Yes, it really is possible; you can pick up your skis in one country and a few hours later enjoy apres-ski in another. And there’s nowhere better for a spot of cross-border skiing than Austria, which sits in the heart of Europe bordered by no less than eight other countries, including Switzerland, Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic. Ready to try it out for yourself? Here’s where to go…
- For a super-easy introduction to cross-border skiing, head to the Austrian resort of Ischgl, just over an hour’s drive from Innsbruck Airport. From here you can ski straight across to Switzerland taking in miles of fantastic scenery. The best part? The 13km route is dubbed the ‘duty-free run’ because it ends up in Samnaun, Switzerland’s only duty-free town. If you can carry them along with your skis, you can pick up your personal allowance of 200 cigarettes and a litre of spirits.
- Schnitzel for lunch, puttanesca for dinner? At East Tyrolean ski resort Sillian-Turntaler it’s possible to ski from Austria to Italy via the Hochpustertal, a 100km long valley in the Alps. It’s even quicker to cross the border by car – but not quite as exciting, of course.
- Want to make it a hat trick? The Carinthian-Slovenian Alps cover Austria, Slovenia and even a small part of Italy, making it possible to ski in three different countries in one trip. If you’re interested, make sure to pick up a Julian Alps International Ski Pass, which will give you access to three Austrian ski resorts, five in Italy and seven in Slovenia.
Spend more time on the slopes and less time getting there by booking your Austria rental car in advance. Whether you need a spacious 4×4 or a zippy compact, we scan all available offers to get you the best deal.