What do you do when you want to go on a skiing holiday in Austria, and how much does it cost? We're not exactly experts in this field, as we've only skied in the Alps once, but it's still fresh in our minds. So we take the opportunity to share our experiences here.
Table of contents
Going on a ski holiday in Austria
There are several different airlines and several possible routes to the Austrian Alps. We travelled with Air Berlin and flew Stockholm - Berlin - Innsbruck. Flight prices vary of course, but when we booked the ticket price was about 5500 SEK for two.
Both routes took just over an hour and we had about 45 minutes to change in Berlin. A perfectly fine journey! From Innsbruck airport you can then continue by taxi, rental car, train or other types of transfer, depending on where you are going. To Alpbachtal, where we were, it took 45 minutes by car.
Accommodation
You can of course stay in different ways during a ski trip in Austria. We stayed at Hotel Pirchner Hof in Reith im Alpbachtal, which was a very nice hotel (2500 SEK per day for two including breakfast, afternoon buffet and dinner). You can also stay in a basic hotel or rent an apartment. Another option is to bring your motorhome and stay at a campsite - the campsites are open in summer and winter!
Lift passes and ski hire
If you want to go skiing, a lift pass is of course necessary. The price for 3 days for an adult this winter was 1650 SEK. You may be able to bring your own skiing equipment, but otherwise you can rent it. The price for two people for three days (boots, skis, poles and helmet) was 1550 SEK.
For children (and in many cases also for adults) it is possible to attend a ski school, or book a private ski instructor. We never did this, so we didn't check the prices. Now we're curious - if you've been on a skiing holiday in the Swedish mountains, how do the prices compare?
Choosing the right ski resort for your ski holiday in Austria
There are lots of different valleys and ski resorts in Austria. We went to Alpbachtal and stayed in the village of Reith im Alpbachtal - a quiet and cosy alpine village with great skiing and good food.
Would you like to find inspiration for more ski resorts in Austria? We have collected tips on 8 good ski resorts that are all suitable for slightly different target groups - for families with children, nature lovers or perhaps the party crowd. Do you also have tips on the perfect resort for a ski holiday in Austria? Please let us know!
4 great ski resorts in Austria
In partnership with snowtrex Last winter we tried skiing in the Alps for the first time,...
15 things to do in Salzburg - from cable car to Mozart concert
In collaboration with Austria Tourist Board Today we're sharing 15 things to do in Salzburg...
Experience Zell am See in summer - both Alps and lake
In cooperation with the Austria Tourist Board The Austrian town of Zell am See is perhaps best known as the...
Winter trip to Vorarlberg in Austria - our 8 best tips
Looking for a winter trip to Vorarlberg in Austria? We recently visited this lovely Austrian...
To the top of the Kitzsteinhorn in Austria
We've made it to the top of the Kitzsteinhorn mountain in Austria, more specifically in Zell am...
Reith im Alpbachtal - cosy alpine village in Austria
We have spent our skiing holiday in a cosy Alpine village in Austria called Reith, or maybe...
Skiing holidays in Austria - snow, gluhwein and dumplings!
Yesterday when we woke up in the hotel during our skiing holiday in Austria, it was to ......
Eisriesenwelt in Austria - the largest ice cave in the world
We've just visited the Eisriesenwelt in Austria - the largest ice cave in the world! Several readers told us about...
Visiting Swarovski Kristallwelten in Austria - a glittering place
What is it like to visit Swarovski Kristallwelten in Austria? This experiential attraction, located just outside Innsbruck,...
By cable car to the top of the Untersberg in Salzburg
We have travelled by cable car to the top of the Untersberg in Salzburg. From here you have a completely...
Cross-country skiing in Austria - ski school in Vorarlberg
What is it like to cross-country ski in Austria? On this winter trip to Austria, we chose...
Things to do in Innsbruck, Austria - 25 tips
What to do in Innsbruck, Austria? Innsbruck is a marvellously beautiful city in Tyrol,...
Experiencing summer in St Johann in Tirol
In collaboration with the Austrian Tourist Office Why not experience summer in St Johann in Tirol in Austria?...
8 restaurants in Innsbruck you don't want to miss
There are many nice restaurants in Innsbruck, Austria. We have visited several restaurants, and...
Innsbruck again - back at camping Kranebitten
Now we are back at camping Kranebitten, where we also stood last when we were in...
12 interesting facts about Salzburg in Austria
In cooperation with the Austrian Tourist Office Do you know these 12 interesting facts about Salzburg? We...
