Snow-covered mountains around Lake Achensee in winter

Which ski areas lie around Lake Achensee?

From 2 minutes on foot to 35 minutes by car — six ski areas at a glance

Julia & Madleine·6 min read

From MALIA you have six ski areas within reach: three right on Lake Achensee and three more in the Zillertal and the Alpbachtal, all no more than 35 minutes away by car. From the beginners’ slope on the doorstep to the rustic hut only locals know — here you will find the right area for every ski day.

Packed sun terrace of a ski hut in Kaltenbach with snowy mountains behind
Zillertal — Kaltenbach / Hochfügen

A large, well-known area with excellent huts

Kaltenbach and Hochfügen belong to the Hochzillertal and are among the best-known ski areas in the region — which also means they get busy, so be sure to reserve a table at the hut in advance. Kaltenbach also has its own funpark.

From MALIA: 23 minutes by car

Adult day pass
€ 82
Funpark
Yes, in Kaltenbach
Good for
Foodies & party skiers

Our hut tips: We can highly recommend the Kristallhütte for the food, but also for a bit of a party — the outdoor area is really cool, and their website is worth checking for events. The Kashütte is great too, and for the best view head to the Albergo.

Pistes in the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau area
Alpbachtal

Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau

The Alpbachtal is a little further than Kaltenbach but has its own funpark — perfect if you want to practise a few tricks alongside the regular pistes.

From MALIA: 30 minutes by car

Adult day pass
€ 71.50
Funpark
Yes
Good for
Families & funpark fans

Good to know: The Ski Juwel pass is valid in six villages at once — Alpbach, Auffach, Kramsach, Niederau, Oberau and Reith i. A. — so you can choose where to start.

A stop at a mountain hut in the Zell am Ziller ski area
Zillertal — Zell am Ziller

Insider huts & the Lederhosen Wedelfinale

Zell am Ziller belongs to the Zillertal Arena — a separate pass area not to be confused with Kaltenbach/Hochfügen (Hochzillertal), even though both tickets happen to cost the same. The area is also known for the Lederhosen Wedelfinale, traditionally held on the last ski weekend of the season.

From MALIA: 35 minutes by car

Adult day pass
€ 82
Event
Lederhosen Wedelfinale
Good for
Insider huts & views

Our hut tips: The loveliest and most rustic hut is s’Legal (Legalalm) — where all the locals go, tucked slightly out of the way. Check Instagram (@legalalm) beforehand to see whether it is open — the Tyrolean cooking there is superb. For the best view in the whole Zillertal Arena we recommend the Arena Stadl at 2,400 m: pizza, burgers, Tyrolean dishes, Buchteln, Kaiserschmarrn, Tiroler Gröstl, Kasspatzln and goulash soup. Here too, check Instagram (@arenastadl) for opening times and events.

Plan your Lake Achensee adventure
Ski piste on the Zwölferkopf above Pertisau on Lake Achensee
Pertisau — Karwendel cable car

Right on the doorstep — perfect for beginners & children

The Karwendel cable car is just 2 minutes on foot from MALIA — you cannot get closer. The area is perfect for beginners and children, and relatively inexpensive compared with the others.

From MALIA: 2 minutes on foot

Adult day pass
€ 35.50
Pistes
12 km
Good for
Beginners & children

Our tip: Because the Karwendel cable car is right by MALIA, you do not even need the car for a first ski day with the children.

Rofan ski area above Maurach on Lake Achensee
Maurach — Rofan cable car

Ideally suited to families

The Rofan cable car takes you up onto the Rofan just 5 minutes by car from MALIA — a ski area particularly well suited to families.

From MALIA: 5 minutes by car

Adult day pass
€ 46.50
Pistes
11 km
Good for
Families

Good to know: There is a dedicated children’s area for the youngest, and with the AIRROFAN Skyglider you can even glide over the area as on a zipline.

Carving piste in the Christlum ski area in Achenkirch
Achenkirch — Christlum

For advanced skiers on Lake Achensee

The Christlum is the Lake Achensee ski area for advanced skiers — with several pistes and a small funpark.

From MALIA: 15 minutes by car

Adult day pass
€ 69
Pistes
27 km
Good for
Advanced skiers

Good to know: Between 950 and 1,800 m the Christlum offers wide carving pistes as well as demanding mogul runs — plus a small funpark to practise in.

All six ski areas compared

Ski areaFrom MALIAAdult day passFunparkGood for
Kaltenbach / Hochfügen (Hochzillertal)23 min€ 82Yes (Kaltenbach)Foodies & party skiers
Alpbachtal30 min€ 71.50YesFamilies
Zell am Ziller (Zillertal Arena)35 min€ 82Yes (Action Park Kreuzwiese)Insider huts
Pertisau (Karwendel cable car)2 min on foot€ 35.50—Beginners & children
Maurach (Rofan cable car)5 min€ 46.50—Families
Achenkirch (Christlum)15 min€ 69Yes (small)Advanced skiers

Prices: high season, as of the current season — without guarantee, please check on the ski area’s website before travelling.

Good to know

Two separate passes, coincidentally the same price
Kaltenbach/Hochfügen (Hochzillertal) and Zell am Ziller (Zillertal Arena) are two completely separate ski areas with their own passes — a ticket is valid only in its own area. Both day passes currently happen to cost the same (€ 82).
Check Instagram before heading to a hut
For huts such as s’Legal (@legalalm) or the Arena Stadl (@arenastadl) it is worth checking Instagram beforehand — current opening times and events are posted there.

Frequently asked questions

How many ski areas are there around Lake Achensee?+

There are three ski areas right on Lake Achensee: Pertisau, Maurach and Achenkirch. Three more lie in the nearby Zillertal and Alpbachtal, reachable in 23 to 35 minutes by car.

Which ski area on Lake Achensee is best for beginners?+

Pertisau with the Karwendel cable car is ideal for beginners and children — the area is easy to navigate, just 2 minutes on foot from MALIA and relatively inexpensive compared with the others.

Which ski area suits advanced skiers?+

The Christlum in Achenkirch is the Lake Achensee area for advanced skiers, with 27 kilometres of piste between 950 and 1,800 m plus wide carving runs and more demanding moguls.

What does an adult day ski pass cost on Lake Achensee?+

Prices range from € 35.50 in Pertisau to € 82 in Kaltenbach/Hochfügen (Hochzillertal) and Zell am Ziller (Zillertal Arena). Maurach costs € 46.50, the Christlum in Achenkirch € 69 and the Alpbachtal € 71.50 (high season, current season, without guarantee).

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