Best ski resorts near Innsbruck

Coming into land at Innsbruck is like nothing else. You descend into the mountains, surrounded by snowy peaks … and if you look closely, you can see ski resorts dotted around. There. There! Another one! Heck, there’s loads. And they’re all so close to the city? That’s the beauty of Innsbruck, the unofficial ski capital of the Alps. It boasts the biggest number of resorts within spitting distance, meaning you can wake up in your own bed, fly, land, get your transfer, and be on the snow the same afternoon. Where else in the world can you do that?

So if you’re ready to plan the perfect ski-kend (or ski-weekend, for the uninitiated), then dig those edges into this article and get excited for your next Austrian escape. But before you do, check out the latest women's ski jackets and men's ski jackets from Ridestore and update your style.

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Top ski resorts close to Innsbruck

Best resorts under 1 hour away

If you want to fly into a city for a weekend and catch a bus (or even a taxi!) to a nearby resort, then there’s no better option than Innsbruck. There’s a whole host of resorts less than an hour’s drive from the city, so let’s round up the best below.

Nordkette

Nordkette is definitely the most accessible resort on this list, thanks to the direct cable car link from the city. However, don’t expect a large-scale resort—it’s fairly modest with just 13 kilometers of slopes, best suited for confident riders due to its steep terrain. The facilities include ski rentals and a nice restaurant, but there are no slope-side accommodations.  

Thankfully, snow reliability is good, with decent conditions common in winter due to its high elevation. However, the lower slopes can be less reliable, so it’s best to visit in late January or February for optimal coverage. Although snowmaking is fairly limited, Nordkette is still a top contender for a weekend break, especially if you want to explore the city and ski in the mornings. Staying in Innsbruck is essential, as there is no on-mountain lodging. The après-ski scene is quiet, catering more to families with serene post-ski meals rather than lively parties.

Muttereralm

Muttereralm is located just 20 minutes away by car from Innsbruck, but a regular ski bus runs back and forth, making it one of the most accessible on this list. There are 15 kilometers of slopes available for those looking to ski, along with toboggan runs for a bit of variety, which is especially great for those traveling with kids. The mountain offers ski schools and rentals, too, so you don’t have to carry lots of gear from the city — another bonus if you’re travelling with little ones.

Snow reliability is pretty good, and recent upgrades to the snowmaking system ensure extensive coverage throughout the season. Like the first resort on our list, you’ll need to stay in Innsbruck and take a transfer each day, so if you were hoping to ski back to your hotel in the evening, Muttereralm might not be ideal. The vibe here is calm and family-oriented, so for a livelier après-ski experience, head back to Innsbruck and enjoy one of the many food and drink options available.

Rangger Köpfl

Rangger Köpfl is another sub-30-minute trip from Innsbruck, accessible via private transfer or bus. The resort offers 17 kilometers of slopes, making it modest in size but still offering plenty to do. Facilities include rental services, several cafes, and a main restaurant, though don't expect luxury as the focus is more on skiing than hospitality.

Snow reliability is generally good, but the lower altitude can affect conditions, especially in the early and late seasons. It’s best to visit in the middle of winter during a good season for optimal snow coverage. The resort is quieter than others, making it ideal for children and inexperienced skiers who need more room to move around. It also features a long natural toboggan run, offering a great diversion if you’re not skiing. Accommodation options are few and modest, so staying in Innsbruck is recommended, where there are more choices to suit all budgets.

Patscherkofel Ski Area

Patscherkofel is an easy 30-minute trip by car or bus from Innsbruck, with plenty of transfers running multiple times a day. It’s slightly larger than Nordkette, offering 18 kilometers of slopes and better facilities, including ski schools and rental shops.  Modern snowmaking capabilities ensure good snow reliability throughout the season, though the lower altitude can affect snow quality, especially early on. Patscherkofel is especially well-suited for families and beginners, with a network of green and blue trails ideal for those just starting out.

Accommodation is limited at the resort, so it’s better to stay in Innsbruck and use the provided transfers. The après-ski options are modest, catering more to families, so it might not suit adult groups seeking a lively scene. However, it’s a fun resort worth checking out if you’re looking to experience multiple locations while staying in the city.