What to eat in Austria? - 15 Austrian specialities
What to eat in Austria? We list 15 Austrian specialities and share our experiences of eating in...
Culinary winter walk in Austria - in glorious Vorarlberg!
We went on a culinary winter walk in Austria, specifically in the Bregenzerwald in Vorarlberg. This was...
Skiing in Alpbachtal in Austria
We are, as you may know, on a skiing holiday and yesterday we went to the...
Through Austria by motorhome
We have now travelled through Austria by motorhome. The day before yesterday it was time to leave Italy....
Skiing holidays in Austria - which resort to choose?
If you're looking for a skiing holiday in Austria, but aren't sure which destination to go to,...
Greetings from lovely Austria - finally here!
We have finally arrived in Austria! The journey took much longer than expected, but what does...
Skiing in Austria - 8 ski resorts to look forward to
In collaboration with the Austrian Tourist Office Looking to ski in Austria? We recommend eight...
Things to do in Bregenz, Austria - our top 12 tips
What to see and do in Bregenz, Austria? During our winter trip to Vorarlberg, we took the opportunity...
We are going skiing in the Alps - for the first time.
This post is presented in collaboration with Lion Alpin We're going skiing in the Alps! Wehooo! This will be something...
Hotel Pirchner Hof - Alpbachtal in Austria
Now we are back in Stockholm, in the snow, but we still dream of going back to Austria...
Great skiing in the Alps
Yesterday we experienced our absolute first day of skiing in the Alps ever. Wow, what an experience!...
Skiing in Austria 2020/2021? - inspo from Salzburgerland
Can you ski in Austria in winter 2020/2021? We were at an event last Thursday with...
Jenn - Forever Abroad says:
Glad you shared this! Mumin and I are actually looking at flying down to Munich or Innsbruck for a ski weekend this winter/spring.
I have never rented skis/purchased a lift pass in the Swedish mountains (Gällivare does not count) but have been told that the lift passes are more expensive in the Alps but that renting equipment is cheaper, wonder if that can be true?
12 January 2017 - 6:17
Lena - good for the soul says:
3 days ski pass in Idre costs 1010 SEK and in Sälen about 1400. I have never rented skis so I do not know. A little difficult to compare prices really. You get so much more skiing in the Alps.
Hug Lena
12 January 2017 - 7:08
admin says:
Jenn, I'm glad you're thinking about a ski holiday! Have you considered any particular ski resort? I have no control at all over the prices in the Swedish mountains (it's been so long since we went there), but I guess there will be some answers here 😉.
Lena, thank you, I'm glad you had some insight into prices! You are of course absolutely right, it is not the same thing you pay for. Still, it's interesting to compare, and then think about what you get for your money at one place and another.
12 January 2017 - 7:33
Mr Steve says:
Although the days of skiing holidays are over for me, it was nice to "come along" to Austria, and it's good that there are a number of choices depending on what you want to do and what it may cost.
12 January 2017 - 8:45
LinizTravel says:
We are so keen to
One more
Ski trip 🙂 this was really so wonderful!!! It was more expensive t Innsbruck! I paid about 4400 kr for 3+1 baby for the flight tickets to Salzburg.
Great pictures!!! E curious about the fair!
Have a nice day hugs
12 January 2017 - 9:04
Ama de casa says:
You really match the surroundings there with your nice, fluffy hats! A great picture of you!
🙂
When it comes to skiing holidays, I think charter is preferable. All arranged with flights, transport, lift passes, ski hire etc.
Now there are good trips where we rent all six of us in an apartment hotel. The others go from Stockholm by plane. We get a deduction for the flight, so we get to the resort on our own (alternatively we take the bus transport from their "Alpine airport"). Works great for us.
Then we ignore all the events that the charter organiser has, as we want to spend time with each other 🙂 .
12 January 2017 - 9:57
Marina says:
It seems to be very good prices. Now I think it varies quite a bit where in the Alps you go, so it might be good to check beforehand, the lift tickets can be quite expensive. But on the other hand, they do in the Swedish mountains too...
The price of the flight was absolutely fine.
12 January 2017 - 9:58
Ditte says:
It has been great to join the ski trip to Austria.
I know that lift passes in the Alps are often about 2500-3000 SEK for a week, can vary a bit according to high and low season and which resort you choose. A popular resort with a larger lift system (where you are out for a whole day and do not have to go down the same slope) can be more expensive. Know that we usually when we went to the Alps counted with a total of about 14 000 / person / week (usually more) and then we have had equipment. Fits quite well with the prices you have. Sometimes it will be cheaper with group trips where everything is included.
