Key facts at a glance
The Schmittenhöhe is Zell am See's home mountain, 1,965 metres high, with a view across the Zeller See and around 30 three-thousanders. Its biggest practical advantage: you do not need a car – the gondolas start at the edge of town, and in winter the valley run ends within walking distance. In winter around 77 piste kilometres with a Funslope, snowpark, Kidsslope and night skiing; in summer a hiking mountain with a largely level high-level promenade, family stations around Schmidolin the dragon and a paraglider launch site. For altitude, spring snow and snow reliability in October the Kitzsteinhorn is the right choice instead.
Part of our complete guide: Discover Zell am See
The Schmittenhöhe is Zell am See’s home mountain and, at 1,965 metres, one of the finest viewpoints in the Salzburg Alps. Repeatedly awarded as Austria’s best summer mountain railway, the “Schmitten” combines comfortable lifts with a panorama of around 30 three-thousanders – in summer as in winter. Unlike the high alpine Kitzsteinhorn it is a wooded, friendly mountain that sits directly above the town and stays reachable on foot.
Getting there and the mountain lifts
Several cable cars take you up from Zell am See. The gondolas start at the edge of town and at the Schmittenhöhe area; within minutes you glide over forest and alpine meadows – with no toll road and no traffic jam. At the top, further lifts open up the high-level promenade and the summit region.
That is the Schmitten’s practical advantage over any other mountain in the region: you do not need a car. From Zell am See station the base stations are reachable on foot or by ski bus, and in winter the valley run ends within walking distance of town again. If you arrive without a car, this is where you are most flexible.
One planning note: the mountain railway is frequently included in the summer or guest card. Ask at your accommodation before buying a ticket – that applies to many properties in Zell am See.
The panorama: up to 30 three-thousanders
The heart of the Schmittenhöhe is the view. From the summit it reaches across the deep blue Zeller See and the town to around 30 three-thousanders – among them the Kitzsteinhorn and the glaciers of the Hohe Tauern. The “Kaiserblick” viewing platform stages this panorama particularly effectively.
When you go up decides the experience more than anything else. Visibility is usually clearest in the morning; over the course of the day, summer cumulus often builds and hides the view of the Tauern. In winter it is precisely the high-fog day that pays off: with grey soup in the valley you frequently stand up here in sunshine above a closed sea of cloud.
Summer on the Schmitten
In summer the Schmittenhöhe is above all a hiking mountain – and one that serves an unusual range of abilities at once, because the cable car takes care of the ascent.
- An extensive trail network, from the largely level high-level promenade to the summit tour
- Guided walks and themed trails for every level of fitness
- Austria’s highest-altitude e-motocross park
- A launch site for paragliders with a view across the Zeller See
- Yoga and mindfulness offerings on the mountain
For a first visit the high-level promenade is the right choice: largely flat, well signposted, with places to stop along the way and shortenable at any point. Easy routes are described in detail in our article on easy walks on the Schmittenhöhe.
Winter in the Schmittenhöhe ski area
In winter the Schmitten, with around 77 piste kilometres, is the larger of the two local ski areas – and the more varied one. Forest as wind protection, broad cruising runs and valley descents into town make it the everyday mountain for anyone staying in Zell am See.
- Around 77 piste kilometres, from a flat nursery slope to a demanding black
- Funslope XXL and a snowpark
- Night skiing on selected evenings
- Children’s ski courses and a dedicated Kidsslope
- Sun terraces and huts directly on the piste
Honestly placed: if you are after altitude, spring snow or snow reliability in October, you are better served at the Kitzsteinhorn. The Schmitten plays its strengths with fresh snow in the trees, short distances and with children. The direct comparison is under Kitzsteinhorn or Schmittenhöhe, and the ski pass is explained in ski pass prices explained.
A family mountain with Schmidolin
Schmidolin the dragon leads younger guests through interactive adventure worlds with puzzles, stations and dares. The mountain becomes an adventure playground – and the family spends the day exploring rather than negotiating about moving on.
