Discover dreamlike slopes while enjoying Austria’s breathtaking winter landscapes – this is skiing at its purest. Yet what may sound expensive and luxurious doesn’t have to be. Especially in the Alpine republic, where the alpine king of sports is the number one national pastime, there are plenty of affordable ski resorts. But which ski areas from its portfolio can SnowTrex recommend here – and how much will winter sports enthusiasts pay for a day ski pass? We answer these questions and also reveal additional insider tips for your next winter holiday in Austria.
affordable-ski-resorts-in-austria-at-a-glance“>Affordable ski resorts in Austria at a glance
| Ski resort | Ski pass
6 days | lunch
main course, hut | Beer price 0,5l | Holiday apartment 7 nights, 2 persons | Hotel 7 nights, 2 persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silvretta Montafon | 272.00 pounds | 14.28 pounds | 4.50 pounds | 1439.90 pounds | 1714.45 pounds |
| Wildkogel-Arena | 281.35 pounds | 14.03 pounds | 4.67 pounds | 1328.55 pounds | 1774.80 pounds |
| Gastein | 335.75 pounds | 14.88 pounds | 4.67 pounds | 1067.60 pounds | 1499.40 pounds |
| Zillertal Arena | 313.65 pounds | 14.45 pounds | 4.76 pounds | 1414.40 pounds | 1571.65 pounds |
| SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental | 323.00 pounds | 14.03 pounds | 4.76 pounds | 1550.40 pounds | 1787.55 pounds |
| Salzburger Sportwelt | 335.75 pounds | 14.37 pounds | 5.02 pounds | 1353.20 pounds | 1793.50 pounds |
| 4-Berge-Skischaukel | 335.75 pounds | 15.56 pounds | 4.93 pounds | 1564.85 pounds | 1555.50 pounds |
| Kitzsteinhorn/Maiskogel - Kaprun | 344.25 pounds | 13.60 pounds | 4.67 pounds | 1938.00 pounds | 1580.15 pounds |
Overview: All ski resorts in Austria
1-silvretta-montafon-ski-resort“>1. Silvretta Montafon ski resort
6-day ski pass: 276,43 pounds
Kilometres of slopes: 140 km
Average lunch price: 14,51 pounds
With 140 perfectly groomed kilometres of slopes, Silvretta Montafon is one of the most affordable ski resorts in Austria. This varied ski area in the Montafon valley in Vorarlberg reaches altitudes of up to 2,430 m, offering a well-balanced mix of easy, intermediate and challenging runs for skiers and snowboarders. Thanks to a modern ski infrastructure with 35 lifts and gondolas, waiting times remain short even during the high season. With an average price of 276,43 pounds for a 6-day ski pass, Silvretta Montafon is well below the national average in Austria. Meals in the cosy mountain huts are also reasonably priced, with lunch averaging 14,51 pounds.
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2-wildkogel-arena-ski-resort“>2. Wildkogel-Arena ski resort
6-day ski pass: 285,93 pounds
Kilometres of slopes: 75 km
Average lunch price: 14,25 pounds
The Wildkogel-Arena in the Salzburger Land region offers excellent value for money with 75 perfectly groomed kilometres of slopes. This family-friendly ski resort reaches altitudes of up to 2,100 m and features a well-balanced mix of easy and intermediate runs. With a 6-day ski pass averaging 285,93 pounds and moderate prices for refreshments – around 14,25 pounds for lunch in the cosy mountain huts – the Wildkogel-Arena ranks among the Austrian ski resorts with not only affordable ski passes. Eighteen modern lifts, including the new 8-seater gondola, provide convenient access to the slopes. A special highlight off the pistes is the 14 km long, floodlit toboggan run – the longest in the world.
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3-gastein-ski-resort“>3. Gastein ski resort
6-day ski pass: 341,22 pounds
Kilometres of slopes: 177 km
Average lunch price: 15,12 pounds
The Gastein ski resort impresses with 177 varied kilometres of slopes spread across four sub-areas: Dorfgastein–Großarltal, Schlossalm–Angertal–Stubnerkogel, Graukogel and Sportgastein in the Salzburger Land region. At altitudes of up to 2,686 m, winter sports enthusiasts will find runs for all ability levels, with the high-altitude pistes offering excellent snow reliability. Forty-seven modern lifts and gondolas ensure smooth transport up the mountain.
