Innsbruck is a convenient spot for accessing some of the best ski resorts in the Alps. We’ve explored resorts with transfer times under 2 hours, allowing you to spend more time carving down the slopes and less time in traffic. Whether you’re a first-time skier or a pro, there’s a perfect destination here for every experience level.
We’ve taken a fresh look at these resorts for winter 25/26 to make sure they’re still the best ski resorts near Innsbruck for your next winter ski holiday.
Seefeld, Austria – 30 minutes transfer time – 20km
Seefeld combines style and fashion with stunning views and is one of the leading ski resorts for cross-country skiing with 250 kilometres of tracks to enjoy. It is also a regular stop on the FIS Cross Country World Cup Tour, where the world’s best battle it out. In addition, there are 27 kilometres of Alpine skiing, mostly suited to beginner and intermediate skiers.
Over 50 different restaurants serve Tyrolean cuisine and offer international menus. If you’re looking for a drink, there are many bars with different atmospheres; Fledermaus, Jeep and Le Dome are the most popular spots in town.
Stay At:
The Interalpen Hotel Tyrol in Seefeld is a luxurious hotel with breathtaking panoramic views.
Alpbach, Austria – 1 hour transfer time – 60km
Part of the Ski Juwel ski area, Alpbach is a charming ski resort to visit. With only an hour transfer time, it is one of the best ski resorts near Innsbruck – you can ski 109 kilometres of slopes surrounded by breathtaking views. There are also great links to the neighbouring ski resort, Niederau, which connects you to even more terrain to enjoy. The skiing is suited for all abilities, and there are great facilities for children, making it an ideal destination for family holidays.
On the mountain, the Hornboden is a popular place to eat near the top of the main Wiedersberghornbahn lift. In the village, Hotel Post and Gasthof Wiedersbergerhorn serve exceptional Austrian cuisine and offer a fine wine list. For the best pizza in town, head to Pizzeria Messner’s. Locals and tourists often meet at the Gasthof Jakober for a drink in the evening.
Stay At:
The Böglerhof is Alpbach’s leading hotel. Furnished in an elegant, Tyrolean style, it is steeped in history and offers friendly, superior service.
Garmisch Partenkirchen, Germany – 1 hour transfer time – 60km
Over the border into Germany, Garmisch Partenkirchen is a great ski resort near Innsbruck. Steeped in ski racing history, it hosts events for the 1936 Winter Olympics and the current FIS Alpine World Cup. You can ski 40 kilometres of slopes in the area, one of which is the famous Kandahar black run. Garmisch Partenkirchen is also fantastic for beginners and intermediates with plenty of gentle terrain.
Enjoy Bavarian specialities in the local slopeside. Typical in Germany, expect wild game, potato dumplings, warming stews and Schnitzel. Garmisch Partenkirchen has a lively nightlife with great bars, restaurants, and accommodations to enjoy. The liveliest spot in town is near the central station, with plenty of bars to have a drink after a day on the slopes.
Stay At:
Mercure Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a four-star hotel with a swimming pool and restaurant.
Mayrhofen, Austria – 1 hour transfer time – 70km
Mayrhofen is one of the largest interlinked ski resorts near Innsbruck. Part of the Zillertal ski area, you can ski 204 kilometres of slopes, with great access to nearby Fügen, Kaltenbach, Zell am Ziller and the Hintertux Glacier. If you’re feeling adventurous, challenge yourself on Austria’s steepest black slope, the Harakiri. For beginners, there are excellent dedicated learning areas and many gentle blues to progress on.
Off the slopes, there’s a lively atmosphere in Mayrhofen with plenty of bars, clubs and restaurants for having a drink or two. It’s also home to the famous Snowbombing ski festival, which has hosted Stormzy and Liam Gallagher in the past. Bruck’n Stadl is the best spot for nightclub-style après-ski, with music until the early hours of the morning. If you’d like a more upmarket evening, the Mamma Mia restaurant in the Hotel Elisabeth has an amazing Italian menu.
Stay At:
The cosy Hotel Kramerwirt is situated in Mayrhofen in Austria and offers extensive spa facilities.
Söll, Austria – 1 hour transfer time – 80km
Part of SkiWelt, Söll is a great place for mixed ability groups and family ski holidays. If you purchase a full lift pass, you can access 284 kilometres of slopes in the area. Söll is a snow-sure resort due to the north-facing slopes and great snow record, plus, the views are delightful due to its location at the foot of the Hohe Salve Mountains.
Off the mountain, there are great activities to enjoy with curling, swimming, paragliding, squash, bowling and winter camping to choose from. The Panorama swimming baths include an indoor pool with a hot outdoor pool, sauna, massage parlour and tanning studio. In our opinion, the best spot for a drink is the Moonlight Bar at the bottom of the valley.
Stay At:
The beautiful family-run Hotel Tyrol is a charming property with excellent facilities in Söll.
Sölden, Austria – 1 hour transfer time – 80km
Sölden has one of the longest ski seasons out of all ski resorts near Innsbruck. Offering excellent glacier skiing, Sölden regularly opens in October and closes in mid-May, which is why the FIS Alpine World Cup hosts its opening ski race there. You can ski 155 kilometres of slopes with fantastic off-piste terrain to enjoy.