Axamer Lizum

Axamer Lizum, the most famous local resort, is just 35 minutes away by car, with regular bus transfers from Innsbruck making access straightforward. This is the largest nearby resort, boasting over 40 kilometers of slopes. The area is well-equipped with facilities, including ski schools, rentals, and a sizable snow park that’s popular with locals for its multiple jump lines and jib features.

Due to its higher altitude, snow is very reliable, often making it one of the first to open each season. Accommodation on the mountain is limited, so staying in Innsbruck is a better choice, offering a range of options from budget hostels to luxury hotels. After skiing, don't head back immediately; the resort has a couple of lively après-ski bars worth checking out, with locals often leading the party vibe. For more après-ski fun, follow the locals back to Innsbruck, where the night scene continues in various popular spots.

Schlick 2000

Schlick 2000 is just 30 minutes away from Innsbruck by car or bus, making it highly accessible. Multiple transfers run throughout the day, ensuring you won’t be caught out if you don’t plan ahead, either. With 22 kilometers of slopes, the resort isn’t as extensive as some others, but it’s well-maintained with decent facilities, including ski schools and rentals.

Thanks to its higher altitude, snow reliability is good, and snowmaking infrastructure ensures solid coverage. Schlick 2000 is particularly popular with beginners and intermediates due to its gently graded terrain, and it fosters a family-friendly environment with multilingual instructors available for those just starting out. Accommodation in the resort itself is limited, but several nearby villages offer closer lodging options than Innsbruck.

Kühtai

Kühtai-Hochoetz is about 45 minutes by car, or you can take a special resort bus from Innsbruck, making it a convenient choice if you’re staying in the city. And one of the best if you really want to maximise the amount of time you can spend skiing and the terrain you can access. This larger resort offers 80 kilometers of slopes and comprehensive facilities, including numerous accommodation options.

You can stay overnight in comfort with plenty of traditional Austrian chalet-style hotels, including ski-in, ski-out options. The resort also features ski schools, rental shops, and even night skiing, making it ideal for maximizing a short trip. Kühtai's high altitude ensures good snow reliability, supported by excellent snowmaking facilities, and the varied terrain suits all levels, with well-run beginner areas easily accessible. It’s also a great choice for ski touring, with extensive routes available.

Stubai

Stubai Glacier is the last on our under-one-hour drive list from Innsbruck, taking around 45 minutes by car or slightly longer by ski bus. It’s an exciting option for both day trips and weekend getaways. With 62 kilometers of slopes, the resort boasts top-notch facilities, including multiple ski schools, rentals, and glacier skiing, making it a top choice for early and late-season skiing.

The resort opens as early as October and can extend into May during snowy years, offering skiing from late June onwards, meaning you can combine a summery weekend in Innsbruck, do some sun-drenched skiing on top of the world, and still be back to work by Monday morning. Snow reliability is exceptional at Stubai Glacier, as you can imagine, and this is further supported by comprehensive snowmaking to ensure top coverage all season long.  Accommodation options in the resort itself are limited, but nearby villages or Innsbruck provide plenty of choices, allowing you to enjoy both great skiing and some of the best après-ski anywhere in Europe.

Best resorts between 1 and 2 hours away

If you want to strike a little further out, then you’re spoilt for choice. There are some truly amazing resorts just over an hour from the city, so if you want to make your trip a little more memorable, check out these amazing spots!

Zell am Ziller

Zell am Ziller is about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Innsbruck, either by car or train, making it a great option for both full-day trips and longer stays. The Zillertal Arena ski area offers an extensive 143 kilometers of slopes in total, so there’s lots to experience. The terrain is varied and caters to all levels, from gentle beginner slopes to more challenging terrain for those looking for something a little faster. The resort boasts excellent facilities, including multiple ski schools, rental shops, and a variety of slope-side restaurants..

Snow reliability at Zell am Ziller is generally good, with extensive snowmaking capabilities ensuring consistent conditions throughout the season. This makes it a reliable choice for skiing even during less snowy periods, a more common phenomenon in Austria these days. Accommodation options are plentiful, ranging from cozy guesthouses to high-end hotels, so there’s something for everyone. The atmosphere in Zell am Ziller is lively yet retains a traditional Austrian charm, making it a popular destination for families and adult groups alike.

Mayrhofen

Mayrhofen is located about 1 hour and 25 minutes from Innsbruck by car or train, just a little further than Zell am Ziller on the same road, making it an equally accessible destination for a ski trip. The resort offers 142 kilometers of slopes, featuring a variety of terrain suitable for all levels from beginner-friendly runs to challenging terrain ideal for advanced skiers. The resort is known for its well-maintained slopes and excellent facilities, including ski schools, rental shops, and extensive snow parks.

