Do you know how to ski? I’m thinking of going on holiday to the Alps…wanna join?
I bit my lip and grimaced as I heard this as I knew I had to give out a confession.
I cannot ski to save my life.
Actually, I’m being pretty hard on myself as I’ve never really had a proper skiing session in my time on this Earth. Perhaps, now tat I’m in my flirty thirties, it was time to develop a new skill. So, what better way than to look into ski resorts in the Alps…namely in Austria.
As the winter is on the horizon in Europe, the snow will soon carpet the Alps and many will start booking time off work to start planning for their ski holidays. Aside from Switzerland, Bulgaria, and France, Austria is another great destination for ski enthusiasts. Whether you are a beginner, a professional, with a family or a party animal, Austria has it all. Here are some of the top resorts to choose from.
Photo by Michelle Middleton
Alpbach
Alpbach is perfect for beginner skiers as it’s quite a small resort. This village regularly wins prizes for being one of the most picturesque places in Austria. Innsbruck airport is only 40 minutes away from this resort. Novice skiers will find Alpbach an excellent incentive to explore its 75-mile slopes served by 47 ski lifts.
Saalbach
Intermediates will find Saalbach and its neighbouring resort Hinterglemm the most suitable resorts for skiing. Both of these ski resorts are a 90-minute drive from Salzburg airport. Saalbach has one of the most sophisticated lift systems in the entire Austria as they were recently installed. The modern cable cars have a capacity of seating up to 10 people thanks to its double drag lift, meaning less queuing in the cold and more skiing! Saalbach is a large, bustling village with a traditional centre that’s full of bars, cafes, and boutiques. This resort is a peaceful proposition for families and young adults who are looking for a sought-after ski village in Austria.
St. Anton
If you are an advanced skier and have the ability to handle the slopes like a pro, then you will find St. Anton the perfect ski resort. St. Anton is regarded as one of the top ski resorts in Europe for professional skiers. This beautiful village is lined with luxury hotels and many traditional Austrian-style tea houses. This ski resort is definitely not for the faint-hearted as it has highly demanding slopes, but if you’re confident enough to take a ride on the steep and vast slopes, then this is the place to have lots of fun.
No matter which resort you do choose this winter, if you were to face an injury on the slopes, you may have to pay a lot of money towards medical bills. Given the low-cost of insurance for winter sports, it would be a good idea to take out a policy that will cover the treatment costs of serious ski or snowboarding injuries. Remember that the medical cover you choose should include mountainside rescue as well as flight cancellation.
Obergurgl
This resort is perfect for young families as it has guaranteed snow throughout the holiday season, from Christmas to Easter. Obergurgl is a traditional village situated at the eastern end of the Austrian Alps. It is an easy and straight-forward 1-hour drive from Innsbruck as there is no traffic on the way. There is a ski school that teaches children and adults the basics of skiing so it’s a good opportunity to bring your family here, even if they are complete beginners.
I’m inspired to go skiing. Are you? Or do you think I should go somewhere else? Who knows, I’ll be placing two planks of wood on my feet and hoping for the best…
