In short: The areitXpress is the gondola that runs from the Zell district of Schüttdorf up to Areit 1,400 — 10-person cabins, about seven minutes’ travel time, from 766 to 1,400 meters. It is not the lift to the summit of the Schmittenhöhe, but the fastest way into the hiking area from the south side of the lake. If you’re staying in Schüttdorf, it’s right on your doorstep. This page explains what’s actually at the top station, how to continue from there, and what doesn’t run in summer.
From Schüttdorf to 1,400 Meters
The valley station sits in Schüttdorf, the largest district of Zell am See, at 766 meters. From there, the 10-person cabin lift takes you up to 1,400 meters in about seven minutes — a difference in altitude of a good 630 meters. The cabins have Wi-Fi and heated seats, which matters more in winter than in July.
The practical value lies in the location. Schüttdorf has more beds than any other part of the municipality, and the valley station sits right in the middle of it. If you’re staying here, you need neither a car nor a bus to reach the mountain. The valley station has its own parking lot as well as charging stations for e-cars and e-bikes; the mountain railway operator’s info center is also located there.
One point that often causes confusion: “Areit” is not a village, but the name of the terrain section at 1,400 meters. What maps and brochures list as “Areit 1400” is the top-station area with its facilities — not a village and not the summit.
And one more naming question: in Schüttdorf, on older signposts, and in many accommodation listings, you’ll see references to the “Areitbahn.” Almost always, this means the areitXpress. The Areitbahn II, on the other hand, is a separate lift further up the mountain that does not operate in summer. If your accommodation advertises its proximity to the “Areitbahn,” it means the valley station of the areitXpress — and in Schüttdorf, that description is usually accurate.
What Awaits at the Top Station
Areit 1,400 is not just a transfer point. Around the top station lies a connected family offering that makes the trip worthwhile even if nobody wants to hike further.
Right at the top station begins Schmidolins Feuertaufe, an adventure trail with riddles and tasks built around the Schmitten dragon. Along the way lies the Schmidolins Drachenfeuer adventure playground with a play tower. Using the trail is included in the lift ticket; you can pick up the adventure pass for it free of charge at the ticket counters in the valley stations, and the certificate for a completed pass at the info center by the areitXpress valley station.
Also at the top station is the E-Motocross Park. Adults ride electric motocross bikes there; for younger riders there are separate areas with their own age and weight limits, including the Schmidolins Feuerstuhl practice course. The minimum age for the main track is 18, advance registration is recommended, and the facility stays closed in bad weather.
The Kids Indoor Park Areit 1400 grew out of the former vintage-car exhibition and is the most honest bad-weather tip on the mountain: a ride-on car track with traffic signs, a bouncy castle, and, in the former top station of the Areitbahn, an obstacle course for remote-controlled model cars. There’s also a mountain restaurant. In winter, you’ll also find a sports shop and a ski school at the top station.
Higher Up — and What Doesn’t Run in Summer
From Areit 1,400, in winter the Areitbahn II and the Glocknerbahn continue on toward the Schmittenhöhe. In summer, neither is on the list of open lifts. This is the single most important piece of information on this page, because it regularly causes disappointment: in summer, the areitXpress takes you to 1,400 meters, not to the summit.
Anyone wanting to reach the Schmittenhöhe in summer continues on foot from Areit — the trail network is well marked and the remaining altitude gain to the summit is manageable — or takes one of the other lifts straight away. The direct connection to the summit is the Schmittenhöhebahn in the Schmittental; the cityXpress and Route 56 also get you to the Areit area.
Conversely: if your destination is the family offering at 1,400 meters anyway, the areitXpress lets you skip the detour via the town entirely.
Operating Hours and Season
In summer 2026, the areitXpress runs from May 23 to September 13, daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The E-Motocross Park is open from May 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ticket counters follow the operating hours of the lifts and open a quarter hour beforehand.
Two caveats. First, these windows change every season; only the figures given by Schmittenhöhebahn AG are binding. Second, the areitXpress closes earlier in autumn than the Schmittenhöhebahn itself — anyone wanting to go up the mountain in October is better off planning from the Schmittental.
Who the areitXpress Is Worth It For
The areitXpress is not a sight in itself, but a means of transport with a good view. It clearly pays off for three groups:
- Families with children of primary-school age. Feuertaufe, playground, and indoor park all lie within easy reach of the top station, with no long approaches.
- Guests staying in Schüttdorf. The shortest possible approach, no parking hassle, no ski bus.
- Hikers entering the area from the south. From Areit, the Schmitten trail network opens up without the detour via the town.
The lift is less worthwhile if you’re after the summit panorama and only have one day. In that case, you’re better off going straight up with the Schmittenhöhebahn and skipping the connecting route.
Tips for Your Visit
Check your guest card before buying a ticket. The summer mountain lift is often included in the guest card or summer card in Zell am See. Ask at your accommodation — this applies to many businesses in town.
Pick up the adventure pass at the bottom. It’s available at the valley-station ticket counters, not at the top. Anyone who forgets it does the Feuertaufe without the riddle booklet — which, with kids, costs half the fun.
In uncertain weather, check the E-Motocross status first. The facility closes in rain, the indoor park does not. If the motocross park is the reason for your trip, check its status before heading up.
Pack layers. There’s a good 630 meters of altitude difference between the valley station and Areit. Even on hot days, it’s noticeably cooler and windier up top.
