Ski Season In Austria: When To Hit The Slopes

The ski season in Austria typically runs from late November or early December to April or May, depending on the resort and snow conditions. Some resorts, like Hintertux, offer year-round skiing thanks to their high-altitude locations. The season generally kicks off in November, with resorts like Obergurgl, Ischgl, and Obertauern being among the first to open. The ski season in Austria offers a variety of options for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, with resorts ranging from glacier ski areas to high-level resorts in provinces like Salzburg.

The ski season in Austria typically lasts from late November/December to April/May

Austria is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders, with many resorts across the country offering long seasons. Some resorts, such as Hintertux, offer year-round skiing thanks to their high-altitude locations.

The start of the ski season in Austria can vary depending on the resort and snow conditions. Some resorts, like Obergurgl, open as early as mid-November, while others, like St. Anton, typically open in early December.

The end of the ski season also varies, with some resorts, like Ischgl, staying open as late as early May. The Kaunertal Glacier, for example, offers skiing from late September until June thanks to its high-altitude location.

Austria's ski season is a great time to hit the slopes and enjoy the winter sports the country has to offer. With a variety of resorts to choose from, skiers and snowboarders can find the perfect destination to suit their needs, whether they're looking for beginner-friendly runs or more challenging terrain.

Some resorts, like Hintertux, offer year-round skiing

The ski season in Austria typically runs from November/December to April or May, depending on the resort and weather conditions. However, some resorts, like Hintertux, offer year-round skiing.

Hintertux Glacier, located at the end of the Zillertal Valley near the Olperer mountain, is Austria's only year-round ski resort. It offers skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to hit the slopes 365 days a year, with perfectly groomed runs and excellent conditions. At an altitude of up to 3,250 metres, it provides a cool escape from the summer heat in the valley below.

During the winter months, Hintertux is part of the "Ski- und Gletscherwelt Zillertal 3000", a vast network of interconnected villages and resorts. With just one lift pass, winter sports enthusiasts can access over 200 kilometres of slopes, including the resorts of Finkenberg and Mayrhofen. One of the main attractions is the 12-kilometre descent in front of the "Gefrorene Wand" ("Frozen Wall") down to Hintertux, the longest run in the Zillertal Valley.

The resort caters to all abilities, from beginners to experienced freeriders and freestylers. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, visitors can explore Nature's Ice Palace and enjoy the culinary delights offered at the glacier, such as the Gondola Breakfast and regional delicacies served in the gondola. Hintertux truly offers a unique and memorable year-round skiing experience in the heart of the Austrian Alps.

So, whether you're planning a winter getaway or a summer escape, Hintertux Glacier is a great choice for your next ski vacation, offering snow-sure slopes and stunning nature all year round.

The Kaunertal Glacier in Tirol offers snow from late September to June

The Kaunertal Glacier ski resort in the Kaunertal Valley, Tirol, is one of the highest resorts in the region, with excellent snow conditions well into spring. The resort guarantees snow from late September to June, thanks to its high-altitude location.

The Kaunertal Glacier is worth the journey, which is an experience in itself. The Kaunertaler Glacier Road winds its way up 29 corners to the edge of the Weißseeferner glacier, an incredible 2,750 metres above sea level. Visitors can park at the bottom of the slopes and head straight out onto the pistes.

The resort has a large ski area, with plenty of room on the prepared pistes and natural ski routes. There are almost no lift queues, and there is something for all ages and abilities. Beginners can enjoy the easy blue slopes near the Falginjoch ridge, while advanced and expert skiers can take on the FIS race piste at the Nörderjoch. There is also a 2.2km black run from the Karlesspitze through a 140m floodlit tunnel to the Ochsenalm.

The Kaunertal Glacier has the steepest in-bounds run in Austria, the Black Ibex, with an average gradient of 41.3 degrees and a pitch of 87.85%. The resort also offers excellent off-piste ski touring and freeriding, with 36km of freeride variations and 138 hectares of skiable area.

Holders of a lift pass for the Kaunertal Glacier can also use the lifts in the smaller family-friendly resort of Fendels, which has an extensive children's and beginners' area.

The ski season in Austria often coincides with ski racing events, like the World Cup on the Rettenbach glacier

The ski season in Austria typically runs from late November or early December to April or May, depending on the resort. Some resorts, like the Kaunertal Glacier in Tirol, offer extended ski seasons, with snow guaranteed from late September to June thanks to their high-altitude locations. The Hintertux Glacier in Austria is the only resort that offers year-round skiing.

Since 2000, the Rettenbach glacier has been the traditional opener for the World Cup season, hosting a giant slalom race for both men and women in late October. The race course debuted in 1993 and has since hosted a total of 21 World Cup events for men and 24 for women. The races start at an elevation of 3,040 meters above sea level and finish at 2,670 meters, providing a vertical drop of 370 meters.

The Rettenbach glacier is part of the Sölden glacier ski area, which covers 34.3 kilometers of slopes with altitudes between 2,675 and 3,250 meters. The glacier is known for its steep slopes, offering red and black ski runs that challenge even the most ambitious skiers. The yearly World Cup Opening ski races are held on slope number 31, which, with a maximum gradient of 65%, is the steepest slope in the entire ski area.

The Zell am See/Kaprun ski area has the advantage of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, which opens in mid-October

The Zell am See/Kaprun ski area in Austria is a popular destination for skiers, offering a long ski season that can start as early as mid-October and last until May. The area boasts three top ski resorts—Schmittenhöhe, Kitzsteinhorn glacier, and Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn—which can be accessed with just one ticket, the Ski ALPIN CARD.

The Kitzsteinhorn glacier, located in Kaprun, is a significant advantage for skiers in the Zell am See/Kaprun area. With a season that can begin as early as mid-October, it offers an extended period for skiing enthusiasts to enjoy the slopes. The glacier provides a high-alpine experience with diverse pistes to suit all levels of difficulty. Skiers can take advantage of 61 kilometres of pistes, five freeride lines, four snow parks, and a superpipe. The glacier also offers a unique panoramic view of the surrounding high alpine nature, making it a popular choice for those seeking a combination of sports and spectacular scenery.

The glacier ski area of the Kitzsteinhorn is easily accessible via the Kaprun-Maiskogel-Kitzsteinhorn cable car connection. Skiers can conveniently reach the MK Maiskogelbahn lower terminus from the village centre or by using the ski bus. The glacier is known for its top-notch range of natural snow pistes and three snow parks, providing a challenging and exciting experience for sports-oriented skiers. Additionally, the Gipfelwelt 3000, a spectacular panorama platform, offers a memorable experience for visitors.

The Zell am See/Kaprun ski area provides a varied and extended ski season, thanks to the inclusion of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. With its early opening in mid-October, skiers can take advantage of the glacier's long season and diverse offerings, making it a popular choice for winter sports enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Austrian Alps.

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