Specific questions about ski resorts in Austria

First, Garmisch is in Germany, not Austria.

St Anton is right on the main rail line between Vienna and Zurich. I am not sure about the number of nursey slopes it has.

Kitzbuehel has frequent rail service. Again, easy runs may be limited but here are nearby connected resorts by bus that have more of these.

You could also look at Zell am See on the same rail line. Ski slopes nearby and plenty to do on a lakeside village.

Several years ago, when I could still ski, I was looking at European ski packages through ski.com. i talked to them a couple of times and got good advice and recommendations, although that trip fell through. I do remember on a summer trip, getting off the train at Kitzbuhel and walking directly to the lifts, for a ride to the top.

Where do you and your friend live? Are there any local hills you can at least get an introduction to skiing? It helps just to be familiar with the equipment and fitting of boots for example.

Take a lesson. Maybe a couple. Before you travel.

I am not an expert in this area, but i think you are looking for a unicorn. I think renting clothing is unusual - you will likely need to purchase ski pants/bib and ski jacket - possibly also goggles and gloves. There are ski shops at all resorts. Helmets, boots, skis and poles are easily rented.

Lech, Kitzbühel and St. Anton are the posh resorts. Everything in Austria is well connected to public transportation.

You might get good answers on the TripAdvisor forum where there are several experts on this topic.

Skip the "High Life "as everything will be expensive. And if you haven't already booked it could be difficult. Take a look at Ehrwald, with Lermoos and Berwang nearby. Skiing wise this could be a good place and meet your needs. January to February. Just south of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Been here a few times: https://www.hotel-spielmann.com/ They could probably help.

Skip the "High Life "as everything will be expensive.

But it is the OP's desire to experience this. This is like going to Aspen in Colorado for Europeans, paying five times as much as at home.

To Emily's advice regarding posh places I would add Ischgl as well.

I suggest you check Gstaad in Switzerland. This is where the ultra high net worth crowd goes. There are slopes for all levels. Many folks arrive in helicopters. However, as mentioned, the chance of renting ski wear and ski boots is low. Anyway, you are late in booking a place for prime season.

Ischgl is a long bus ride from Landeck-Zams train station. It is quite remote and there is nothing to do there except ski and party like a rock star.

Gstaad is in Switzerland, not Austria.

It is not too late to book for 2 people in a single room even at popular resorts. February is the busiest time (except for Christmas/New Years of course) as that is rolling school holiday breaks in Europe.

Garmish is very good for beginners, and especially Americans, as it's been an R&R spot for the US Military since WWII. It's easy to arrange an entire package deal there, to include skies, wear, and lessons all in English. And there's plenty to do if you don't ski, to include tours of all the castles, etc. I used to ski there quite often. It was a Olympics site in the 60's and the mountain is fantastic for experienced skiers.

Kitzbuhl is more of a place you go when you know how to ski. It was a favorite place for my German ski club.

While not a huge place, like Tahoe or St Anton, I'd look at Obergurgl in the Tyrolian Alps. Fantastic scenery, good family and beginner slopes, sled runs, and some nightlife. It's another place we found with the ski club years ago.

Obergurgl (along with neighboring Soelden) is another long bus ride from a train station, Oetztal Bahnhof.

In Austria, I would suggest that you consider Saalbach Hinterglemm. I have not skied there, but I was in the area for a mountain bike race a number of years ago and loved it. It is easy to get to, has incredible vistas and as I understand it, great skiing for all skill levels, including beginners. If the access we had up to and following the race is any indication, there are an incredible number of access points and lifts available.
Any ski area, even the most modest, will rent you ski equipment. Many will sell you clothing, but your best bet is to make those purchases outside of these tourist intensive areas. That will both save you money and probably give you better choices.
I finished last in my class in the 58k race...... the Hax I had that night was glorious...but if that is your plan, plan ahead. We ordered ours the day before. There is serious prep time for a serious Hax.

Again, Saalbach-Hinterglem is a 33 minute bus ride from Zell am See. If you stay in Zell am See, you already have skiing nearby and more things to do in the lakeside village and on a rail line.

A bit late to this thread. But, I have skied probably 20 different times in Europe, including Austria.
So I will offer the following:

• I think you're in love with the idea but have no idea of how to go about it. And as noted,
  much of what you hope to get is conflict with itself.

• this is not in line with what you may think you want, but your friend will be much better
  off learning how to ski in the US first. Getting familiar with the equipment, routines,
  details, etc, before you add in the stresses of a different country, culture, jet lag, etc.
  will help avoid issues that can lead to disappointment and injury. What kind of shape
  is your friend in?

• note that the Austrian Alps are (much) lower in altitude than the Italian/Swiss/French
  Alps. The snow cover is a lot more variable than it used to be.

Kitzbuhel is a glamorous place (except for the 3rd week of January, when the World Cup
races arrive and the place turns into a mob party). St Anton kind of is, but the glam is
really in Lech and Zurs. Zermatt in Switzerland is another option. Both Kitz and Zermatt
have towns with shopping, cafes, etc. Just about all resorts offer non-alpine activities
like snowshoeing, X-C, dogsled, winter hiking, etc. now. You don't say how long you
want to go for, but I predict you'll get bored wandering around any ski town after 2-3 days.

This will sound jaded or biased, but, unless you are already experienced in leading the
"high life" lifestyle, good luck trying to do it in a European ski resort. You will be spotted
as an American a mile away, and while they will be happy to take your money, you most
likely won't be treated as a real VIP.

Public transport by train is quite possible for Kitzbuhel, St Anton (cab required to go to Lech)
and Zermatt. Also for smaller resorts (for example, Brixen im Thale).

I could write a lot more, but I really think that OP and his/her friend need to sort through
the input they have gotten so far and figure out what they really want to do, how much
they can afford, and whether skiing is the way to do it. A trip to Europe to try and experience
a lifestyle is one thing. Doing it by trying a sport you've never done before in a place you've
never been to with no one who has, is, I think, tilting at windmills and potentially asking for trouble.

p_j

welcome to the Forums with your first post here!!

Has anything of this helped? What do you think after reading the responses?

I was in Lech this year the last week of January into February. I enjoyed it very much. I don't ski anymore. Not sure this is the place for beginners or to rent. Yes there are very rich hotels there, but you can have a lot for less. Mine for a week in a single room was euro 1600 and that was with a great half pension. Throw in drinks and make it 2000. I met Americans there for skiing. For them the price of the flight, hotel, ski pass and to get there was cheaper than many resorts in the US. Pisstebully right off my balcony in the evening. Good snow too. Busses were free for me with the pass included with the hotel. Huge underground parking garage for the car. Newly renovated https://www.formarin.com/ You can get some exclusive palaces in Lech too. Had drinks here: https://www.mohnenfluh.com/ and here: https://www.arlberghotel.at/de/