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Can't wait for the ski season? Secure your accommodation in your favorite ski region in Austria here.

Verena Junger
Content Manager
at ALPS RESORTS

Skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn

Extra-long skiing season

We’re already back on the slopes: The Kitzsteinhorn glacier begins ski season in October! Why autumn is the perfect time to pull your ski equipment out of the cellar and set out for the piste.

The skiing season on the Kitzsteinhorn

Still too early to think about skiing? Not in the Salzburger Pinzgau region of Zell am See-Kaprun. And definitely not when we ask Johanna, our reception manager at Saalbach Suites: Her skis have already been waxed for the past month, her ski outfit has been laid out – and since the first snowfall, the legs of this certified ski instructor have been tingling in anticipation. When, at the beginning of October, the Kitzsteinhorn invites everyone to enjoy a spot of autumn skiing, Johanna, a Pinzgauer with Dutch roots, is generally one of the very first on the lifts. Johanna simply loves the Austrian skiing region: The skiing season from October to late spring is extra-long. In April and May, she enjoys spring-skiing at its best - is the anything better than firn snow and a sun-lounger afterwards?

Good reasons for autumn skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier

Hungry for the snow and no interest in waiting until December? We get it. Johanna tells us what makes autumn skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn so gloriously enjoyable:

Lots of room. You won't encounter masses of people on the pistes in autumn. Which is great for our reception manager, since she needs lots of room for those extended carving turns she loves so much. Plus, there are no queues at the skiing lifts and her favorite sun lounger will also be available after her run 😉 On a similar topic: In the summit restaurant at 3029 meters above sea level, they serve a great breakfast with regional products until 10.30 AM (upon reservation).

Top Conditions. Of course, not all of the lifts are running as of yet, but on the beautifully groomed pistes the conditions are top notch. Something the pro skiers are well aware of. Every year, they come from near and far to train on the glacier and prepare for the upcoming race season.

Great visibility. Whilst the valley is still draped in fog during the morning hours, skiers on the Kitzsteinhorn are able to enjoy great visibility and marvelous views. In the valley, nature constantly outdoes herself with a spectacular play of color. The mountains have been dusted in white since early September, the trees are radiant in brilliant tones. And then there is that blue sky … What more can you ask for?

What every skier understands: That incredible sensation of feeling the snow under your skis again. So why wait a moment longer? The Kitzsteinhorn glacier is calling!

Glacier skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn: Natural snow, wide slopes and attractions

When the mountain calls, we follow - and the glacier in Zell am See-Kaprun beckons all year round! Skiers and snowboarders enjoy 61 super groomed kilometers of pistes, casual freeride routes and snow parks in winter, while in summer the glacier world delights hikers, mountain bikers and excursionists with its diverse range of activities.

The mountain panorama from the Top of Salzburg viewing platform is gigantic, the trail through the National Park Gallery is educational and snow sliding in the Ice Arena is a welcome way to cool off on hot summer days. With its range of experiences, the Kitzsteinhorn is one of the "Best Austrian Summer Mountain Lifts". Ingenious: With the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card, the ascent to the Kitzsteinhorn is free of charge.

How to get to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier?

Either from the valley station Gletscherjet / Panoramajet (Kesselfallstraße 60) or directly from Kaprun via the modern 3K Connection. From there, the gondola will carry you up to 3029 m. And believe us when we say, the gondola ride alone is an unforgettable experience in its own right! The 3K Connection was opened in 2019. Since then, passengers have been able to float from the modern Kaprun Center (elev. 768 m) via a 12 km-long panoramic cableway into the very heart of the glacier ski area. By making this investment, the Kitzsteinhorn has more than done justice to its pioneer status in lift technology. Please check out the operating hours of the lifts.
Distances from the ALPS RESORTS to Kaprun Center:

Carpe Solem Kaprun, ca. 1 km (ski bus stops in front of the hotel)
Tauernlodges Uttendorf: ca. 15 km
Carpe Solem Rauris: ca. 28 km
Saalbach Suites: ca. 23 km
Bergresort Tauernblick: ca. 30 km

Ski Alpin Card: "Only the best of the Alps"

The Ski Alpin Card is valid from the start of winter in December for the three renowned ski areas of Kitzsteinhorn, Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See and Saalbach-Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn. The best of the Alps for you. In this case, that means: skiing with one ticket on 408 kilometers of slopes in 3 top ski regions, 121 modern lifts take you effortlessly up the mountain = a great experience on the slopes! Reading tip: Alpin Card Top 10 Trophy

Skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn & wellness

Our tip for the perfect way to end a day of skiing at over 3,000 meters on the Kitzsteinhorn: immerse yourself in the TAUERN SPA Zell am See-Kaprun and let yourself drift away. In the 20,000 m² spa resort, wonderful relaxation awaits you in 12 pools and 10 saunas. Always in view: the Kitzsteinhorn and the family-friendly Maiskogel mountain. For children, there’s the Kids SPA Kidstein with slides and water play areas.

indoor pools at TAUERN SPA (c) TAUERN SPA Zell am See-Kaprun

Or make yourself comfortable in your ALPS RESORTS holiday flat: in the private sauna of your holiday home in the Tauern Lodges Uttendorf, in the pools of the Bergresort Tauernblick and Carpe Solem or in the wellness area of the Saalbach Suites. The modern suites in Saalbach/Jausern can also be booked with their own spa - then relax in the warm outdoor whirlpool tub or in your sauna.

Tauern Lodges Uttendorf: approx. 15 km from the Kitzsteinhorn valley station
Saalbach Suites in Saalbach/Jausern: approx. 23 km from the valley station
Bergresort Tauernblick in Mittersill: approx. 30 km from the Kitzsteinhorn valley station
Carpe Solem Rauris: approx. 28 km from the Kitzsteinhorn valley station

Ski holiday at the 4*S wellness hotel Carpe Solem Kaprun

Since December 2025 we have a special highlight for you: The 4*S Hotel Carpe Solem Kaprun is located close to the center of Kaprun, 1 km from the MK Maiskogelbahn and 5 km from Gletscherjet 1. The free ski bus stops just a few steps from the hotel.

During your skiing vacation at Carpe Solem Kaprun, you have the choice between hotel rooms including meals and fully equipped vacation apartments. Back from a day of skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn or Maiskogel, you can either splash around with your children in the Family Spa or enjoy the tranquillity of the infinity pool on the top floor - adults only! Saunas, infrared cabins, fitness room and children's and youth room are among the other amenities at the new 4*S hotel in Kaprun.

Are you one of those winter kids who really blossom in the white season? Then we look forward to receiving your inquiry at office@alps-resorts.com - we'll be happy to advise you!

Verena Junger

Content Manager at ALPS RESORTS

Verena has been working in the tourism industry for more than 20 years and loves exploring Austria’s mountains. For the ALPS RESORTS blog, she writes about family vacations, vacation rentals, tips for day trips - and how to enjoy a relaxing self-catering vacation. More about Verena

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