The debate surrounding ticket prices, which this year exceeded the €80 mark for the first time, remains heated. Given the general rise in prices across all areas of life, it's not surprising that 85 percent of Austrians believe skiing has definitively become a luxury sport, as a recent survey for the Ski Guide Austria reveals. Nevertheless, despite the high prices, skiing and ski holidays remain a staple for many Austrians. This is thanks in no small part to smaller, more affordable ski resorts that cater specifically to families. And the major ski associations are also increasingly offering special deals. So, despite all the price increases, nothing should stand in the way of a successful family ski holiday. The lifts in Austria's more than 200 ski resorts are generally top-notch anyway. And the surrounding amenities, from cross-country ski trails and winter hiking paths to hotels and mountain huts, are also impressive, especially compared to other international destinations.
Wide range of products. „Vacationers in Austria will find a wide range of choices in terms of price and offerings – from low-budget options to luxury ski resorts,„ says Tourism Director Susanne Kraus-Winkler. She adds that accommodations also cater to all price categories, from private rooms to four- and five-star hotels, so there’s something for every budget – although there’s a trend towards four- and five-star hotels and apartments, Kraus-Winkler notes: ‚Austria also has the reputation of offering reliable snow conditions.‘ Tourism State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner shares a similar view: “There’s something for everyone„ when it comes to products and services. This applies to both ski resorts and accommodations.
Despite current economic challenges and global travel opportunities, people are yearning for activities in the snow and mountains, adds Astrid Steharnig-Staudinger, head of the Austrian National Tourist Office. Since wellness and relaxation, as well as activities ranging from winter hiking and tobogganing to ice skating and cross-country skiing, are playing an increasingly important role alongside skiing, the product range is becoming ever broader and of higher quality. "And Austria not only has the right offer for every target group, but it's also the diverse activities off the slopes – keyword: relaxation in the snow – that make a winter holiday with us so special." Steharnig-Staudinger speaks of "quality time, Austrian style" and a still "very good price-performance ratio": "When it comes to winter sports, Austria is clearly number one; that's what we're known and appreciated for."„
According to Franz Hörl, chairman of the cable car association, guaranteed snow, the best possible condition of the slopes, and the size of the ski area are most important to guests. However, this varies depending on the target group: for some, size is important because of the variety and choice, while for families, smaller, more manageable ski areas are becoming increasingly popular. Quality is the defining characteristic of the Austrian cable car landscape – "from the affordable segment of small ski resorts to the internationally renowned top spots," says Hörl. Given the very high standard of service, skiing in Austria is still affordable compared to its European and global competitors: "You also have to consider the comfort that Austrian cable cars offer." Christoph Eisinger, until this year the long-time head of Ski amadé, Austria's largest ski network with 760 kilometers of slopes, also says, "The price of skiing is justified in light of the value for a special experience." Guests still get a lot for their money: great slopes and charming, reasonably priced mountain huts.
Nevertheless, on average, the cost of a ski vacation has risen above the inflation rate over the past three decades. "While household incomes have doubled in those three decades, lift ticket prices in upscale ski resorts have increased two and a half times – and hotel prices even more," says tourism researcher Peter Zellmann. "But winter vacations have never been a cheap pastime." The top third of the population has always gone on ski vacations. They don't care about the price, because they can afford it.„
Many initiatives. Skiing and winter holidays remain a fixed point for many Austrians – and that's no coincidence: Whether large or small, ski resorts have come up with increasingly innovative ideas in recent years to remain attractive. This ranges from ever-larger ski pass networks and area mergers, which aim to succeed through sheer scale, to special offers like early bird skiing or yoga in the snow, for example in Gastein. Differentiation and a wide variety of offerings are key. Skiing is a way for many to escape everyday life, which is why the enjoyment of winter sports should not be diminished, and ski resorts are doing a lot to make skiing affordable for families: For example, through the Ski amadé Friends Club, which offers many discounts, a loyalty bonus for regular guests, the Junior Weekend Bonus, where children up to 15 ski for €25.50 and teenagers for €38 per day on weekends, or the Easter Family Special. With this special offer, children up to 15 ski for free when at least one parent buys a 6-day ski pass. There's also a family bonus where the third child, and all subsequent children, ski for free. In addition, all five Ski amadé regions offer a special week for children. The "Mini's Week" is designed for families with young children, includes a comprehensive program offered by the ski schools, and can be booked between January 10th and 24th, 2026. The offer costs just €189 per child and includes seven nights' accommodation in their parents' room, a children's ski course, children's ski rental, and a children's ski pass. Depending on the region and ski school, the ski lessons consist of either three 4-hour sessions or five 2-hour sessions.
