If you’re thinking of going skiing in the Christmas holidays, then Austria is probably the first place that comes to mind. You’ve got the snowy mountains, the cosy villages with all their festive lights and traditions. You can hit the slopes in the morning, then have a stroll through the Christmas markets in the afternoon, and in the evening you can listen to the church bells ringing through the valleys on Christmas Eve. If you’re looking for reliable snow, warm hospitality and that unmistakable alpine charm, look no further than Austria.
Below you can find more details about our top picks for your Christmas skiing trip in Austria, from romantic retreats to world-class ski areas.
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Best Ski Resorts for Christmas in Austria (Top 5)
Zell am See
Zell am See combines an amazing lakeside town with Christmas atmosphere with a scenic skiing on the Schmittenhöhe and access to the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier and Skicircus Saalbach nearby. The town glows with festive lights, markets, and horse-drawn sleigh rides—ideal for families seeking both snow and traditional christmas markets. Zell am See its main christmas market closes on 31 December.
Obergurgl
Obergurgl is one of Austrias most snow sure resorts. The atmosphere is quiet and upmarket with perfect skiing conditions for a white Christmas. Obergurgl is a favorite for couples and families with kids who prefer comfort and shorter lift queuethan in other popular Austrian ski resorts. There is no Christmas market in Obergurgl during Christmas holidays.
Kitzbuhel
There are only a handful of towns which feel as magical as Kitzbühel for christmas. Cobblestone streets, christmas decoration and boutique hotels – it just feel magical. Now imagine this magical town for christmas and you can add top noth skiing to it. Well thats Kitzbühel and skiing the extensive Kitz ski area. Kitzbühel offers a Christmas Market which is open till 28 December.
Lech
Lech is a snow sure village in Austria which combines the elegance with worldclass skiing on the Arlberg. Lech is the go to area for celebrities and royals. In Lech you can expect first-class hotels, fine dining and first class snow and pistes. There is no Christmas market in Lech during Christmas holidays.
Innsbruck
Innsbruck, the heart of the Alps, is a city that simply couldn’t be left out for christmas skiing. It’s the perfect city for combining a Christmas holiday with skiing. It has many nearby ski resorts and some of Austria’s best Christmas markets. There are several Christmas markets in Innsbruck, with the last one closing on 6 January. This is the perfect choice if you want to experience culture and enjoy short travel times. It’s also the most budget-friendly option in this article.
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