Kühtai is Austria's highest ski village, at 2,020 m with lifts to 2,520 m, and about 30 km from Innsbruck, so the snow is reliable from the opening on 27 November 2026 until 11 April 2027. It has 12 lifts and 51 km of pistes, a children's park and night skiing. A 2026/27 adult day pass costs 50.50 to 66.50 euros depending on the week, the SKI plus CITY Pass covers it, and a free ski bus runs up from Innsbruck.
Kühtai sits at the top of the Sellrain valley west of Innsbruck, and the village itself is at 2,020 m: higher than the top station of several ski areas near the city. The lifts climb to 2,520 m. That altitude is why it opens in late November and stays open well into April, and why it is a good bet in a thin early winter.
The resort's 12 lifts serve 51 km of pistes, according to the operator. Many hotels in the village are on the slopes, so skiers staying up there can ski from the door, and day visitors park and step straight onto the piste.
Families are well looked after: the KidsPark is a gentle park for children and freestyle beginners, children's ski courses run through the season (book ahead online), and there is a floodlit toboggan run. Children born 2019 or later ski for 2 euros a day with a paying parent on the same ticket type, using a KidsKühCard (3-euro deposit).
The compact layout around the village helps too: the lifts start in the centre, so meeting up for lunch is easy.
Kühtai has three fun parks, including the KPark for all levels, plus freeride terrain off the groomed pistes. Night skiing runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with a shuttle from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof on Wednesday evenings in past seasons.
From 6 to 9 March 2027 Kühtai hosts the halfpipe events of the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships, a chance to watch the world's best riders a short bus ride from Innsbruck.
Adult, youth and child day passes for 2026/27 come in three price bands. Low season (27 November to 18 December 2026 and 3 to 11 April 2027): 50.50, 40.50 and 28.00 euros. Season (7 to 29 January and 27 February to 2 April 2027): 63.00, 50.50 and 34.50 euros. Top season (19 December 2026 to 6 January 2027 and 30 January to 26 February 2027): 66.50, 53.00 and 36.50 euros.
Youth are born 2007 to 2011 and children 2012 to 2018. Skiers born 1952 or earlier pay the child price. A two-day pass also includes Hochoetz in the Ötztal.
Kühtai is one of the 12 ski areas on the SKI plus CITY Pass Stubai Innsbruck, valid from 10 October 2026 to 25 April 2027. A 2026/27 adult pass costs 162 euros for 2 days and 433 for 7, so during the top season weeks it works out cheaper per day than buying Kühtai day passes, and you can ski the Stubai Glacier or Axamer Lizum on other days.
The free bus travel on the pass applies to guests staying at least two nights in Innsbruck or the Stubai valley.
Skiing in Innsbruck 2026/27: ski areas, SKI plus CITY Pass prices and where to stay
Line 420 runs from Innsbruck through Völs, Kematen, Sellrain and Gries to Kühtai, and the resort describes its ski bus as free. The 2026/27 timetable was still being prepared in October 2026; last season the line ran from 28 November 2025 to 19 April 2026, with the local ski bus every 30 minutes at the start of the season and every 15 minutes from mid December.
By car, Kühtai is about 30 km from Innsbruck, roughly 30 minutes from the Zirl-Kematen motorway exit, and you park beside the pistes.
Where to stay for this
City centre, by the Hauptbahnhof, Innsbruck city centre · 4 stars · 88 rooms
Two minutes from the Hauptbahnhof, where the Kühtai buses and the night-ski shuttle start.
A family-run four-star two minutes from the Hauptbahnhof, with a proper Tyrolean restaurant; for skiers, families and rail travellers.
From £132 a night
Amras, Innsbruck city centre · 3 stars
Free parking and quick motorway access for driving to Kühtai.
A friendly, good-value hotel in Amras with free parking and tram 3 into town; for drivers, families and travellers with dogs.
From £131 a night
Amras, Innsbruck city centre · 4 stars · 62 rooms
Family inn with free parking, a sauna and its own ski bus.
Traditional family-run inn in Amras with all-wood rooms, a sauna and free parking; suits drivers, families and skiers.
Ski hire shops are in the village, close to the lifts, and the ski schools take group and private lessons for children and adults; book courses online before you arrive, especially in the school holidays.
If you would rather pick up skis in Innsbruck the evening before, Die Boerse rents piste and freeride skis and snowboards.
Staying in Kühtai itself means skiing from the door, but none of the hotels we list are up there. From Innsbruck, pick a hotel near the Hauptbahnhof for the bus, or one with parking on the west side of the city if you drive, and enjoy the city in the evenings.
Where to stay in Innsbruck in winter: the best areas and hotels
Where to stay for this
Amras, Innsbruck city centre · Hotel
Budget rooms with private bathrooms and breakfast, with free ski storage.
Small Amras hostel where every room has its own bathroom and breakfast is included; for budget travellers and skiers.
From £73 a night
Pradl, near Olympiaworld, Innsbruck city centre · Hotel
Good-value city hotel with breakfast, popular with active travellers.
A friendly, good-value city hotel in Pradl with themed rooms, breakfast included and a small relax area; ideal for budget-minded active travellers.
From £145 a night
City centre, Maria-Theresien-Strasse, Innsbruck city centre · 4 stars
Family rooms, saunas and a ski room in the city centre.
A modern, well-run hotel on Maria-Theresien-Strasse with saunas, a ski room and family rooms; a practical base for families and skiers.
From £143 a night
From Friday 27 November 2026 to Sunday 11 April 2027. Cable cars run daily 09:00 to 16:00 and chairlifts to 16:15.
Take bus line 420 from Innsbruck through the Sellrain valley; the resort describes its ski bus as free. By car it is about 30 km, with parking next to the pistes.
In 2026/27 an adult day pass costs 50.50 euros in low season, 63.00 in season and 66.50 in top season. Children born 2019 or later ski for 2 euros a day with a paying parent.
Yes. It has the KidsPark, children's ski courses, a floodlit toboggan run and very cheap passes for young children, and the high altitude keeps the snow reliable.
Yes. Kühtai is one of its 12 ski areas, and the pass is valid from 10 October 2026 to 25 April 2027.
Sources: kuehtai.info, kuehtai.info, kuehtai.info, kuehtai.info, kuehtai.info, kuehtai.info, ski-plus-city.com, ski-plus-city.com, ski-plus-city.com, dieboerse.at. Checked October 2026.
