The laid-back and charming Austrian ski resorts have become more sophisticated and glitzier over the years after attracting celebrities and royals. The once farming village of Lech is made up of sweet 15th-century houses. Kitzbühel was originally a Medieval mining town, centred around its history and has become avant-garde with luxurious shops and decadent ski hotels. Showcased in the James Bond film Spectre, Sölden is another exclusive Austrian resort with reliable snow and great intermediate skiing. St. Anton is well known for its après ski, enjoy an Austrian Stein with mountain views. Austria’s charming chocolate box resorts are perfect for a family break. Obergurgl and Alpbach are family friendly with great ski schools and winter activities that are fun for the whole family.
Lech’s boutique Hotel Kristiana has 29 individually themed rooms and suites appointed with a mix of antiques and contemporary art. Dine on traditional Austrian cuisine in Kristiana’s restaurant, Otto Wagner, cosy up in front of the open log fire or have a relaxing treatment at the spa. One of the best ski hotels in Austria, Das Central in Sölden is a luxurious spa hotel with an award-winning restaurant and wine cellar. The wine cellar has 30,000 bottles and there are 10 different types of sauna and steam baths in the wellness area.
Intermediates can cruise along the leisurely blue runs in Lech, which are unlikely to be over-crowded after the resort capped the number of day passes issued. In Kitzbühel, 215km of pistes are suited to intermediates and when conditions are good, the off-piste offers experts more challenging terrain. St. Anton is one the best resorts in Europe for expert skiers, with 280km of terrain and fantastic opportunities for off-piste and mogul runs. Family-friendly Alpbach is great for beginners and intermediates with 109km of runs that make up the SkiJuwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau.
Try the classic Austrian Schnitzel mit preiselbeeren at a mountain restaurant. Hospiz Alm Ski Lodge in St. Anton is a popular lunch spot for traditional Austrian cuisine, with an impressive 65,000-bottle wine cellar that is worth €6 million. In Kitzbühel, the 400-year-old farmhouse of Alpengasthof Schroll create simple country recipes that have been passed down through generations. The favourite is the hearty Tiroler gröstl, a dish of beef, onions and hash browns with an egg on the top.
Winter Activities
Austrian ski resorts aren’t short of relaxing spas. Soothe aching muscles in thermal baths or warm up in the sauna in Bad Kleinkirchheim. Kitzbühel’s main streets have a superb selection of designer shops and hotels with spas. At 4pm, the Final Countdown calls après-goers to the bar in St. Anton, where clinking Steins on the terrace is an afternoon ritual. The family-friendly resort of Alpbach has horse-drawn sleigh rides, tobogganing and ice skating, which is great fun for the whole family.
More Inspiration for Your Luxury Ski Holiday in Austria
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