Kitzsteinhorn Glacier in Kaprun in the Salzburg Region
Glacial Snow and Sightseeing at 3,000 Meters
Discover the Kitzsteinhorn from the first turn in powder snow to the summit world 3000. With a snow guarantee from October to early summer, it offers the security that passionate winter sports enthusiasts crave. Even without skis, the Kitzsteinhorn is a magnet. Experience Salzburg's highest excursion destination at 3,029 meters during your summer vacation at the Hotel Kaprunerhof.
Kitzsteinhorn
- Year-round glacier skiing area
- Snow reliability at over 3,000 m
- Platform TOP OF SALZBURG
- Excursion destination in summer and winter
- Hiking trails and high alpine tours
- Freeride and snowpark in winter
Glacier Ski Area Kitzsteinhorn
Freedom at 3,000 meters with 41 km of slopes, freeride lines, and the infamous black run Black Mamba with a 63% gradient – not for the faint of heart!
At Kitzsteinhorn, you can expect the best snow quality from October to May, diverse slopes, and perfect conditions for skiers, snowboarders, freeriders, ski tourers, and winter hikers.
At Kitzsteinhorn, you can expect the best snow quality from October to May, diverse slopes, and perfect conditions for skiers, snowboarders, freeriders, ski tourers, and winter hikers.
Offpiste-Paradies für Freerider am Kitzsteinhorn
- 5 marked freeride routes
+ X1 “Ice Age”
+ X2 “Westside Story”
+ X3 “Left Wing”
+ X4 “Jump Run”
+ X5 “Pipe Line” are perfectly marked - Freeride Info Points
- Info Base with current avalanche report
- Safety first!
From Maiskogel to Kitzsteinhorn
- Ski-in Ski-out directly from Kaprun to the glacier
- Unique panoramic ride from 768 m to 3,029 m
- 12 kilometers long panoramic ride
- 2,261 vertical meters
Snowboarding on the Glacier
At Kitzsteinhorn, you can expect an extra-long freestyle season from October to May – with top snow, an experienced shaping team, and legendary scene events in the Snowpark.
Even in autumn, it starts in the Glacier Park on the glacier plateau: kickers, rails, and boxes provide for the first sessions in fresh snow. Easy Park, Central Park, and South Central Park then offer varied lines for beginners, advanced riders, and pros.
Highlight for professionals: the impressive Superpipe with walls over six meters high, which regularly attracts international top athletes to Kaprun.
Even in autumn, it starts in the Glacier Park on the glacier plateau: kickers, rails, and boxes provide for the first sessions in fresh snow. Easy Park, Central Park, and South Central Park then offer varied lines for beginners, advanced riders, and pros.
Highlight for professionals: the impressive Superpipe with walls over six meters high, which regularly attracts international top athletes to Kaprun.
Ski tours at Kitzsteinhorn
Already in the autumn, the Kitzsteinhorn offers ski tourers an early start to the ski mountaineering season.
With sufficient snow cover, the two marked routes "Eisbrecher" and "Schneekönigin" will be opened from the Langwied. This creates a unique training area for endurance athletes who want to collect their elevation meters on secure routes from autumn to late spring.
With sufficient snow cover, the two marked routes "Eisbrecher" and "Schneekönigin" will be opened from the Langwied. This creates a unique training area for endurance athletes who want to collect their elevation meters on secure routes from autumn to late spring.
Excursion Destination
- Panorama Platform TOP OF SALZBURG
- Hiking Trails and Mountain Biking
- Climbing and Mountaineering
- ICE ARENA with free slide devices, magic carpet, and sun loungers
- Huts and Restaurants
The History of the Kitzsteinhorn
Since time immemorial, the place Kaprun has been connected to tourism through the surrounding mountains. Initially, the Kitzsteinhorn was only interesting in summer. Therefore, the development of the glacier as a ski area was a true pioneering achievement. The construction of the cable cars in Kaprun to the summit of the Kitzsteinhorn was a long and arduous journey. But it was worth it: The Kitzsteinhorn remains a highlight of the region – and thanks to the many events and opportunities, it will always remain so.
The Glacier Lifts Kaprun AG was the deciding factor
On August 1, 1963, the Tauern power plants, the municipality of Kaprun, and the state of Salzburg founded the "Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG". This was the starting signal for the development of the glacier skiing area at Kitzsteinhorn. On December 12, 1965, the first two sections of the large gondola ropeway (with 35 persons each) to Kitzsteinhorn were put into operation. By autumn 1966, the gondola lifted passengers to an elevation of 3,029 meters above sea level. The total length was 6.2 km to 175 meters below the summit and required only eight lift supports. The large mast of the upper section, at a height of 113.6 meters, is still the highest cable car support in the world today.
The Construction of the Glacier Lifts at Kitzsteinhorn
For the construction, around 10,000 tons of material were needed, which was transported to the respective sites by 13 auxiliary cable cars, among other means. Despite the harsh conditions and demands that the glacier placed on the workers and planners, the construction continued to advance. Even temperatures as low as minus 19 degrees were accepted by the construction workers.
The Effects of Glacier Development
The popularity of Kitzsteinhorn rose rapidly. Continuous investments were made in state-of-the-art cable car technology. In 1971, the construction of a funicular railway with mostly underground routing was decided. On March 23, 1974, the world's first alpine underground railway was opened. Over the years, the responsible parties continuously expanded the offerings around Kitzsteinhorn through modernization and improvements in comfort. On December 20, 1991, the new high-performance 8-person cabin lift replaced the old gondola and thus a piece of history as well. In 1995, the Kitz lifts were established in the direct glacier area.
Snow as far as the eye can see
Since 1999, investments have been made in state-of-the-art snowmaking facilities. This enables snow reliability even in the mid-Alpine region up to Langwiedboden and ensures always first-class pistes with a snow guarantee.
Most Modern Service at the Glacier
In 1999, the Alpincenter was modernized at an altitude of 2450 meters and equipped with an info service counter, a sports shop with rental and service, a ski school, and a ski and shoe depot, becoming a modern service center on the mountain.
In December 2001, the Gletscherjet 1 was opened, and in October 2002, the Gletscherjet 2 was opened. The Kitzsteinhorn continuously undergoes innovations – and this makes it exciting for our guests who spend their holidays in close proximity to the glacier.
In December 2001, the Gletscherjet 1 was opened, and in October 2002, the Gletscherjet 2 was opened. The Kitzsteinhorn continuously undergoes innovations – and this makes it exciting for our guests who spend their holidays in close proximity to the glacier.