Ski tours • St. Johann in Tirol region
Tips for using the pistes and ski tours in the St. Johann in Tirol region!
The St. Johann in Tirol region is an ideal starting point for your ski tours in the Kitzbühel Alps. Thanks to the central location right at the Wilder Kaiser, you enjoy access to the loveliest areas for your ski tours. Explore the natural winter landscape during a ski tour in the St. Johann in Tirol region. In the Kitzbühel Alps ski tours can be done with the first snow fall (Bichlalm), in the middle of winter (Kelchsau & Spertental) and right into the spring (Wilder Kaiser & Kelchsau). The Harschbichl on the Kitzbüheler Horn in the St. Johann in Tirol ski area is a popular destination for ski tourers. In the new "Dynafit Ski Tour Park" in St. Johann in Tirol trail touring skier can head to the signposted routes during opening hours - 08:30 to 16:30 and on tour evenings. Experience the unique winter landscape in the St. Johann in Tirol region while ski touring!
Good to know
checkVariety-packed areas for tourers around the Wilder Kaiser
checkDynafit Ski Tour Park in St. Johann in Tirol
Routes for piste-goers
Ski tour map for the St. Johann in Tirol region!
Route 1: from the Harschbichl valley station to the Harschbichl mountain station
Altitude difference: 920m | Route length: 4.5 km | Walking time: 2.5 hours
Piste goer ticket at Pay and Display machines at the Harschbichl valley station, and at the cash desk during opening hours
Route 2: from the Eichenhof valley station to the Harschbichl mountain station
Altitude difference: 920m | Route length: 4.7 km | Walking time: 2.5 hours
Ticket available at the cash desk for the Eichenhof valley station
Route 3: from the valley station Tauwiesen lift to the Bassgeiger Alm
Altitude difference: 340m | Route length: 2.5 km | Walking time: 1 hour
Ticket machine at the valley station for Tauwiesen lift
Prices for piste goers
On Piste Touring Skiing Ticket (Winter 2024/2025)
(5 hours parking a day) | Adults | Youths (2006-2008) | Children (2009-2018) | Available at: |
On piste touring skiing with car | € 11,00 | € 10,00 | Till, machine | |
On piste touring skiing without car | € 7,00 | € 6,00 | € 5,00 | Till, machine |
On piste touring skiing season ticket | € 133,00 | € 107,00 | € 82,00 | Till |
Surcharge for regular ski season tickets * | € 67,00 | € 54,00 | € 42,00 | Till |
* Regular ski season tickets are only valid during the operating hours of the ski lifts. A supplementary ticket can be purchased for on piste touring skiing in the evenings.
Piste-goer season tickets are available at cash desks and entitle the holder to max. 5 hours parking per day/evening during the winter season!
Tour-goer evenings
Tour-goer evenings take place on the following routes and there is a fee payable by everyone (including day and season ticket holders, except piste-goer season ticket holders): Route 1: Wednesday and Friday until 22:00 / Route 3: Wednesday until 22:00 (from 22:00 the pistes are closed and no activity is permissible)
Mountain guide
Fully qualified mountain guide in the St. Johann in Tirol region!
Let the pros show you the various ski tour areas in the Kitzbühel Alps! We recommend you head out on a guided ski tour with a mountain guide who knows the area. The mountain schools know the loveliest slopes and ascent routes, and have plenty of insider tips for you. The mountain guides also have special training to take you through the landscape safely. This means you get to enjoy the unspoilt winter landscape in the St. Johann in Tirol region at its loveliest.
Equipment
You ought to bring this items of equipment on a ski tour!
A ski tour in the St. Johann in Tirol region is a unique experience. So you get to enjoy a perfect, fun experience, information on the right equipment is available here. Safety comes first. Along with knowing the dangers the open terrain might present, it is also recommended that you have a working avalanche detection device, an avalanche shovel, avalanche probe and a First Aid kit with you.
Checklist
checkFunctional tour clothing
checkTour skis with skins, possibly ski bindings
checkTelescopic ski poles
checkFirst Aid set, possibly bivvy bag
checkSki helmet, ski goggles, possibly sunglasses
checkRucksack with snack and plenty of fluids
checkFully charged mobile phone with emergency numbers stored
checkMap, altimeter, compass, possibly a GPS device
checkAvalanche detection device, possibly an ABS avalanche airbag, Avalanche Ball and AvaLung
checkAvalanche shovel and avalanche probe
Hire points for ski tour equipment
Hire your ski tour equipment in the St. Johann in Tirol here!
Areas for ski tours
Ski tour areas in the Kitzbühel Alps!
Wilder Kaiser
Many ski tours in the Wilder Kaiser are often possible right through to May (Schneekar, Griesner Kar). Quite a lot is available in the middle of winter too and the rugged rock formations of the Kaiser mountains inspire on every single tour. The starting point for Wilder Kaiser tours are the Wochenbrunneralm, the car park beneath Graspoint-Niederalm and Kaiserbach valley.
