Key facts at a glance
The ski area consists of three separate mountains: the Schmittenhöhe directly above Zell am See, the Maiskogel as the family and beginner mountain in Kaprun, and the Kitzsteinhorn as a high-alpine glacier ski area up to 3,029 metres. The Maiskogel and Kitzsteinhorn are joined by the 3K K-onnection, so you can travel from the centre of Kaprun up to the glacier. The Schmittenhöhe is a separate mountain reached by bus or car.
The Zell am See-Kaprun ski area is often described as one area, but in practice it works as three separate mountains under a shared ski pass. Understanding that in advance makes for far better planning of your ski days and avoids the most common disappointment: assuming you can ski from the Schmittenhöhe across to the Kitzsteinhorn.
The three mountains
Schmittenhöhe, directly above Zell am See
The Schmittenhöhe is the local mountain of Zell am See, reaching just under 2,000 metres. Its trademark is the view: over long stretches you ski with Lake Zell and the Hohe Tauern in panorama. The character is predominantly intermediate, with broad, well-groomed descents and a few more demanding variants. For skiers who like a relaxed cruise, this is the most attractive mountain in the region.
Maiskogel, Kaprun
The Maiskogel is the family and beginner mountain. The slopes are gentler, the layout clearer, and the mountain starts directly in the built-up area of Kaprun. For ski lessons, children and returning skiers it is the obvious choice, see also winter activities for children.
Kitzsteinhorn, glacier up to 3,029 metres
The Kitzsteinhorn is the high-alpine heart of the region and the reason for its snow reliability. The season starts earlier and ends later here than on the valley mountains. Conditions up top are genuinely high-mountain, with wind and cold, but the snow is there when nothing works elsewhere. The area also includes freeride routes and snow parks, see freeride routes and the Kaprun piste guide. If you do not ski, you can reach the same altitude via the Gipfelwelt 3000.
How the mountains connect
The most important point for planning: the Maiskogel and Kitzsteinhorn are connected, via the 3K K-onnection. You can travel from the centre of Kaprun continuously into the glacier area without using a car.
The Schmittenhöhe is not connected to the other two. You switch by ski bus or car. That is not a problem, but it should be planned: changing mountains costs time and works better as a decision made in the morning than spontaneously at midday. For help deciding, see Kitzsteinhorn or Schmittenhöhe.
Where to get the ski map
The authoritative, current ski map is published by the lift companies themselves, fresh each season, as a download and in their apps: the Schmittenhöhe lift company for Zell am See, the Kaprun glacier lifts for the Maiskogel and Kitzsteinhorn. Because installations are modernised, pistes renamed and routings changed, the operator’s current seasonal version is always the one that counts. Printed maps are also available at every ticket office and in most accommodation.
The ski pass
All three mountains are covered by a shared ski pass. If you want to range further, the Ski ALPIN CARD is the big solution: it additionally covers Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, making it one of the largest connected offerings in the Eastern Alps. Whether that pays off depends on the length of your stay and how much you ski; for context see ski pass prices.
Check conditions in advance
Before you commit to a mountain in the morning, two sources are worth checking: the snow report with the open installations, and the webcams for visibility and appearance. In high winds, summit installations on the Kitzsteinhorn are more often affected than the lower sectors of the Schmittenhöhe. The overall frame for winter is in the winter guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Schmittenhöhe and Kitzsteinhorn connected by piste?
No. They are two separate mountains not linked by pistes. They are covered by the same ski pass, but you switch between them by ski bus or car. The Maiskogel and Kitzsteinhorn, by contrast, are connected via the 3K K-onnection.
Which mountain suits beginners?
The Maiskogel in Kaprun is the classic beginner and family mountain with gentler slopes. The Schmittenhöhe also has a high proportion of intermediate pistes. The Kitzsteinhorn is high-alpine and more demanding in its upper section, though it does have easy glacier runs.
Where do I get the current ski map?
Directly from the lift companies. The Schmittenhöhe lift company and the Kaprun glacier lifts publish their ski maps fresh each season as a download and in their apps. Because installations, names and routings change, the operator's current seasonal version is always authoritative.
What is the 3K K-onnection?
A cable car link joining the Maiskogel to the Kitzsteinhorn. It lets you travel continuously from the centre of Kaprun into the glacier area without a car.
