Most people will at least know of Austria from the Sound of Music if from nowhere else. Of course the avid skiers amongst us and just about anyone in Europe will also know it's a true Mecca for skiing. Austria is a largely mountainous country due to its location in the Alps. The Central Eastern Alps, Northern Limestone Alps and Southern Limestone Alps are all partly in Austria.

Of the total area of Austria, only about a quarter can be considered low lying, and only 32% of the country is below 500 meters. The high mountainous Alps in the west of Austria flatten somewhat into low lands and plains in the east of the country. This all adds up to plenty of resorts and almost guaranteed great snow conditions at many of them.