Top 10 of the highest ski areas in Austria

Skiing into spring, enjoying fantastic views and finding your favourite slopes for life. This is exactly what is possible in the highest ski resorts in the Alps. At altitudes well above 3,000 metres, snow is guaranteed for winter sports enthusiasts almost all year round. SnowTrex knows where this is possible in Austria and presents below the 10 highest ski resorts in the Alpine republic.

© Christopher Moswitzer/Shutterstock

The Mölltal Glacier ski resort is one of the ten highest in Austria and offers breathtaking views of the Carinthian mountains from slopes reaching up to 3,122 metres in elevation.

The 10 Highest Ski Resorts in Austria at a Glance

Overview: All Ski Resorts in Austria

1. Pitztal Glacier & Rifflsee

• Elevation: up to 3,440 m
• Kilometres of pistes: 66 km
• Highlights: On the Pitztal Glacier, the futuristic Wildspitzbahn mountain station marks the highest point of the ski area with the stylish “Café 3.440”, Tyrol’s highest coffee house.

© Pawel Kazmierczak/shutterstock.de

From the sun terrace of Café 3.440, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy a fantastic view of the Tyrolean mountains when they stop for a break during a day of skiing on the Pitztal Glacier.

The lift operators at the Pitztal Glacier have created an architectural “high point” at the top of the glacier. The futuristic-looking summit station of the Wildspitzbahn, inspired by a snowdrift, houses the stylish “Café 3.440” – the highest café in Tyrol. This modern structure marks the highest point of any ski resort in Austria. It doesn’t get much more superlative than that, which is why the Pitztal Glacier rightfully takes first place among Austria’s highest ski resorts.

→ Plan your Alpine getaway and find the best Pitztal deals at SnowTrex

2. Sölden

• Elevation: up to 3,340 m
• Kilometres of pistes: 143 km
• Highlights: Sölden impresses with two glaciers higher than 3,000 metres, 143 kilometres of slopes and the 3,340-metre-high summit at Rettenbachferner.

The Sölden ski resort has two glaciers at an altitude of over 3,000 metres and 143 kilometres of slopes. The Rettenbach glacier has a real professional slope, which is used every year for the start of the Alpine Ski World Cup, as well as the start of a 15-kilometre-long super slope. Today’s ski stars and tomorrow’s professionals train on the approximately 34 km of glacier slopes. A tunnel at an altitude of 3,240 m leads across to the Tiefenbach glacier on skis. However, the highest point on the slopes is at the Rettenbachferner at 3,340 m, exactly 100 m below the leader in the Pitztal valley.

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3. Hintertux Glacier

• Elevation: up to 3,250 m
• Kilometres of pistes: 60 km
• Highlights: At the end of the Zillertal valley lies the Hintertux Glacier, Austria’s only year-round ski resort with 60 kilometres of slopes at an altitude of 3,250 metres.

One of Austria’s highest ski resorts is located in the Zillertal valley: the Hintertux Glacier ski resort lies at the icy end of the famous valley near Hintertux and is the only glacier ski resort that is open 365 days a year. The “Gefrorene Wand” (“frozen wall”) T-bar lift passes the peak of the same name and reaches an altitude of 3,250 metres. With 60 kilometres of slopes, the Hintertux Glacier is the largest glacier ski resort in the country.

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4. Stubai Glacier

• Elevation: up to 3,212 m
• Kilometres of pistes: 47 km
• Highlights: At an altitude of up to 3,212 metres and with a 10-kilometre-long descent from the Wildspitz mountain station, the Stubai Glacier is one of the highest ski resorts in Austria.

With 47 kilometres of slopes, the Stubai Glacier ski area in the Stubai Valley is not only one of the largest glacier ski areas in Austria, but also one of the highest ski areas in the country. The slopes are located below the 3,333-metre-high Schaufelspitze peak. From the mountain station of the Wildspitz 2-seater chairlift at 3,212 metres, a ten-kilometre-long slope leads down to the valley station at 1,750 metres. For refreshments, we recommend the “Jochdohle”, the highest restaurant in the ski area at 3,150 metres.

