Kaunertal Glacier guide: how to pay €123 less for your ski pass
Hello! I have been to the Kaunertal Glacier many times and always love going back, so I will share my experience with you. For me it is the finest spot in the Tyrolean Alps: a real escape from mass tourism, crowds and endless lift queues. I will show you how to pay €123 less for your ski pass.
Why Kaunertal?
Every trip of mine starts with a drive along the famous, scenic Kaunertaler Gletscherstraße, which leads straight into the heart of the mountains, surrounded by more than thirty three-thousanders. On the glacier itself you will find 55 kilometres of wide, perfectly groomed pistes with natural snow guaranteed from October right through to May. Another plus is that the entire glacier ski area is 100% accessible to people with disabilities.
For thrill seekers, a must is Black Ibex. The steepest piste in Europe with an impressive gradient of 87.85%. It beats even the legendary Streif in Kitzbühel and the famous Harakiri in the Zillertal, and guarantees a huge shot of adrenaline. There are also 36 kilometres of superb unmarked freeride runs and a great snow park.
For families with children and beginners, on the other hand, the perfect complement is the second resort in the region: Winterberg Fendels. It has a relaxed atmosphere, and children can enjoy the "BIBI-Land" area and fantastic natural toboggan runs.
When does the season start on the Kaunertal Glacier?
As a regular visitor I have to admit that the Kaunertal Glacier's biggest advantage is its exceptionally long winter. The ski season on the glacier itself traditionally runs from October to May, and sometimes even into early June. In the coming 2026/2027 season, winter passes are valid from 26 September 2026 until 17 May 2027. At the lower-lying, family-friendly Winterberg Fendels, by contrast, winter keeps to a more classic timeframe. The season there usually starts in December and ends in April. Of course, as is the way in the mountains, the exact opening and closing dates may shift slightly depending on current snow conditions.
How to buy a ski pass wisely: dynamic pricing and savings
As a regular, I always buy my tickets online in advance. Kaunertal uses dynamic pricing, where the rule is simple: the earlier you buy, the cheaper it is. Discounts reach up to 30% compared with ticket office prices..
Let's look at the figures for the coming 2026/2027 season:
- One-day pass: At the ticket office you will pay €77, but if you hunt for a deal online you can get it from €54.
- Six-day pass (6 days within 7): At the ticket office it costs around €410. Buy early online and the price can drop to €287. That is a huge saving. On a single multi-day pass you keep as much as €123 in your pocket compared with the ticket office, and compared with buying single days without a discount you save well over €170!
If you are learning to ski, I recommend a new option this season: the beginners' pass (Anfängertageskarte). It costs €49 for adults and €29 for children. It includes rides on the Ochsenalmbahn and access to the learning facilities, including the Sonnenlift and the "magic carpet". I have one more piece of great news for families. In the 26/27 season, children born in 2019 or later (up to the age of 8) ski completely free with an accompanying adult; you only pay a €2 handling fee.
What else is included in the ski pass?
With a Kaunertal ski pass you get much more than access to the resort's lifts. Your ticket entitles you to:
- Skiing in two resorts: on the Kaunertal Glacier and at Winterberg Fendels.
- Free use of the toll road: As ski pass holders you do not pay the road toll on the Kaunertaler Gletscherstraße (this applies only to skiers, though; passengers in the car without a ski pass must pay a passenger fee).
- Use of Pitztal Plus: This is my favourite bonus! With a pass valid for at least 2 days (e.g. 2 days within 3), you can spend one day on the slopes of the neighbouring Pitztal Glacier and in the Rifflsee ski area at no extra cost.
Expert tips: deposit, collection and cancellation cover
I know that buying tickets early can raise worries about the weather or your health. When checking out, I always add the cancellation guarantee. It costs only €3 per person per day of skiing. With it you can get your money back without stress, as long as you cancel your trip at least 5 days before the pass becomes valid. Without this guarantee, online tickets are non-refundable.
The logistics on site are wonderfully simple. There is no deposit on KeyCard cards. If you have a card from the previous year, just enter its number when buying online and the ticket activates itself at the first lift gate. If you do not have a card, you will receive a voucher with a QR code by e-mail. Don't queue at the ticket office with it! Go to one of the many ticket machines (pick-up machines), for example at the toll station on the glacier road or at the valley station in Fendels, scan the code and collect your ski pass. After your holiday you can take the card home for next year or drop it into special boxes around the resort to be recycled.
The Kaunertal Glacier is a fantastic place and, with the right planning, very kind to your wallet. See you on the slopes!
Jacek Ciszak / skionline.pl