers on and off the slopes. It is one of the most popular ski resorts near Innsbruck. It has 305km of slopes to enjoy with great access to nearby resorts St Christoph, Lech, Zürs, Zug, Stuben and Sonnenkopf. The slopes are suitable for all levels of skiing with varied terrain. It is also one of Europe’s snowiest ski spots, which is ideal for powder skiing.
In the village itself, there are plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy. Book a table at The Museum restaurant which is an elegant villa that was built in 1912, with an excellent menu. The Krazy Kanguruh is a popular après bar with a party atmosphere. Mooserwirt is also another favourite with lots of music and table dancing.
Kitzbühel – 1 hour 30 minutes transfer time – 100km
In the heart of the Tirol region, Kitzbühel is arguably one of the most famous ski resorts in Austria. It is home to the iconic Streif black run that is used for the Hahnenkamm Downhill course for the FIS Alpine World Cup. It has also had its own Netflix series called ‘Kitz’. You can ski 234km of pistes which are mainly suited to beginner and intermediate skiers. If you book a mountain guide, there’s excellent off-piste terrain to discover too.
There are lots of places to visit for great food. Huberbräu-Stüberl and Hotel Rasmushof are favourites for hearty local Austrian specialities. If you want fine dining head to The Gourmet Restaurant Tennerhof in the five-star Hotel Tennerhof. Kitzbühel also has a lively nightlife with The Londoner and the Stamperl the most popular places in town for a drink.
Ischgl – 1 hour 30 minutes transfer time – 100km
Ischgl is one of the best ski resorts near Innsbruck because of its excellent après ski scene and fantastic skiing. You can ski 240km of slopes which will keep all levels of skier happy. It has a great snow record and regularly has long ski seasons. So it’s adaptable what time of year you wish to visit the area.
There are many restaurants to visit on and off the mountain. Paznauner-Stube has a great reputation for serving delicious food. The nightlife is very lively throughout the season in Ischgl. The hotels have great ice bars to enjoy a drink. Kitzloch is a great bar to start your night before heading to the Pacha nightclub to dance the night away.
Obergurgl – 1 hour 30 minutes transfer time – 100km
Located in the Otz Valley, Obergurgl is one of the highest ski resorts near Innsbruck. It has an altitude of 1,930m – 3,080m, which helps with snow reliability throughout the ski season. You can ski 110km of slopes, that are most suited to intermediate skiers. Advanced skiers can enjoy some great powder pockets on snow days. There are also great nursery slopes for beginners to learn.
If you’re looking for a meal out Pic Nic and Krumpn’s Stadl are the most popular spots in town and serve excellent Tirolean cuisine. Up the mountain, the Nederhüutte does good fondue party evenings if you want to try something a bit different. Après usually starts at the Nederhütte in the late afternoon. The umbrella bar of the Edelweiss & Gurgl is also a lively spot to have a drink.
To find out more about the best ski resorts near Innsbruck, call our ski experts on 0207 471 7700.