→ Plan your Alpine getaway and find the best Stubai Valley deals at SnowTrex

5. Mölltal Glacier

• Elevation: up to 3,122 m
• Kilometres of pistes: 36 km
• Highlights: The Mölltal Glacier in Carinthia impresses with 36 kilometres of groomed slopes, a lift at an altitude of 3,122 metres and slopes that can be covered with artificial snow all year round at altitudes of up to 3,100 metres.

The highest lift in the Mölltal Glacier ski area also reaches literally lofty heights. The 6-seater chairlift “Gletscherjet” takes winter sports enthusiasts up to an altitude of 3,122 metres on the Schareck, making the ski area one of the highest of its kind in Austria. Today, there are 36 kilometres of slopes around the glacier, which are always perfectly groomed as professional training tracks are also laid out here. And so the “Mölli”, as the locals call their glacier, is the only glacier ski area in Carinthia that can be completely covered with artificial snow up to an altitude of 3,100 metres.

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6. Kaunertaler Glacier – Fendels

• Elevation: up to 3,122 m
• Kilometres of pistes: 36 km
• Highlights: The Kaunertal Glacier in Tyrol offers 63 kilometres of slopes and impresses with spectacular views of numerous 3,000-metre peaks from the 3,113-metre-high Karlesjoch mountain station.

The Kaunertal Glacier – Fendels ski area offers 63 kilometres of slopes at altitudes of up to 3,113 metres for winter sports enthusiasts of all abilities. Families can enjoy the compact Fendels resort with 8.5 kilometres of easy to moderately difficult runs, the “Bibiland” children’s area and the idyllic valley run. Experienced skiers will also find challenging slopes here, while the Kaunertal glacier ski area offers a total of 55 kilometres of wide, flat slopes, around 30 kilometres of freeride routes and a snow park at an altitude of 2,990 metres. Austria’s highest Postbus takes skiers up to 2,750 metres in the ski area.

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7. Obergurgl-Hochgurgl

• Elevation: up to 3,082 m
• Kilometres of pistes: 112 km
• Highlights: The Obergurgl/Hochgurgl ski resort in the rear Ötztal valley is one of the highest and most snow-sure non-glacier ski resorts in Tyrol, with 112 kilometres of slopes and an altitude of 3,082 metres.

The Obergurgl/Hochgurgl ski resort is Sölden’s snow-rich neighbour in the rear Ötztal valley. Thanks to the deep snow conditions there, Hochgurgl is also a real dream destination for freeriders in winter. And as one of Austria’s highest ski resorts at an altitude of up to 3,082 metres, it is guaranteed to have snow. It is usually the first non-glacier ski resort in Tyrol to open its lifts at the start of the season and then remains open until spring. In total, there are around 112 kilometres of slopes to discover in Obergurgl/Hochgurgl.

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8. Kitzsteinhorn/Maiskogel – Kaprun

• Elevation: up to 3,029 m
• Kilometres of pistes: 2 km
• Highlights: At 3,029 metres, the Kitzsteinhorn in Kaprun is the highest point in the province of Salzburg. In its immediate vicinity, there are 62 kilometres of slopes and the “Gipfelwelt 3000” (“Summit World 3000”), which includes a restaurant and a panoramic platform.

At 3,029 metres, the highest point in the Salzburg region is located on the Kitzsteinhorn – right in the middle of the Kitzsteinhorn/Maiskogel – Kaprun ski area with a total of 62 kilometres of slopes. At the summit station of the Gletscherbahn cable car and the Gletschershuttle shuttle bus is the “Gipfelwelt 3000” with a restaurant, the National Park Gallery, a cinema and the “Top of Salzburg” panorama platform. From up here, you can see the giants of the Alps, such as the Großglockner (3,798 m) and the Großvenediger (3,666 m).

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9. Großglockner-Heiligenblut

• Elevation: up to 2,902 m
• Kilometres of pistes: 55 km
• Highlights: The snow-sure Großglockner-Heiligenblut ski resort offers 55 kilometres of slopes, and the Hochfleiss mountain station offers breathtaking views of the Großglockner.