In the Pitztal Valley, there's a special ski pass for young families, costing from €196 for a 3-day pass and from €345 for a 6-day pass, depending on the season. Families staying overnight in the Pitztal can also take advantage of free children's ski lessons for children under 6 on selected dates. In the Karwendel Silver Region, children between four and twelve years old receive a free ski lesson with bookings of seven nights or more; a similar offer is available for those returning to skiing after a break, aged 50 and over. Some resorts offer special Ladies' Weeks; others, like Nassfeld in Carinthia, offer 4=3 deals. Most resorts have special weekly offers for specific periods outside of school holidays. For example, in the Bregenzerwald region, a four-day ski course and six-day lift passes are included in the accommodation price for children between three and six years old during one week in January and two weeks in March. This offer requires a seven-night stay accompanied by at least one adult. In the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area, where children up to six years old ski for free, there's a special "Young Family Ticket." This ticket is available for a minimum of three days and is issued to both parents. It allows mom and dad to flexibly alternate between skiing and looking after the kids. In the Schultz Group's Ski Hit areas in Tyrol, East Tyrol, and Carinthia, children up to six years old ski for free, and kids and teens between six and 18 years old receive a 50 percent discount. In the renowned Kitzbühel ski area, the Mocking, Rasmusleiten, and Ministreif practice lifts are free, as are some practice lifts in Kirchberg, Aschau, Reith, and Jochberg. Children can also use the platter lift in the Hahnbaum village ski area in St. Johann im Pongau for free.
In the Pitztal, on the other hand, there is a young family ski pass, which costs from 174 euros for a 3-day ski pass or from 305 euros for a 6-day ski pass, depending on the season. And families staying in the Pitztal can also take advantage of the offer of free children's ski courses for children under 6 on selected dates. In the Karwendel Silver Region, children between the ages of four and twelve receive a free ski course for bookings of seven nights or more, and there is a similar offer for returning skiers aged 50 and over. Some areas offer special ladies' weeks; others, such as Nassfeld in Carinthia, offer 4=3 offers. Most have special weekly offers for certain times outside of holiday periods. For example, in the Bregenzerwald, a four-day ski course and six-day lift passes are included in the price of the overnight stay for children between the ages of three and six in one week in January and two weeks in March. This requires a seven-night stay accompanied by at least one adult. And in the Tyrolean, East Tyrolean and Carinthian Ski Hit areas of the Schultz Group, children up to six years of age ski for free, and kids and teens between six and 18 years of age get a 50 percent discount. And in the flagship ski area of Kitzbühel, the practice lifts Mocking, Rasmusleiten and Ministreif are free, as are some practice lifts in Kirchberg, Aschau, Reith and Jochberg.
The small ski areas While smaller resorts generally offer fewer kilometers of slopes, they compensate with more affordable rates, which this year have often only been increased slightly or not at all. These smaller resorts are also easier to manage, allowing children to explore on their own without worrying about them getting lost. Many smaller resorts, like the Heidi Alm on the Falkert in Carinthia, have consciously focused on families: "Large ski areas are often really expensive – and we want to offer an alternative," says Lukas Köfer, hotelier and cable car partner on the Falkert. This area, with its mascot Heidi, may only have eleven kilometers of slopes, but it offers plenty of child-friendly snow activities, including ski lessons, cross-country skiing, ice skating, tobogganing, and winter hiking. The same is true in Kirchbach, a very small ski area in the Waldviertel region of Lower Austria, which also focuses on the niche market of families with children. „Families can spend a completely relaxed day in the snow with us. The little ones can learn to ski, and parents can keep an eye on them from the terrace. The parking lot is right next to the lift; everything is very manageable,“ says Marketing Director Franz Jahn. Snowmaking, cross-country ski trails, and snowshoeing opportunities are also available. In the Lobming Valley in Styria, it's not just locals who frequent the equally small Kleinlobming ski area. Families come from as far away as Graz to enjoy the snow. „It's ideal for children here, and the prices are lower than in larger resorts,“ says Marketing Director Thomas Lang. Here, too, you can take a ski lesson, go night skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or skate on the ice rink right next to the ski lift.
Even tour operators like Eurotours (Hofer Reisen or Justaway) have now jumped on the family bandwagon with special offers. The argument is that ski vacations must remain affordable, and the demand for budget-friendly options is as strong as ever. The Brunnalm – Hohe Veitsch ski area in Upper Styria is also family-friendly. This scenic ski resort, boasting twelve kilometers of slopes, offers not only discounts for groups and schools but also an attractive 3-hour MaxFlex pass. And there's a particularly special offer – not just for families – at the Weißensee ski resort in Carinthia: Between January 7th and 30th, 2026, guests staying at PremiumCARD partner accommodations in Weißensee enjoy free use of the mountain lifts – skiing included! And in the nearby Weißbriach ski resort, guests staying at certain partner accommodations also get free skiing with just one overnight stay.
