Kitzsteinhorn Glacier in Zell am See — Online Webcam

Kitzsteinhorn Glacier — the Jewel of the High Tauern

In the very heart of the Austrian Alps, in the state of Salzburg, rises the majestic Kitzsteinhorn mountain. Its summit reaches 3,203 meters above sea level, making it one of the dominant peaks of the Glockner Group in the High Tauern. This part of the Central Eastern Alps is renowned for its glacial caps that do not melt even during the hottest summer months. A Kitzsteinhorn webcam is available for guests of the region, allowing them to observe this magnificence from Zell am See — a resort town at the foot of the mountain.

The Kitzsteinhorn Glacier is unique in that it is part of a potential permafrost zone. According to research, the lower permafrost boundary on the northern slopes lies below 2,600 meters. This means that even at relatively low altitudes, a layer of permanently frozen ground persists — a rare phenomenon for the Alps.

History of the Glacier Resort

Kitzsteinhorn made history in Austrian tourism as a pioneer of glacier skiing. In December 1965, Austria's first glacier ski resort opened here. The first cable car of the same year opened access to the Schmiedinger and Maurer glaciers, creating the first glacier ski slope in the Austrian Alps.

Since then, the resort's infrastructure has undergone tremendous changes. Today, the resort boasts 61 kilometers of slopes and 23 lifts, providing skiing for every skill level. From gentle beginner slopes to steep black runs for experts — there is a route for everyone here.

Climate and Weather on the Glacier

The high-altitude zone of Kitzsteinhorn creates a special microclimate. At the summit, the temperature rarely rises above freezing even in July, and the snow cover persists virtually year-round. This is precisely why the glacier offers mountain recreation 365 days a year — a unique offering for the Alps.

The winter season here lasts from October to May, significantly longer than at most Alpine resorts. In summer, snow persists on the upper sections of the glacier, while hikers come here for walking trails and panoramic views. The webcam in Zell am See shows the current weather in real time — the widget in the corner of the screen displays the temperature, humidity, and wind speed on site.

Zell am See — Gateway to the Glacier

The resort town of Zell am See is located on the shore of the lake of the same name at an altitude of 750 meters. From here, Kitzsteinhorn is just a few kilometers away through neighboring Kaprun. The Alm Appartements are situated in the Schüttdorf district, a strategically convenient location between the two towns. From the upper floors (3rd–4th floor), there is a direct view of the glacier and the Araitbahn cable car.

Zell am See is well worth a visit in its own right. The town combines Alpine charm with modern tourist infrastructure. Narrow streets of the old center, traditional houses with wooden facades and flower-adorned balconies, restaurants serving Austrian cuisine — all this creates the atmosphere of a true Alpine village, albeit with five-star hotels.

Cable Cars and Lifts

The lift infrastructure of Kitzsteinhorn is one of the most modern in the Alps. The Araitbahn cable car, visible from the webcam, is part of a chain of lifts leading to the summit. At the roof of the station at an altitude of 3,035 meters sits the "Top of Salzburg" viewing platform with a 360-degree panorama of 30 peaks above 3,000 meters.

The Gipfelwelt 3000 platform is a viewing terrace, restaurant, and mountaineering museum all in one. From here, not only the Kitzsteinhorn glaciers are visible, but also neighboring massifs — Grossglockner (Austria's highest mountain at 3,798 m), the mountains of Salzburg, and even neighboring Carinthia on a clear day.

What the Camera Shows

The online camera is installed at the Alm Appartements and faces toward the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier. In the foreground is the traditional architecture of Zell am See: wooden facades of Alpine houses, pitched roofs, multi-story hotels, and residential quarters. Behind them rise mountain slopes covered in coniferous forest. A cable car pylon is clearly visible — one of many connecting the valley to the glacier.

In the background, the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier itself is visible — a snow-white cap contrasting with the dark green of the forest and the grey rocks. In the bottom right corner of the stream, there is a weather widget with current data. The camera provides a panoramic view of the town and surrounding mountains, allowing you to appreciate the scale of the Alpine landscape and the current weather conditions in the region.