Snow Sure Skiing in Austria

Gaislachkogl, Tiefenbachkogl and Schwarze Schneide: a mouthful to pronounce but an absolute dream to ski, Sölden’s ‘Big 3’ mountain peaks soar above 3000m and have some of the most gloriously high blue and red runs in the Alps. Accessed by car or bus along the Ötztal Glacier Road, the Tiefenbach and Rettenbach glaciers have been doused in white for millions of years and (give or take a few inches) the snow doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Both glaciers have pistes and oodles of powder, opening as early as September and staying skiable well into springtime. We love the Tiefen’s cruisey blues, while the Retten cranks up the difficulty a notch, hosting World Cup competitions every October.

Three cheers for the folk who made the Kitzsteinhorn Austria’s first skiable glacier back in 1965 – we’ve been enjoying its superior conditions on winter AND summer holidays ever since. This is Salzburg’s only glacial ski area; accessed by a string of gondolas it rises to an impressive 3029m and is often only closed to skiers for two months each year (normally August and September). Access is granted by the standard area ski pass, which also includes Kaprun’s local mountain Maiskogel and Zell am See’s ski area. Those up for a challenge have to try the Black Mamba - up to 63% steep, covering 290m in altitude and 1km in length, it’s one of the steepest, snowiest descents around.

Often winning the gong for Europe’s snowiest ski area, this area is no stranger to good conditions. Snowflakes start falling as early as September and properly pile up throughout the season; we’re talking top depths of around 7 metres in Lech and over 10 metres up in Zurs (which would bury two double decker buses on top of each other…). The highest, best covered spots are over towards Warth or from the top of Zuger Hochlicht where there are oodles of steeps to get waist deep in - with this much coverage it’s no wonder the Arlberg area’s such a huge hit in the wonderful world of freeriding.

It’s hard to believe Obergurgl doesn’t have a glacier when you consider the sheer quality of snow and length of the ski season. This is the highest parish in Austria at 1930m and the blue and black runs that pour down from Wurmkogl at 3080m are famous for being doused in white all season long. With the first snowfall usually gracing us in October, the area opens its gates from November (the first non-glacier ski area to do so) and often stays open right through ‘til May, building a base of over 2 metres on a good year.

With nothing but mountains for miles around, St Anton’s sheltered position in the Arlberg region keeps it cool and deliciously snowy. The ski area goes up to 2811m on the Valluga, where you’ll usually find around three metres of build up by the end of the season, holding its own against the spring sunshine. North facing slopes keep the sugar shaded so your skis stay out the slush - don’t miss the Rendl area which is often quieter than the rest. Mother Nature also has a helping hand in the form of 194 cannons, which cover a whopping 95% of the pistes with artificial snow.

Schladming’s itself is pretty low at 745m, and while the Planai ski area’s conditions tend to be strong in peak season, it’s the Dachstein Glacier – Styria’s highest mountain - that takes things to another level. The glacier’s included in the area ski pass and can be reached via a 40 minute journey on the ski bus. The commute’s well worth it: Up here at 2700m, the mix of runs may differ in width and gradient but they all share a common denominator – stupidly good snow. There’s up to FIVE metres of the stuff on a good year, and it often sticks around for summer skiing.

They have faith in their snow quality over here, with the tourist office declaring a ‘100% snow guarantee’ in recent years. It might have a little something to do with the fact that they’ve covered the ENTIRE area with cannons, that pump out the white stuff as soon as the temperature drops and provide extra top ups throughout the season. The Penken gondola whisks you straight from the town to powdery goodness – delivering you at 1800m for links to the top point, Penkenjoch at 2095m. That’s not all up the Zillertal’s sleeve: Europe’s steepest glacier, the Hintertux, is only half an hour away. Rising to a monstrous 3520m this is arguably the most snow-sure ski area in the Alps - it’s usually open to skiers every day of the year.

High in the Tyrolean Alps, the bulk of Ischgl’s ski area’s above 2000m, and it goes all the way up to 2812m at the Piz Val Gronda peak. Seasons here often start in early November and last out for a week or two into May, with a little help from artificial snowmaking (900 canons!) at the start of the season, and the shaded north facing ski area later on. The powder build up has some incredible results – off piste potential is excellent in the middle of the season (we love the terrain behind the Gampenbahm chair lift).

Stay in Neustift and you can reap the benefits of being in the closest resort to Austria’s biggest glacier, the Stubai. It’s 20 minutes by ski bus to this self-proclaimed ‘Kingdom of Snow’, where the ridiculously long season usually lasts from October until mid-June. While some glaciers have just one or two marked pistes, this one has over thirty - 110km in all, and they start from giddying heights of 3250m. Favourite features include the 3100m high snow park, and the 10km-long route from Wildspitz top terminal down to the base station.

The nation’s only purpose-built resort has its own micro-climate and was cleverly positioned just so for access to the finest snow. On average, 3.5m of the white stuff gathers in Obertauern’s bowl each season, with the encircling peaks of the Niedere Tauern mountain range causing an ice-bucket effect that keeps temperatures super low. 95% of the area has snowmaking to add an extra layer of powder in the winter months, while the north-facing runs from the top of Zehnerkarbahn hold their own into the afternoon during springtime.