Winter camping in Austria is becoming increasingly more popular. While others are sitting in the car anxious to get to the ski slopes, you are already nestled in your chairlift heading up the mountain. There are plenty of suitable winter campsite to choose from on your unique camping experience in Austria. We have compiled all the important info you’ll want to know so you can confidently book your winter roadsurfer.
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Fresh winter air, stunning views of the Alps and a cosy heated campervan parked on a beautiful winter campsite – sounds like a dream winter wonderland! Over the past few years, winter camping has become all the rage and overnight stays at winter campsites in Austria have increased by a whopping 56% (source: Statistics Austria). The Austrian Alps is especially popular because you can easily combine camping with your favourite winter sports. It’s no wonder that people want to discover the charm of camping in nature next to the ski slopes and cross-country ski trails. The white meadows, the snow-covered mountains, and the glittering peaks radiate a special idyll and tranquillity. Over the last years, many winter campsites have expanded to include luxurious wellness and sauna facilities. This has contributed to an abundance of excitement for winter holidaymakers. Some campsites now offer 4- or 5-star spa areas, heated rooms for ski equipment, free ski bus connections in front of the campsite, indoor playgrounds and, of course, WIFI.
Actually, everywhere! From winter city trips to Vienna or Salzburg, or camping in the snowy Alps directly in a ski central area, there are winter campsites in every province in Austria. Most of the winter campsites can be found in Tyrol, followed by Salzburg and Kärnten. You will also find beautiful winter campsites in the other regions such as Styria, Vorarlberg, lower and upper Austria. If you are looking for ski resorts with beautiful alpine scenery, then you have the largest selection in the regions of Tyrol (123 ski resorts), Styria (76 ski resorts), Salzburg (56 ski resorts) and Vorarlberg (42 ski resorts).
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The most popular ski and winter sports areas in Austria are located in Tyrol: Zillertal, Stubaital and Ötztal. For many decades, Tyrol has been a magnet for mountaineers and winter sports enthusiasts, as numerous three-thousand-metre peaks provide a unique mountain panorama. Snow-filled skiing areas with awesome snow conditions and different levels of difficulty make Tyrol a paradise for skiers, snowboarders and cross-country skiers. With over 123 ski resorts, you have a huge selection for winter camping in Tyrol.
roadsurfer tip for cross-country ski fans: Leutasch in Tyrol is best known for its miles of cross-country ski trails and the ski areas Rosshütte and Gschwandtkopf are also close by. The winter campsite Tyrol Camp offers you 5 star winter camping in Austria and pure relaxation.
One valley, four huge ski areas and 180 lifts. From beginners to professionals, there is something for everyone in Zillertal. You can use all four lifts with the Zillertal Super Ski Pass and relax in the stylish ski huts eating Kaiserschmarrn and soaking up the sun. Action-hungry skiers can let off steam in the snow park. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, try your hand at cross-country skiing or join a guided snowshoe hike across the peaks.
♥ Hells Holiday Resort ♥
If you’re looking for a sustainable yet luxurious spot for winter camping, Hells Ferienresort (rating: 4.7 out of 5) is your best bet. Located between the towns of Schlitters and Fügen, the resort promises a unique winter camping experience in Austria. The five-star eco-camping site offers you in addition to its 200 fully equipped pitches:
A premium pitch for two people costs €39,50 per night in winter and €55 in the peak season during Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
The Stubaital ski area in Tyrol attracts people with the largest glacier ski area in all of Austria with 80 glaciers and 109 three-thousand-meter peak. In addition, the Stubaital is one of the “most family-friendly ski areas in the Alps” according to ADAC Ski guide. Even the youngest can learn to ski like the adults in the Schlick 200 Ski Centre.
♥ Camping Stubai ♥
Camping Stubai (rating: 4.2 out of 5) is our recommendation for winter camping in the Stubai Valley. The winter camping site is located directly at the Elferlifte Neustift and you can reach all other major ski areas of the Stubai Valley with the free ski bus. The natural campsite offers you the right facilities for a relaxed winter holiday:
An overnight stay for two people costs €36 in the main season of winter including electricity, local tax and an environmental fee.
The Ötztal in Tyrol promises winter camping at the best level. Eight resorts full of character, six ski areas, including two glacier ski areas, more than 350 kilometres of slopes and a huge network of cross-country ski trails await you in the Ötztal, as well as Austria’s ski metropolis: Sölden.
