Kitzsteinhorn Resort
61km of pistes, 2,261m vertical drop, October-May season. Austria's first glacier ski area in Kaprun, Salzburg.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
2 Oct 2026
Closes
17 May 2027
Days open
227
Annual snow
8.5m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Austria's first glacier ski area opened in 1965 and spans 61 kilometres of marked pistes across terrain ranging from 768 metres at Maiskogel to 3,029 metres at the TOP OF SALZBURG summit platform. The resort delivers 2,261 metres of vertical - the greatest elevation change accessible by continuous gondola in the Eastern Alps. Twenty-four lifts serve 68 runs across three distinct zones: the high-alpine glacier above 2,600 metres, the intermediate Langwied sector, and the family-oriented Maiskogel below the treeline.
Terrain splits favour progression-focused skiers: 47% beginner, 37% intermediate, 10% advanced, and 6% expert. The glacier plateau hosts wide, open runs ideal for carving, whilst the Black Mamba delivers a 63% gradient challenge dropping 290 vertical metres from the Kristall lift base. Five marked freeride routes sit close to lifts in the Langwied area, with the X1 route accessible via a gated entry near the summit funicular. Red runs dominate the glacier proper, making up roughly two-thirds of that sector's terrain.
The ICE CAMP presented by Audi occupies a plateau at 2,600 metres from mid-January through mid-April - three igloos constructed from 60 tonnes of ice and 2,500 cubic metres of snow housing an ice bar and sun deck. The TOP OF SALZBURG attraction at the summit includes Austria's highest cinema (Cinema 3000) and a 360-metre tunnel called the National Park Gallery cutting through the mountain. On clear days, views extend to the Grossglockner, Austria's highest peak at 3,798 metres.
The Ski ALPIN CARD connects Kitzsteinhorn with Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See and Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn - 408 kilometres of combined terrain accessible on a single pass. Free ski buses operate between resorts throughout winter. The extended October-to-May season suits skiers seeking guaranteed snow outside typical Alps operating dates, whilst the four terrain parks and Austria's largest superpipe - shaped by Olympic shaper Alli Zehetner with walls up to 6.5 metres - attract freestyle riders.
2262m
Vertical
68
Runs
61 km
Piste
8.5m
Annual snow
Ski Alpin
Pass
Watch
See Kitzsteinhorn Resort in motion
The Terrain
68 runs across 61 km of piste
Kitzsteinhorn offers 2,262 metres of vertical from the Maiskogel base at 766 metres to the 3,028-metre summit, spread over 68 runs and 61 kilometres of piste. The split is unusually beginner-friendly for a glacier, with 47% beginner, 37% intermediate, 10% advanced and 6% expert terrain, because the gentle lower slopes of Maiskogel sit near Kaprun and the wide glacier plateau suits carving. Three zones stack on top of each other: Maiskogel below the treeline, the Langwied sector at mid-height, and the high alpine glacier above it.
The sharpest piste on the mountain is the Black Mamba, a 63% gradient that falls 290 vertical metres from the Kristall lift base, which makes it the obvious run for strong skiers to warm up on. Freeriders have five marked routes close to the lifts around Langwied, with the X1 route reached through a gated entry near the summit funicular. Because the glacier is where the open, high-altitude terrain is, the best skiing for most visitors is the long, wide red runs between the glacier and Langwied.
Terrain split
68
runs
68 runs across 4 grades
Beginner32 runs · 47%
Intermediate25 runs · 37%
Advanced7 runs · 10%
Expert4 runs · 6%
Time it right
When to visit Kitzsteinhorn Resort
The 2025/26 season runs from 11 October 2025 to 25 May 2026, delivering over seven months of operations - among the longest in the Alps. Kitzsteinhorn typically opens first in Salzburgerland each autumn and closes last, making it the regional choice for pre-season training and late-spring skiing. Lift operations run daily from 8:15 to 16:15, with hours adjusted based on conditions and daylight.
The glacier receives between 7 and 10 metres of natural snowfall annually, with the high-altitude terrain above 2,600 metres maintaining reliable coverage throughout the season. Snowmaking covers 29 kilometres of runs using 200 snow cannons, concentrating on the Maiskogel slopes and key glacier connections. Base depths regularly exceed 2 metres mid-winter; the resort reported 135 centimetres in mid-May 2026 with a season total surpassing 534 centimetres.
