Austria

Unlike some of the other countries we've covered on this site, Austria and skiing really are synonymous. A good proportion of Austrians have experienced that downhill rush long before their first day at primary school, and those that openly admit to finding it a bit chilly 'up there' are viewed with suspicion.

Austria may not be able to match the sheer number of Switzerland's peaks over 4,000 metres, but it has some fantastic high terrain of its own, and - like Switzerland - something for everyone, whether you're a first-tracker or an in-bounds beginner.

The ski resorts in Austria are slick operations, geared to making the most of the terrain. By and large the lift systems are modern and efficient, and the grooming's thorough. If you want to spend a fortune, you'll manage it with ease here. But not everyone's downing Bolly.

Even if you've never considered skiing or snowboarding in Austria, you've probably heard of St Anton. Only an hour from Innsbruck airport, it has some fantastic riding with superb off-piste and steep challenging runs, as well as a great night life. It's also linked to the popular resorts of Lech and Zurs (as well as Stuben and St Christof), giving you access to a vast area of mountain.

Westendorf and Zell am See are good resorts for intermediate-level skiers, while St Johann is popular with families looking for a less-than-raucous night-life.

Seefeld, with around 300 kms of trails, is a favourite for cross-country skiing in Austria. It's also only 20 minutes from Innsbruck airport. Söll - with a wide range of two- and three-star accommodation - is popular with cost-conscious skiers and riders.

Cost

From a price perspective, there's a range of ski resorts in Austria. It's probably not the first destination to spring to mind if you're thinking of skiing on a budget. (There are more four- and five-star hotels here than you can shake a ski pole at.) But there are bargains to be found.

A ski pass for a week will set you back around US$200 for the week. Expect to pay another US$100 at the top end, but you'll often have access to other resorts using the same pass.

Getting here

Convenience is a big plus here. There are a number of world-class ski resorts in Austria less than an hour from the nearest airport.

To compare ski resorts in Austria by nearest town, city or airport, see our Resort Comparison pages.