Viennese Alps in Lower Austria Ski Resorts

Vienna: A Vibrant Culture And Skiing An Hour Away -

Vienna is the only capital in the world that has seen an FIS World Cup Race within its city borders. Hohe Wand Wiese offers a 400-metre-long piste served by a draglift and is lined with snow cannons and flood lights. It is situated within city limits and can be reached by public transport.

The resorts of Lilienfeld, Russbach, and Semmering are within one hour of the city of Vienna. Lilienfeld is one of the smaller resorts in the area. It offers access to 11 kilometres of downhill skiing with four runs served by two lifts. Skiers and boarders will find the runs relatively limiting: three green, four blue, and two red. This resort is best suited to beginners and intermediates. Still, it's close and fun.

Russbach is part of the Dachstein West Ski Area and provides access to 54 individual pistes. The 14 ski lifts can transport 65,000 skiers and boarders every hour. Skiing in Russbach is particularly well-suited to intermediate skiers, but offers runs for all levels with: one green, three blue, 11 red, and two black runs. In addition to the 65 kilometres of skiing in Russbach, you can also access the linked resorts of Abtenau, Annaberg, Gosau, Katrin-Bad Ischl, Krippenstein, and Obertraun/Dachstein.

Semmering is ideal for intermediate skiers and boarders. Its 39 kilometres of downhill pistes are connected by 17 ski lifts and reach heights of 1640 metres. The relatively low altitude means that advanced skiers may find it lacking challenging slopes. Its maximum vertical is 640 metres.

The resort of Hirschenkogel is within 1.5 hours of the city. The resort boasts well- groomed slopes, three of which have played host to the FIS World Cup races. There are ski slopes for everyone, from families and beginners to freestylers. The good choice of mountain huts and restaurants offer a lively après ski scene and panoramic views. Non-skiers can enjoy the extensive toboggan runs.

The resort of Otscher is within two hours of the city. Here skiers and boarders will find 19 kilometres of well prepared slopes (four blue runs, three red, and two black), nine kilometres of cross country skiing, and a snowpark for boarders.

Seefeld is located 2.5 hours from Vienna and combines a good snow record with good ski schools. The resort is particularly popular with beginners and lower intermediates. Experts will find few challenging slopes but there are two glaciers – the Stubai and Zugspitz.

The main reason people flock to Seefeld is the cross country skiing, with 200 kilometres of trails. Seefeld has hosted two Winter Olympics as well as the Nordic Skiing World Championships. The town itself is very pretty and traffic free. Most of the accommodation is high-end and expensive. The après ski scene is lively with plenty of bars, restaurants and late-night clubbing.