Oh Innsbruck, let us count the ways we adore thee… This Austrian city, nestled at the foot of the Tyrolean Mountains, is the gateway to the Alps. Land here and you’ve got a smorgasbord of dramatic peaks to choose from. While you can base yourself in the city for a culture-filled getaway, if you make for one of the many alpine villages close by, they’re sure to steal your heart.

There are plenty of ski resorts near Innsbruck if you fancy whizzing down the epic pistes here – some with beginners in mind, others ready to show daredevils a good time. Alongside some of the local favourites, like Axamer Lizum and Patscherkofel, it’s worth making a beeline for these heavyweight resorts in Innsbruck…

1. Igls

Just a 15-minute drive from Innsbruck city centre, iconic Igls is ready to serve you up a healthy portion of lively resort antics and top slopes for all skill levels. It sits at the foot of Patscherkofel Mountain and is known for being home to an epic bobsled chute!

If you’re going with first-timers, they can try out the nursery slopes or the green and blue runs geared up for beginners. You’ll be surrounded by gorgeous, glittering glacier views as you ski. Think you might fancy a day off? Enjoy a day trip to Innsbruck, where Ambras Castle, the Golden Roof and various delectable dining spots will be all yours.

2. Stubai Valley

The entire Stubai Valley is a big name on the Innsbruck ski scene. Within this, you’ll be able to tackle the Schlick 2000 and Stubai Glacier areas. They’re particularly snow-sure, which makes them winners throughout the season. Thanks to well-connected drag lifts and gondolas, you can hop on and off to conquer whichever pistes you prefer. Beginners and little ones will be well catered for, but if you’re into freeriding, cross-country challenges and hitting the kickers and rails of the snowparks, you’re in luck as well.

If we had to rank these areas, the variety of runs, number of signposts and top-notch gastronomy are all knockout features. You can bet on budget-friendly digs and restaurants in the town centres, alongside some more extravagant dining spots. Can’t beat a good mix, can you?

3. St Anton am Arlberg

This part of the Tyrolean Alps takes centre stage in the wider Arlberg ski area as well. It’s one of the ski resorts near Innsbruck that might actually tip the scales and do après-ski better than its actual carved-out pistes and couloirs!

Among the range of runs, there’s a designated kids’ zone and snow park, with a good proportion being mid-level slopes. It’s one of the largest and most popular resorts for that reason and is often considered the home of alpine skiing. Off the snow, we’re talking tenpin bowling, gourmet Austrian dishes, museums and dinky souvenir shops.

4. Hintertux

Year-round skiing? Yep, this resort has one huge USP! It’s one of the largest ski resorts near Innsbruck, but in Europe, too. Hintertux is part of the breathtaking Zillertal Valley, which encompasses Mayrhofen as well, so you’ll be nicely hooked up to other snow sports options nearby.

Of about 60 dedicated runs, you’ll find the choice is stronger for more advanced skiers and avid snowboarders here. Meanwhile, Betterpark Hintertux will leave you buzzing and the glacier’s also home to Europe’s highest thermal spring!

5. Mayrhofen

The flat layout of this resort makes it fab for newbies, while being close enough to whizz over to wilder slopes up the mountain via ski lift. Of its standout aspects – a bit like Hintertux – the less tame of the runs and awesome snowparks are the features visitors come for and enjoy the most. About 139km of the area is made for sectioned-off downhill skiing, with a further 30km being made purely for cross-country.

Here, the famous Harakiri piste is well-known because of its steepness, Penken Park is the big hero for tricksters and the resort’s got a thriving events calendar. Sounds ace, right?