The Schmittenhöhe is Zell am See’s local mountain and a popular ski area for beginners and advanced skiers. SnowTrex gives you five good reasons to spend your next ski holiday on “the Schmitten”.
1. Take the high-tech gondola up
With 77 kilometres of pistes, five valley runs and 28 lifts at altitudes of up to 2,000 m, the Schmittenhöhe ski area impresses winter sports enthusiasts with a varied skiing experience. And thanks to an amazing infrastructure, skiers enjoy pure comfort here. The “areitXpress” is an ultra-modern cable car that offers heated seats, an intercom system and free Wi-Fi in its 10-seater high-tech gondolas. However, all this has to be enjoyed quickly, as the ride, which starts at the valley station in the Schüttdorf district of Zell, is over after just seven minutes. But nobody has to be sad about that, because from the mountain station at 2,000 metres, you can head straight onto the snow-covered slopes, with the picturesque panorama and Lake Zell at your feet.
2. Action & fun for everyone
In the ski area on the “Schmitten”, young skiers can also have lots of fun away from the classic pistes. For example, there is the XXL Funslope, which consists of tunnels, waves and smaller steep turns and, at 1,300 metres, is the longest Funslope in the world! It runs partly through the forest, where various sound elements also await. Competitive winter sports enthusiasts should also take on the WISBI course (Ger. “wie schnell bin ich” = “how fast am I”) to measure their speed and perhaps even crank it up. And if you want to feel like a real racer, you can have yourself filmed on the Skimovie course.
3. A ski resort for foodies
Everyone knows that the way to somebody’s heart is through their stomach. This makes the Schmittenhöhe an ideal ski area for couples, as culinary delights are a top priority here. Skiers and snowboarders can look forward to a varied gastronomic offer that makes every stop at a mountain hut a highlight. Over 20 mountain restaurants on Zell am See’s local mountain provide hungry winter sports fans with classic delicacies from cheese platters to Kaiserschmarrn pancakes. Sunday is a very special gourmet day, however, when a dozen ski huts make guests’ mouths water with regional specialities such as Pinzgauer Kasnock’n, Kaspressknödl, Gamssuppe or Bauernkrapfen.
4. Special flair thanks to art on the mountain
In addition to skiing and leisure fun in the snow, the Schmittenhöhe ski area is also interesting for art lovers. For over 30 years, the “Gallery on the piste” has been a unique project that turns the natural surroundings of the “Schmitten” into an open-air exhibition space for art objects and sculptures. These are created by regional and international artists exclusively from local materials such as wood, stone and clay. There are now 23 works of art spread across the mountain and can be viewed not only in winter, but all year round with free admission.
5. Kitzsteinhorn right next door
If the 77 kilometres of pistes on the Schmittenhöhe are not enough for you, you can discover more great slopes in the Zell am See-Kaprun ski region without having to travel far. The Kitzsteinhorn/Maiskogel ski area, the only glacier ski area in Salzburger Land, is just 17 kilometres away as the crow flies. The 61 kilometres of pistes above Kaprun reach up to an altitude of 3,029 m. With the ‘Top of Salzburg’ viewing platform, the glacier pistes with the super steep “Black Mamba” challenge and a snow park, skiers will find everything their heart desires here.
FAQ’s on skiing on the Schmittenhöhe
Why is the Schmittenhöhe a popular ski resort for winter sports enthusiasts?
With 77 kilometres of pistes, five valley runs and 28 lifts, the Schmittenhöhe offers a varied skiing experience at an altitude of up to 2,000 metres. Particularly attractive are the modern lifts such as the “AreitXpress”, which takes winter sports enthusiasts up the mountain in just seven minutes in comfort, with heated seats and Wi-Fi. From there, you can enjoy a breathtaking panorama with views of Lake Zell.
What does the Schmittenhöhe offer for families with children?
For families and young skiers, the Schmittenhöhe offers numerous attractions away from the classic pistes. The 1,300 metre-long XXL Funslope is particularly popular, offering fun for the whole family with tunnels, waves and banked turns. There is also the WISBI course, where skiers can measure their speed, and the Skimovie course, where you can be filmed like a real racer.
What special features does the Schmittenhöhe offer for art lovers?
The Schmittenhöhe ski area is not only known for winter sports, but also for art. With the ‘Gallery on the piste’, winter sports enthusiasts have been able to marvel at unique sculptures and works of art for over 30 years. These works of art are scattered all over the mountain and are made of natural materials such as wood and stone and were created by international and regional artists.
What characterises the selection of culinary delights on the Schmittenhöhe?
The Schmittenhöhe is a paradise for gourmets. With over 20 mountain restaurants, the ski area offers a wide selection of regional delicacies such as Pinzgauer Kasnock’n, Kaiserschmarrn and Bauernkrapfen. On Sundays in particular, many ski huts tempt visitors with special delicacies that turn every stop into a culinary highlight.
Are there other ski areas near the Schmittenhöhe?
Yes, the Kitzsteinhorn/Maiskogel glacier ski area near Kaprun is just 17 kilometres from the Schmittenhöhe. This offers a further 61 kilometres of pistes at an altitude of up to 3,029 m. Skiers can not only master the steep slopes of the “Black Mamba” here, but also enjoy the spectacular view from the ‘Top of Salzburg’ platform.
