Kühtai
Ski Austria's highest village at 2,020m. 49.8km of pistes, 13 lifts, 5-month season, ski-in/ski-out. 40 min from Innsbruck.
Current Conditions→
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
27 Nov 2026
Closes
11 Apr 2027
Days open
135
Annual snow
1.6m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Kühtai holds a distinction few Austrian ski resorts can claim — at 2,020m, it is Austria's highest ski resort village, and the terrain backs that up with runs stretching from 1,938m to a summit of 2,520m. The 49.8km of slopes spread across two mountain sectors divided by the pass road, with the terrain split between 56% intermediate and 31% advanced, making it a natural fit for skiers looking for sustained, quality red and black runs without the crowds of larger Tyrolean resorts.
The resort's compact layout is one of its greatest practical strengths, with virtually all accommodation sitting directly on the slopes and ski-in/ski-out access the norm rather than the exception. Beyond the groomed pistes, the KPark freestyle area draws snowboarders and twin-tip skiers, and the high-altitude terrain around the mountain offers genuine freeride options when conditions deliver. Combined with the neighbouring Hochoetz ski area under a single lift pass, the skiable terrain extends to around 85km.
582m
Vertical
32
Runs
49.8 km
Piste
1.6m
Annual snow
Tyrol Pass
Pass
The Terrain
32 runs across 49.8 km of piste
Kühtai sits high from the first turn, with runs between 1,938 and 2,520 metres over 49.8 kilometres of slopes and just 582 metres of vertical. That compact drop is offset by a demanding profile: 56% of the 32 runs are intermediate, 31% are advanced and only 13% are beginner, so there is little gentle ground for first-timers. The Dreiseenbahn chairlift links the lower sector to the upper one, and around it wide, rolling pistes suit long carving turns.
The Hochalterbahn sector holds the more serious terrain, with alpine skiing and powder when fresh snow arrives, while the trees beneath the Dreiseenbahn give sheltered skiing on poor-visibility days. Skiers wanting more can skin up the surrounding peaks for backcountry lines, and the KPark is a challenging freestyle area for twin-tip skiers and snowboarders. Kühtai suits competent intermediates and advanced skiers who want sustained red and black runs above 2,000 metres, rather than beginners or those wanting long valley descents.
Terrain split
32
runs
32 runs across 4 grades
Beginner4 runs · 13%
Intermediate18 runs · 56%
Advanced10 runs · 31%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Kühtai
Kühtai runs one of the longest seasons in the Austrian Alps, with the 2025–26 season operating from 28 November through to 19 April — nearly five months of skiing. That extended window is a direct result of the resort's altitude; sitting above 2,000m at its base, Kühtai is among the most snow-reliable non-glacier ski areas in the Alps, consistently holding good conditions when lower resorts are struggling.
January and February deliver the most consistent powder, though the north-facing slopes on one side of the pass preserve snow quality well into spring. The two-sided topography is a genuine advantage — when one sector is catching wind or softening in afternoon sun, conditions on the opposite face are often dramatically different, giving skiers options throughout the day. Cross-country trails, a lit toboggan run and snowshoeing routes provide solid alternatives during rest days or poor visibility.
Season 2026 - 2027
27 Nov 2026
Opens
11 Apr 2027
Closes
135
Days open
1.6 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Kühtai
Daily snow reports at Kühtai go back to 2017, 10 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
79 cm
Snowiest day
24 Dec 2023
67 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
164 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Kühtai, and where to stay
Kühtai sits in the Sellraintal valley of Tyrol, approximately 35–40km from Innsbruck and around 40–45 minutes from Innsbruck Airport, making it one of the most accessible high-alpine resorts in Austria. The approach follows a winding mountain road up to the pass, and the reward is a compact village at 2,020m with the slopes rising immediately from every direction. Regular ski buses connect the resort to Innsbruck and the Ötztal valley, with the Innsbruck Ski+City pass also valid across Kühtai and a network of linked Tyrolean resorts including Stubai Glacier and Axamer Lizum.
The resort's setting in the Stubai Alps places it within comfortable striking distance of some of Tyrol's most celebrated ski areas — Sölden, Obergurgl-Hochgurgl and Pitztal Glacier are all within an hour's drive. Innsbruck itself, the Tyrolean capital and a city with genuine cultural depth, provides a ready base for a twin-centre trip combining big-city dining and architecture with high-altitude skiing. The historic connection to Austrian imperial culture runs deep — a 17th-century hunting lodge built for the Habsburg emperors still stands in the village, now operating as one of Kühtai's prestige hotels.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Kühtai, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Kühtai's ski season?
Kühtai's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 27 through April 11. That window is roughly 135 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 Kühtai have?
Kühtai lists about 49.8 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 32 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 Kühtai?
Trail grading at Kühtai breaks down roughly as 13% beginner, 56% intermediate, 31% advanced. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Blue/Red) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
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 Kühtai have?
Kühtai operates 13 lifts across 6 lift types. The fleet includes 5 quad chairs, 3 t-bars, 2 surface lifts, 1 gondola, 1 6-person 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 Kühtai?
Base elevation at Kühtai is about 1,938 m (6,358 ft), with the summit around 2,520 m (8,268 ft), giving roughly 582 m (1,909 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 Kühtai get each season?
Kühtai averages about 164 cm (65 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 Kühtai accept the Tyrol Pass?
Kühtai is affiliated with the Tyrol Pass. 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 Tyrol Pass, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Kühtai lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans €2 to €67, 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 Kühtai before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 4 live mountain webcams, an interactive live trail map and a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Kühtai 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 Kühtai 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 Kühtai. 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 Kühtai located?
Kühtai 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
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8 Nov 2026
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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.
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KFC Is Coming to the Slopes at Cortina and Madonna di Campiglio
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5 Nov 2026
Mt Rose Aims to Open First in Tahoe on November 6
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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