 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello! New member here, but none of my friends ski, and I wanted some expert opinions! As the title suggests, I'm debating between Kitzbühel or Zermatt for a ~7 day ski trip in January (never too early to plan!). I originally had the Dolomites on the list, but I figured going there would be more exciting in 2026, as one could potentially make an Olympics trip out of it (/ I have skied there probably 7 or 8 times). I have the Ikon pass (and get 7 days of skiing at both resorts) and have the following thoughts:
- I visited Zermatt last year and loved it! I would gladly go back, but I also would like to try someplace new if it is worthwhile
- Both are pretty, but Zermatt's views are pretty incomparable... definitely doesn't hurt!
- I'm fortunate to say cost isn't a huge factor; I would probably spend the same amount on lodging in either location, though I could get a larger room in Kitzbühel and saving on food wouldn't hurt
- Zermatt is larger: I love to constantly try new slopes/areas and wonder if Kitzbühel would feel small after 7 days? I grew up skiing the Sella Ronda area so am very spoiled in terms of large resorts!
- Zermatt seems more snow-sure. I had bad luck in Austria (St. Anton winter 22/23) and know Kitz is pretty low in elevation. I have seen posts about Kitz not having as much snow (though whenever I watch the races there, see below, it seems pretty snowy!)
- The trip would likely coincide with the Hahnenkamm races. I am a huge ski racing fan and it would be super cool to see, but I also would be bummed if I couldn't ski the Streif / if a lot of the area was closed off to accommodate the race! When I was in St. Anton it coincided with a race which was very cool to watch, but I was disappointed I couldn't ski a sizable chunk of the mountain.
- I would fly into Zurich, though both seem relatively easy to reach by train?
The internet seems largely pro-Zermatt, but I guess my question boils down to: If I want a snow sure / expansive resort, is it worth going back to Zermatt vs. trying something new in Kitzbühel? Thank you so much!!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I wouldn't say Kitzski is a small area. Then include kiwest and ski welt covered on the same lift pass it's huge.
January can be a cruel time up high and ski days lost to high wind and bad weather.
Apres in Kitz especially during the race is fun
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Of the lower Tirol / Salzburgerland areas I think Kitzbühel is the best. In good snow conditions it has a pretty decent range of slopes with some harder stuff even some off piste. The key words though are "in good snow conditions" which have been less common in recent years. You should be OK in mid / late January when the race is on but it is not as snow sure as the Arlberg. The race really doesnt make much difference to the skiing available, the run down from the Hahnenkamm is actually one of the less interesting runs (much of the race route is not official pistes) so that being closed off is no big deal. My experience is that the rest of the area is quieter on race day.
The race route at St Anton does take up more of the area (but still a very small part of the Arlberg) and that is a minor irritation.
Zermatt does not necessarily get a lot of snow, yes it has the glacier area (which is not necessarily a good place in January). It is a beautiful place and there should be decent conditions in mid / late January. For Zermatt heavy falls of snow generally come from the south which is not the prevailing weather (generally a westerly influence) so some years it can be pretty thin when there is lots of snow elsewhere.
Zermatt is more "snow sure" than Kitzbühel largely because of the glaciers but neither are as snow sure as say Arlberg, Ischgl or Verbier
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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You've got excellent answers above, my personal opinion is that life is (too) short and unexpected.
You've been to Zermatt, you liked it of course and it has higher and wider terrain together with Cervinia.
Do something different.
I would go to Kitz and use the rental car and a SuperSkiCard to ski every day in a different area.
I did it in an early and rather warm March a few years ago and it was awesome fun.
I am sure nextcJanuary will be OK.
In future winters (after the Dolllies) return to the one you loved more.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Reading the Ikon Pass website, it looks as though the days included are for the Kitzbühel/Kirchberg/Mittersill area, so that doesn't include the full ski area on a normal pass which also includes the Ski Welt. So that does mean your ski area is more limited than someone buying a Kitzski pass. I'm sure you won't get bored though, especially if you use some time watching the races. If needed, you could always buy a day pass to ski the ski welt if you're totally bored of Kitzbühel.
The après in Austria is very different to Switzerland, and also much cheaper, albeit Kitzbühel is one of the more expensive places in Austria. That said, I haven't skied there so couldn't tell you the exact prices, but it will be cheaper than Zermatt.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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The "normal" Kitz ski pass doesnt cover the skiwelt. That changed many years ago.
As said above if you want to ski the skiwelt, as part of your one pass you can either chose the Salzburger ski pass which covers the skiwelte, and all the nearest areas going East of here.
If you chose the Tirol pass, then yes the Skiwelte, and generally all the areas to the west of us.
Id say that the Kitz ski area has plenty for a weeks skiing on its own, but if you fancied a day on the ski welte/Saalbach etc, then just get a day pass. This year was 72 euros for peak season.
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| jafa wrote: |
| The "normal" Kitz ski pass doesnt cover the skiwelt. |
I didnt know that. I've either had the season Tirol snowcard or season salzburg super card. I'll stop spreading miss information now then
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I disagree that Kitz is a small area. If you take the central area around Kitzbühel/Kirchberg plus the are over at Pass Thurn it has plenty to keep you busy for a week at least. Kitz is often billed as a beginners resort wihout any really challenging runs. Not true either. It has runs at all levels and off piste in plenty. I particularly enjoy riding mostly off piste down to the Fleckalmbahn in Kirchberg, but there are loads of possibilities around Kitz and Pass Thurn...
Try it. You will almost certainly enjoy
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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You've done Z, try K. Big enough for a week and you could take a side trip as others have noted. Yes its lower but smooth farmland doesn't take much snow for coverage vs jagged terrain higher in the mountains, and they have a huge snowmaking system. While the glacier provides some "insurance" (and I do subscribe to that theory, its why I go to Zillertal/Hintertux) the Klein Matterhorn glacier is boring and flat. K is also a real town. Sure it has fancy stores but also a great kabob truck outside of Aurach! I think the best terrain is at Pass Thurn/Resterhohe. 2 or 3 train stations at K, including one right at the Hahnenkamm base. I've only been to WC races in Canada but the atmosphere there was great so at Kitz it will be at apogee of course. Agree that the race will not torpedo the skiing elsewhere in the area (like it did at Lake Louise).
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I agree with Steilhang. I've skied a fair amount over the past couple of years there.
There's a lot of fun off piste if you keep your eyes peeled when riding the lifts. The area to left of the stienbergkogel lift is good. infact all that pisted area is good. I'll challenge anyone to find a better lift system. The Hüttes are good and plenty all over the mountain. It's a brilliant ski area
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Hello, I think the real question is if your friends will even like skiing in the first place. Since they've never done it before, I wouldn't suggest going to Zermatt with them. Zermatt is not the best place for beginners.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Haljaberi, I didn't read the OP to suggest that said non-skiing friends would be going on the trip with them.
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@Chaletbeauroc, So, he's asking for advice on the forum since none of his friends know anything about skiing! He's not the only one! 
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You know it makes sense.
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Not sure what the question is.
You done Zermatt.
Now do Kitz.
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