♥ Camping Ötztal Längenfeld ♥
The 4-star Camping Ötztal in Längenfeld (rating 4.7 out of 5) is just 15 minutes from Sölden. Here you can confidently leave your campervan at your pitch. Either take the free ski bus and go to Sölden or travel with your cross-country skis directly onto the trail networks at the campsite. There are also other free buses that will take you to the idyllic towns of the Ötztal. Would you like to relax in a brine bath or in the sauna? The top spots for wellness in Tyrol is just two minutes away from the campsite: Therme Längenfeld. The location and tequipment of this winter campsite in Tyrol fulfils all the wishes of a winter-loving camper:
Prices for two adults at the winter campsite in Ötztal start at €48 for a comfortable pitch. This includes a tourist tax and environmental flat rate, but no electricity.
The westernmost province in Austria is the place for winter sports enthusiasts with popular ski resorts, such as Montafon and Lech Zürs am Arlberg. You have even more winter sports possibilities at the Sonnenkopf in the Klostertal and Brandnertal. Small, family-friendly ski areas are located near Nenzing (Gurtis-Bazora) and in the Great Walser Valley.
♥ Alpen-Camping Nenzing ♥
The new and tastefully furnished Alpen-Camping Nenzing (rating 4.3 out of 5) will make you want to come back every year. You can reach large ski areas with the ski buses. You can find an entrance to the family-friendly skiing area Brandnertal right next to Netzing in Bürserberg. Or you can consider a guided mountain hike with a friendly mountain guide of the hosts. Alpen-Camping Nenzing is the first luxury winter camping of its kind in Vorarlberg and is one of the best-equipped winter campsites in Austria:
You will pay about €50 for two people for a pitch in winter’s low season including a guest tax, environmental surcharge and a one-time electricity connection fee. You will have to pay extra for your electricity consumption when you leave. If you want to use a gas connection, then this will be additionally added to your total.
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Kärnten is not only one of the most popular camping regions in Austria due to its many lakes in summer but is also gaining popularity in the winter season. Winter sports areas like Nassfeld, Bad Kleinkirchheim, Mallnitz, Heiligenblut, and Katschberg offer you a relaxing ski holiday with ski schools and professional slopes. In addition to beautiful winter hikes, you can unpack your ice skates and skate on the frozen lakes. If you want to experience less classic winter sports, you can even find a centre that offers “unique winter sports” at Nassfeld. Try your hand at Snowbike, Hammerhead, Snowtrike or Zipflbob.
♥ Alpine camp Kärnten ♥
Winter camping in the Alps is on the agenda every year at Alpencamp Kärnten (rated 4.6 out of 5). The family-run campsite in Kötschach-Mauthen is a place to feel good, relax and slow down the pace of your life. The owner Sepp Kolbitsch attaches great importance to service, cosiness and environmental compatibility, which is why the entire campsite is run on an energy self-sufficient basis. He is a nature lover and also likes to take his winter holidaymakers on a winter hike with snowshoes. In addition to the extremely hospitable campsite owner, this winter campsite in Austria also offers all the amenities for a winter escape on four wheels:
One night in the alpine camp costs between €16 and €20 per person and that includes all costs for the pitch, local tax and environmental tax.
In Salzburg Land there are not only popular ski resorts suitable for families such as Obertauern, Saalbach and Hochkönig – Maria Alm, but here everything revolves around the toboggan! You can experience the longest tobogganing fun in the world on the Wildkogel in Salzburgh: 14 kilometres long and 30 to 50 minutes of fun at a time. Salzburg Land is the ideal winter destination for families with children!
♥ Naturee camping Grubhof ♥
The Eco-Camping Grubhof (rating 4.7 out of 5) has already been awarded Camping.Info’s Campsite of Europe four times in a row. Nestled in the magnificent mountain world of the Salzburg Land, you have direct access to cross-country ski trails and developed winter hiking trails. The ski area Almenwelt Lofer is only a few kilometres away with the free ski bus. A little treat for winter guests: in winter, admission to the Wellness Alm with sauna area and fitness facilities is included.
A night of winter camping at Gruberhof costs you €56 for two people including local tax (without electricity). The prices are valid for the low seasons, but does not include Christmas, New Year and Easter.
