Spring Skiing in Austria is a fabulous time of year to hit the slopes, with the sun shining and a relaxed, holiday feel in ski resorts. However, you do need to ensure there’s still sufficient snow, which usually means heading to ski resorts with high-altitude, north-facing slopes, often with glaciers beneath.
Fortunately, Austria has plenty of these, with centres staying open into late spring and, in some cases, even summer. They also have a term, “Lebensgefühl,” which embodies having a positive attitude towards life. Those who book their holidays in Austria will experience plenty of this as they discover why the region is one of the best destinations on the planet for spring skiing.
Paznaun-Ischgl
Ischgl Ski Area_TVB-Paznaun-Ischgl ©.jpg
Ischgl is a world leader in skiing, with its season typically beginning in late November—often offering more terrain than anywhere else in Europe (sometimes even the world). It continues to deliver prime skiing conditions until early May. It’s also one of Austria’s largest ski regions, with 239km of runs and a vast network of 45 fast, modern lifts spanning the border into Switzerland, allowing skiers to seamlessly explore two countries in one day.
The area is renowned for its reliable snow cover from November through May. This is thanks to its naturally snowy location at high altitudes, reaching up to the Greitspitze (2,872m), supported by an extensive and effective snowmaking system.
Beyond the slopes, the Spring Blanc series of festivities will keep you entertained, running through the final weeks of Ischgl’s season, from 6th April to 4th May 2025.
The Arlberg
Arlberg Skiing at the Mountain Station © Arlberg Marketing
The Arlberg region brings together the charming mountain villages of St. Anton, St. Christoph, Stuben, Lech, and Zürs. United by a rich sense of tradition and a thirst for adventure, these five resort villages each have their own distinct appeal.
Ski Arlberg is Austria’s largest interconnected ski area, boasting over 300km of piste and an additional 200km of high alpine, ungroomed deep-snow slopes. Its 85 modern lifts climb to heights of 2,811m at the legendary Valluga peak. It’s also one of the snowiest places in the Alps, receiving an average of nine metres of snowfall each season.
Springtime brings vibrant events to the Arlberg. The Tanzcafé Arlberg Music Festival runs from 30th March to 13th April, celebrating the winding down of the season in Lech, Zürs, St. Anton, and Stuben. Stuben also plays host to the famous Longboard Classic on 5th April—a must for enthusiasts. For thrill-seekers, the season finale at St. Anton features the dramatic White Thrill mass-start downhill race on 19th April.
The Zillertal
Freeriding-in-Zillertal_Zillertal-Tourism-GmbH_Tom-Klocker Photos
Austria’s Zillertal region offers stunning natural beauty and exceptional skiing over an impressive 548km of slopes. With its warm hospitality, it’s known for making visitors feel like honoured guests among friends. The Zillertal is divided into four main areas—Fügen-Kaltenbach, Zell-Gerlos, Mayrhofen-Hippach, and Tux-Finkenberg—all offering unique charm and world-class skiing. Its ski peaks reach as high as 3,250m, offering year-round glacier slopes, accessible via 180 fast, modern lifts.
Spring in the Zillertal is bursting with energy, thanks to its vibrant events. These include the Hintertux Glacier Open Air concert at the Sommerberg Arena in April, and the stylish Alpicon House Music Festival in March at Hochzillertal. The Snowbombing Festival blends electronic music with on-slope adventures in Mayrhofen from 5th to 12th April. Don’t miss the fun-filled Lederhosen Wedeln weekends in the Zillertal Arena from 11th to 13th April—watch as skiers don men’s lederhosen and ladies’ traditional Tirolean dirndl dresses for a spirited celebration.
Zell am See-Kaprun
Kitzsteinhorn – Top of Salzburg © Kitzsteinhorn
The Zell am See-Kaprun region combines three ski areas, two charming resort bases, the stunning Lake Zell with its crystal-clear waters, and one of Europe’s most snow-reliable ski destinations—the glacier-capped Kitzsteinhorn (3,029m), above Kaprun. This destination offers something for everyone.
With 408km of slopes seamlessly accessed via the Ski ALPIN CARD, the region caters to every ability—from beginners to seasoned experts. It offers everything from smooth pistes to freeriding parks, as well as deep powder slopes beloved by ski tourers.
At its heart is the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, SalzburgerLand’s only glacier ski resort, accessible by the modern 3K K-onnection lift. It’s a paradise for piste enthusiasts, freeriders, and ski tourers alike. Towering to 3,029m, it provides a season that extends through to late spring—one of the longest in the world. Mark your calendars for the Falstaff Pleasure Ski Days on 20th-23rd March and 4th-5th April for an unforgettable experience!