Practical for parents: the stations sit along easily walkable paths in the summit area, so the round can be shortened at any time. In winter there is a dedicated Kidsslope and children’s ski courses; for learning to ski the Schmitten is considerably more pleasant than the glacier thanks to its short distances and sheltered position.
A bite to eat with a view
Numerous mountain restaurants and huts are spread across the summit plateau – from a quick snack on the sun terrace to lunch with regional specialities, always with a panorama.
Two notes from practice: during holiday weeks lunchtime between twelve and half past one is busiest; eat at eleven or at two and you will find a place in the sun more easily. And the terraces with a lake view fill first on fine days – if you want that spot, come early.
Tips for your visit
- Start early: visibility is usually clearest in the morning and the cable car is emptier.
- Pack layers: at the summit it is noticeably cooler and windier than in the valley – even in high summer.
- Check the guest card: the mountain railway is often included in the summer or guest card.
- Use the high fog: when grey fog sits in the valley, the summit is frequently sunny in winter. A look at the mountain webcam before going up is worthwhile.
- Footwear: the high-level promenade is easy going, the summit paths are not everywhere – firm soles make sense.
Take off from the Schmittenhöhe
The Schmittenhöhe is rarely just a destination; it is usually a starting point. High-level paths lead from the summit plateau in several directions, paragliders launch here, and in winter the valley run begins straight down to Zell am See.
If you want to explore further, the Schmittental and our overview of the ski areas in Zell am See-Kaprun pick up from here. What the region otherwise offers in winter is under Zell am See in winter.
Summer or winter – when is the Schmitten worth it?
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| June to September | Hiking on the high-level promenade, panorama, family stations – the mountain’s main season |
| October to November | Quiet in-between time, limited lift operation – check operating hours beforehand |
| December to April | Ski operation with around 77 piste kilometres, valley run into town |
| High-fog days in winter | The best reason to go up: sun above the sea of cloud |
Schmittenhöhe or Kitzsteinhorn?
The two mountains are not competitors but two different excursions. In short: the Schmittenhöhe is the nearer, warmer, more wooded mountain with the lake view – ideal for families, for walking and for anyone without a car. The Kitzsteinhorn is the high alpine counterpart with glacier, perpetual ice and snow even in October and May.
If you have only one day and the weather is settled, the Kitzsteinhorn offers the more spectacular experience. If time is short, the budget limited or small children are along, the Schmittenhöhe is the more relaxed choice. We have weighed it up in detail under Kitzsteinhorn or Schmittenhöhe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is the Schmittenhöhe?
1,965 metres. From the summit the view reaches across the Zeller See to around 30 three-thousanders, among them the Kitzsteinhorn and the glaciers of the Hohe Tauern. The Kaiserblick platform is the best-known viewpoint.
How many piste kilometres does the Schmittenhöhe have?
Around 77 piste kilometres, from a flat nursery slope to a demanding black. Added to that are the Funslope XXL, a snowpark, a dedicated Kidsslope and night skiing on selected evenings. That makes it the larger of the two local ski areas.
Can you reach the Schmittenhöhe without a car?
Yes, and that is its greatest advantage. The gondolas start at the edge of Zell am See and are reachable from the station on foot or by ski bus. In winter the valley run ends within walking distance of town again – no toll road, no parking problem.
Schmittenhöhe or Kitzsteinhorn – which is better?
They are two different excursions. The Schmittenhöhe is the nearer, warmer, more wooded mountain with a lake view, ideal for families, walking and anyone without a car. The Kitzsteinhorn is the high alpine counterpart with a glacier and snow even in October and May. With settled weather and only one day, the Kitzsteinhorn is more spectacular.
Is the mountain railway included in the guest card?
Often yes. At many properties in Zell am See the Schmittenhöhe railway is covered by the summer or guest card. Ask at your accommodation before buying a ticket.