Conclusion: Almost every ski resort offers discounts and special offers: It's best to check with the local tourist office or online before booking your holiday to find out exactly which ones are available where and when. Thanks to numerous online platforms, there's now complete price transparency. Also worth considering: smaller resorts are generally cheaper, but often only have drag lifts or at most chairlifts; however, they are usually less crowded than the large, interconnected ski areas.
20 SKI RESORTS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
| Unterberg (Lower Austria) An insider tip in Lower Austria near Pernitz and home of Michi Dorfmeister. Romantic natural snow area (without snowmaking!) with retro charm, Weißwurst refuge, only drag lifts and a five-kilometer-long valley run. 710 to 1,342 meters high. | 1 day: 36.50 (E), 19.50 (K) 6 days: 174.50 (E), 95.50 (K) slopes: 16 km |
| ski village Kirchbach (Lower Austria) A 500-meter-long drag lift awaits guests in the idyllic Kirchbach. For children and beginners, there is an 80-meter-long beginners' lift, which can be seen directly from the restaurant. Plus floodlight operation from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and an 80-meter-long snow tubing track. | 1 day: €26 (E), €21 (K) 4-hour ticket: (E) 20,- (K) 16,- slopes: 0.6 km |
| Brunnalm Hohe Veitsch (Styria) The Brunnalm-Hohe Veitsch is located in front of a scenic mountain backdrop in Upper Styria at 1,050 to 1,500 meters above sea level. Very suitable for families, but with slopes of all levels of difficulty, including black ones. Also a very popular area for ski tourers. | 1 day: 45,- (E), 24,- (K) 6 days: 204,- (E), 112,- (K) 3-hour flex ticket: €39 (adults), €21 (children) Discounts for groups and schools slopes: 12 km |
| Lobmingtal – Kleinlobming (Stmk) The Kleinlobming ski lift is ideal for a ski trip for the whole family. The extremely beautiful and well-groomed slopes are ideal for beginners and children. Because the skiers of tomorrow are important to us, the children's lift is even free, as it is perfect for preparing for the larger slope. | 1 day: 30.50 (E), 19,- (K) 10 hours 84,- (E), 48,- (K) slopes: 1 km |
| Kaiserau Admont (Stmk) Especially for the local population, Kaiserau is perfect for strapping on skis or snowboards for a few hours. The three kilometers of slopes, catering to all skill levels, offer ideal conditions for learning to ski. Thanks to the area's manageable size, children won't get lost. Kaiserau is clearly positioned as a ski resort for beginners and for a relaxing break. Plus, there are 5 km of cross-country ski trails. | 1 day: 36,- (E), 25,- (K) 5 days: 160 (E), 111.50 (K) slopes: 3 km |
| Weinebene (Stmk/K) Located on the border of Carinthia and Styria at 1,580 and 1,886 meters. Ski and snowboard paradise where cross-country skiers also get their money's worth. Magic carpet and baby lift for the little ones, snow park and toboggan run. Touring options and hut village near the lifts. | 1 day: 38.50 (E), 22.50 (K) 6 days: €197 (E), €110 (K) slopes: 18 km 15-20 % discount for overnight guests |
| Teichalm (Stmk) A wild, romantic alpine landscape at 1,200 metres above sea level, where skiers, snowboarders, cross-country skiers, tobogganers and winter hikers - but above all families with children - will find what they are looking for. Good gastronomic offerings. | 1 day: 32.50 (E), 22 (K) 6 days: 130,- (E), 90,- (K) slopes: 6.5 km |
| Heidi-Alm Falkert (K) Located in the middle of the Carinthian Nockberge at 1,700 to 2,300 meters. Very manageable, rustic area that is ideal for children. Heidi's Schneealm with tubing and wave track as well as slalom and snow park. Beautiful hiking area, ski touring trail, own lake. | 1 day: 38.50 (E), 23 (K) 6 days: €214 (adults), €128 (children) slopes: 11 km |
| Hochrindl (K) The Hochrindl ski area offers around 20 kilometers of slopes on 9 different pistes ranging from easy, medium to difficult at altitudes of 1,540 to 1,886 meters above sea level. Plus winter hiking trails, toboggan runs, horse-drawn sleigh rides, a mini club for the little ones, a ski school and cross-country trails for amateur and professional cross-country skiers. A winter sports area for the whole family. | 1 day: 52,- (E), 29,- (K) 6 days: €251 (E), €132 (K) slopes: 20 km |
