The practical guide to ski resorts for First-Time in Austria!

Share Page

Share on Facebook

Share on X

Share on E-mail

Share on WhatsApp

Imagine you are going on your first skiing holiday and wondering where to go. There are many ski resorts to choose from and, as a beginner, your main priorities are having fun and staying safe. You want an area that is not too challenging, so that you don't immediately find yourself on steep slopes. You also have a preference for Austria.
​​​​​​​
In this blog, we aim to help you get started. We reveal our top five ski resorts in Austria for beginners, explain what to look out for, and answer all your pressing questions. This will help you plan your first ski adventure with confidence! This blog was written by René Schwarte, co-owner and initiator of Ferienhaus Tirol.

Why is this important?

Your first skiing holiday can determine whether or not you develop a love for winter sports. If you choose a resort that is too challenging, you may become overwhelmed or frustrated. However, if you choose a suitable beginner area, you'll have fun from day one. A good ski area for beginners will make you feel safe and enable you to make progress and enjoy yourself. It's important to take this seriously because a positive first experience means you're more likely to continue enjoying skiing for years to come.  Moreover, you are investing time and money in a ski trip, so you want to get your money's worth and have a pleasant experience. This is why it is so important to know which ski resorts are best for beginner skiers.

So, what makes a ski area suitable for beginners?

Not all ski areas are equally beginner-friendly. Here are the main factors that we think make an area ideal for beginner skiers.

Lots of blue slopes:

In Austria, these are the easiest runs. A good beginner area has plenty of wide, rolling blue runs where you can practise in peace. The more blue kilometres, the better — that way, you can explore a lot without venturing into too difficult a section straight away. For example, around 115 km of pistes are blue in a large, beginner-friendly area such as SkiWelt, so there is plenty of choice!

Practice meadows and easy lifts:

A freely accessible practice meadow at the bottom of the mountain is ideal for taking your first steps. You will often find a treadmill ('magic carpet') or practice lift here, as well as a mild incline. There are also very nice cordoned-off beginner areas on top of the mountain. Simple drag lifts or slow chairlifts will take you up without any stress.

Good ski schools:

As a beginner, it is especially important to take lessons from a good ski school. Check whether the area has ski instructors who speak your language. Popular destinations in Austria often have Dutch-speaking instructors, which makes learning easier. A ski area with several ski schools and children's areas gives you the confidence that beginners are welcome.

Equipment rental options:

It's also good if you can easily rent skis, boots and helmets locally. You will find ski rental shops in almost every Austrian village, but in resorts that cater specifically for beginners, there is often a wide selection and knowledgeable staff to offer advice to novices. This means that you don't have to buy everything straight away and can try out different equipment.

Atmosphere and facilities:

Finally, atmosphere is important. A friendly, cosy village where you quickly feel at home will enhance your experience. It is nice to have facilities such as mountain huts where you can enjoy a hot chocolate, wellness facilities where you can relax in the afternoon, and other winter activities such as tobogganing and hiking. Beginner-friendly areas usually have a relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere. You'll meet lots of other beginners and families, which is great because you're all in the same position.

Top 5 ski resorts in Austria for beginners

With these criteria in mind, we have come up with a list of the top five ski resorts for beginners. Read on to find out which Austrian ski resorts we think are the most suitable for beginners and why.

1. SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental

The SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental ski area in Tyrol is renowned for being very family-friendly. Beginners will quickly feel at ease here. Each village in the SkiWelt has a practice slope with a practice lift, which is often free to use in the valley. This means that you can quietly learn the basics before you step into the gondola. Once you reach the top of the mountains, you will find many easy blue runs.
​​​​​​​
The blue valley runs at Ellmau and Hopfgarten, for example, are wonderfully wide and not steep — perfect for beginners. What's more, SkiWelt is very uncluttered. Even if you struggle with map reading, it's difficult to get lost here. The area is large — with 275 km of slopes, 115 km of which are blue — but convenient paths allow you to bypass difficult sections. Another advantage is that every SkiWelt village has a ski school with Dutch-speaking teachers. Thanks to its friendly atmosphere and many facilities, such as children's areas and cosy mountain huts, SkiWelt is an excellent choice for your first skiing experience.

2. Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn

In this vast ski area in Salzburgerland, you will find the largest selection of blue slopes on our list. This vast ski area in the state of Salzburg boasts 270 km of slopes in total, 140 km of which are blue. This means that more than half of all runs here are easy. As a beginner, you will therefore rarely find yourself unexpectedly on a slope that is too steep.  Moreover, each village has its own beginner's zone with a practice lift, so you can start off quietly in several places. An added bonus for English beginners is that this area is very popular with Dutch people, so there is a good chance that you can get ski lessons in English.

While you practise on wide, undulating slopes, any more advanced friends can enjoy the red or black runs – the Skicircus has something for everyone. Are you a fast learner?  Then, by the end of the week, you might be ready for a nice ski tour from Saalbach to Leogang and back. Even if you don't want to ski all day, there's still plenty to enjoy, from cosy mountain huts to lively après-ski in Saalbach and Hinterglemm. In short, the Skicircus offers beginner skiers the perfect mix of a learning environment and winter sports fun.

Looking for spacious group accommodation in this area? Then also read our blog about a group home in Saalbach-Hinterglemm for inspiration.

3. Zell am See – Kaprun

Zell am See-Kaprun is a popular destination combining two areas: Schmittenhöhe, near Lake Zell, and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, near Kaprun. As a beginner, you will benefit from the varied, snow-sure pistes here. On Schmittenhöhe (Zell am See's home mountain), there are several blue runs where beginners will feel comfortable.

There are some fine, easy slopes, especially near the AreitXpress gondola, and even a special beginner's park with a conveyor belt. The view of the lake makes every descent extra special — be sure to take a break and enjoy the panorama! In Kaprun, you will find the Maiskogel, a smaller mountain that is ideal for families and beginners. Here, you can hone your technique on quiet, wide pistes. Have you always wanted to ski on a glacier? With the Ski Alpin ski pass, you can go up the Kitzsteinhorn, which has snow late into the season.
​​​​​​​
The Kitzsteinhorn also has some easy runs at the top, although the altitude obviously takes some getting used to. While Zell am See – Kaprun is not the best ski area for beginners (it has about 77 km of slopes on the Schmittenhöhe, 39% of which are blue), it does offer enormous variety and a cosy village atmosphere. After skiing, you can stroll through Zell's atmospheric centre or relax in Kaprun's Tauwetter Therme. This is an excellent choice for beginner skiers who also appreciate the surroundings and other activities.

More information on Zell am See – Kaprun

4. KitzSki – Kitzbühel/Kirchberg

Kitzbühel is world-famous for the Hahnenkamm race, but don't let that put you off. The KitzSki area, which covers Kitzbühel and Kirchberg, is also ideal for beginners. In fact, over 100 km of the ~180 km of pistes are blue. This means that more than half of all runs are nice and easy, which is ideal for learning to ski. There are also several free practice lifts scattered around the valley in places like Kitzbühel, Jochberg and Reith.

This means you can practise your first moves without a ski pass before heading up the mountain. Once you reach the top, you will find numerous wide, gently sloping runs on the flanks of Kitzbühel where you can glide down at a leisurely pace. The modern, comfortable lifts in this area also make it pleasant for beginners (there are no old-fashioned anchor lifts on steep sections). Kitzbühel and Kirchberg are lively villages with a cosy Tyrolean atmosphere.
​​​​​​​
If you need a break or want to stop for lunch, there are plenty of authentic mountain huts where you can rest. One of the great things about KitzSki is that beginners can set off with more experienced skiers: while you take the blue route, they take the red one, and you meet up again at the bottom. So everyone has a good time. KitzSki proves that a top-class ski resort can be very accessible for beginner skiers too.

5. Wildkogel-Arena – Neukirchen/Bramberg

The Wildkogel Arena, a hidden gem in Salzburgerland, is perfect for beginners who aren't necessarily looking for a huge area. This area has 75 km of slopes and caters exclusively to families and novice skiers. Around 85% of all runs here are blue or red, meaning there are almost no really difficult slopes.

This gives beginners confidence, as they can ski almost anywhere without fear of encountering a black mogul slope. The highest point is around 2,150 metres, where you will mostly find easy blue runs. At middle altitudes, there are also some slightly more challenging red runs. Above the Wildkogelbahn mountain station, there is a central plateau with practice lifts, a children's area, and even a fun park for beginners. The atmosphere is incredibly convivial; it feels as though the whole area is one big, safe snowy playground.
​​​​​​​
The Wildkogel is less crowded than the famous resorts, which is ideal if you want to learn to ski in peace and quiet. Another highlight — quite literally — is the toboggan run: the Wildkogel has the world's longest floodlit toboggan run, at 14 km long. It's a great change of pace after skiing — whizz down 1,300 metres in an evening sledging session for guaranteed fun. The cosy and friendly villages of Neukirchen and Bramberg make this destination even more attractive. In the Wildkogel Arena, you can enjoy a stress-free introduction to skiing while taking in the stunning views of the Hohe Tauern National Park.

