Skiing in Austria during Carnival break: après-ski hotspot or family-friendly resort?
The choice that determines your winter sports experience!
Spring break is the time when everyone in the Netherlands heads to the mountains. However, it makes quite a difference whether you stay in a lively après-ski village or a quiet, family-friendly area.
'Winter sports during spring break: après-ski hotspot or family village?' was written by René Schwarte, founder of Ferienhaus-Tirol.eu
Vibrant après-ski villages are lively places.
Those who choose a large ski area and a well-known après-ski village are looking for excitement and a lively atmosphere. Think Sölden, St Anton or Mayrhofen. Here, you can enjoy long days on the slopes and lively evenings.
The downside? Long lift queues and higher prices. However, for groups of friends or couples who want to make the most of their winter sports holiday, this is the ultimate choice.
Top 10 après-ski ski resorts in Austria
It's no wonder that Austria is known worldwide as the ultimate après-ski destination. Some villages are legendary — places where the après-ski scene is just as important as the skiing itself. Are you looking for vibrant bars, live music and bustling terraces in the afternoon sun? Then check out these ten popular après-ski destinations:
- St. Anton am Arlberg – legendary MooserWirt & Krazy Kanguruh
- Mayrhofen – young vibe, Ice Bar & Brück’n Stadl
Also read our blog about winter sports in Mayrhofen - Sölden – glacier resort, Fire & Ice Club, long season
- Saalbach-Hinterglemm – après-ski starts early on the slopes
- Zell am See – sporty resort with lively bars by the lake
- Kitzbühel – stylish yet famous for The Londoner pub
- Schladming – home to Hohenhaus Tenne, Europe’s largest après-ski hut
- Kirchberg – great aprés ski in the Eisbar and more
- Kaprun – lively, snow-sure thanks to the glacier
- Ischgl – world-famous Silvretta Arena
Family-friendly villages: an overview of tranquillity
Alternatively, you can explore smaller, more manageable villages. Examples include Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, home to the enormous Berta's Kinderland, and the SkiWelt (Ellmau, Scheffau and Going), which prioritise children's clubs and safe lifts. The Alpbach Valley is also highly recommended for families.
Want to know more? Read our blog about child-friendly ski resorts in Austria
Top 10 truly quiet family villages in Austria
For families, Carnival break can be busy – but that doesn’t mean you can’t find peace. These villages are compact, welcoming and safe for children, making them perfect for a stress-free ski week:
- Nauders – versatile and snow-sure
- Fiss – compact, family-focused facilities
- Ladis – small and charming
- Filzmoos – traditional, quiet and beginner-friendly
- Alpbach – picturesque and peaceful
- Ellmau (SkiWelt) – cosy, excellent ski schools
- Going am Wilden Kaiser – small & natural
- Obertauern – snow-sure, compact and family-oriented
- Niederau (Wildschönau) – nice andquiet
- Werfenweng – eco-friendly, child-focused and calm
A mix for mixed groups
The Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn offers the best of both worlds: lively après-ski in Saalbach and Hinterglemm, and peace and quiet in Leogang.
Practical tips
- Book early, especially ski schools.
- Go for ski-in, ski-out to save time.
- Snow reliability: high-altitude resorts like Obertauern are a safe bet in March.
- Plan a rest day for tobogganing, swimming or relaxing.
Also read: 'A practical guide to an amazing holiday in Austria for beginners' and "Travelling to Austria by car: vignette, winter tyres & travel tips".
Our expertise
We know what families look for, and what groups of friends want. With years of experience, we can guide you to the resort that truly fits your group.
Find the perfect accommodation for you!
Whether you prefer the vibrant atmosphere of a hotspot or the tranquility of a family village, you'll find the perfect place to stay in our selection.
Read these blogs too
5 reasons why the Carnival break is the best time for skiing in Austria
Skiing in Austria during Carnival break: large vs. small ski resorts
Group Accommodation Austria – Winter Sports with Family & Friends
My name is René Schwarte, founder and co-owner of Ferienhaus-Tirol.eu. With many years of experience in holiday home rentals and deep familiarity with international guest expectations, I understand what makes a vacation truly enjoyable.
Ferienhaus-Tirol.eu offers a wide selection of carefully curated holiday homes, chalets and group accommodations throughout Austria. Whether you're travelling as a couple or with a group of up to 50 people – we help you find the right place with ease.
Our website is available in English, German and Dutch. We speak your language and are happy to assist you with any questions or special requests.
Need help?
Feel free to get in touch – we're here to make your Austrian holiday unforgettable.
Phone: +31854016545 Mail: info@Ferienhaus-Tirol.eu
René Schwarte
Co-OWNER
