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 lift 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
| Ski resort | Lift pass
6 days | Lunch
Main course, in mountain hut | Beer 0.5 L | Holiday apartment 7 nights, 2 persons | Hotel 7 nights, 2 persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silvretta Montafon | £274 | £14.50 | £4.50 | £1,440 | £1,714 |
| Wildkogel-Arena | £281 | £14 | £4.50 | £1,329 | £1,775 |
| Gastein | £336 | £15 | £4.50 | £1,068 | £1,499 |
| Zillertal Arena | £314 | £14.50 | £5 | £1,414 | £1,572 |
| SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental | £323 | £14 | £5 | £1,550 | £1,788 |
| Salzburger Sportwelt | £336 | £14.50 | £5 | £1,353 | £1,794 |
| 4-Berge-Skischaukel | £336 | £15.50 | £5 | £1,565 | £1,556 |
| Kitzsteinhorn/Maiskogel - Kaprun | £344 | £13.50 | £4.50 | £1,938 | £1,580 |
Overview: All ski resorts in Austria
1. Silvretta Montafon ski resort
6-day lift pass: approx. £274
Kilometres of slopes: 140 km
Average lunch price: ~£14.50
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 around £274 for a 6-day lift pass, Silvretta Montafon is well below the national average in Austria. Meals in the cosy mountain huts are also reasonably priced, with lunch averaging £14.50.
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.
2. Wildkogel-Arena ski resort
6-day lift pass: approx. £281
Kilometres of slopes: 75 km
Average lunch price: ~£14
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 lift pass averaging about £281 and moderate prices for refreshments – around £14 for lunch in the cosy mountain huts – the Wildkogel-Arena ranks among the Austrian ski resorts with not only affordable lift 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.
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.
3. Gastein ski resort
6-day lift pass: approx. £336
Kilometres of slopes: 177 km
Average lunch price: ~£15
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 lift pass averaging around £336 and lunch in the cosy mountain huts costing around £15, 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
6-day lift pass: approx. £314
Kilometres of slopes: 150 km
Average lunch price: ~£14.50
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 lift pass averaging £314 and lunch in cosy mountain huts at around £14.50, 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.
5. SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser–Brixental ski resort
6-day lift pass: approx. £323
Kilometres of slopes: 270 km
Average lunch price: ~£14
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 lift pass priced at around £323 and lunch in the rustic mountain huts averaging £14, 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-day lift pass: approx. £336
Kilometres of slopes: 250 km
Average lunch price: ~£14.50
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 lift pass averaging £336 and lunch in cosy mountain huts for around £14.50, 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
6-day lift pass: approx. £336
Kilometres of slopes: 123 km
Average lunch price: £15.50
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 lift pass averaging £336 and lunch in rustic venues for around £15.50, 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.
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.
8. Kitzsteinhorn/Maiskogel – Kaprun ski resort
6-day lift pass: approx. £344
Kilometres of slopes: 61 km
Average lunch price: ~£13.50
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 lift pass averaging £344 and affordable prices of around £13.50 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
In addition to the ski resorts already presented, SnowTrex has more insider tips where particularly inexpensive lift 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 lift pass of £87 reflects that.
- Golm offers a 6-day lift pass this season for just £116, 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 lift pass costs an average of £134.
- 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 for a 6-day lift 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 lift pass is £155, rounding off the range of affordable ski resorts in Austria.
If you are considering other Alpine countries for a skiing holiday outside Austria at favourable conditions, you should take a look at our article on 10 affordable ski resorts in the Alps.
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.
FAQ’s about 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 lift pass prices are usually more moderate. Travelling as a group also helps save money by booking a holiday apartment together instead of individual hotel rooms – often, lift 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 lift 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 lift 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.
