A survey by one of the UK’s leading holiday providers found that senior executives choose ski holidays in Austria above destinations in other Alpine countries, not only for corporate meetings and incentive travel but also for their own family ski trips.
Here’s how the Austrian Alps beat out France to become your boss’s winter sports vacation destination.
For many on the board, the authenticity of Austria’s ancient mountain towns is a major attraction. Unlike purpose-built French resorts that can sometimes lack character, Austrian villages are full of centuries-old architecture, charming cobblestone streets, and a distinctive traditional atmosphere. It’s not just a visual appeal either: the famous “chocolate box” scene is on full Swiss display, but at better value than its Swiss counterpart, thanks to Austria’s euro-based prices compared to the sometimes high Swiss franc.
Top executives often seek comfort and exclusivity, but without the obvious extravagance associated with more fashionable or “glamorous” ski resorts. Austria caters, with five-star hotels like the Schosshotel in affluent Ischgl, where guests enjoy fine dining, spa treatments and ski-in/ski-out among skiers more likely to be wearing Arc’teryx than Gucci. For an authentic chalet ski holiday, the villages of Lech and Zurs, favored by European royalty, shine with their upscale properties, discreet concierge service and prime location in the stunning Arlberg range.
Incredibly family friendly Ski holidays in Austria It is very large in favored resorts such as Zell am See and Kaprun with their gentle nursery slopes, 12 ski schools and favorite snow parks for teenagers. Often voted “Austria’s most family-friendly ski resort”, Serrfaus-Fiss-Ladis is a gem slowly being discovered by British visitors, who love it and return annually for its children’s snow area, adventure zones and interactive ski runs.
Snow reliability is another factor behind the increase in popularity. Austria has the largest selection of ski areas in the Alps ensuring that, even when the lower slopes get warm enough to think about more Creative ski holiday At destinations, skiers can count on snow-covered pistes for everything from high-stakes engagements on the slopes to adrenaline-filled family days out.
Family favorites Obergurgl and Hochgurgl, dubbed “diamonds of the Alps,” guarantee snowfall from November to May with wide, uncrowded spaces perfect for showcasing the executive’s carving ability and hiking with spouse and kids.
However, it’s the après-ski that really sets Austria apart. From legendary places like the Mooserwirt in St. Anton to the lively beer halls of Kitzbühel, Austrians have made conviviality a national pastime.
For fine dining, Saalbach-Hinterglemm’s sophisticated restaurant Hendl Fischerei is on par with Michelin-starred Stüva in Ischgl, and the popular mountaintop concerts (Ellie Goulding opened the season this winter) are good enough for the most discerning teenagers or entertaining clients . .
Business leaders also appreciate that Austria’s major ski areas are easily accessible, especially when working with tight schedules. Flights from London City Airport to Innsbruck or Salzburg put visiting groups directly in the heart of the Alps, cutting travel time and days out of the office.
Some of the country’s most popular resorts, including Kitzbühel, Mayrhofen, Saalbach and Zell am See, can be reached in less than an hour’s drive from the nearest airport, turning what could be a long commute into a convenient hop from plane to piste.
The bottom line for business travelers is clear – Austria offers the best combination of character, cost-effectiveness, snowboard reliability, and efficient travel connections – making it a front-runner for boardroom retreats, conferences, and family ski vacations alike.
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