Kitzsteinhorn

There is hardly a ski resort so varied as the one on and around the Kitzsteinhorn in the Zell am See-Kaprun region. In the high-alpine Kitzsteinhorn glacier ski resort, winter sports enthusiasts enjoy an extra-long ski season from fall until early summer due to its snow-secure altitude and top-notch snow management. 

The close-to-town Maiskogel ski resort enjoys great popularity especially among families and mellow-minded skiers. Independently of skis and snowboards, both Kaprun town mountains offer incomparable nature and panorama bliss with unique attractions and adventure offerings at the Hohe Tauern National Park border. 

The ski areas Kitzsteinhorn and Maiskogel are only a 10-minute drive away from Piesendorf Niedernsill and can be reached by the free ski bus and ski train!

Kitzsteinhorn's wide glacier slopes are covered in natural snow, perfectly groomed and feature a spectacular high-alpine backdrop for skiing and snowboarding. 41 kilometers of slopes feature easy, intermediate and difficult/expert slopes to choose from. Further down, especially families and mellow-minded skiers enjoy the moderate slopes and closeness to town of the Maiskogel. Beginners make their first turns on the Lechnerberg in the Kaprun town center. 

Access points to truly beautiful winter hiking trails on the Kitzsteinhorn await at Langwied at 1,976 meters, next to the Alpincenter at 2,450 meters and by the Gletscherjet 4 top station at 2,926 meters. The trails from Langwied and the Gletscherjet 4 top station lead to viewing points, the trail from the Alpincenter to the ICE CAMP presented by Audi. 

The Kitzsteinhorn ranks among Austria's most popular freeride spots and has long been world-famous in the scene - the legendary X OVER RIDE is held on the X4 JUMP RUN route, since 2024 even as 4* Freeride World Tour Challenger. Skiers and snowboarders ride fresh lines on five varied close-to-lift routes in the soft powder. The Freeride INFO BASE at the Alpincenter shows an overview of all freeride routes as well as a code of conduct for backcountry riding and features an avalanche transceiver checkpoint. All route access points are equipped with an INFO POINT with details on the respective route's characteristics and tips on safe backcountry skiing. 

There are two marked routes for ski tourers on the Kitzsteinhorn, starting at Langwied: The "Schneekönigin" (snow queen) is a moderate tour to the Alpincenter at 2,450 meters with an elevation gain of 474 meters. Up to this point, the "Eisbrecher" (ice breaker) runs parallel to the "Schneekönigin" to then continue up to the Mauererlift's top station at 2,875 meters. In sum, ski tourers with great stamina cover 899 vertical meters. There is also a route on the Maiskogel that starts at the Maiskogel parking lot and leads up either to the 3K K-onnection valley station at 1,570 meters or the Almbahn top station at 1,733 meters. 

The snowparks on the Kitzsteinhorn are world-class and impress freestylers with varied setups. The "Glacier Park" on the glacier plateau at 2,900 meters provides first features already in fall. When it closes in December, the "Easy Park" at 2,600 meters opens. The "Central Park" and "South Central Park" offer numerous features from approx. February through April. 

In November, the perfectly-shaped superpipe built by Olympia shaper Alli Zehetner attracts the elite of halfpipe riders to the proximity of the Sonnenkarbahn cable car on the Kitzsteinhorn. Legendary names of the international freestyle scene use the mighty halfpipe with its up to 6.5-m-high walls to train for their upcoming competitions at the annual "Pipe Training Weeks". During the event, riders book exclusive training slots before the pipe opens for everyone in December. 

"Black Mamba" - Those who want to conquer her, love steep riding: Having a gradient of up to 63 %, the Black Mamba is Kitzsteinhorn's blackest slope. 

"Eagle Line" - The fun slope for aspiring freestylers who want to approach different terrain forms: The course is packed with waves, berms and other alternating features. Advanced riders will have loads of fun here, too, while whizzing through the air and feeling the centrifugal forces in the berms. 

"Maisi Line" - Kids can romp around on this wave track on the Maiskogel. 

"Skiline.cc" - Checking what has been accomplished at the end of the ski day - the free Skilinie app makes that possible. It tracks vertical meters, cable car rides and slopes km and displays the data as a diagram. Moreover, the app records the speed checks at the Kristallbahn top station and on the Maiskogel as well as a ski movie of the giant slalom track by the Kitzlifte. There is also the "Kitzsteinhorn K-ONNECTION CUP" with seven exciting competitions each winter. Those who master four out of seven challenges can win special prizes. 

On 2,600 meters, ice and snow form a fantastic work of art. From approximately mid-January through mid-April, the wintry landscape on the Kitzsteinhorn features three igloos. They house a scene that meets the spirit of the times. Ice sculptures, light installation and sounds narrate a new story and carry to another world year after year. It's an experience for all senses that delights visitors each time. The building material for the ICE CAMP comes from the surrounding nature, and as soon as temperatures start to rise in spring, nature takes back what belongs to her. 

Beside an Audi showroom, there is also an sun deck with bar, loungers and lounge music with a view of the Kitzsteinhorn summit. 

The "Kitzsteinhorn Explorer Tour" leads on a journey through four climate zones, with cable car rides from the Kaprun town center to TOP OF SALZBURG at 3,029 meters, accompanied by a National Park ranger. The way holds compelling stories about and fascinating insights into the Kitzsteinhorn's flora and fauna as well as a ride with the 3K K-onnection - special explorer gondolas give a crystal clear panoramic view of the spectacular high-alpine winter landscape. 

The following "National Park Gallery Tour" leads through all TOP OF SALZBURG attractions, with focus on the 360-m-long info tunnel in the Kitzsteinhorn. The ranger narrates at six info stations, how mountain crystals form, what permafrost is and much more.