Ski areas with high altitude slopes are characterized by two things in particular: snow security and great panoramas. Perfect – that’s just where ski holidaymakers want to go! These are the ten highest ski resorts in Austria.
1. Pitztal Glacier: 3,440 metres
The lift operators on the Pitztal Glacier have set an architectural “highlight” high up on the glacier. The futuristic mountain station of the Wildspitzbahn is based on a snowdrift and houses the chic “Café 3.440”, the highest coffee house in Tyrol. The modern building marks the highest ski area point in Austria. More superlatives are hardly possible and as a result, the Pitztal Glacier rightly ranks first among the highest ski areas in Austria.
2. Sölden: 3,340 metres
There are two glaciers at over 3,000 m altitude in the ski area of Sölden: at the Rettenbach glacier there is a real World Cup slope as well as the starting point of a 15 km long super piste. Today’s ski stars, such as Felix Neureuther, but also tomorrow’s professionals train on the 34 km of glacier slopes. Through a tunnel at an altitude of 3,240 m, you will cross the Tiefenbach Glacier on skis. The highest piste point, however, is at Rettenbachferner at 3,340 m and thus exactly 100 m below the top 1.
3. Hintertux Glacier: 3,250 meters
Zillertal also has one of the highest ski areas in Austria: at the icy end of the famous valley near Hintertux lies the Hintertux Glacier, the only glacier ski area that is open 365 days a year. The “Gefrorene Wand” tow lift climbs up to the summit of the same name and reaches the highest point at 3,250 m altitude. With 60 km of runs, the Hintertux Glacier is the largest glacier ski area in the country.
4. Stubai Glacier: 3,212 metres
With 43 kilometres of pistes, the Stubai Glacier in the Stubai Valley is one of the largest glacier ski areas in Austria. The pistes are located below the Schaufelspitze (3,333 m). From the mountain station of the Wildspitz 2-seater chairlift at 3,210 m, a 10 km long piste leads to the valley station at 1,750 m. The pistes are also accessible by car. The “Jochdohle”, the highest restaurant in the ski area at 3,150 m, is recommended as a stop for refreshments.
5. Mölltaler Glacier: 3,122 metres
Lofty heights are also reached by the highest lift in the Mölltaler Glacier ski area in the Mölltal valley. The 6-seater chairlift Gletscherjet rises to 3,122 m at Schareck. Around 17 kilometres of pistes can be explored on the glacier. As there are professional training trails here, perfectly groomed pistes are always the top priority. The “Mölli” is the only glacier ski area that can be completely snowed up to 3,100 m altitude.
6. Kauner Valley Glacier: 3,108 metres
The Kauner Valley Glacier, Tyrol’s youngest glacier, offers around 32 kilometres of pistes. The view from the mountain station of the Karlesjochbahn at 3,108 m includes several dozen 3,000 m summits in the surrounding area. A fantastic sight – and you yourself are right in the middle of it. A plus point for all social media fans: there is even free Wi-Fi up here.
7. Obergurgl-Hochgurgl: 3,082 metres
The ski area Obergurgl-Hochgurgl is the snow-rich neighbour of Sölden in the back of Ötztal. Thanks to the great snow conditions, Hochgurgl is a great insider tip, not least for freeriders. The ski area at just over 3,000 m above sea level is certain of snow. At the beginning of the season, it is the first non-glacier ski area in Tyrol to put its lifts into operation and is open until May. Obergurgl-Hochgurgl has around 110 kilometres of pistes to discover.
8. Kitzsteinhorn-Kaprun: 3,029 metres
The highest point of the Salzburger Land lies at the Kitzsteinhorn at 3,029 m altitude – and thus in the middle of the glacier ski area of Zell am See-Kaprun. The “Gipfelwelt 3000” with restaurant, national park gallery, cinema and the panorama platform “Top of Salzburg” are located at the summit station of the glacier cable car and the glacier shuttle. From up here, the Alpine giants such as the Großglockner and Großvenediger are clearly visible.
9. Grossglockner-Heiligenblut: 2,902 metres
The snow-sure ski area on the Großglockner has 55 km of pistes and four ski routes with 15 km² of deep snow terrain. This makes Heiligenblut a popular spot for freeriders. A panorama photo frame is effectively positioned at 2,600 m at the Schareck. However, the highest point is a little higher, at 2,902 m at the top station of the Hochfleiss-Schlepplift. From here you have a clear view of the narrow peak of the Großglockner, Austria’s highest mountain, and over 40 other 3,000 m peaks. Rightly in the list of the highest ski areas!
10. Silvretta Arena: 2,872 metres
The Silvretta Arena, with 238 kilometres of pistes, is one of the largest ski areas in the country and Ischgl one of the absolute party hotspots in the Alps – the best conditions for a successful skiing holiday. In addition, the altitude of almost 2,900 m ensures snow until May. The Greitspitz 6-seater chairlift climbs to the highest point of the ski area, from where fantastic red and challenging black descents start.
