Austria is an ideal holiday destination, boasting many near-natural mountain and lake landscapes, numerous cultural icons, attractive cities and a well-tended infrastructure. It´s central location and accessibility from all bordering countries is also a draw card – helping tourism to thrive in summer and winter alike.

As the Alpes dominate the Austrian landscape, there are countless possibilities to indulge in alpine ski sports. Especially the provinces Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg and Steiermark offer one or more ski areas in about each and every alpine valley. Additionally there are some glacial areas, which offer a year-round winter ski sports.

Austria has always been a popular and perfect country for skiing sports and winter holidays. Ideal snow conditions professionally tended skiing slopes of all difficulty levels, as well as modern and efficient climbing aids. And don´t forget the Aprés Ski traditions. In summer Austria´s leisure activities attract golfers, hikers, climbers, mountain bikers and tennis players.

All in all, most of our promoted holiday properties are conveniently located amidst a splendidly constructed street net and are thus also well suited for week-end trips or short vacation breaks.

Austria enjoys a moderate continental climate featuring four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Summers are generally warm and pleasant with cool nights; winters are sunny, with reliable and frequent snowfalls.

The weather is changeable throughout the year. However, summer rainfalls are usually heavy and of a short duration only. Winters are rather cold in the North-East and can be lightened up by the frequent and heavy foehn winds (a warm and dry wind) in some valleys of the Alps.

In mountainous areas with high peaks and deep-cut valleys, weather conditions are not easily predicted and depend strongly on altitude and location. Ask locals and always take adequate clothing when going for a hike.

Vorarlberg

In the west of Austria and in good neigbourhood with Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, lies the province of Vorarlberg. The region is cosmopolitan with a vibrant cultural scene and a surprisingly modern architecture. The mountain scenery is stunning, especially when looking at the majestic peaks of the Arlberg and Silveretta highlands.

At least five names associate with great skiing and winter fun: Lech, Zürs, Stuben, St Christoph and St Anton. The Montafon area is also an Eldorado for winter sport fans and with slopes amounting to a length of 219 kilometers one of the top skiing areas in the Vorarlberg. Due to its impressive mountain scenery and safe snow conditions, the Kleinwalsertal, Austria´s third biggest tourist destination attracts thousands of annual guests. Together with Obersdorf the region forms a perfectly interconnected ski area.

Tyrol

Tyrol, the land in the mountains, as Tyrol was called in medieval times, is an Eldorado for winter sport fans and mountain freaks. Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Ski-World-Championship in St Anton or Hahnenkamm-Races in Kitzbühel have always been part – and will always be part - of the winter highlights. The offer for your skiing holiday is enormous. Almost 8 million Germans annually flock into the fantastic areas of Tyrol. Well-known ski areas include the Ötztal, Zillertal or the Kitzbühl Alpes and provide for fabulous winter sport options of approved quality.

Besides the winter pleasures, Tyrol is also well worth a visit during all other seasons of the year. When in Innsbruck we recommend to visit André Hellers staging of Swaovski´s crystal worlds in Wattens near Innsbruck, an amazing symbioses of art and crystals. Tyrol also boasts marvelous golf courses with awe-inspiring views into the unspoilt mountain world.

Hiking, climbing, walking, biking, watching nature take it´s course, unwinding in tranquility and at the same time taking care of your own health, what else could you wish for? Luring mountain peaks, picturesque valleys and alpine pastures, glass-clear mountain lakes and the unique fauna and flora and mountains enchant the most discerning guest.

Salzburger Land

„A piece of paradise“, is the description of Carl Zuckmayr, when asked about his adoptive home, the Salzburger province. The impressive combination of mountains and lakes, rivers and forests, quaint villages and affluent cities characterize this area.

Cultural and social hub is Salzburg, the native town of Mozart, who enchanted all countries in the world with his music and who spent more than two thirds of his life in Salzburg, creating great parts of his legacy. 

In winter the mountainous area offers snow covered peaks, trees and lots of fresh air. The winter worlds invites for a leisurely walk in nature or a romantic excursion in a horse-drawn sledge, doing nothing, but admiring the inspiring mountainous scenery.

For those aiming higher, we recommend ski tours, snowshoe walks or a ride in a hot-air balloon. Skiers in this province can choose among 123 ski areas and 2.200 slope kilometers. With just one ticket they can explore the “largest skiing area of the world” from November until May.