| Feistritz/ Hrast (K) The small drag lift on the "Hrast" in Feistritz an der Gail guarantees excellent slope conditions thanks to snowmaking with snow cannons. Ideal for beginner skiers and young families to enjoy a day away from crowded slopes at attractive prices. Modern floodlights are available for night skiing. | 1 day: 29,- (E), 22,- (K) Night skiing: 22,- (E), 18,- (K) 6 days: 141.50 (E), 113 (K) slopes: 0.6 km |
| Forsteralm (Upper Austria) This family-friendly ski resort in Upper Austria, near Waidhofen/Ybbs, lies at an altitude of only 720 to 1,078 meters. It features two lifts; the practice lift is free for beginners and children. There's a ski kindergarten with a magic carpet and a fairytale meadow. Touring opportunities, floodlights, and a black FIS slope are also available. | 1 day: 28,- (E), 18,- (K) Season ticket: 260,- (E), 170,- (K) slopes: 4 km |
| St. Johann am Hahnbaum (S) Right in the heart of St. Johann im Pongau, in the town center, you can learn to ski in style. The Hahnbaum area is especially ideal for families with children and beginners. Plus, there's a natural toboggan run and a mini-cross track. | 1 day: 29,- (E), 14.50- (K) 4 hours: €25 (adults), €12.50 (children) free platter lift slopes: 2.5 km |
| Unken-Heutal (S) Salzburg high valley at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,600 meters. Ideal for almost all winter sports and hiking in the snow. Four drag lifts, a toboggan run. The home of former slalom star Reinfried Herbst is also interesting for ski tourers and freeriders. | 1 day: 39,- (E), 21,- (K) 5 days: 171,- (E), 97,- (K) slopes: 11 km |
| Winterpark Postalm (S) The Postalm on Lake Wolfgangsee enchants with its wonderful winter landscape, guaranteed snow and freedom from fog. A challenge for winter sports lovers are the perfectly groomed cross-country ski trails on the Postalm, which are more than 20 kilometers long. Austria's largest high plateau at an altitude of 1,200 meters. Plus: the opportunity for "cross-country skiing". | 1 day: 51,- (E), 22,- (K) 6 days: €276 (E), €102 (K) slopes: 12 km |
| Hallein Bad Dürrnberg (S) Area with eight kilometers of slopes below the Zinkenkogel, which is also interesting for ski tourers. For the little ones there is the Zinki children's land and snow tubing. As well as an all-inclusive offer with four hours of fun on the slopes including beer or ski water and the dish of the day. | 1 day: 37.50 (E), 22,- (K) 6 days (out of season): 164,- (E), 94,- (K) slopes: 8 km |
| Vent (T) Austria's highest church village is in Tyrol; the ski area goes from 1,900 to 2,680 meters. Fairly easy slopes, starting point for high alpine ski tours. Four lifts, a toboggan run. Possibility of horse-drawn sleigh rides and high-altitude hiking. Additional children's discount. | 1 day: 51,- (E), 25,- (K) 6 days: 262,- (E), 131,- (K) slopes: 15 km |
| Karwendel-Bergbahn Pertisau (T) Family ski area located at 940 to 1,510 meters above sea level, which impresses beginners and experts with its quality and atmosphere. Ski school, courses for returning skiers. New ski and heated boot depot at the valley station. | 1 day: 35.50 (E), 23,- (K) 6 days: €177 (E), €114 (K) slopes: 12 km |
| Golzentipp – Obertilliach (T) Attractive, not so small and snow-sure ski area. 10-person gondola from the village center to the Golzentipp, where two drag lifts await. The valley runs and two further drag lifts in the valley end right next to the ancient wooden houses in the village. The village's cross-country skiing and biathlon center is also well-known. | 1 day: 48,- (E), 29,- (K) 6 days: €225 (E), €135 (K) slopes: 15.6 km |
| Laterns Gapfohl (Vbg) A typical family ski area in Vorarlberg with slopes that are not too steep and a snow hole. 1,100 to 1,785 meters high and equipped with chair lifts and drag lifts. With a fun slope, toboggan run and its own children's area. Also ideal for ski tours and snowshoe hikes. | 1 day: 51,- (E), 25.50 (K) slopes: 27 km |
| Ski lifts Raggal (Vbg) For around 50 years, the versatile village ski area of Raggal has been a meeting place for winter sports enthusiasts. Ski facility with 3 drag lifts, at 1,000 to 1,500 meters above sea level, very inexpensive for beginners thanks to the points card (pay according to lift rides). Slopes for different levels of difficulty. | 1 day: €26 (adults), €18 (children) 2 days: 41,- (E), 29,- (K) slopes: 7 km |