Best ski resorts near Salzburg
Ever been curious to discover the ski resorts near Salzburg? Never fear; we've put together a list of the best spots. Let's dive in.
Salzburg is a beautiful medieval city in Austria, on the German border near the Eastern Alps. The city itself is a must-visit destination for those who are charmed by the traditional Austrian vibes and is perfect for a city break. But if you look off into the distance, and avert your eyes away from the baroque style architecture, you will see the stunning snow-capped mountains of the Tyrolean Alps- they are calling…and we think you must answer!
Preparing for your ski adventure in Salzburg
Are you eager to embark on an unforgettable winter adventure near Salzburg? Make sure you're well-equipped for the stunning slopes by packing the right attire. Discover our range of snow gear, perfectly suited for the entire family's exploits in the white wilderness.
Getting to Salzburg
Salzburg airport is only an 11-minute drive from the actual city centre, which couldn’t be any more convenient. There are regular buses to and from the airport to the city, but also taxis are very easy and reasonably priced to take you to the door of your accommodation.
If you are flying into Salzburg, this is ideal as it Austria’s 2nd largest airport and is said to be the gateway to the Alps. There are many transfer companies that you can pre-book to take you straight to resort, or you can hire a car and self-drive. Driving, either by transfer or car will be the quickest way to the resorts, getting you to below 10 resorts within 90 minutes. There are the options for trains, for example, to Zell am See, but that will just make you wait longer before you can hit the ski slopes, and no one wants that.
Quick find navigation
Fieberbrunn
Ellmau
Bad Hofgastein
Kitzbühel
Hopfgarten
Kaprun
Söll
Zell am See
Schladming
Rosshütte - Seefeld
Under 1 hour away
Fieberbrunn ski resort
Where: Tyrol in the Kitzbuhel district
Distance from Salzburg: 1 hour
Ski-Able Terrain: 270km
Elevation: 830 and 2,096 m.
Just one hour outside of Salzburg, you have access to one of the largest combined ski areas in Austria, the Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn-which is a mouthful- so for short, it is referred as the Ski Circus. This area of skiing stems from Tyrol over to the province of Salzburg and has become world-renowned skiing for its varied terrain. Fieberbrunn, in particular, is known for its freeride, so is ideal for those wanting to head to the slopes quickly after a good dump of snow.
Ridestore recommends:
There is an awesome freeride park for you to practice your freestyle.
Over 1 hour away
Ellmau ski resort
Where: Wilder Kaiser region in the Tyrol
Distance from Salzburg: 1 hr 10
Ski-Able Terrain: 288km
Elevation: 620 m – 1957 m
Ellmau is lucky enough to be super close to Salzburg and the airport, whilst also being one of the villages that is part of the Ski Welt Wilder Kaiser- Brixental ski areas, which is one of Austria’s largest ski resorts. Ellmau itself is a picturesque village, with a beautiful alpine church at its centre, creating a lovely cosy atmosphere. It’s also popular as a family resort, with lots of amenities for all ages, but you may find you will be so occupied on the slopes, you probably won’t have much time to experience much else.
Ridestore recommends:
Head to the Alpeniglu-Dorf igloo village in Hochbrixen, for a perfect winter tourist attraction.
Bad Hofgastein ski resort
Where: Gastein Valley in the District of Johann im Pongau in Salzburger Land
Distance from Salzburg: 1 hr 20
Ski-Able Terrain: 85.9km
Elevation: 860 and 2,300 m
Bad Hofgastein is ideally located, both from Salzburg but also within the Gastein valley, where you have access to the Ski Amade region. The town itself is a pretty spa town, that is known for its mineral-rich thermal waters, making the perfect ski destination for apres-ski luxury, relaxation and muscle recovery. The slopes are great for families and beginners but lack steepness and snow-sure conditions for the experts and freeriders. But the beauty is that you will have you have easy access to the whole ski region and 2 other nearby resorts.
Ridestore recommends:
There are specific hotels dedicated to the thermal spas, with access to outdoor lakes and luxury spas, so ideal for an afternoon spent soaking up the nature and views.
Kitzbühel ski resort
Where: Kitzbuhel District in the region of Tyrol
Distance from Salzburg: 1 hr 20
Ski-Able Terrain: 188km
Elevation: 800 and 2,000 m.
Kitzbühel is a world-renowned ski resort and attracts snow lovers from all over the world, and with it being so close to Salzburg and the airport, it is so easy to experience it. This bucket list resort is high-end, a little bit fancy and quite pricey, but this also means top-quality facilities, restaurants and of course apres-ski. There is also amazingly varied terrain and a lot of ski area to have a go at, if you are not too busy wining and dining.
Ridestore recommends:
Book here in January for the famous World Cup Men’s Downhill event, the town comes alive even more and this is a historical race.
Over 1 hour 30 minutes away
Hopfgarten ski resort
Where: Kitzbuhel District in the region of Tyrol
Distance from Salzburg: 1 hr 30
Ski-Able Terrain: 288km
Elevation: 620 m – 1957 m
Hopfgarten is another ski village that is part of the Ski Welt Wilder Kaiser- Brixental super ski resort. Hopfgarten is a small market town at the foot of one of Austria’s highest mountains, Hohe Salve. It is a relatively quiet and cosy resort which is the ideal for families, or those more focused on skiing than the apres. Young families and beginners can learn their skills without even having to venture up the mountain, whilst the experts and enthusiasts can blast it around one of the largest ski resorts in the world- the best of both worlds.
