We’re already back on the slopes: The Kitzsteinhorn glacier begins ski season 2023/24 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
During skiing season, skiers and snowboarders enjoy 41 perfectly groomed kilometers of slopes, cool freeride routes and snowparks. In Summer, the Kitzsteinhorn amazes hikers and mountain bikers with its varied offers of hiking and bike trails. Always worth a visit: The panoramic platform Top of Salzburg with its great views of the Hohe Tauern peaks, the Nationalpark Gallery and the Ice Arena. The Kitzsteinhorn glacier – with its wide array of exciting attractions – is certified as one of the "Best Austrian Summer Lifts".
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: Tauernsuites Mitterwirt: ca. 4.5 km; Tauernlodges Uttendorf: ca. 15 km; Carpe Solem Rauris: ca. 28 km; Saalbach Suites: ca. 23 km
Ski Alpin Card: "Only the best of the Alps“
The Ski Alpin Card is not “just” valid for the glacier ski area in Kaprun. It is accepted from the beginning of winter season in December at 3 famous ski areas including the Kitzsteinhorn, Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See and Saalbach-Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn. Only the best of the Alps for you: 408 kilometers of perfectly groomed slopes skiing regions and 121 modern lifts in 3 top skiing regions with one ski ticket.
Skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn & wellness
Johanna has one more tip: For the crowning glory of your day of skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn, immerse yourself completely in the world of the TAUERN SPA. Awaiting you there are 12 pools and 10 saunas for total relaxation, as well as a separate kids´ spa. Discounted tickets can be obtained from the reception of Tauernsuites Mitterwirt (10 % off), which, incidentally, is only a 5-minute drive from Kaprun.
Skiing holidays in an holiday apartment: Tauernsuites Mitterwirt
The modern suites at Tauernsuites Mitterwirt are fully equipped and provide an ideal holiday home for your winter vacation in Salzburger Land; a holiday home with wellness area (Finnish and herbal sauna) and restaurant. At Restaurant Mitterwirt, located right there the resort, they serve a mouthwatering selection of dishes (including cheesy noodles, the obligatory wiener schnitzel as well as pizza to go) - just in case you are not in the mood to cook for yourself during your ski holidays. During winter season, the ski bus stops right in front of the resort. As a guest of the Tauernsuites Mitterwirt, you receive 12 % online discount on sports equipment rental from our partner Bründl Sports.
Exciting for families: a day-ticket for Naglköpfl Adventure Mountain is free with the Fun+Card, which is automatically included with your apartment stay for free. There, your littlest “ski dudes” will find 2 bunny lifts, a tow lift, a tubing hill and a trampoline. You’ll barely bump into one local who didn’t learn to ski up there on the “Nagl”.
Do you have questions about the start of ski season on the Kitzsteinhorn or our holiday apartments with wellness area and restaurant at Tauernsuites Mitterwirt? Our colleagues in Piesendorf have all the answers and look forward to receiving your enquiry. / +43 6549 20 585.
Verena Junger
Marketing Specialist at ALPS RESORTS
Millennial with a passion for solitary mountains and compelling stories, always on the lookout for exciting destinations and experiences.
Would you like to learn more about ALPS RESORTS? Feel free to use our contact form or submit a non-binding inquiry.
Bildmaterial © kitzsteinhorn.at, TAUERN SPA Zell am See-Kaprun