Steiermark

Isn´t it logical to choose the holiday destination of a country, according to how much it is favoured by its native inhabitants? Well, most Austrians will recommend the Steiermark, when asked about their travel tip. Winding roads to historic castles and scenic apple orchards characterize the east and in the west, find the renowned pumpkin oil, the “green gold of Steiermark” and the home of the world famous Lippizaner horses. In Gratz, the birth place of Arnold Schwarzenegger and European Cultural Capital of 2003, the life revolves around the medieval old city district.

In winter choose between exploring the hot springs in the south or the snow-covered mountains in the north. Almost 800 mountains higher than 2000 meters attract skiers, hikers and bikers amass with the 3.000 meter high rising Dachstein in its centre – and the established town of Schladming, scene of the Winter World Championship. You will hardly find more winter sports and fun – the region Schladming-Dachstein is a top destination for international guests and ranks 5^th within Austrian ski area highlights. 8 different skiing areas invite for ultimate fun in the snow, lavish entertainment options, typical local hospitality and its very own charisma.

In winter and summer Austria offers a treasure trove of outdoor adventure, family fun and excitement for all ages, from tots to well-heeled explorers.

Wintersports

Skiing is one of the most popular sports in Austria and is famous throughout Austrian history. An Austrian citizen with no skiing ambitions cannot be considered a true Austrian. Because the Austrian Alps are well inhabited, there was never a reason to create new and artificial skiing resorts, instead existing towns shifted to skiing tourism. To maintain the local atmosphere enjoyed by all foreigners, the small valleys were adapted very modestly to accommodate modern mass tourism, whilst still offering high tech lifts and tracks and accommodation ranging from basic to luxury.

The skiing areas are very well organized, offering all sorts of transportation and many valleys are connected to one another. It is not rare that you start skiing in one valley in the morning and end the day in a totally different one. Some areas offer so many lifts and tracks, that even after a week you have not seen them all. Another very important fact is the snowboarding friendly environment, allowing boarders the use of all lifts and tracks. Many areas host big international skiing and snowboarding competitions and Innsbruck is considered to be the "snowboarding capital" of Europe.

Nowadays skiing holidays are no longer limited to skiing. More and more skiing resorts also offer exciting nightlife options, parties and other fun activities. Towns like Kitzbühel are meeting points for high society and party people. A very positive experience for tourists is the very friendly climate and the welcoming inhabitants.

Summer Activities

Sightseeing, hiking, climbing, mountaineering, cycling, mountain biking, horse riding, paragliding, golfing or tennis – all of these outdoor activities are popular sports in Austria´s mountains. In May, when the summer starts with the cable cars opening their gondolas to transport the leisure tourists into the alpine world, it shows that the mountainous scenery is the main attraction. Countless activities invite to enjoy the precious holiday time and panoramic views.

Explore the Alps on leisurely strolls, follow extensive hiking trails, be challenged by serious via ferratas, or take an alpine sunbath, everybody has the choice to do what he likes best – you will always be thrilled by the most magnificent natural backdrop of majestic mountain ranges, crystal-clear mountain lakes or quaint villages and farm houses.

Cruising up- and downhill you should also explore some of the historic pilgrimage churches, castles and palaces or century-old farm houses. Charming villages invite for a traditional lunch on the picturesque market places, or take a nap on the shores of a hidden, idyllic lake. You can also stroll along the scenic rivers of Inn, Lech and Ziller, on sun-spoilt plateaus or to remote alp dairies.

When in Salzburg, find out about the history of the salt, which gave name to the city and the region. Also listen to the legacy of Mozart when admiring the baroque splendor of the city centre and think of a stop-over in the “little paradise” between the Salzkammergut and Hohen Tauern: the imperial towns of Bad Ischel, Bad Gastein, the Großglockner street or the world´s largest ice cave.

Of course, Vienna is also well worth a visit. Explore the beautiful old city district, Ring Street leading to the bombastic Habsburg palaces and exceptional museums, the castles of Schönbrunn and Belvedere, the Prater and the many hidden places and destinations in the Vienna woods. If you dig deeper, you’ll unearth Stone Age settlements, Roman archaeological sites at Carnuntum and medieval festivals. In the country where Mozart composed and Strauss taught the world to twirl, you won’t need to search hard for culture – it waltzes right up to you. Enjoy your summer holiday in Austria.