Ridestore recommends:
This is the perfect ski resort to head to during peak season if you are still keen to avoid the major crowds, perfect for Christmas and New Years.
Kaprun ski resort
Where: Southwest of Salzburg
Distance from Salzburg: 1 hr 30
Ski-Able Terrain: 138km
Elevation: 768 and 3,029 m.
At the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier is the lovely village of Kaprun, part of the Zell am See ski area. This awesome ski resort is ideal for freeriders and expert skiers and boarders with steep descents, lots of backcountry and off-piste potential, due to its dizzying heights and regular fresh powder dumps. The glacier also provides a long season from October to July, making this a unique experience with the potential of summer riding. Off the slopes, Kaprun also has a quaint but vibrant town with plenty of typical Austrian apres bars and appetising local cuisine.
Ridestore recommends:
The famous Black Mamba ski run is to be experienced by the experts and thrill-seekers, the steepness of this run is not for the faint of heart.
Söll
Where: Brixtental Valley in the Kufstein District
Distance from Salzburg: 1 hr 30
Ski-Able Terrain: 288km
Elevation: 620 m – 1957 m
Söll is another charming ski resort that is part of the epic Ski Welt Wilder Kaiser- Brixental, so you can access the 288km of varied terrain and never-ending slopes. The resort itself is relatively low, but this means that it is surrounded by thick trees, creating for protection when the weather comes in. The town is not too expensive compared to other Austrian ski resorts, so you can still make the most of its lively apres scene and restaurants and not break the bank, win-win!
Ridestore recommends:
Söll is well known for its night skiing, with 11km of runs illuminated from Wednesday to Saturday, so make sure to experience the magic of night skiing at least one evening.
Zell Am See
Where: South of Salzburg
Distance from Salzburg: 1 hr 30
Ski-Able Terrain: 138km
Elevation: 768 and 3,029 m.
Zell am See is the town next to the famous Lake Zell, which is stunning in the summer and even more so in the winter. In the winter, the ski resort draws people in for its impressive views of the lake with a snow-capped mountain backdrop. Above this picturesque town, there is the Schmittenhöhe mountain and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. The skiing is awesome, with lots of terrain for the beginners and intermediates to test their skills on, whilst the non-skiers or those needing an afternoon off, will be charmed by the town centre, the awesome scenery and local activities on offer.
Ridestore recommends:
You can get access to a viewing platform at the summit of 3029m- The ‘Top of Salzburg’ is a must-visit whilst on a big ski day.
Schladming
Where: Northwest of the Styria estate
Distance from Salzburg: 1 hr 30
Ski-Able Terrain: 123km
Elevation: 728 and 2,015 m.
Schladming is one of the lesser-known ski resorts not far from Salzburg, but this makes it a great opportunity for you to head to the mountains from the city, and not follow the crowd. It is still a lively and charming car-free resort, just like many of the other Austrian Alpine villages. It is also a perfect location for intermediate skiers and boarders looking to advance themselves and build confidence, as there is a wide range of slopes for the red run enthusiasts. Although, be mindful of the weather when you head to Schladming, as it is relatively low and the snow coverage can be hit and miss.
Ridestore recommends:
Head here is January for its historic and famous night slalom race event which attracts enthusiasts from all over the world- a bucket list event!
Rosshütte - Seefeld
Where: In the Olympiaregion Seefeld in the Austrian state of Tyrol
Distance from Salzburg: 1 hour
Ski-Able Terrain: 18.3km
Elevation: 1,230 and 2,064 m
Just 1 hour away from Salzburg you are in the charming medieval town of Seefeld in the Tyrolean Alps. It is not a large resort with limited terrain, but this makes it perfect for a weekend getaway. All you need is 2 days on the slopes and you could cover all the ground it has to offer and be back at work for Monday. The facilities are modern, making getting around easy and efficient, so not to waste your precious weekend in queues and make the most of blitzing down award-winning pistes that are groomed to perfection.
Ridestore recommends:
They recently built the Sportis Children Area which is a large section dedicated to magic carpets and pommel lifts, so it’s ideal for beginners.
FAQs
Which ski resort near Salzburg do you recommend for freeriding?
Fieberbrunn, just one hour outside of Salzburg, is world-renowned for its freeride. Part of the Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, or Ski Circus, it offers varied terrain perfect for freeriding.
Are these Salzburg ski resorts family-friendly?
Absolutely! Many of these resorts, like Ellmau, are quite popular as family resorts because they offer amenities fitting various ages, making them perfect destinations for the entire family.
Wrapping up
So there we have it, within 90 minutes of the incredible city of Salzburg you have 10 resorts all within the Tyrolean alps, and all are just as good as the next one. Salzburg is not just the gateway to the Alps but the gateway to some of Austria’s best resorts, with the largest ski areas, varied terrains and liveliest apres scenes.
If you have kids and the thought of a long transfer fills you with dread or you are keen snow enthusiast with uncontained impatience and anticipation to hit the slopes, then Salzburg and its nearby resorts could not be any more ideally located.
We’re booking our flights to Salzburg right now, what about you?!
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