The Großglockner-Heiligenblut ski area, with its guaranteed snow, offers 55 kilometres of slopes and four ski routes in a 15-square-kilometre deep snow area. At 2,600 metres on the Schareck, there is a panoramic photo frame in a spectacular location, but the highest point is even higher: at 2,902 metres at the top station of the Hochfleiss T-bar lift. From here, winter sports enthusiasts have an unobstructed view of the narrow peak of the Großglockner, Austria’s highest mountain at 3,798 metres, as well as over 40 other 3,000-metre peaks.

10.Ischgl/Samnaun – Silvretta Arena

• Elevation: up to 2,872 m
• Kilometres of pistes: 239 km
• Highlights: With 238 kilometres of slopes, an altitude of up to 2,872 metres and legendary après-ski, the Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun is one of Austria’s largest, highest and most snow-sure ski resorts.

© TVB Paznaun-Ischgl

The 239 total kilometres of slopes at altitudes of up to 2,872 metres aren’t just for carving enthusiasts in the Ischgl/Samnaun – Silvretta Arena ski area.

With 238 kilometres of slopes, the Ischgl/Samnaun – Silvretta Arena ski area is one of the largest and highest of its kind in Austria. In addition, Ischgl is one of the absolute party hotspots in the entire Alpine region with its après-ski scene. These are the ideal conditions for a successful skiing holiday. In addition, the altitude of almost 2,900 metres guarantees snow until spring. The Greitspitz 6-seater chairlift takes winter sports enthusiasts to exactly 2,872 metres, the highest point of the ski resort, where fantastic red and challenging black runs begin.

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FAQ’s about Austria’s highest ski resorts

Which is the highest ski resort in Austria?

The highest ski resort in Austria is the Pitztaler Glacier & Rifflsee in Tyrol. At an altitude of up to 3,440 m, the futuristic Wildspitzbahn mountain station marks the highest point of any ski resort in the country. This is also where you will find Café 3,440, the highest coffee house in Tyrol. From its sun terrace, winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding glacier world and many of the ski resort’s 66 kilometres of slopes.

Where can winter sports enthusiasts ski all year round in Austria?

Only at the Hintertux Glacier in the Zillertal can winter sports enthusiasts ski 365 days a year in Austria. The glacier, which reaches heights of up to 3,250 metres, offers 60 kilometres of slopes for every level of skier. Due to its high altitude and excellent slope preparation, the ski area is a hotspot for skiing enthusiasts and professional athletes in both winter and summer. Even in summer temperatures, snow conditions remain stable, which is why the Hintertux Glacier is considered particularly snow-sure.

Which ski resorts in Austria are considered particularly snow-sure?

In the Austrian Alps, too, snow reliability is primarily a question of altitude. The glacier ski resorts, which include the Pitztal Glacier, the Stubai Glacier, the Hintertux Glacier and the Mölltal Glacier, are all above 3,000 metres and guarantee the best snow conditions from autumn until well into spring. And in the Obergurgl/Hochgurgl ski area, the highest non-glacier ski area in Tyrol, skiers can enjoy an above-average long season at altitudes of up to 3,082 metres.

Which is the largest of Austria’s highest ski areas?

With 239 kilometres of slopes, the Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun is not only one of the largest but also one of the highest ski resorts in Austria. The highest point here is 2,872 metres at the Greitspitz. There, winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy challenging descents and a magnificent panoramic view. In addition to the excellent slope conditions, Ischgl impresses with its legendary après-ski offerings and numerous events that attract visitors from all over the world every year.

Which ski resorts in Austria are particularly family-friendly – even at high altitudes?

The Stubai Glacier and the Kaunertal Glacier are ideal for a family holiday in one of Austria’s highest ski resorts. Both ski resorts offer wide, clearly laid out slopes, modern lifts and special family areas such as children’s parks and practice slopes. At the Stubai Glacier, young skiers can learn the techniques for the slopes in a playful way at the “BIG Family Ski Camp”, while the Kaunertal Glacier impresses parents and their little ones with its quiet slopes and panoramic views at over 3,000 metres.