Austria has some fantastic terrain for snowboarders to explore. Whether you’re looking for fluffy powder pockets or perfectly groomed pistes, each ski resort has something for any rider. Our experts have created a guide to the best snowboarding in Austria. This guide has factored in the lack of flat terrain, km of pistes, freeride opportunities and snow park facilities.
Ellmau
Ellmau is a great destination for all levels of snowboarders with its access to 284km of varied pistes in the area. Beginners and intermediates will enjoy the large cruisy runs, perfect for those for a relaxed style of riding. Freestylers will enjoy the fantastic terrain park which has dedicated sections for different levels. The 1 hour 30 minute transfer from Salzburg is also a big plus.
Stay At:
The Hochfilzer in Ellmau is a popular family-run hotel that offers high standards of cuisine and service.
Ischgl
Ischgl is mainly known for its fantastic nightlife, but it also has some of the best snowboarding in Austria. If you’re a freestyler, it boasts Europe’s biggest snow park complete with 35 obstacles, a championship half-pipe, fun boxes, various jumps and an integrated stretch for carvers. The area as a whole is snowboarder friendly with 240km of pistes to explore and a fantastic off-piste. Whether you’re a first-time rider or an advanced snowboarder Ichgl is a great winter destination.
Stay At:
Located two minutes from the gondola and a short walk to the centre of Ischgl, the Hotel Solaria is an excellent four-star option.
Kaprun
Situated in the middle of the Hohe Tauern National Park, Kaprun is brilliant for snowboarders. If you’re looking for a great off-piste, the Kitzsteinhorn has some fantastic powder pockets to enjoy. You can also explore 138km of open pistes, perfect to do smooth carving on your board. The resort is mainly suited to intermediate or beginner riders, with its mainly gentle terrain. Off the slopes, there’s great après nightlife with a great choice of bars, the ‘Optimum’ sports centre and the ‘Tauern Spa’ complex.
Stay At:
Found on the outskirts of Kaprun, Hotel Tauern Spa features a contemporary design, with food & facilities.
Kitzbühel
Mainly known for the Streif downhill ski racecourse, Kitzbühel is also a great destination for snowboarders. Overall the pistes are suited to beginner and intermediate riders with 234km of slopes to enjoy. For something a bit different, riders should head to the Kitzbüheler Horn where there is a half-pipe, fun park and boardercross course. You can also enjoy brilliant off-piste terrain with many powder pockets in the area.
Stay At:
Hotel Kaiserhof Kitzbühel is a great ski-in ski-out hotel, situated right on the slopes and close to the lifts.
Kühtai
Snowboarding in Kühtai is mainly suited to intermediate riders due to the vast amount of red runs in the area. It has 46km of slopes to enjoy and the snow conditions are great because of its high-altitude location. If you’re looking for some freeride opportunities there’s a shadier side of the mountain with fantastic powder fields. Confident freestylers will enjoy the main snowpark with various rails and kickers to try tricks on.
Lech
Part of the incredible Arlberg ski area, Lech has some of the best snowboarding in Austria. There is so much terrain on and off-piste for riders to explore. On the slopes, there’s access to 305km of pistes with access to St Anton and other resorts in the area. Lech also has the most lift-served off-piste in the world. If you’re a thrill-seeker you’re in for a treat as there is also an 80-metre half-pipe, a fun park and a boarder-cross course full of tricky obstacles.
Stay At:
With its first-class service and top cuisine, the Hotel Arlberg in Lech has excellent reputation.
Mayrhofen
Snowboarders will feel very welcome in Mayrhofen. Situated in the heart of the Zillertal ski area, riders can explore 204km of slopes. The ski resort is suited to all levels of snowboarders, with something for everyone. If you love jumps and rails, Mayrhofen has the dedicated Vans Penken Park. The state-of-the-art fun park has professional course workers working on each feature throughout the season. Riders can also enjoy the extensive freeride opportunities in the area. When you hire a local mountain guide you can reach superb powder spots.
Stay At:
The homely Hotel Kramerwirt is situated in Mayrhofen in Austria and offers extensive spa facilities.
Saalbach-Hinterglemm
Saalbach-Hinterglemm is one of the most beautiful ski resorts around and it also offers fantastic snowboarding. There is 270km of pistes to enjoy that are suitable for all levels of snowboarder. There are plenty of north-facing slopes making snow conditions firm throughout the day. If you’re a powder hound the area also has great off-piste terrain to explore. Freestylers will enjoy a dedicated snow park with its own lift that’s open in the morning into the evening.
Stay At:
Alpin Resort and Spa has excellent modern and stylish facilities, including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, two hot tubs, a sauna and a steam room.
Schladming-Dachstein
Home to the famous World Cup Slalom night race, Schladming-Dachstein is also great for snowboarders. If you buy a full lift pass you can explore 238km of slopes during your stay in the ski resort. The pistes are mainly suited to intermediates with steady terrain great for developing on. More advanced riders can enjoy some brilliant off-piste tree runs. You can also try out the snow park with everything from medium to pro jumps, features and a half-pipe. There are also brilliant lat night sessions that finish at 10 pm.
Stay At:
Hotel Falkensteiner in Schladming-Dachstein is a great hotel with a mixture of urban and rustic lodges.
Sölden
Sölden is one of the first resorts to open and last to close in Austria. It has a great snow record due to its high altitude of 1,380m-3,250m and two glaciers. You can explore 155km of slopes you can ride with ease. The freeride opportunities are incredible too. If you book a mountain guide for the day there are brilliant powder pockets to drop into. There is also a terrain park above Giggijoch for those who want to do jumps and features. Off the slopes, make sure you visit the amazing 007 Elements museum, dedicated to the James Bond films. Spectre was filmed in the area.
Stay At:
Hotel Das Central in Sölden has a fantastic location and offers a free shuttle bus to the ski lifts.
St. Anton
Another Arlberg ski area resort that makes our best snowboarding in Austria list is St. Anton. It’s one of the snowiest spots in Europe which means there is great powder snowboarding to enjoy. It has some of the best lift-served off-piste in the world. There are brilliant powder bowls, tree-lined pistes and big drop-offs. If you buy a full lift pass you can explore 305km of slopes, all suitable for different levels of riders. After a day’s riding the ski resort has a lot to offer with great nightlife, restaurants, bars and activities to enjoy.
Stay At:
The Valluga Hotel in St. Anton has an original charm with a modern twist and great access to the slopes.
Zell am See
Zell am See is unique with its location as a lakeside ski resort. The beautiful Lake Zell dominates the spectacular views on and off the slopes. Snowboarders will enjoy their time in Zell am See with 138km of pistes to explore. There’s brilliant freeride terrain on the upper part of the mountain and lower down through the trees. Recently the ski resort has created snow parks with great jumps and rails to try. On and off the slopes this Austrian ski resort delivers on all fronts for different levels of snowboarders.
Stay At:
The Hotel Tirolerhof is a great four-star ski hotel in the Austrian resort of Zell am See.
To find out more about the best snowboarding in Austria, please call our ski experts on 0207 471 7700.
