So you want a European skiing holiday — which country is the best choice? Switzerland is expensive, while Italy’s winter sports industry is a little less developed than its Alpine neighbours. So we’re left with Austria (especially the Tirol) and France (especially Savoie). How do they compare?

Access from the airports

Starting with how easy it is to get to the resorts and comparing those accessed from Innsbruck and from Geneva, Austria scores an immediate advantage. None of the major Savoie resorts is less than a two-hour journey, with many nearly three hours. By contrast, the furthest from Innsbruck is Kitzbühel at an hour and 15 minutes, while Kühtai is a mere 35 minutes away.

Resort height & length of season

Savoie has the edge on height, with Val Thorens at 2300m the highest in either region, though in Austria Hochgurgl and Kühtai are almost as high. However, the Tirolean resorts generally have longer seasons, with Hintertux open all year round. In fact, skiing is possible at some even out of season. Sölden is officially closed during June, July and August, but the powder snow on the glacier is often good enough for skiing in July. Skiing under blue summer skies can be an amazing experience.

Glaciers & ski lifts

Austria and France each have eight resorts with ski lifts over 3000m. However, in only two of the French resorts (Les Deux Alpes and Tignes) do these take you onto a glacier, while all but one of the Austrian resorts have glaciers.

Snow Parks

The ski slopes aren’t the only draw of Alpine resorts. Visitors wishing to enjoy the fresh air and breathtaking scenery of the mountains have 83 snow parks to choose from in Austria, compared with only 50 in France. The top five voted snow parks in the world are all in North America, but these are followed by Mayrhofen and Nordpark, both in the Tirol, with the top 10 completed by parks in New Zealand, Italy and Switzerland. None of the French snow parks figure at all.

Olympic Sports

Most Winter Olympic sports are available in both countries, though France doesn’t offer either ski-jumping or curling. Austria in general has a far more illustrious history in the Winter Olympics, having won almost twice as many medals as France. Certainly, as far as ski teams are concerned, the Austrians’ main rivalry is with the Swiss — the French team isn’t considered a big threat.

Prices

In general, most things are cheaper in Austria than in France, from mobile phone rates to a Big Mac. This is certainly true for the price of beer, with the far superior Austrian beers, such as Stiegl and Starkenberger, costing half the price. They tend not to give you hangovers, either — as long as you stay off the schnapps.

Add to this that 73% of Austrians speak English, compared with only 39% of French, and it’s clear that, while France scores in one or two respects, Austria offers a far better experience overall. Whether you’re just looking for a the holiday of a lifetime or for ski property for sale in Austria, the Tirolean resorts like Sölden and Kühtai are clearly the best in the Alps.

In the past few days, there’s been a major shake-up in Austria’s ruling coalition between the conservative OVP and the Social Democrats. The OVP’s leader and Finance Minister, Michael Spindelegger, resigned on the 26th August and was replaced at once as party leader by Reinhold Mitterlehner. On 1st September, Hans Jörg Schelling was announced as the new Finance Minister.

Spindelegger had been at loggerheads with both the Social Democrats and much of his own party over his fiscal inflexibility and his opposition to tax cuts. Schelling, however, has extensive experience in business, ranging from furniture to banking, as well as having served as chairman of public service organisations. He’s an excellent negotiator, and can be expected to show far more sympathy than his predecessor to cuts in Austria’s dangerously high tax level.

So what can Austria hope for from this change? For a start, by healing the OVP’s internal divisions, it should make them a stronger force within the coalition. Turning away from Spindelegger’s fiscal dogmatism will mean the government’s financial policy can be more business friendly. Schelling is highly likely to introduce a stimulus package that includes a reduction in income tax.

This can only be good for investment, with both Austrian and foreign investors far more confident about taking risks. A stable economy creates the ideal environment for property investment, in particular. The kind of reforms the country can look forward to with Schelling in charge of finance will both encourage investment and will mean the average Austrian has a higher disposable income.

Inevitably, there’s going to be a rush to invest in holiday property in the mountains. Even during the recession this has been a good deal, but greater confidence in the economy will increase demand. Anyone with the resolve to get in before this will do very well.