With a 6-day ski pass averaging 341,22 pounds and lunch in the cosy mountain huts costing around 15,12 pounds, Gastein offers an attractive price-performance ratio. Popular highlights in the area include the challenging freeride routes on the Kreuzkogel and the World Cup downhill run on the Graukogel.
Please also note that by using our services and integrating the YouTube API Services, the YouTube Terms of Service and the YouTube API Services Terms apply and your use of our website is deemed to be acceptance of these terms.
4-zillertal-arena-ski-resort“>4. Zillertal Arena ski resort
6-day ski pass: 318,76 pounds
Kilometres of slopes: 150 km
Average lunch price: 14,69 pounds
With 143 varied kilometres of slopes at altitudes of up to 2,500 m, the Zillertal Arena is one of the most attractive ski resorts in Tyrol. This snow-sure region links the towns of Zell am Ziller, Gerlos, Königsleiten and Hochkrimml, creating a well-balanced mix of easy, intermediate and challenging runs for winter sports enthusiasts. With a 6-day ski pass averaging 318,76 pounds and lunch in cosy mountain huts at around 14,69 pounds, the Zillertal Arena presents itself as a competitively priced alternative to the more famous Tyrolean ski resorts. Fifty-two modern lifts ensure short waiting times, while multiple fun parks and the spectacular Arena Coaster toboggan run provide extra winter fun.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyt–A4JHNA
5-skiwelt-wilder-kaiserbrixental-ski-resort“>5. SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser–Brixental ski resort
6-day ski pass: 328,26 pounds
Kilometres of slopes: 270 km
Average lunch price: 14,25 pounds
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser–Brixental impresses as one of the largest interconnected ski areas in Austria, with 288 kilometres of stunning slopes. At altitudes of up to 1,957 m, this extensive ski area links the towns of Söll, Ellmau, Going, Scheffau, Westendorf and Hopfgarten. With a 6-day ski pass priced at 328,26 pounds and lunch in the rustic mountain huts averaging 14,25 pounds, SkiWelt offers excellent value for money. Eighty-three modern lifts and gondolas provide access to a varied range of slopes for all ability levels. A particular highlight for skiers and snowboarders of all ages is the night skiing in Söll on Austria’s largest floodlit slope.
6-salzburger-sportwelt-ski-resort“>6. Salzburger Sportwelt ski resort
6-day ski pass: 341,22 pounds
Kilometres of slopes: 250 km
Average lunch price: 14,60 punds
With 210 expansive kilometres of slopes, Salzburger Sportwelt is one of Austria’s largest ski areas, linking the towns of Flachau, Wagrain and St. Johann-Alpendorf. This varied ski region reaches altitudes of up to 2,188 m, offering a balanced mix of easy, intermediate and advanced runs for winter sports enthusiasts of all levels. With a 6-day ski pass averaging 341,22 pounds and lunch in cosy mountain huts for around 14,60 pounds, Salzburger Sportwelt is a very attractive option in terms of value for money. The area is served by 71 lifts and gondolas, and features five different fun parks, the Hermann Maier World Cup downhill run, and the Snow Space floodlit slope as additional highlights.
7-4-berge-skischaukel-ski-resort“>7. 4-Berge-Skischaukel ski resort
6-day ski pass: 341,22 pounds
Kilometres of slopes: 123 km
Average lunch price: 15,81 pounds
The 4-Berge-Skischaukel around Schladming in Styria offers 123 kilometres of slopes, making it the most versatile ski area in the region. Reaching altitudes of up to 2,015 m, the runs span the four mountains Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen and Reiteralm. With a 6-day ski pass averaging 314,22 pounds and lunch in rustic venues for around 15,81 pounds, the 4-Berge-Skischaukel remains an attractive option for skiers and snowboarders in terms of price. The diverse slope network is served by a total of 44 modern lifts and cable cars. A particular highlight for slope fans is the World Cup downhill run on the Planai, as well as the floodlit night slope, which is among the longest illuminated runs in the Alps.
