Winter Camping in Austria – Austria is a paradise for winter sports. Therefore, a vacation in winter and in cold temperatures is particularly recommended here. But also because of the many natural hiking trails on the highest mountains in Austria, the wellness offers, winterly decorated cities and Top of the Mountain concerts, a trip here is absolutely worthwhile.
With a roof tent or tent trailer, you can organize your day as you wish and have a comfortable, warm place to sleep in the evening at a centrally located campsite. You can enjoy the idyllic flair until the evening hours without having to freeze. Here are our recommended destinations and top ski resorts for a winter camping vacation in Austria.
Camping Guide
Skiing in Tyrol, Ischgl & Co. or would you prefer wellness?
Austria has some well-known ski resorts where you can optimally develop your ski or snowboard talents. But even as a winter sports beginner, you are in the right place on the numerous slopes of the mighty peaks in Austria.
If you are looking for relaxation and recreation with the whole family, you can also hike on the idyllic paths and enjoy the picturesque flair with an amazing mountain scenery panorama. If necessary, a sauna visit awaits you in the evening, where you can completely switch off from the stressful everyday life.
Whether in the Alps in Tyrol, in Ischgl, Salzburg or my insider tip Gargellen – a vacation in Austria is absolutely recommended in winter. If only for the many winter sports offers, but also for the streets, which are picturesquely decorated in the style of a winter wonderland.
That’s why you should take a winter vacation in Austria:
- Numerous ski resorts for skiing and snowboarding
- Mighty mountains and slopes
- Après-ski and Top of the Mountain concerts
- Winter sports options for beginners and advanced skiers
- Hikes with an amazing mountain panorama
- Wellness facilities and sauna for relaxation in the evening
- Illuminated towns and Christmas market
In the following video you can already get a first impression of a winter vacation in Austria:
Let’s move on to our top 4 destinations for a winter vacation in Austria:
Tyrol: Skiing or snowboarding in the Alps
The state of Tyrol is located in western Austria. This is located in the Alps and is particularly known for the many mighty ski areas. Therefore, a vacation here in winter is an absolute must.
You can ski or snowboard here, but walks and exploration tours along the mountains are also great. Together with smaller children, you can also go sledding or tobogganing in the snow.
For evening relaxation and recreation after an eventful day, a visit to the sauna is a must. Many of the saunas offer a direct view of the picturesque landscapes all around and are therefore a real highlight of your winter vacation in Austria.
Our winter tip in Tyrol:
- Skiing or snowboarding in the Alps followed by a visit to the sauna
Here is where Tyrol is located in Austria:
Ischgl: Visit one of the Top of the Mountain concerts
Ischgl is also a well-known ski resort in western Austria.
Thanks to numerous lifts and cable cars, you have direct access to the slopes of the large Silvretta Arena. Here you can ski as well as enjoy the amazing panorama with a view over the entire valley on foot. Ischgl is also particularly known for après-ski after a long day on the slopes and Top of the Mountain concerts also take place regularly on the peaks. If that’s not a very special experience for the whole family!
Our winter tip in Ischgl:
- Visit one of the Top of the Mountain concerts at the top of the mountain
And here you can find Ischgl:
Salzburg: Walk through the old town & Christmas market
The Austrian city of Salzburg is located directly on the border with Germany in the Eastern Alps.
The city is particularly known for its exciting history and historical sights, such as Hohensalzburg Fortress and the Mozart Museums. However, a vacation here is not only worthwhile in summer, but is also recommended in winter and in cold temperatures.
You can take wonderful walks here and enjoy the charming flair of the old town, which is especially beautiful to look at with a light layer of snow. Everything is illuminated and picturesquely decorated, especially during the pre-Christmas season. You should definitely not miss a visit to the Christkindlmarkt.
Our winter tip in Salzburg:
- Walk through the illuminated, charming old town and visit the Christmas market
Directly on the border with Germany – this is where Salzburg is located:
Gargellen: Insider tip for your winter vacation
The small mountain village of Gargellen with its 110 inhabitants is rather unknown to tourists. However, the charming village in Vorarlberg is an absolute insider tip for a winter vacation.
You can also ski here, but especially extensive hikes on the natural hiking trails with an imposing mountain backdrop are the highlight here. Here you can escape the stress of everyday life and enjoy the relaxed tranquility in nature. Some mountain railways also lead to the summit, so you can admire the beautiful view from above.
Our winter tip in Gargellen:
- Take a hike on the natural hiking trails with an impressive mountain backdrop
Here is where Gargellen is located on the map:
Whether in Tyrol, Ischgl, Salzburg or Gargellen – what should I definitely pack for winter camping?