The 007 Elements installation is an absolute must-visit when in the area. The installation is inspired by Sölden’s involvement in the James Bond film, Spectre. If you’re a foodie, you will love the Ice Q restaurant at the top of the mountain, with excellent food and views. The nightlife in the village is lively: there are plenty of bars and clubs, such as Fire and Ice, a great spot for late-night dancing.
Stay At:
Hotel Das Central in Sölden has a fantastic location and offers a free shuttle bus to the ski lifts.
Westendorf, Austria – 1 hour transfer time – 80km
Part of the SkiWelt ski area, Westendorf is ideal for a family ski holiday. It has nursery slopes directly near the main village, which makes learning to ski a lot easier for beginners and children. There are also 284 kilometres of slopes to explore, offering something for varied levels of skiers. If you’re craving more turns, Westendorf has great links to neighbouring ski resorts, Ellmau and Söll.
The village itself has a traditional Alpine charm with a modern twist. If you’re looking for something to eat, there is a large variety of restaurants within the resorts’ hotels. For the best Austrian Alpine cuisine, head to Wastlhof, Klingler or Berggasthof Stimmlach. For a small village, Westendorf has a great selection of bars available to visit, the Liftstuberl and Gerry’s are the most popular spots.
Stay At:
With uninterrupted mountain views from its sunny terrace, the superior Vitalhotel Schermer is known for its standard of comfort and cuisine as well as its extensive leisure facilities.
St. Anton – 1 hour 30 minutes transfer time – 100km
Located in the Arlberg ski area, St. Anton delivers on and off the slopes. It is one of the most popular ski resorts near Innsbruck, having 305 kilometres of slopes to enjoy with great access to nearby resorts St Christoph, Lech, Zürs, Zug, Stuben and Sonnenkopf. The slopes are suitable for all levels of skiing with varied terrain. St. Anton is also one of Europe’s snowiest ski spots, which is ideal for powder skiing.
In the village itself, there are plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy. Book a table at The Museum restaurant, which is an elegant villa built in 1912, with an excellent menu. The Krazy Kanguruh is a popular après bar with a party atmosphere. Mooserwirt is another favourite with lots of music and table dancing.
Stay At:
The Hotel Arlberg in St. Anton is an excellent four-star hotel with a pool located close to the centre of town.
Kitzbühel – 1 hour 30 minutes transfer time – 100km
In the heart of the Tirol region, Kitzbühel is arguably one of the most famous ski resorts in Austria. It is home to the iconic Streif black run that is used for the Hahnenkamm Downhill course for the FIS Alpine World Cup. Famously, it has had its own Netflix series called ‘Kitz’. You can ski 234 kilometres of pistes, which are mainly suited to beginner and intermediate skiers. If you book a mountain guide, there’s excellent off-piste terrain to discover as well.
There are lots of places to visit for great food – Huberbräu-Stüberl and Hotel Rasmushof are favourites for hearty local Austrian specialities. If you want fine dining, head to The Gourmet Restaurant Tennerhof in the five-star Hotel Tennerhof. Kitzbühel also has a lively nightlife with The Londoner and the Stamperl being the most popular places in town for a drink.
Stay At:
Hotel Kaiserhof Kitzbühel is a great ski-in ski-out hotel, situated right on the slopes and close to the lifts.
Ischgl – 1 hour 30 minutes transfer time – 100km
Ischgl is one of the best ski resorts near Innsbruck because of its excellent après ski scene and fantastic skiing. You can ski 240 kilometres of slopes, which will keep all levels of skier happy. It has a great snow record and often has a long ski season, being adaptable to what time of year you wish to visit the area.
There are many restaurants to visit on and off the mountain. Paznauner-Stube has a great reputation for serving delicious food. The nightlife is very lively throughout the season in Ischgl, the hotels offer ice bars to enjoy a drink. Kitzloch is a great bar to start your night before heading to the Pacha nightclub to dance the night away.
Stay At:
Hotel Jagerhof in Ischgl is run by the Jager family, who provide a warm welcome to their traditional Tyrolean hotel.
Obergurgl – 1 hour 30 minutes transfer time – 100km
Located in the Otz Valley, Obergurgl sits at 1,930 – 3,080 metres. This elevation helps to ensure snow reliability throughout the ski season. The resort offers 110 kilometres of slopes, ideal for intermediate skiers, with great nursery slopes for beginners. On snowy days, advanced skiers can enjoy some great powder pockets.
If you’re looking for a meal out, Pic Nic and Krumpn’s Stadl are the most popular spots in town and serve excellent Tirolean cuisine. If you want to try something different, the Nederhüutte creates wonderful fondue party evenings. Après usually starts at the Nederhütte in the late afternoon. The umbrella bar of the Edelweiss & Gurgl is also a lively spot to have a drink.
Stay At:
Hotel Olympia is a small and cosy four-star hotel offering access to all things ski in Obergurgl.
To find out more about the best ski resorts near Innsbruck, call our ski experts on 0207 471 7700.