Of course, a trip to the Alps is more expensive than a trip to the Swedish mountains, but they are two different experiences. When it comes to hotels, lift passes and ski hire, the price differences are not so great. A weekly pass in Åre costs just over SEK 2000 and ski hire for seven days about SEK 1200. If you go to a hotel, an equivalent to the one you stayed at usually costs more in e.g. Åre.
The range of cabins in Sweden is large and an alternative that many people choose to reduce the price. (The cost of a week in the mountains is very high, even in Sweden, in a hotel with half board for a family. The difference is if there are two people travelling. )
12 January 2017 - 10:03
Across the board says:
The first picture is absolutely magical!
No, I don't like winter, so even if you present the Alps in a very inviting way, there will be no skiing!
12 January 2017 - 15:08
BP says:
Big kudos for the first picture - it's absolutely gorgeous!
Yes, it is not cheap, especially since the stay was so short. I have never stayed in a hotel in either a Swedish or a foreign ski resort. Have not rented skis and equipment either.
But one thing is clear - you cannot compare the Swedish mountains with the Alps, neither in size nor temperature. I mean, how much fun is it to go down a mini-hill in Åre/Duved/Sälen in 15 degrees below zero compared to driving on a "motorway" that is several kilometres long in a few degrees below zero and getting a sunburn in the process.
If you want to taste it, you have to pay for it;-)
12 January 2017 - 16:05
Matts Torebring says:
We take the car, it doesn't take many hours. Then you can go to different facilities, go to the city and be completely free. Thanks for all the nice posts!
12 January 2017 - 19:49
admin says:
Steve, it is nice that you have wanted to "join us" in Austria! ?
Liniztravel, what great flight prices to Salzburg! But flight prices vary a bit day to day too ... We also want to go skiing in the Alps again, great! ? As for the fair, Peter never went to it. It didn't seem very relevant, and he had a lot of other things to do.
Ama de casa, glad you like our picture! We like our hats ? Charter can perhaps also be a variant. Just as you write, you do not have to join all activities just because you book such a trip.
Marina, skiing holidays are never super cheap because there are lift passes and possibly ski rental, but you always want to find affordable options where you get great value for money! ?
Ditte, yes, you can always benefit from being "about you and around you". Super thanks for the info from you who have a little more experience than us, when it comes to skiing holidays. Maybe it will be a little more expensive in the Alps, but as I said, a ski trip to the Swedish mountains is not free either ...
Across the board, if you don't like winter, you should probably choose another destination, or another season anyway! ? Glad you like the picture. I think it's amazing that it could turn out so well even though Peter was shooting through the aeroplane window,
BP, I tell Peter that you like the picture! I also think it turned out cool. Fantastic that you can get such good pictures through the aircraft window! And you're absolutely right that you can't compare the Swedish mountains and the Alps. We probably had pretty cold, but when the sun was on, it still felt nice! ?
Matts, a car or campervan is an excellent option, at least if you have the time!
12 January 2017 - 20:00
Diana's dreams says:
Tried the ski slope in Dubai and got more taste 🙂 hugs
12 January 2017 - 20:04
Rantamor on the retina says:
Peter can feel very proud of the first picture, so heavenly nice, it is completely speechless. Congratulations.
And you look great in your winter clothes, my dear.
Tjingelingen from Rantamor.
12 January 2017 - 22:22
Camilla says:
I now have little control over the prices for shorter periods because we bought discounted season passes the two winters we winter camped and now as mountain residents have cheaper cards for "locals". Which is even free for the children... But in general, 3-4 day lift passes or accommodation in the Swedish mountains are not much cheaper than a week, I think. Maybe it's the same in the Alps?
13 January 2017 - 8:34
towe says:
Exciting, I'm not a winter person but Austria looks undeniably lovely.
13 January 2017 - 14:17
admin says:
Diana's dreams, haha, yes a little different to skiing in Dubai, but certainly fun too!
Rantamor, isn't it fascinating that it's so easy to take photos through an aeroplane window? Glad you like our pictures! 🙂
Camilla, yes it is reasonable that you get a better price for a whole season! We did not check the prices for a week in the Alps, but probably it will be cheaper per day the more days you buy for!
Towe, Peter is not usually a "winter person" either, but he loved the Alps! 🙂
14 January 2017 - 6:10