"Kitzbüheler Alpen": Double Snow Guarantee on 1000 km of Pistes

The Kitzbüheler Alpen have one of the best guarantees of snow in Tyrol. The beneficial North West weather system along the main Alpine ridge brings regular high quantities of new snow to the region – some 2.5 m in the valley and 8 m on the mountains in Kitzbühel each year. The pre-Winter period was so cold in the Kitzbüheler Alpen that the 20 cm snow covering in the valley remained unbroken from December to April. And this is sufficient coverage for a compact piste on the meadows of the Kitzbüheler Alpen. Despite this, ¾ of pistes in the greater ski region – i.e. 824 of the 1,087 km of pistes – are covered by artificial snow-making facilities: 4,183 snow machines add the finishing touches to the pistes in case there is a lack of snow in any particular area. This makes the Kitzbüheler Alpen region immune to any seasonal variations and show shortages. 55 reservoirs with more than 3.5 million m3 of water ensure sufficient supplies are always at hand. To save energy, special ultra-efficient snow guns are used and the water (100% drinking water) is pre-cooled using the icy night air. The large quantity of natural snow and the snow guns offer a double snow guarantee in the Kitzbüheler Alpen.