- Tyrol has more big ski areas than anywhere else in Austria
- Fly to Innsbruck for the shortest transfers, or Salzburg and Munich for more flight choice
- Glaciers at Hintertux and Sölden give snow-sure skiing from autumn to spring
- Go in January or March for the best value outside school holidays
- Airports
- Innsbruck (INN), Salzburg (SZG), Munich (MUC)
- Best time to go
- December-April for skiing, June-September for hiking
- Type
- Region
If you picture an Austrian ski holiday, you are probably picturing Tyrol. This western state packs in more large, well-linked ski areas than any other part of the country, from the sprawling SkiWelt to the legendary Arlberg, and its valleys are lined with traditional villages where après-ski is taken almost as seriously as the skiing.
It also works brilliantly in summer, when the same lifts carry hikers and mountain bikers up to flower meadows and huts. Innsbruck, the capital, sits right in the middle and makes Tyrol one of the easiest Alpine regions to reach from the UK.
Why go to Tyrol
- Choice: whether you are a nervous beginner or chasing off-piste, there is a resort that suits you, often within an hour of the airport.
- Snow-sure glaciers: the Hintertux Glacier is open for skiing all year, and Sölden's two glaciers usually open in autumn.
- Atmosphere: chalet-style villages, cosy Stuben and proper mountain huts serving Kaiserschmarrn and Gröstl.
- Value: Austria often comes in cheaper than France or Switzerland for lift passes, lessons and eating on the mountain.
Where to stay: the main ski areas
| Area | Best for | Main bases |
|---|---|---|
| Zillertal | Variety, glacier skiing, nightlife | Mayrhofen, Fügen, Zell am Ziller, Hintertux |
| SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental | Huge cruisy network, families | Söll, Ellmau, Westendorf, Brixen im Thale |
| Kitzbüheler Alps | Classic chic, long runs | Kitzbühel, Kirchberg |
| Arlberg Skiregion | Experts, off-piste, après | St Anton, Lech, Zürs |
| Alpbachtal | Pretty villages, intermediates | Alpbach, Reith |
| Region Seefeld | Cross-country, quiet breaks | Seefeld, Leutasch |
| Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis | Families, sunny plateau | Serfaus, Fiss, Ladis |
| Sölden | Early and late season, high altitude | Sölden, Obergurgl nearby |
Mayrhofen and St Anton are the party hotspots. For a calmer week with small children, look at Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis or the Alpbachtal.
Top things to do
- Ski the Hintertux Glacier: the Hintertux Glacier at the head of the Zillertal is the reason Tyrol never really closes. Ideal for a pre-season warm-up.
- Take the Nordkette from Innsbruck: a funicular and cable cars lift you from the old town to over 2,200 m in about 20 minutes.
- Stroll Innsbruck's old town: the Golden Roof, arcaded streets and the Hofburg make a great half-day before or after a ski week.
- Watch the Hahnenkamm: Kitzbühel's famous downhill race takes over the town each January.
- Go hiking in summer: the Zillertal, Ötztal and the Wilder Kaiser have marked trails for every level, with huts every few hours.
Combining Tyrol with a city stop? Vienna is about 4h15 from Innsbruck by Railjet. Read our full Austria guide for more ideas.
Getting there and around from the UK
Innsbruck has direct winter flights from several UK airports (typically London, Manchester and Bristol, depending on the season) and is the closest gateway: Mayrhofen is about an hour away, St Anton around 1h15. Salzburg and Munich offer more flight choice; allow roughly 1h30 to 2h30 to most Tyrolean resorts.
Trains are an excellent option once you land. The Austrian network serves Innsbruck, Kitzbühel, St Anton, Seefeld and Jenbach, where the Zillertalbahn continues up to Mayrhofen. Most resorts run free ski buses for guests with a lift pass. Driving needs winter tyres and an Austrian motorway vignette.
Best time to go
The main season runs from early December to Easter, with glaciers open from autumn into late spring. January (after the New Year week) and March offer the best mix of snow and value. February half-term is the busiest and priciest time. Summer, from June to September, is ideal for hiking, lakes and mountain biking.
Budget tips
- Avoid school holidays: prices for chalets and hotels can drop sharply in the weeks either side of half-term.
- Book a package: flights, transfers and accommodation together often beat booking separately. Check our Austria ski deals.
- Pick smaller bases: staying in Fügen rather than Mayrhofen, or Söll rather than Ellmau, can save money while keeping access to the same lifts.
- Pre-book passes and hire online: many areas offer cheaper prices when you book ahead; check current prices before you go.
- Lunch on the valley floor: supermarkets such as Spar and MPreis are cheaper than mountain restaurants for picnics.
Live Tyrol ski deals
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Top attractions in Tyrol
Tyrol on the map
Frequently asked questions
Which Tyrol resort is best for beginners?
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, the Alpbachtal and the SkiWelt villages such as Söll and Westendorf have gentle slopes, good ski schools and nursery areas, making them strong choices for first-timers.
Can you ski in Tyrol all year?
Yes, at the Hintertux Glacier, which normally runs lifts year-round. Sölden's glaciers and Stubai also open early, usually from autumn, so Tyrol offers some of the most reliable autumn snow in the Alps.
What is the nearest airport to Tyrol's ski resorts?
Innsbruck (INN) is the closest for most resorts. Salzburg (SZG) is handy for Kitzbühel and the SkiWelt, and Munich (MUC) usually has the widest choice of flights from the UK.
Is Tyrol cheaper than France for skiing?
Often, yes. Lift passes, ski school and mountain food tend to cost a little less than in the big French resorts, although top names such as Lech and Kitzbühel can be just as expensive.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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