Kühtai Ski Resort

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Kühtai is Austria
Kühtai is Austria's highest ski resort village at 2020m.
Fresh lines are what Kuhtai is all about for Powderhounds.
Fresh lines are what Kuhtai is all about for Powderhounds.
Modern lifts provide efficient transport at Kühtai ski resort.
Modern lifts provide efficient transport at Kühtai ski resort.
Kuhtai is the ultimate ski in ski out resort.
Kuhtai is the ultimate ski in ski out resort.
Kühtai ski resort village is in splendid surroundings.
Kühtai ski resort village is in splendid surroundings.
Piste trails at Kuhtai are perfect, wide and easy to navigate.
Piste trails at Kuhtai are perfect, wide and easy to navigate.
Ski powder at Kühtai.
Ski powder at Kühtai.
The morning side of Kuhtai gathers the early sun.
The morning side of Kuhtai gathers the early sun.
A host of decks and bars gather the afternoon sun at Kuhtai.
A host of decks and bars gather the afternoon sun at Kuhtai.
Freeride terrain inbounds at Kühtai ski resort is powder laden for days.
Freeride terrain inbounds at Kühtai ski resort is powder laden for days.
Kühtai has a quality snow park and half pipe to go with the fun natural terrain.
Kühtai has a quality snow park and half pipe to go with the fun natural terrain.
Breathtaking backcountry runs are within easy reach of Kuhtai ski resort.
Breathtaking backcountry runs are within easy reach of Kuhtai ski resort.
Even the church steeple is
Even the church steeple is 'ski in' at Kühtai.
Ski Kuhtai powder.
Ski Kuhtai powder.
The dam wall on the Kühtai dark side is even skiable!
The dam wall on the Kühtai dark side is even skiable!
Snow on Kuhtai ski resort
Snow on Kuhtai ski resort's dark side is cold and dry for delicious turns.
The Hohemutbahn chair at Kuhtai ski resort.
The Hohemutbahn chair at Kuhtai ski resort.
Kühtai has a full range of modern accommodation options in the village.
Kühtai has a full range of modern accommodation options in the village.
Après ski is excellent at Kuhtai.
Après ski is excellent at Kuhtai.
Who doesn
Who doesn't love doing this! Ski Kuhtai.

Kühtai Ski Resort

Readers Ratings

Kuhtai

Kuhtai4.5/55
Kuhtai4.5 out of 5 based on 5 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
    100%
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Wagner Custome Skis

Interlinked Ski Resort

Hochoetz

Kühtai Maps & Stats

    Kühtai Ski Trail Map
  • Kühtai Ski Trail Map
  • Vertical (m)
    1,938 m - 2,520 m (582m)
  • Average Snow Fall
    8m+
  • Lifts (12)
    Kuehtai only
    1 Gondola
    6 Chairs

    Incl. Hochoetz - 25 lifts
  • Opening Dates & Times
    December to late April
    9:00am to 4:00pm
  • Terrain Summary
    Runs - 47km
    Longest run - 4 km
    Advanced - 24%
    Intermediate - 58%
    Beginner - 18%

    Including Hochoetz - 88km+
  • Lift Pass Price
    Day Ticket 23/24
    Kuhtai & Hochoetz
    Adult - €39 to 52
    Child - €21.40 to 28.60
    Child u/8yr - Free

    Innsbruck Ski+City Pass is valid
     Kuhtai - Hochoetz Ski Trail Map
  • Kühtai - Hochoetz Ski Trail Map
    Hochoetz Ski Trail Map
  • Hochoetz Ski Trail Map
    Innsbruck Ski + City Pass Resorts Map
  • Innsbruck Ski+City Pass Resorts

Kuhtai Ski Resort, Austria

Kuhtai in the Tyrol is the highest alpine ski resort village in Austria. With a base elevation around 2,000m, quality snow, great value lift pass & easy to navigate terrain, Kühtai has some of Austrian Alps best skiing & snowboarding.

Only a short drive or bus ride from Innsbruck, Kuehtai ski resort may not have the huge skiable vertical, number of lifts or kilometres of trails as some better-known Austrian resorts, but it punches way above its weight in other categories. It is simply a fun, easy place to enjoy everything we love about the snow.

