St AntonCity/Region: The Alps
St Anton is a top destination for British skiers and snowboarders, attracted by both the first-class skiing and the beer-fuelled après ski sessions. Along with its neighbors, Lech and Zürs (only a short bus ride away), St Anton offers extensive skiing for intermediate and advanced skiers but is possibly not the best choice for beginners or non-skiers as lower slopes can get crowded and there are not many off-slope facilities. The resort, which sprawls along the bottom of a narrow valley, is a
Mecca for ski-bums attracted by the
excellent off-piste runs - the best
Austria has to offer. St Anton's south-facing slopes can get slushy by the end of the day, particularly in spring, and partly for this reason the collection of bars on the slopes above town get packed by around 3pm.
KitzbuhelCity/Region: The Alps
Among Austrian resorts
Kitzbuhel is the most commercial, glamorous and expensive. The beautiful alpine town, which dates back to the 9th century, has remained fairly unspoilt. In the winter you will hear the jingle of bells as a horse-drawn sleigh is pulled through its cobbled, traffic-free town center. There is an extensive and varied skiing area offering excellent skiing and snowboarding both on and off-piste, but be prepared for a lack of snow in places. Due to the low altitude the lower slopes are rarely open. If the skiing in Kitzbuhel doesn't tire you out, the nightlife certainly will. The atmosphere is bright, boisterous and fun and doesn't stop till the not-quite-so-early hours. This is also Austria's winter entertainment capital and attracts performers from all over the continent throughout the season.
SaalbachCity/Region: The Alps
Saalbach and its close neighbor, Hinterglemm, have united in the picturesque Glemmtal Valley to form one of
Europe's liveliest ski resorts, which is particularly popular with Dutch, German and Scandinavian visitors
.The valley sides offer numerous ski slopes, but its low altitude means that snow conditions can deteriorate quickly. Nevertheless the resort has excellent snowmaking equipment, which ensures good coverage in the sunshine. There are more than 125 miles (200km) of ski trails linked by lifts, mainly suited to intermediate level skiers. There is, however, a two-mile long (3km) expert mogul descent on the north facing Zwolferkogel, and more than 60 miles (97km) of off-piste terrain. The pretty Tyrolean style villages are fairly new, but the ambience is traditional with chalets and sleigh bells adding to the charm.
ZürsCity/Region: The Alps
One of the world's top resorts with guaranteed good snow and a very traditional atmosphere, Zürs is a quiet, exclusive haven in Austria's Arlberg Mountain Range, just 10 minutes from St. Anton. Often paired and associated with nearby Lech, Zürs is more exclusive with a number of four and five star hotels to accommodate visitors, of whom many are royalty and celebrities, in style and comfort. This resort is surrounded by truly spectacular scenery and is a refreshing antidote to the massive resorts.
LechCity/Region: The Alps
Together with neighboring Zürs, the two resorts in the Arlberg mountain range are Austria's most exclusive. Lech boasts a reliable annual snowfall that attracts those (who can afford it) to this charming little hamlet, who look forward to skiing as much as the energetic nightlife, often spent mingling with celebrities and royalty.