Snow reliability is rock solid at Mayrhofen due to its altitude and extensive snowmaking infrastructure, ensuring good conditions throughout the ski season. And thanks to its proximity to Hintertux glacier and its inclusion in the area pass, you can take your pick of dates to stay and ride. The glacier is open 365 days a year for skiing with 62km open in the winter, and 20km in the summer. Accommodation options are abundant in Mayrhofen, ranging from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious hotels, providing plenty of choices to suit every budget and preference.

Sölden

Sölden takes about an  hour and 30 minutes to reach from Innsbruck by car or bus, and is renowned for its impressive glacier skiing and extensive terrain. The resort serves up 144 kilometers of slopes and features top-drawer facilities, including modern ski schools, rental shops, and a variety of restaurants to enjoy. Its high altitude and glacier ensure exceptional snow reliability, with the season often extending from October through May, making it a prime destination for early and late-season skiing.

The terrain at Sölden is diverse, catering to all skill levels with a good mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs, and, of course, some amazing freeriding thanks to its altitude. It forms part of the Ötztal Valley area, which includes other notable resorts like Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, known for their luxury and opulence. Accommodation options are abundant, ranging from budget-friendly lodgings to upmarket hotels, ensuring something for every taste and budget. There’s also a lot of ski-in, ski-out accommodation options, too, something not all that common in the more traditional resorts.

Kitzbühel

​​Kitzbühel is about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Innsbruck by car or train, and is known for its quiet, upscale atmosphere and legendary skiing, with 234 kilometers of slopes on offer. The terrain is varied, making it suitable for all levels of skiers, from beginners to advanced, though it’s an especially popular choice with families. The resort has the best facilities too, including high-end international ski schools, rental shops with the best equipment, and gourmet dining options for even the most discerning palate.

Snow reliability is high in Kitzbühel thanks to its extensive snowmaking systems that ensure good coverage all season. The resort is part of the larger KitzSki network, which includes neighboring resorts like Kirchberg and Jochberg, providing even more skiing opportunities if you want to make the most of your area pass. Accommodation options in Kitzbühel range from luxurious hotels to cozy guesthouses, catering to various preferences and budgets. But you can also stay in the neighbouring villages, which are a little less pricey, if you’re looking to save a little extra.

St Anton

St. Anton am Arlberg is about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Innsbruck by car or train, and features a massive ski area consisting of 305 kilometers of slopes. The resort has everything you could ask for, with loads of ski schools, rental shops, boutiques, bars, restaurants, and, of course, clubs. It also has one of the best snow records of any Austrian resort, and both Warth and Shrocken which feature in its area pass, are two of the snowiest resorts in the country, racking up over eight metres annually.

The terrain in St. Anton caters primarily to intermediate and advanced skiers, with plenty of steep and challenging runs, however, there are also areas suitable for beginners including dedicated nursery areas. And when it comes to the type of holiday you want to have, too, as some stations offer a much quieter and family-focused atmosphere than others … St. Anton proper, for example, is famous for its party-forward atmosphere, with the après-ski scene bordering on legendary.

Ischgl

Ischgl is located about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Innsbruck by car or bus and is famous for both its parties and its skiing, with 239 kilometers of slopes on offer to go with its bouncing nightlife. On-mountain, the resort features excellent facilities, including top notch ski schools, rental services, and a variety of restaurants. Snow reliability is high, too, thanks to its high altitude, and the resort offers a long season thanks to its recently upgraded and comprehensive snowmaking systems.

The terrain in Ischgl is varied, catering to all levels of skiers, from beginners to advanced riders. Freeriders will also find lots of good marked off-piste to tear up, too. Accommodation in Ischgl includes a wide range of hotels and guesthouses, catering to different budgets and preferences, though make sure to do your research as some hotels and hostels can party as hard as the bars here.

Wrapping Up

Well, that’s it, the best Austrian ski resorts within two hours of Innsbruck. No wonder it’s the ski capital of the Alps! There’s surely something for everyone here, but if you think we missed a choice ski spot, then let us know at crew@ridestore.com and tell us your favourite local hangouts when you need a pow fix within easy reach of Innsbruck.

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