Kelchsau
Kelchsau is a long north-south valley, that branches off at Hopfgarten im Brixental. At the toll area, the valley splits into the "Kurzer Grund" (right) and the "Langer Grund" (left). Even on the ascent there are lots of lovely tours, on both sides (Lodron – 1925m, Schwaigberghorn – 1990m). The bases that offer several options are Gasthof Wegscheid (1148m), Neue Bambergerhütte (1761m) and Erla Brennhütte (1213m). From the summits in the Kelchsau (Schneegrubenspitze, Salzachgeier, Schafsiedel etc.) you get to enjoy a superb view to the Hohe Tauern, including the Großvenediger.
Windau
The Windau valley (‘Die Windau’, as the locals call it) is a not quite so long north-south valley, branching off from Westendorf and running parallel to the Kelchsautal. Gasthof Jagerhäusl (815 m) is at the mid-way point. This is the starting point for tours to the Lodron (1925m) and the Brechhorn (2037m), in the winter Gasthof Steinberghaus (878 m) is the finish point. From there, ski tours proceed to the Gerstinger Joch (2035m) and to the Steinbergstein (2215m). Anyone who is not filled with dread by longer, flat sections, will find other rewarding destinations at the head of the valley, including the Gamskogel (2206m) and the Geige (2084m).
Spertental
Spertental, which proceeds from Kirchberg in Tirol to the romantic town of Aschau, is the third north-south lateral valley in Brixental. Shortly after Aschau the valley splits into the "Oberen Grund" (right) and the "Unteren Grund" (left), there is also a big car park (1025m) here. The Brechhorn (2037m) and Gerstinger Joch (2035m) can be tackled from Windau, and also from the east. Further down in the valley there are a number of other lovely summits too. The Große Rettenstein (2366m) can be tackled on skis too.
Auracher Graben
Auracher Graben is very popular with locals since it is easy to get to, snow-assured and variety-packed. At the only left-hand turn on the road from Aurach to Aurach Wildlife Park there is a big car park (1045m). From there it is about 30 minutes on a forest trail until the terrain becomes more open and there are then lots of summits to choose from: Gebra (2057m), Bischof (2127m), Sonnspitz (20262m), Staffkogel (2115m) or the Saalkogel (2006m).
Safety & avalanche report
Latest weather forecast, safety information and avalanche warning level!
For a ski tour in open terrain special preparation is required. You need to be familiar with the area and the terrain. In addition, the weather and the avalanche situation have key roles to play. Get information about the latest avalanche warning level and get more information about the weather, safety and general rules for ski tourers. With proper planning, nothing stands in the way of you enjoying your ski tour!
Rules for piste-goers
Pay heed to warning notices and local regulations.
Follow any instructions regarding the blockage of a pistes or sections of a piste. Extremely dangerous situations can arise when using piste devices - in particular cable winches - and during avalanche blasts, etc. For that reason, pistes may be blocked for the duration of this work, for safety reasons.
Only climb via the edge of the piste, one after another.
Only cross the piste at clear sections, leaving plenty of distance between one another.
Only walk at the edge area of freshly prepared pistes. Tracks that have frozen solid overnight considerably impair the quality of the piste.
Leave the pistes by 22:30 or at any time stated by the cable car company.
Be visible. When it is dark or visibility is poor, wear a head torch, reflective clothing etc.
For piste tours in particular, only use the dedicated ascent routes/pistes.
Do not take dogs on to the pistes.
Use designated car parks and pay any parking fees that are due.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Ski tours!
Ski touring is allowed, but only on signposted routes, at the edge of the piste and behind one another.
There are three predetermined routes.
Route 1: from lower terminus Harschbichl to upper terminus Harschbichl Route 2: from lower terminus Eichenhof to upper terminus Harschbichl
Route 3: from lower terminus Valle’s Tauwiesenlift to Bassgeigeralm mountain cabin!There are touring evenings which take place on the following routes: Route 1: Wednesday and Friday until 22:00 / Route 3: Wednesday until 22:00. Please keep to the predetermined routes, as in the rest of the ski area the snow groomers are working! From 22:00, all pistes in the entire ski area are completely closed!
Here you’ll find all rental outlets with ski touring gear available.
No, ski touring is not free and will be checked. There are special tickets for slope touring.
Yes, you can book a guided ski tour with one of our local mountain guides. The alpine sports schools know the best downhill runs and climbing routes and are specially trained.
The alpine sports schools also offer ski touring in open terrain. No prior experience is required, but you should be reasonably fit as ski touring in open terrain demands a lot of strength and endurance.
No, dogs are not allowed on the piste!
Up-to-date information about the avalanche situation can be found here at any time.
Yes, the ski area is checked and approved for ski touring by the avalanche commission every day before opening the lifts. If avalanche blasting is required, this will be done before the ski area is opened and we thus strongly advise against entering the pistes before the official opening.
The following equipment is recommended for piste touring: Touring skis with ascent binding, skins, ski touring boots, touring poles, touring clothes, backpack, change of clothes, helmet, headlamp (at night), sunblock, water bottle and provisions. For high alpine touring or touring in open terrain, also crampons, avalanche backpack, shovel, probe & avalanche transceiver.