Start of the 2026/27 winter season on the Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See

published on 23.09.2026 · Winter

From the start of the season on 4 December 2026, it’ll once again be time to hop on the cable car and head straight for 77 kilometres of slopes. While we count down the days until skiing returns to the Schmittenhöhe, we’ve put together the most important information about the upcoming winter season.

Key details for the season start on the Schmittenhöhe

Tickets: Season tickets will be available to purchase in advance from 14 September 2026.
New lift: The new Kapellenbahn will begin operating in December 2026.
Boat trips: Enjoy the festive atmosphere on Lake Zell with winter cruises and Nikolaus boat cruises from 29 November 2026 to 6 January 2027.
Ski & savour: During Ski’n’Brunch, you can be among the first on the slopes every Thursday from 7 January to 11 March 2027. The Culinary Ski Days will take place from 12 to 14 March 2027, with live cooking and wine tastings.

News and highlights for winter 2026/27

Did you know? The 2026/27 winter season brings several new features to the Schmittenhöhe, making your time on the mountain even more enjoyable. Discover the highlights on the slopes, in the valley and on Lake Zell, and start looking forward to your next stay!

New Kapellenbahn: greater comfort from December 2026

The former Kapellenbahn is one of the oldest lifts on the Schmittenhöhe. A comprehensive rebuild in 2026 will bring it up to date for the future. The result: shorter waiting times, an optimised route and noticeably greater comfort on the way up.

Read the Kapellenbahn updates

Expansion of the Tannwald ski run: more space for winter 2026/27

Work to widen the Tannwald run began in summer 2025 and was completed in stages during summer 2026. The upgraded run down to the valley now offers …

… more space for wide turns.
… fewer bottlenecks.
… an even smoother skiing experience all the way to the valley.

All ski runs at a glance

Family highlights on the Schmittenhöhe

Schmidolin’s Magic Carpet at the areitXpress valley station makes those first turns on skis even easier, with …

… an extra-wide, gentle practice slope.
… a covered conveyor belt for a comfortable ride back up.
… ski schools, rental facilities and places to eat close by.

At the Areit 1400 children’s restaurant, young skiers can refuel before heading back out onto the slopes. They can look forward to …

… a colourful area designed especially for ski school groups.
… a buffet with fresh, child-friendly dishes.
… delicacies from the AreitAlm kitchen, with a focus on quality and regional ingredients.
… ‘Schmidolin’s Adventure Party’, a special theme for bookable birthday parties at the children’s restaurant.

Family winter at Schmittenhöhe

Tickets for the 2026/27 winter season

Getting your ticket for the Schmittenhöhe is becoming even more convenient. Advance season ticket purchase, mobile ski passes and public transport tickets make for an easy, stress-free start to the winter season.

Advance purchase: secure your season ticket now

Planning ahead for the coming winter season? Advance sales for season tickets start on 14 September 2026, giving you plenty of time to secure your ski pass before the first day on the slopes.

Get your season ticket & ski pass

Smartphone ticket: your ski pass on your phone

No more queuing at the ticket office: Together with the ALPIN CARD ticket network, the Schmittenhöhe offers a fully digital smartphone ticket.

How to hit the slopes even faster:

Buy your ski pass online and load it directly into the app.
Access the lifts via Bluetooth, even while your phone stays in your pocket.
No ticket to lose and no need to queue at the ticket counter.
Modern BLE technology from SKIDATA keeps battery consumption to a minimum.

Get your smartphone ticket

Guest Mobility Ticket: a car-free winter holiday

Overnight guests in Zell am See-Kaprun can use the Guest Mobility Ticket to travel free of charge on public transport throughout the Salzburger Land region – from the day of arrival until the day of departure. The ticket is issued at check-in and is available digitally on your smartphone or as a printable PDF.

Benefits of the Guest Mobility Ticket:

free use of S-Bahn trains, regional trains, Postbus services and the Pinzgauer Lokalbahn train
a stress-free journey to the valley station, with no need to search for a parking space or pay parking fees
easy and convenient transport throughout your stay, without needing your own car

Discover the Guest Mobility Ticket

Events during the 2026/27 winter season

A varied programme of events awaits between the mountains and Lake Zell throughout the 2026/27 winter season.

View the event calendar

Schmitten Sound: Mountain. Music. Emotion.

Schmitten Sound brings live acts, international DJs and regional artists to Zell am See’s landmark mountain. From live music at mountain huts to performances on the open-air stage, there is plenty to enjoy throughout the season. One of the highlights is the New Year’s Eve party on the mountain.

Find out more about Schmitten Sound

Ski’n’Brunch

Every Thursday from 7 January to 11 March 2027, small groups of early risers can enjoy freshly groomed slopes on the Schmittenhöhe before regular skiing gets underway. Afterwards, a generous brunch with mountain views rounds off the morning.

Book your Ski’n’Brunch tickets

Culinary Ski Days

From 12 to 14 March 2027, the Culinary Ski Days return to the Schmittenhöhe, with live cooking demonstrations and tastings of fine wines from selected winemakers at 2,000 metres above sea level.

More about the Culinary Ski Days

Winter and Nikolaus boat cruises

From 29 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, the MS Schmittenhöhe invites you to enjoy winter cruises across Lake Zell on selected dates, with the festive atmosphere of Advent and Christmas all part of the experience.

Book your cruise tickets

Schmitten tip

For even more variety on the slopes, we recommend the Ski ALPIN CARD. It gives winter sports enthusiasts access to a total of 408 kilometres of slopes across the Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See, Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn and the Kitzsteinhorn Kaprun.

We can’t wait to welcome you for the start of the 2026/27 winter season.