Austria's Provinces in Winter
Skiing, winter activities, alpine cuisine and wellness
Introduction
In Tirol, Vorarlberg and the SalzburgerLand, the winter is spent on the pistes, in snowparks and on snowshoes through snow-covered mountains. In Styria and Burgenland, warm thermal pools, spa hotels and the specialities of both provinces are part of a winter break. In Carinthia, Lower Austria and Upper Austria, cross-country trails and winter walking paths lead through valleys and woodland. On frozen lakes, skating is possible on officially approved ice – always follow local safety notices.
And if you would rather swap the snow for city life: in Vienna, imperial architecture meets contemporary art. Graz surprises with unexpected design, Salzburg with music and baroque lanes. In Innsbruck, culture and mountains sit strikingly close together. The cities of Carinthia, Lower and Upper Austria, Burgenland and Vorarlberg have a winter character of their own too – historic old towns, museums and the cooking of each region.
Austria's provinces in winter
Nine provinces, nine characters: an Austrian winter runs from ski pistes and cross-country trails to thermal pools. In between lie frozen lakes, traditional inns and restaurants with ambitious, award-winning kitchens. Every province has something of its own.Austria's cities, sights and culture in winter
Enjoy the winter charm of Austria’s cities with their wealth of sights – from historic squares and palaces to museums and modern architecture. Each capital has its own rhythm and atmosphere, best experienced in cultural hotspots, neighbourhoods and cafés.Skiing & winter holidays in Austria's provinces
In Tirol, Vorarlberg and the SalzburgerLand, pistes run across wide mountain slopes. While confident skiers look for steep descents, children make their first turns on gentle ones. Carinthia and Styria have large ski regions too, while Upper and Lower Austria offer smaller ski areas. In Burgenland, walks through the winter landscape alternate with hours in the thermal water. In Vienna, culture takes the place of winter sports: behind historic façades you’ll find contemporary art and unusual exhibitions.
Away from the pistes, there are cross-country skis for snow-covered valleys and toboggans for the way back down. And sometimes the best of it is close at hand – the lit windows of a mountain hut at the end of a day in the snow, and the smell of hot Kaiserschmarren, shredded sugared pancake, drifting from the kitchen.
Culinary delights in Austria's provinces
In the Alps, on mountain pastures, by lakes, along the Danube, in forests and vineyards – people are busy turning precious products into something special. Discover how nature and flavour come together on the plate and experience Austria’s originals.Car-free winter holidays
With snow-covered towns, villages and mountain peaks going past outside, a winter holiday in Austria begins on the train. However you reach Europe, the last stretch can be done by rail: the airports at Vienna, Salzburg, Munich and Zurich all connect to the train network, with onward ÖBB services to the resorts. From the UK, the entire journey is possible by train – Eurostar to Brussels, Paris or Amsterdam, then an ÖBB Nightjet sleeper onwards.
Within Austria, Railjet and regional services reach many winter sports resorts. In the Gastein Valley, Zell am See, Schladming and Kitzbühel, the station is right in the centre of town. Other winter regions – the Zillertal or the Montafon, for instance – take one change onto a bus or a regional train.
Once you arrive, ski buses run to the lifts and local bus routes to winter walking trails, toboggan runs and thermal baths. Some places to stay run a shuttle service, and in some regions public transport is included in the guest card. So the car can stay where it is, even when the morning is for the piste and the afternoon for warming up in a thermal bath.