Frequently asked questions about beginner-friendly ski areas

Chances are you still have some questions about them. You will find the answers to the most important questions here.

Which Austrian ski area has the most blue slopes? 

Of the top five resorts, Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn has the longest blue slopes. This area offers 140 km of blue runs. For comparison, SkiWelt has around 115 km and Kitzbühel/Kirchberg has over 100 km.
Incidentally, there are also areas outside the top five with many blue runs (e.g. Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis has dozens of them). What's more important is that you have enough choice and don't have to ski the same piste every time. In any case, all of the above areas have excellent facilities for beginners.

Are there English-speaking ski instructors in Austria?

Yes, you will find English-speaking instructors at many Austrian ski resorts. Popular destinations among British people, such as Saalbach and Serfaus, also attract ski instructors from the UK. Additionally, many Austrian ski instructors speak good English, and some even speak a little English due to the large number of English-speaking guests.

When booking ski lessons, you can often specify your preference for an English-speaking teacher. This is particularly likely in the SkiWelt and the Skicircus. Even if you are taught by a local instructor, they will explain important terms in English. So language barriers are hardly a big problem anywhere. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with your instructor and understand what you need to do — and in Austria, this is usually not a problem.

Practical tips for beginner skiers:

Here are some useful tips to help you enjoy your first skiing experience: Rent your equipment. Don't go out and buy everything right away. Instead, rent skis, boots, poles and a helmet at the resort. This way, you will have well-tuned equipment and be able to find out what suits you. It also saves you from having to carry everything around with you and is often cheaper than buying.

Dress well:
Good skiwear is important for staying warm and dry. Invest in waterproof trousers and a jacket, wear layers (thermal underwear, jumper, jacket) so you can take something off if you get hot, and bring good quality gloves. Don't forget sunglasses or ski goggles either – the reflection of the sun on the snow in the mountains can be very bright. These days, helmets are the norm (and are even compulsory for children in many ski resorts). In short, prepare for both the cold and the sun.

Choose a suitable time of year:
As a beginner, it can be useful to avoid the busiest periods. You will then be able to enjoy quieter slopes. Another tip is to go at the weekend or during the week outside of the school holidays, when there are fewer people. In addition, prices for accommodation and lifts are often lower in the off-season.

Practise beforehand in your own country:
If you are feeling nervous or are unsure what to expect, consider practising in advance. There are indoor ski slopes and roller rinks in the UK and Ireland where you can take a basic lesson. This is not a requirement, but it could boost your confidence before you tackle the real thing. For example, you will learn how to put on your ski boots, how to glide, and how to brake. This will give you a head start when you arrive in the Alps.

Enjoy it and take your time!
The most important tip of all is to have fun! Don't compare yourself too much to others, and don't set the bar too high. Everyone falls over at some point (even advanced riders). Take regular breaks, warm up with a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Learning to ski is a step-by-step process. Celebrate your small successes, such as the first time getting off the lift without falling or making your first turn, and before you know it, you'll be skiing down the mountain whistling!

​​​​​​​Your costs clearly mapped out:
Planning your first skiing holiday is exciting and requires a realistic budget. Check out our blog on the costs of a skiing holiday in Austria for a clear overview of what to expect.

Conclusion

In this blog, we have explored the best Austrian ski areas for beginners, outlined the features that make up a good beginner area, and addressed a variety of questions and concerns. From the wide slopes of SkiWelt and the gentle slopes of Saalbach to the cosy slopes of Wildkogel, there is a suitable area for every beginner.

The most important thing is to choose a destination where you feel comfortable, with plenty of easy slopes and a pleasant atmosphere. This is important because your choice of ski area has a huge impact on your experience. Getting off to a good start is half the battle: in the right area, you will learn faster, feel safer and simply have more fun. As a result, you will look back on your first skiing holiday with a smile and be excited for the next one. If you start with a positive experience, chances are that winter sports will become a new hobby or tradition for you.

​​​​​​​Conversely, making the wrong choice (too difficult or busy) could put you off unnecessarily. That is why it is so important to know what to look out for beforehand — hopefully you now feel much more confident about making that choice!