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8-kitzsteinhornmaiskogel–kaprun-ski-resort“>8. Kitzsteinhorn/Maiskogel – Kaprun ski resort
6-day ski pass: 349,86 pounds
Kilometres of slopes: 61 km
Average lunch price: 13,82 pounds
The glacier ski resort Kitzsteinhorn/Maiskogel – Kaprun delights ski fans with 61 excellent kilometres of slopes and guaranteed snow from October into late spring. Reaching altitudes of up to 3,029 m, this varied ski area offers a balanced mix of easy to challenging runs. With a 6-day ski pass averaging 349,86 pounds and affordable prices of around 13,82 pounds for lunch in the mountain restaurants, the glacier ski area is very attractive in terms of costs. Sixteen modern lifts and gondolas, several fun parks, and the glacier plateau with its breathtaking panorama make Kitzsteinhorn a special ski experience as a complete package.
more-affordable-insider-tips-from-snowtrex“>More affordable insider tips from SnowTrex
In addition to the ski resorts already presented, SnowTrex has more insider tips where particularly inexpensive ski passes can be found:
- Tirolina & Familien-Skizentrum Schneeberg-Mitterland lives up to its name. On its compact 7 kilometres of slopes at up to 1,077 m, the atmosphere is very family-friendly, and the average price for a 6-day ski pass of 87,25 pounds reflects that.
- Golm offers a 6-day ski pass this season for just 115,76 pounds, with perfect snow conditions at up to 2,110 m on 26.5 kilometres of slopes featuring many blue and red runs.
- Zwölferkopf near Pertisau offers wonderful views of Lake Achensee at up to 1,560 m and 13 manageable kilometres of slopes. Here, a 6-day ski pass costs an average of 133,90 pounds.
- Rangger Köpfl, close to Tyrol’s capital Innsbruck, is beginner-friendly and therefore ideal for families. Those who want to explore the 13 kilometres of slopes at up to 2,000 m pay around 151,17 pounds for a 6-day ski pass.
- Hochkössen offers 22 partly challenging kilometres of slopes for skiers and snowboarders. The highest point is at 1,600 m, and the average price for a 6-day ski pass is 155,49 pounds, rounding off the range of affordable ski resorts in Austria.
The full evaluation, as well as details on data collection, can be found in the comprehensive SnowTrex ranking: The 50 best ski resorts in the Alps.
faqs-on-affordable-ski-resorts-in-austria“>FAQs on Affordable Ski Resorts in Austria
When is it cheap to ski in Austria?
Winter sports enthusiasts who prefer skiing in winter rather than in the low season in autumn should head to Austria in January. After the peak travel wave over Christmas and New Year, not only are the snow conditions and pistes ideal, but prices for accommodation and rental equipment are also usually lower due to the season. The same applies to the start of the season in autumn and the end of the season in spring, when SnowTrex often offers real ski holiday bargains in popular ski resorts.
How can winter sports enthusiasts make their ski holiday more affordable?
Skiers can make their time in the mountains more affordable by choosing one of the smaller, budget-friendly ski resorts in Austria with fewer kilometres of slopes, where ski pass prices are usually more moderate. Travelling as a group also helps save money by booking a shared holiday apartment instead of individual hotel rooms – often, ski passes and even rental equipment are already included in the package price. Those arranging their accommodation independently can still save by booking rental equipment online in advance and opting for a multi-day ski pass instead of several single-day passes.
When does the high season start in Austrian ski resorts?
High season in the Austrian Alps is divided into three periods and traditionally follows the school holiday schedule. Ski resorts are at their busiest between Christmas and New Year, as well as at Easter. Another peak period is during Carnival/Fasching, when many winter sports enthusiasts take advantage of the holidays to enjoy one last trip to the snow.
Why is skiing relatively expensive compared to other sports?
Anyone wanting to ski affordably in Austria still has to account for several cost factors. Ski equipment, including clothing and gear, is extensive – whether purchased or rented, it costs money. Accommodation and travel also add to the expense, especially for those not living near the mountains. Finally, there’s the ski pass, the price of which is set by the lift operators. To operate economically, they need to pass on costs for energy, staff and maintenance to customers. This also includes off-season expenses for new lifts, gondolas or other construction projects, which are necessary to remain competitive and attractive compared to other destinations.
When is the cheapest time of day to ski?
For untouched, perfectly groomed slopes and minimal waiting times at lifts and gondolas, skiers should head to the base station in the morning. Shortly after the lifts open, crowds are still small, as many winter sports enthusiasts are still at breakfast in their hotels or sleeping in after a long après-ski night.