Early-season visitors (October-December) find fewer crowds and racing teams using the glacier for training - arrive after 8:45 to avoid the first-lift rush. Freeride conditions peak from mid-January onwards once rocks and gullies fill in completely. Spring skiing (March-May) brings warmer temperatures, corn snow, and the ICE CAMP Sounds DJ sessions every Saturday at 2,600 metres - the sun deck draws skiers for afternoon lounging.
The Glacier Spring Festival on 2 May 2026 closes the season with live music, culinary highlights, and free ski testing on spring snow. Weekly programming includes Tuesday Kitzsteinhorn Explorer Tours with National Park rangers, Wednesday snowshoe hikes to the ICE CAMP, and Thursday guided ski touring to the 2,762-metre Tristkogel. The SnowTime opening weekend in November combines the Freeride Film Festival, expert talks, and equipment testing.
Season 2026 - 2027
2 Oct 2026
Opens
17 May 2027
Closes
227
Days open
8.5 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Kitzsteinhorn Resort
Daily snow reports at Kitzsteinhorn Resort go back to 2017, 10 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
170 cm
Snowiest day
14 Jan 2018
83 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
846 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Kitzsteinhorn Resort, and where to stay
Kitzsteinhorn rises within the Glockner Group of the High Tauern range in Austria's Salzburg province, positioned at the northern boundary of Hohe Tauern National Park - the largest protected alpine area in Europe. The mountain itself reaches 3,203 metres, though skiable terrain tops out at the 3,029-metre summit platform. The base village of Kaprun sits at 786 metres in the Pinzgau region, a former mining settlement of 3,000 residents now centred on tourism and the nearby hydroelectric power stations.
Zell am See lies 8 kilometres east along Lake Zell, offering additional accommodation, dining, and the Schmittenhöhe ski area connected via the ALPIN CARD. The city of Salzburg sits 100 kilometres north, reachable in approximately 80 minutes by car through the Salzach valley. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road - Austria's most famous mountain pass - begins south of Kaprun during summer months.
Drivers from Salzburg follow the A10 motorway south toward the Tauern tunnel, exiting before Bischofshofen and continuing through St Johann im Pongau and Bruck to Kaprun. From Innsbruck (150 kilometres), the route follows the motorway to Wörgl, then crosses Pass Thurn via Kitzbühel. Munich travellers (220 kilometres) head south through Rosenheim and cross at Kufstein. Free parking is available at both the Kaprun Center and the Gletscherjet valley station.
Salzburg Airport (SZG) provides the primary access point at 80-100 kilometres distance, with transfer times around 80 minutes. Innsbruck Airport sits 154 kilometres away; Munich Airport 223 kilometres. Zell am See railway station connects to Salzburg and Innsbruck, with Postbus line 660 running directly to Kaprun and the lift stations. From December 2025, WESTbahn operates three daily direct services from Vienna, and the ICE Großglockner runs weekend services from Hamburg and Munich through April 2026.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Stays map loads when you scroll here
Hotels and lodges near Kitzsteinhorn Resort, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Kitzsteinhorn Resort's ski season?
Kitzsteinhorn Resort's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from October 2 through May 17. That window is roughly 227 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Austria, Europe often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Kitzsteinhorn Resort have?
Kitzsteinhorn Resort lists about 61 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 68 named runs. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Kitzsteinhorn Resort?
Trail grading at Kitzsteinhorn Resort breaks down roughly as 47% beginner, 37% intermediate, 10% advanced, 6% expert. With a strong beginner share, Kitzsteinhorn Resort suits families and first-time visitors who want forgiving warm-up terrain before exploring further upslope.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Kitzsteinhorn Resort have?
Kitzsteinhorn Resort operates 24 lifts across 8 lift types. The fleet includes 9 t-bars, 6 gondolas, 3 6-person chairs, 2 8-person chairs, 1 train, 1 aerial tram, 1 quad chair, and 1 double chair.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Kitzsteinhorn Resort?