Pros & Cons for Kühtai Ski Resort

Pros

  • The most highly rated ski area in both Overall & Powderhound categories in the world.
  • Sensational off-piste freeride powder & terrain.
  • Superb snow quality.
  • Wide, interesting on-piste trails for intermediates.
  • Austria’s overall best value skiing & snowboarding.
  • Uncrowded, no lift lines.
  • Easy access backcountry terrain.
  • All resort accommodation is ski-in / ski-out.
  • Excellent après ski sessions.
  • Lift pass valid in Hochoetz ski resort.
  • Linked by free ski bus to Hochoetz.
  • Within a short drive or bus trip from Innsbruck or Oetztal.

Cons

  • Exposed in poor weather and blizzards.
  • Limited terrain for novice beginners & adrenalin seeking experts.
  • Village accommodation can book out.

Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)

  • Whilst highly rated, Kuhtai is alot smaller than the mega-resort resorts of the world, and despite our love for it, may not meet everyone's snow holiday expectations
  • A road runs through the middle of Kuhtai village and ski terrain.
  • Only 600m skiable vertical, but from a base elevation of around 2,000m.

Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain

The Kühtai resort is perfectly located to make the most of a yin & yang topography. Even though split by the road in middle, the resort lifts & pistes are connected by a series of clever tunnels & bridges. One thing that really sets Kuhtai apart from other ski resorts is that one can easily scope all the terrain and not waste any time with the search. That is great for first timers, day trippers & short term visitors.

Check out the ski trail map for Kuhtai & Hochoetz below.

Kuehtai Ski Trail Map
Kühtai Ski Trail Map

Kuhtai's skiable vertical is not huge, but it doesn't matter. The extensive on-piste trails are predominantly intermediate, but with continual fall line. Beginner lifts & learning areas are adequate, but piste terrain is limited for beginners. Some real advanced piste trails exist……. and some not so real! The resort has two sizable terrain parks & is fully snowboarder friendly.

The off-piste & freeride terrain is vast. No one seems to ski it so face shots and clean lines are standard. Ridges, gullies, natural half pipes, cornices, trees and wide-open bowls are there for the taking. The brave can even venture over to the dam wall and give it a whirl - surely one of the more unique ski experiences.

Kuhtai ski lifts are well sited & modern. The most recent ski lift replacement occurred in the doomed season of 20/21, with a 6-seat express Gaiskogel chairlift replacing an old T-bar which served the resort's most black(ish) piste trails.

Interlinked with Hochoetz Ski Resort

Kühtai is lift pass & free ski bus linked to the nearby Hochoetz ski resort, which makes a convenient alternative when the weather is 'unfriendly' up high. The ski-bus stops at Ochsengarten, 8km to the west of Kuhtai, where one can jump straight onto the gondola and explore Hochoetz.

Snow & Weather

Kuehtai has something very few Austrian ski resorts have - all terrain over 2,000m elevation. At that height, the snow quality is super cold, dry, and deep.

A south-facing sunny side gathers the morning sun, whilst the north-aspect terrain stays cold & dry for afternoon freshies. Off-piste powder lays here for days unsullied.

The resort can be quite exposed in poor visibility, but that's why the lift pass connection to Hochoetz is so important as it has far more sheltered terrain than Kühtai.

For more information on lifts, terrain, lift pass, trail-map, snow and more, see our Kuhtai Skiing & Snowboarding page.

Where is Kuhtai Austria?

Kühtai ski resort is in the famed Austrian Tyrol state on a high alpine pass surrounded by peaks only 35km west of Innsbruck airport. The closest major town is Oetz, 18km to the east.

The gateway airports to Kuehtai are Innsbruck (INN) (for European & UK travellers) or Munich (MUC) & Zurich (ZRH) (for everyone else).

Search & book all airport transfers to Kuhtai.

The drive from Innsbruck is along an excellent road that doesn't give any hint one is climbing to a lofty 2,020m resort base. From the other side, the drive from the Ӧtztal is more dramatic and prone to increased ice and snow conditions.

For more information on the best ways to get there, see our Travel to Kuhtai page.

