best off piste areas to ski in Austria

. St. Anton am Arlberg (Ski Arlberg)

• Best Features: World-famous backcountry, steep slopes, tree runs, and deep powder.

• Legendary Terrain: The off-piste routes from the Valluga (the lift requires a guide for the top section) are legendary, including the famous drop off the north face.

• The Arlberg Area: St. Anton is part of the vast Ski Arlberg region, which also includes Lech and Zürs, providing an enormous and connected area for exploration.

• Insider Tip: The Stuben area, part of Arlberg, is often less crowded and is known to receive a massive amount of snow. It offers the longest lift-reached off-piste descent on the continent (1,000 vertical meters from Albonagrat to Stuben).

• Safety: Given the challenging and often extreme terrain, hiring a local guide is highly recommended, especially for the more famous, difficult runs.

2. Fieberbrunn 

(Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn)

• Best Features: Nicknamed the "Schneeloch" (the snow hole) because it consistently receives deep powder, and it's a regular host of the Freeride World Tour.

• Challenging Runs: The run down the north face of the Wildseeloder is a highlight, dropping from 2,118m to 1,500m with a demanding 50° gradient.

• Accessibility: Despite its reputation, it often remains less crowded than St. Anton, meaning you can find untouched snow days after a snowfall.

Consider hiring a local, certified guide to ensure you find the best and safest lines on any given day.