Base elevation at Kitzsteinhorn Resort is about 766 m (2,513 ft), with the summit around 3,028 m (9,934 ft), giving roughly 2,262 m (7,421 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Kitzsteinhorn Resort get each season?
Kitzsteinhorn Resort averages about 846 cm (333 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Kitzsteinhorn Resort accept the Ski Alpin?
Kitzsteinhorn Resort is affiliated with the Ski Alpin. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Ski Alpin, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Kitzsteinhorn Resort lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans €37 to €82, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes, season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Kitzsteinhorn Resort before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 6 live mountain webcams, an interactive live trail map and a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Kitzsteinhorn Resort so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Kitzsteinhorn Resort have a trail map?
Yes. A live interactive map embeds current lift and run status when the provider supplies it, which is useful on-morning for seeing what is actually spinning. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Kitzsteinhorn Resort. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Kitzsteinhorn Resort located?
Kitzsteinhorn Resort sits in Austria, Europe. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Val Gardena to Alpe di Siusi Lift Link Back in Play After Court Ruling
The Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi lift link isn’t dead after all. A South Tyrol court has overturned Santa Cristina’s rejection of the new Monte Pana-Saltria link on procedural grounds, after the council skipped required public information sessions. Opponents want the missing sessions held and a fresh vote, and nothing has been approved. For now it’s still a bus between the two, but a plan first floated in 2017 is back in the conversation.
8 Nov 2026
Whistler Blackcomb Rockslide Zone Stays Closed Through 2026-27 Season
A section of Whistler Peak terrain will stay closed all 2026-27 season, Vail Resorts has confirmed, with rockslide mitigation work continuing into summer 2027. Peak Express is still expected to run this winter, but locals are already arguing about what’s actually off limits, whether the Whistler Bowl is gone, and why the news landed after pass sales wound down. Here’s where things stand.
7 Nov 2026
Loveland Ski Area Opens for 2026-27 and Marks 60 Years of Snowmaking
Loveland is open. The Colorado ski area started Chet’s Dream turning on Saturday 7 November to kick off 2026-27, with $60 adult lift tickets to mark 60 years of snowmaking. Expect three runs, nearly 1,000 vertical feet (about 300 metres) of top-to-bottom skiing, live music on the Basin Patio and no beginner terrain yet. Here’s what’s open, what it costs and when Loveland Valley follows.
7 Nov 2026
KFC Is Coming to the Slopes at Cortina and Madonna di Campiglio
Fried chicken is heading up the Dolomites. From 5 December KFC will run two restaurants on the slopes - one at 2,123 metres at Cortina, one at 1,700 metres at Madonna di Campiglio - and the polenta-and-canederli crowd has opinions. Local politicians, conservation groups and plenty of Facebook commenters are calling it a step too far, while others just want a cheaper lunch. Here’s what’s on the menu and what’s the fuss.
5 Nov 2026
Mt Rose Aims to Open First in Tahoe on November 6
Mt Rose is going for the first-in-Tahoe title, with the Lakeview Express due to spin at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 6. One main lift, three runs and plenty of snowmaking, sitting on the highest base elevation in the region at 8,260 ft. Here is what is open, what is not (sorry, tubing fans), and how the early North American openings are stacking up.
4 Nov 2026
Europe Snow Forecast: Serre Chevalier Leads With 82 cm Over the Next 10 Days
Europe has had a quiet start to November, but our 10-day forecast has Serre Chevalier on 82 cm and Les 2 Alpes on 71 cm. Two pushes are lined up: a western Alps top-up from Friday, then a bigger, wider system on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13 that reaches Italy and Switzerland. Full leaderboard inside.
4 Nov 2026
Mammoth Mountain Opens Early on November 5 With Up to 33 Inches of Snow in the Forecast
Mammoth just moved opening day forward to Thursday, November 5, eight days ahead of schedule. A snowy weekend and cold snowmaking nights did the work, and our forecast shows up to 33 inches more landing on November 13 and 14. Here is what opens, what the weather looks like and where Mammoth sits among the early Ikon Pass openers.
3 Nov 2026
Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings
Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
1 Nov 2026