Kühtai Ski Accommodation

Kuhtai is one of the few ski resorts in the world where all overnight accommodation is ski-in, and the vast majority are ski-out as well. Everything is close to a lift or ski trail, and everything is easily accessible by car either on, or close to, the main road. Lodging options include hotels, apartments & guesthouses, but they are extremely popular & can book out quickly during holidays & weekends.

Search & book all Kühtai ski accommodation.

If the ski resort is booked out, the nearby towns of St Sigmund, Gries and Sellrain have options to the east, but it is probably just as easy & convenient to stay in or near Innsbruck.

Search & book all Innsbruck ski accommodation.

To the west, the small hamlet of Ochsengarten (near the Hochoetz ski resort gondola of the same name) has a range of convenient hotels, pensions & guesthouses. Further down in the Oetztal, Oetz is the main centre & has a variety of excellent (& affordable) lodging options.

For detailed information on the best places to stay, see our Kuhtai Accommodation Info page.

Ski Rentals, Lessons & Guiding

Ski rentals are available in the middle of the village near the ski lifts. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Kühtai Ski & Snowboard Rental page.

If you need lessons or want a guide for inbounds or backcountry freeride powder exploration, see our Kuhtai Ski Lessons & Guiding page.

Nearby Ski Resorts

Kuhtai is part of Innsbruck’s Ski+City lift pass skiing region linked with superb ski resorts like Stubai Glacier, Schlick 2000 & Axamer Lizum, plus fun, smaller ski hills like Patscherkofel, Nordkette & Oberperfuss (only a short drive away).

A host of other sensational ski resorts are a short distance away including some of the Powderhounds' favourites like Pitztal Glacier, Hochzeiger & Obergurgl Hochgurgl; plus other not so favourites like the big, busy & tawdry Sölden.

Reviews

The Powderhounds reviewed Kuhtai several seasons ago, had a most fabulous time & are due to return soon. We rate the ski experience here as highly as anywhere else in the world. Price, snow, lifts terrain, après, accommodation, transport all ticked the boxes. But it is a small resort compared to the mega-resorts of the Alps & North America. Come here with your eyes wide open to the joys of skiing every inch of a fantastic alpine ski area. Click on the review link in the left column (or top of the page if on a mobile) to read the various reviews!

See how Kuehtai compares to the rest of the Austrian ski resorts on the Austria ski resort ratings page, or compare to the rest of Europe on the European ski resort ratings page.

Follow Powderhounds Europe on Instagram to see where we are currently skiing. Follow our main Powderhounds page on Facebook to stay in touch with up-to-date info, tours, and discussions.

Tours in or near Kuehtai

Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area Tours

Guide & Ride Private Off Piste Freeride Powder Tour
PRIVATE GUIDED POWDER SKI TOUR
1 Full Day Skiing near Innsbruck
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Enjoy the best snow & terrain in the ski resorts near Innsbruck in the Austrian Tirol with a professional guide on this fully customised private off-piste freeride ski tour. Go solo or get a group together & book in for your best dates & duration....
Price p/p Based on a 1-day tour with minimum 4 people
Base/invoice currency is in EURO inc. taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 162
View Details
 
Guide & Ride Private On Piste Ski Tour
GUIDED ON-PISTE SKI TOUR
1 Full Day Skiing near Innsbruck
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Enjoy the best snow & terrain in the ski resorts near Innsbruck in the Austrian Tirol with a professional guide on this fully customised private on-piste ski tour. Be guided through the ski resorts on the groomers, improving your technique as you go. Get a group together & book for your best dates & duration....
Price p/p Based on a 1-day tour with minimum 4 people
Base/invoice currency is in EURO inc. taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 162
View Details
 
Austria Innsbruck Freeride Tour
HOSTED & GUIDED MULITI-RESORT TOUR
7 Days | 6 Nights | 5 Days Snowboarding | 7 Ski Resorts
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Based in Innsbruck, this trip is for intermediate to advanced (or better) snowboarders taking in some of the best ski resorts in the Austrian Alps. Join the "fixed date" tour with your own group, come alone & meet new friends or fully customise a private tour.
Price p/p From price based on single-share room occupancy on a 7 day tour.
Base/invoice currency is in EUR inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,538
View Details
 
See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit Kuhtai here
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