Accessories: Don’t forget heating & weatherproof clothing
So that you can optimally enjoy your vacation even in cold temperatures, wind, and rain, you should get some winter-proof things in advance. This definitely includes suitable clothing, winter-proof footwear and heating accessories for the campsite.
Clothing: Weatherproof, wind- and water-repellent
Whether it’s a short trip or a longer vacation. The most important thing is the right clothing to be prepared for all temperatures and weather conditions!
This definitely includes sturdy, water-repellent shoes, a rain jacket and an outdoor jacket, jumper and winter trousers. But thermal underwear, gloves, hat and scarf are definitely a good idea. This means you are not only protected for the night, but also optimally protected for any kind of excursion.
You should pack these clothes in winter:
- Waterproof footwear
- Winter jacket (hardshell jacket)
- Rain jacket
- Winter pants
- Winter sweater
- Thermal underwear
- Gloves
Heating accessories: heat without electricity at the campsite
Especially on longer trips, heating for the campsite is highly recommended. You can set this up, for example, in your awning, so that the entire living area is filled with a pleasant warmth. A gas heater works completely without electricity and is the optimal solution to enjoy the benefits of camping in nature even in winter.
Also advantageous in cold temperatures is a seat heater and a heating blanket. You can use both in the evening in addition to your camping furniture and snuggle up or sit on them in pleasant, cozy warmth. The heating accessories are easy to use, have various heating elements and are water-repellent and washable. A seat heater and a heating blanket should therefore ideally be included in every camping vacation in winter.
Read more here about the following heating accessories that you should definitely take with you in winter:
The highest mountains in Austria: Großvenediger to Großglockner
Austria has some imposing mountains to offer, which are not only suitable for experienced mountaineers, but are also ideal for family vacations due to the numerous different hiking routes.
Once you reach the top, a picturesque natural panorama over the entire area awaits you. But all the mountains are completely impressive to look at from below as well. Read more here about the top 5 highest mountains in Austria – from the Großvenediger with a height of 3,657 m to the Weißkugel with 3,738 m to the famous Großglockner with a height of 3,798 m:
Winter camping in Germany, Switzerland and Holland
Not only Austria has beautiful regions that are ideal for a winter vacation, but also Germany, Switzerland and Holland are recommended in cold temperatures. Here you can learn more about the respective top regions and get more tips for camping in winter.
Experience Germany: Camping at home
Of course, it doesn’t necessarily have to be too far away for a holiday in winter. There are also some beautiful regions in Germany that are ideal for winter camping.
Whether in NRW, in the Allgäu, Bavaria, the North Sea or the Baltic Sea – during the day you can explore the fairytale areas, discover the highest mountains in Germany and enjoy the winterly charm and then make yourself comfortable in the evening with your loved one at the nearest campsite. The pre-Christmas season is particularly recommended, as the winterly feeling is most beautiful at this time. Read more here:
Swiss mountains in winter & vacation in the snow
Switzerland is a paradise for many tourists from all over the world. The popular travel destination is recommended not only in summer, but especially in winter.
It is best to arrive in a roof tent or tent trailer and you can flexibly explore the most diverse regions around Grindelwald, Ticino, Davos and Valais. In Valais you can find the highest mountains in Switzerland, which are ideal for both winter sports and exploration tours and at the same time guarantee a picturesque panorama. Read more here about winter camping, recommended regions in Switzerland and essential accessories:
With the family in Holland: Winter by the sea
A vacation in winter is also particularly recommended in Holland.
Even though most people prefer a vacation by the sea in summer, it is also worthwhile in cold temperatures. The beautiful, long sandy beaches are completely empty, so you can make the most of your time here and enjoy it in peace. In addition, the regions radiate so much winterly charm and are ideal for a bike tour or an extensive walk.
Afterwards you can warm up in one of the nice cafés. Whether Zeeland, Renesse, Noord or Amsterdam – while you can explore the fairytale areas during the day, a cozy place to sleep awaits you in the evening at the nearest campsite. Read more here:
Have you only camped in summer or in very warm regions so far? Then here are our beginner tips for winter camping:
Winter camping: 12 tips for beginners
Although winter camping is becoming increasingly popular with young and old and definitely convinces with picturesque landscapes, it can get quite cold even in the roof tent or tent trailer. So that this cold doesn’t spoil your time in nature and you can enjoy and make the most of your holiday, you should prepare yourself optimally in advance. Here are our 12 tips for winter camping beginners so that you can do this without any problems:
