
Kitzsteinhorn Resort
61km of pistes, 2,261m vertical drop, October-May season. Austria's first glacier ski area in Kaprun, Salzburg.
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.
Kitzsteinhorn Resort spreads 68 runs across 61 km of piste of terrain. It leans beginner at 47%, with 32 beginner runs to find your feet and 11 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
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.
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.
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The 2025 - 2026 season at Kitzsteinhorn Resort closed on Apr 21, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.
Day passes start from €15, with peak rates up to €66.
Full day glacier skiing at Kitzsteinhorn with year-round snow guarantee. Experience Top of Salzburg at 3,203 meters elevation with stunning Austrian Alpine views.
Buy passALPIN CARD access to Kitzsteinhorn, Saalbach Hinterglemm, and Schmittenhöhe. Three premium Austrian ski regions with 408 kilometers of slopes and 121 lifts.
Buy passYouth ALPIN CARD for three Austrian premium regions. Access to glacier skiing at Kitzsteinhorn plus Saalbach and Zell am See ski areas for teens.
Buy passChildren's ALPIN CARD for family glacier and Alpine skiing. Access to Kitzsteinhorn glacier plus two other Austrian ski regions with beginner terrain.
Buy passFree skiing for children 9 and under at Kitzsteinhorn when accompanied by adult. Complimentary glacier access with family-friendly Austrian mountain experience.
Buy passSenior ALPIN CARD for Austrian glacier and Alpine skiing from 65 years. Discounted access to three premium regions including year-round Kitzsteinhorn glacier.
Buy passMaiskogel family ski area in Kaprun with gentle slopes and beginner terrain. Perfect learning environment for families with young children in Austrian Alps.
Buy passSpecial Saturday youth rate for just €15 at Kitzsteinhorn and three premium regions. Incredible value for young Austrian Alps adventures every weekend.
Buy passAfternoon glacier skiing at Kitzsteinhorn from 12:30pm. Perfect for shorter visits to Austria's Top of Salzburg with guaranteed snow conditions.
Buy passSix-day ALPIN CARD for extended Austrian Alps vacation. Save on daily rates with access to glacier and three premium ski regions in Salzburg.
Buy passUnlimited access to three Austrian premium regions all season. Kitzsteinhorn glacier plus Saalbach and Zell am See with 408 kilometers of slopes.
Buy passMore Kitzsteinhorn Resort intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.