Vail Resorts has significantly broadened its European footprint by incorporating six renowned Austrian ski resorts into the 2025-26 Epic Pass. This strategic move enhances the pass’s appeal to international skiers and snowboarders seeking diverse alpine experiences.
While the expansion of the international offering by Vail Resorts is a welcome move for skiers and boarders everywhere, it now poses the important questions of which of these iconic resorts to visit first. Here’s a closer look at each destination—complete with lift stats, skiable terrain, vertical drops, and nearby city access—to help readers find the perfect Austrian adventure for the 2025-26 season.
Skicircus Saalbach
The ski area Skicircus Saalbach combines the resorts of Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Leogang, and Fieberbrunn. Aside from 168 miles (270 kilometers) of groomed slopes, the ski area has a dedicated freeride area in Leogang. The resort is serviced by 70 lifts and cable cars and has an hourly capacity of 144,577 pax (that is 78% more than Park City’s hourly lift capacity by the way). Saalbach hosted the 2025 FIS Alpine World Championships and the resort invested heavily into its infrastructure, constructing three new gondolas that help move its annual 2.5 million visitors around the ski area without long lift lines. The Skicircus Saalbach features the famous “Saalbach Challenge”—one of the Alps’ toughest ski circuits, covering 65 kilometers (40 miles), across 32 lifts and 12,400 vertical meters (40,680 feet). It dwarves the famous Sella Ronda in Italy and requires about seven hours to complete.
Saalbach is the unicorn of ski resorts: while it offers 52% blue runs (the easiest level in Austria), making it perfect for beginners and families with small kids, the freeride terrain and terrain parks will keep the ski and snowboard cracks grinning from ear to ear as well. The area is also a popular training ground for Alpine race teams, so it offers something for every type of skier and boarder. Add to that its kid-friendly ski schools, 60 on-mountain restaurants, and fantastic après offerings, and you would be hard pressed to be bored whatever your age, taste, and budget. With approximately 10,000 acres of skiable terrain, Skicircus Saalbach is also the largest of the six resorts added.
Key Resort Stats:
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- Distance from Salzburg: ~90 km (1.5 hours)
- Skiable Terrain: 270 km
- Lifts: 70
- Altitude: 830 m to 2,096 m
- Vertical Drop: ~1,266 m
Zell am See-Kaprun
This duo of ski areas offers something rare in Austria: guaranteed snow thanks to the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, which reaches 10,509 feet (3,204 meters) and allows skiing nearly year-round. Zell am See, situated on the shores of Lake Zell, brings classic alpine charm and a broad variety of intermediate runs serviced by 28 lifts. The Kaprun area includes the Maiskogel and glacier slopes of Kitzsteinhorn, adding up to 87 miles (138 kilometers) of terrain and a vertical drop of 6,398 feet (1,950 meters). If you’re looking for a challenge, try the Black Mamba slope which boasts a gradient of 63% and covers around 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) in length down 290 meters (951 feet) in altitude.
Zell am See-Kaprun is ideal for those seeking a snow guarantee in either early-season or spring. The ski area is particularly appealing for spring skiing, with sunny glacier laps and lakeside afternoons in the same trip. The Kitzsteinhorn area of the ski area is open until mid-May each season. Thanks to its altitude, Zell am See is your sure-fire-bet if you are worried about snow conditions at the time of your trip. The 3K K-onnection 32-person ropeway links the town of Kaprun directly to the glacier ski area, making it one of the most accessible glacier skiing options in the Alps. Families love Zell for its picturesque setting and manageable terrain, while advanced skiers can find steeper descents and backcountry access on the Kitzsteinhorn.
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- Distance from Salzburg: ~80 km (1.5 hours)
- Skiable Terrain: 138 km
- Lifts: 49
- Altitude: 760 m to 3,029 m
- Vertical Drop: ~2,269 m
Mayrhofen
Located in the scenic Zillertal (Ziller Valley) and only 1.5 hours from Innsbruck, Mayrhofen is one of Austria’s most vibrant ski towns and offers 85 miles (136 kilometers) of runs served by 44 lifts. It is best known for one the steepest slopes in Austria, the Harakiri, which boasts a terrifying 78% gradient. The resort’s ski area is spread across the Penken and Ahorn mountains, with snow parks, funslopes, and a freeride arena. The new Penkenbahn lift is a high-capacity gondola whisking guests from town to the slopes in just eight minutes.
Mayrhofen is a magnet for young skiers and snowboarders thanks to its world-class terrain park and legendary nightlife. The resort hosts the annual Snowbombing music festival, drawing party lovers from across Europe. Yet it’s also family-friendly, with wide beginner areas on the Ahorn and multiple ski schools. With a solid mix of modern infrastructure, steep terrain, and social buzz, Mayrhofen earns its place as the go-to resort for adrenaline junkies and après-ski fans alike.
