Selecting the optimal Austrian resort for you
Which resorts are popular with foreign buyers in Austria? What is the best ski resort to buy a property?
Some people have been visiting the same Austrian resort for years and know exactly where they want to buy. But then there are those who have not made their mind yet - so what should you consider if you are still undecided? Austria is divided into nine federal provinces, each characterised by a diverse landscape and regional specifics, from different language dialects to culinary delicacies, customs and local laws. Most ski areas are located in Salzburgerland and Styria on the east of the country, Tyrol and Vorarlberg in the west of the country and Carinthia in the south of the country.
Ski area - Skiing infrastructure is superb across the country, so it is more about whether you like a vast ski area with hundreds of kilometres of slopes or a smaller more private resort. Although only a handful are known outside the country, Austria actually has countless small to mid-size resorts with 40 to 100km of ski runs, so be open minded when you hear about new places - they may surprise you. Although some people are focused on glacier or high-altitude skiing, snow-making infrastructure has hugely developed over the last years and is sometimes better than in the French and Swiss Alps, so ski season tends to be relatively long even in lower-altitude resorts.
Property prices - Tyrol and Vorarlberg encompass some of the most famous ski hotspots including Kitzbühel, Lech, St. Anton am Arlberg or Sölden where you will find some incredibly stunning luxury properties with equally jaw-dropping price tags. On a general level, prices tend to be lower in the rest of the country. But there are always exceptions to the rule. In any case, whatever your budget is, you should be able to find a suitable solution.
Distance to airports - If you plan to fly in, then distance to airport is a crucial variable, especially if you intend to come for weekend getaways and short periods. Munich, Salzburg and Innsbruck are the key access points for most ski resorts, although Klagenfurt in Carinthia and Ljubljana in Slovenia are also close to resorts in southern Austria and have increasingly new connections to European cities. Don't forget to consider whether you rent a car or use public transportation to reach your holiday home. Austria has got excellent train network, so most major resorts are easily accessible.
Resort seasonality - Although it is mostly known for its winter offering, Austria has great appeal across seasons. Fresh air, mountain peaks and flowery meadows are the perfect backdrop for any type of activity from hiking, mountain biking to swimming in alpine lakes and playing golf. But this is not taken for granted and unlike many of its Swiss or French neighbours, Austrian resorts have gone to massive lengths to support year-round tourism. Nowadays, every resort offers a "summer card" with a list of varied activities for children and adults alike from theme parks to themed walks, indulging spas, tennis and golf courses, cooking courses and much more. In most resorts, key lifts remain open to whisk summer visitors to the mountain peaks and enjoy the dense network of trails high up in the mountains. So dual-seasonality is absolutely normal and entertainment is guaranteed throughout the seasons. In addition, most resorts are keeping up pace with the millennial demand and embrace all types of visitors - so expect yoga courses in open nature, vegan menus in restaurants and organic farm stays for families.
Check out our resort guides to understand the different vibe of each area and pick the one that fits your needs and personality!