Kuhtai

At 2020m, Kühtai is Austria’s highest resort and not far from Innsbruck. The place dates back to the 15th century when it was purchased by the Holy Roman Emperor, Maximillan who must have seen the potential of it being a gem of a snowboarders resort.

Kühtai sits in a valley with runs either side. The one road heads from Innsbruck to Oetz, and despite its height the road is rarely closed, but you’ll need chains and your wits about you if you’re heading there after a good dump of snow.

With only 35km of slopes its not a big place, but it means it fly’s under the radar or any package holiday company, and can be very quiet, especially mid-week. It also gets more than its fair share of snow with regular big dumps, and just as good, not that many people head off-piste.

On the sunny side of the valley, the busy HochAlterBahn chairlift takes you from the middle of town to the highest point of 2520m, and then there’s a choice long reds back down. These runs are also open for the night boarding every Wednesday and Saturday. These undulating runs do have some flat bits so you’ll need to keep some speed up and on a powder day there are some nice, easy and safe off-piste areas to shred. The other side of the valley is mainly in shade and so tends to keep its snow a little better. It is home to the more advanced freeriding Kühtai has to offer and also the much improving terrain park.