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- Distance from Innsbruck: ~70 km (1 hour)
- Skiable Terrain: 142 km
- Lifts: 58
- Altitude: 630 m to 2,500 m
- Vertical Drop: ~1,870 m
Hintertux Glacier
Open 365 days a year, Hintertux Glacier is Austria’s only year-round ski resort, offering 37 miles (60 kilometers) of runs and a vertical drop of 5,906 feet (1,800 meters). It reaches a summit elevation of 10,728 feet (3,270 meters), providing consistent snow conditions and scenic high-alpine views. The resort is popular with professional ski teams who train here in the offseason and offers terrain for all levels, though it particularly caters to strong intermediate and advanced skiers.
If you’re looking to combine two resorts on the Epic Pass, Mayrhofen and Hinterux are your best bet since they are less than 30 minutes apart. With several hotel options conveniently located in the villages up and down the Zillertal (Ziller Valley), you can easily stay at the same hotel for 10 days and drive 10-15 minutes to either resort, making the most of your five days on the Epic Pass at each resort without having to pack up and move. Underground and outdoor parking at Hintertux is free of charge and the gondola leaves right from the parking area, making this a super easy option for those who don’t mind a short drive in the morning.
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- Distance from Innsbruck: ~85 km (1.5 hours)
- Skiable Terrain: 60 km
- Lifts: 21
- Altitude: 1,500 m to 3,250 m
- Vertical Drop: ~1,750 m
Silvretta Montafon
Tucked in Austria’s far west in the Vorarlberg region, Silvretta Montafon offers 87 miles (140 kilometers) of terrain and a vertical drop of 5,413 feet (1,650 meters). It’s one of the country’s best-kept secrets, with challenging black runs and off-piste routes that draw advanced skiers. The resort has a strong freeride reputation and hosts the Freeride World Tour Qualifier events. It’s also known for its scenic high-mountain terrain and backcountry opportunities.
Silvretta Montafon is perfect for adventurous skiers who want big mountain terrain with fewer crowds and an authentic Austrian vibe. With 35 lifts and a laid-back vibe, it offers a refreshing alternative to Austria’s bigger, more commercial resorts. Après-ski here is more low-key, often centered around rustic huts with fabulous food and local schnapps, making it ideal for couples or groups focused on skiing over partying. With 43% blue (easy) runs, it is also perfect for families with smaller kids or groups with beginners. The ski resort is roughly a two-hour drive from Zurich, Switzerland, making it easily accessible for international visitors flying straight into Zurich airport or those seeking to explore Switzerland and Austria.
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- Distance from Zurich Airport: ~170 km (2 hours)
- Skiable Terrain: 140 km
- Lifts: 35
- Altitude: 700 m to 2,430 m
- Vertical Drop: ~1,730 m
Sölden
Famous for being featured in the James Bond film “Spectre,” Sölden offers high-altitude skiing across two glaciers and peaks above 10,000 feet. It boasts 94 miles (150 kilometers) of terrain and 31 lifts, including state-of-the-art gondolas and high-speed chairs. With a vertical drop of 6,396 feet (1,950 meters), Sölden provides extensive runs for all abilities and reliable snow from October through May. The resort also features the futuristic 007 Elements museum at the top of Gaislachkogl peak.
Sölden has something for everyone, but it’s particularly well-suited to confident skiers and groups who want a blend of snow quality, modern infrastructure, and nightlife. It hosts the annual FIS World Cup season opener and is known for its vibrant après-ski scene, especially in the village and on-mountain bars. Thanks to its glacier skiing, modern lift system, and high elevation, Sölden is a strong all-rounder but is probably best suited to a younger, sportier crowd.
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- Distance from Innsbruck: ~85 km (1.5 hours)
- Skiable Terrain: 144 km
- Lifts: 31
- Altitude: 1,350 m to 3,340 m
- Vertical Drop: ~1,990 m
With these six new resorts, Vail Resorts has expanded its Austrian offering significantly, as it only had a cooperation with St. Anton am Arlberg until now. U.S. skiers have slowly been discovering Austria as a ski destination, accounting for nearly one million hotel nights during the 2023-24 season. While Switzerland is currently still more popular with American winter sport fans, Austria is quickly gaining ground and certainly has the capacity to accommodate a growth in overseas tourists. The country is home to a staggering 253 ski resorts with more than five ski lifts. 15 of those are major resorts that attract more than one million skier visits each season.