The prospects for the Austrian economy look excellent for the coming years, and a strong Austrian economy can only be good for owners of holiday real estate. There’ll rarely be a better time to invest.

Thinking of buying an investment property for sale in Austria?

There are a number of income tax and VAT benefits when you commercially rent out Austrian property, making it an excellent investment.

Income Tax Advantages

To get the VAT discount, you must be ready to rent out your new property. Think of it as an investment, and use it as a holiday home. Simply rent it out the other months of the year and make a profit, plus qualify for up to a 20% savings on your taxes. In order to qualify for the VAT refund, you must show that you rented your property professionally for 20 years and showed a profit.

In some cases, this only counts as a back tax, and you will have to pay the gross price and then claim the back tax at a later date.

However, sometimes this is not necessary, and the developers will actually offer you the discount up front, when you buy the property, and you need only pay the net price up front.

VAT

With the 20% discount, you will have the opportunity to claim all or part of the VAT.

If you decide that you would like to take advantage of the VAT rebate, you can rent your property to those on holiday and then pay taxes on the income you make from rentals. The interest you pay on that home’s mortgage will then be written off against your profits, and 10% of your furniture costs can also be written off as depreciation–from the wear and tear of renters.

11,000 Euro Exemption

There is an 11,000 Euro exemption, too, that you may qualify for. If you rent to those on holiday and pay your taxes in Austria, then you are eligible for an 11,000 Euro exemption each year, per person. If you claim the VAT back on your purchase, you are required to be VAT registered for 20 years, but after that, you can deregister.

Make sure that you are charging a VAT of 10% on your rentals, too, as this can be reclaimed each quarter. It is a good idea to have a local tax adviser help you with this and all tax returns.

Taxes

There are several taxes that should be taken into consideration when purchasing an investment property for sale in Austria.

These include the Tourism Tax, a Capital Gains Tax and an Inheritance Tax.

The Tourism Tax is charged to guests when they rent your property. The rate varies from 80 cents to 3 euros, per night, for each guest over the age of 14.

The Capital Gains Tax is 25%, and it applies to any profits you have made on your property. This tax helps to keep housing prices in reach.

And finally, the Inheritance Tax no longer applies, as it was abolished in 2008.

Austria is known for its beautiful natural landscapes as well as its sophisticated urban areas. Whether you love the idea of swimming in its alpine lakes or the idea of shopping in Vienna, Austria has something for you.

Explore these five attractions when you come to Austria:

The Kunsthistorisches Museum

This museum of fine art and history is home to Rubens masterpieces, Rembrandt’s Self Portrait, Raphael’s Madonna in the Meadow and more. It is housed in an amazing palatial building in Vienna, and it opened in 1891. The building that houses the museum was commissioned by the emperor, which explains its lavish décor: marble, stucco ornamentation as well as gold-leaf.

The Great Outdoors

Those who come to Austria often know of its deeply carved valleys, its rocky mountain flanks and its beautiful lakes. If you have not yet visited, you must plan to take a hike or rent mountain bikes, as these are the best ways to reach the area’s isolated alpine meadows.

Or, take a cable car or chairlift up; during winter, these are the best way to reach the slopes, too.

Architectural Feats

Austria is well known for the many baroque church interiors and historic palaces that dot the city. When you come, visit Schloss Belvedere to see its Gothic masterpieces, like Stephansdom.

However, you might be surprised to note that Austria is also a country with some impressive contemporary architectural pieces, as well.

Visit Vienna’s Museums Quartier, or go to see Ars Electronica in Linz, and you will note this more contemporary facet of the country. A stroll alongside the illuminated Kunsthaus Graz will leave you amazed, mouth open in wonder.

Pubs and Coffee Houses

A trip to Austria would not be complete without mention of its wonderful food and coffee house experiences, either. In Vienna, head to the traditional coffee houses that can be found all around. These are perfect the perfect way to take in the city’s homespun atmosphere.

Or, take in a meal at a traditional Beisln (which is a bistro pub) where you find delicious goulash and among other treats.

Wine Regions

In regions like the Waldviertel, the Danube Valley and southern Styria you will find some fantastic wines among their picturesque landscapes.

And there are a number of traditional Heurigen (or wine taverns) all around. These are wonderful places to experience the local specialties, like their gourmet wines.