Schmittenhöhe: Setting New Standards In Innovation, Family-Friendliness And Sustainability
Preparations are in full swing: The Schmittenhöhe ski resort in Zell am See opened for the 2025/26 winter season on December 5th. With numerous new features, the resort is once again setting standards in innovation, family-friendliness, and sustainability this season. "From the complete digitalization of the ski pass and the new Guest Mobility Ticket to our expanded event concept 'Schmitten Sound – Mountain. Music. Emotion.', we are offering our guests an even more diverse and comfortable mountain experience this season," explains Dr. Erich Egger, CEO of Schmittenhöhebahn AG. "With the start of the expansion of the Tannwald run, the new beginner area, and the children's restaurant, we are also underscoring our claim to be one of the most family-friendly ski destinations in the Salzburg region."
Smartphone ticket: 100 percent digital ski pass
Schmittenhöhe, together with the ALPIN CARD ticket network, is taking a pioneering role by being one of the first regions to introduce fully digital smartphone tickets. Winter sports enthusiasts can easily purchase their digital ticket as a modern alternative to the keycard online or at the ticket offices, load it into the app, and, with Bluetooth enabled, pass directly through the turnstile. SKIDATA's innovative BLE technology ensures reliable operation even during peak times with minimal battery consumption. The mountain experience becomes more user-friendly and convenient – no more forgetting or losing the keycard, and if the ticket is purchased digitally in advance, no more waiting at ticket counters. At the same time, this digital solution makes an important contribution to sustainability.
More space on the slopes: Kick-off for the expansion of the Tannwald downhill run.
As part of the quality initiative, the first section of the popular Tannwald downhill run was widened this summer. This measure, completed in time for the 2025/26 winter season, provides more space, comfort, and safety on the slopes. Bottlenecks have been eliminated, improving the skiing experience for all skill levels. Guests now enjoy a smoother descent, more room for carving, and an overall more relaxed skiing experience – especially during peak times. The work will continue in the coming years and will be carried out in harmony with nature and the environment.
Beginner-friendly skiing fun: Comfortable and safe
Right at the valley station of the areitXpress, a spacious practice area awaits, specially designed for beginners and ski schools. The covered conveyor belt, "Schmidolin's Magic Carpet," comfortably transports beginners to the top, ensuring an especially easy introduction to skiing. The newly designed beginner slope, opened in December 2024, is extra wide, pleasantly gentle, and free from fast skiers – ideal for first attempts on skis or a snowboard. Thanks to its optimal location, the ski school, ski rental, ticket office, and restaurant are just a few steps away – short distances that make a day on the slopes even more relaxing.
Even more new things for winter on the Schmittenhöhe
"Schmitten Sound – Mountain. Music. Emotion.": With this new event concept, the Schmittenhöhe expands its winter offerings with a unique experience. Live acts like Die Draufgänger, Die Mountain Crew, and Die Jungen Zillertaler, as well as international DJs such as VIMA (known as VIZE), Chris Armada, and Bronk, bring musical diversity to the mountain – from mountain huts and restaurants to open-air stages. A highlight is the New Year's Eve party on the mountain at 2,000 meters.
Areit 1400 Children's Restaurant: Starting this winter, ski schools and their young skiers will have an ideal place to enjoy themselves, laugh, and warm up together at the new children's restaurant. A buffet at child height offers freshly prepared, healthy dishes and regional classics daily. While the children are well looked after, parents can enjoy the culinary offerings in the AreitAlm or AreitLounge.
Guest Mobility Ticket: All overnight guests in Zell am See-Kaprun receive free access to all public transport throughout the province of Salzburg from the first night – from S-Bahn and regional trains to Postbuses and the Pinzgau Local Railway. This digital ticket enables a relaxing, car-free winter holiday and thus makes an important contribution to environmental protection.
Variety of slopes and family adventures on the Schmittenhöhe
With five extra-long valley runs and 77 kilometers of slopes, the Schmittenhöhe offers winter fun for all skill levels. Families can enjoy Schmidolin's Dragon Park, the Kidsslope, and the Funslope XXL, Austria's longest funslope. Advanced skiers will love the four-kilometer-long Trass run with gradients of up to 70 percent and the Skimovie course.
The SKI ALPIN CARD grants access to a total of 408 kilometers of slopes in the Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn area and the Kitzsteinhorn. The Junior XPLORE CARD allows youngsters (born 2007 or later) access to all premium regions every Saturday from November 29, 2025 to April 4, 2026 for just €15.
10 years of EMAS validation
Schmittenhöhebahn AG has been setting standards in environmental awareness and sustainability for a decade: As the only cable car company in Europe that has been validated according to the European environmental management system EMAS for ten years, it plays a true pioneering role in alpine tourism.
All cable car systems are powered by 100% renewable electricity – a clear commitment to climate-friendly energy. Furthermore, three restaurants on the Schmittenhöhe have been awarded the Austrian Ecolabel, the highest national seal of approval for environmentally conscious business practices.
