Austria has announced the reactivation of an ambitious project: merging the resorts KitzSki (Kitzbühel – Kirchberg) and SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental. This structural union would create a domain with more than 500 km of slopes and 139 lifts, making the area the second largest ski area in Europe, behind the gigantic French ski area Three Valleys of 600 km.
Executives have confirmed to the Tiroler Tageszeitung that “first steps” have already been taken towards a common ski pass that will allow skiers to move freely in both areas. KitzSki president Anton Bodner clarified that the initial priority is to offer a single pass rather than to build new lifts. Overall, Austria would aspire to position itself as a world epicenter for alpine skiing with this unprecedented union. The idea of merging these two great areas is not new; initial discussions date back two decades when the KiWest and Pengelstein lifts were built, but negotiations stalled due to land acquisition and technical complexities. The current talks, which focus on Westendorf as a key connection point, suggest a renewed commitment to overcome these obstacles. The merger project envisages a combined domain of approximately 508 skiable km (233 km of KitzSki and 275 km of SkiWelt) and 139 lifts (58 KitzSki and 81 SkiWelt).
An investment of more than 100 million euros in new lifts and infrastructure adaptation is estimated. According to the provisional roadmap, after internal deliberations, environmental impact studies and license applications will be carried out towards the end of 2025, with construction starting in winter 2026/27 and partial opening in 2027/28.
Such a partnership will require the coordination of several municipalities and regional bodies in Tyrol, as well as environmental compensations in accordance with Alpine and European regulations.
The merger of KitzSki and SkiWelt would offer 508 kilometers of ski slopes.
The merger of KitzSki and SkiWelt would greatly benefit snow tourism in Austria since the structural merger would offer long-distance runs without logistical interruptions. In total there would be 508 km of interconnected slopes: 233 km of the KitzSki and 275 km of the SkiWelt.
This magnitude would approach the record of the French Three Valleys. As Stefan Grafl (Westendorf station manager) points out, the merger would be “the joining of what has long been de facto connected”, taking advantage of the existing geographical proximity.
The variety of terrain would increase significantly. KitzSki is known for its challenging slopes and traditional alpine atmosphere around Kitzbühel, while SkiWelt brings extensive blue runs and family-friendly amenities to the Kaiser Valley. Together they could offer itineraries traversing all these sectors, diversifying the offer for skiers of all levels. Moreover, with 508 km combined, the Tyrol would consolidate its tourism brand: only the Three Valleys would be ahead in kilometers, and as Grafl points out, this scale is “a major marketing opportunity”. In short, the merger would reinforce the positioning of Austria – and particularly the Kitzbühel region – on the global winter ski map, attracting international visitors looking for domains of enormous size and renown.
The implementation of a single pass is a crucial step forward
The KitzSkiWelt Tour already offers combined day rates, with adult prices of €79.00 in high season and €73.00 in low season by 2025. In addition, SuperSkiCard or Snow Card Tirol holders already have access to both areas. This integrated pass strategy seeks to maximize accessibility and the skier experience, encouraging loyalty and repeat visits. The ski industry is evolving toward creating comprehensive mountain destinations that appeal to a broader demographic and are less dependent on weather, which aligns with diversifying activities and enhancing the customer experience.
Economic outlook in Tyrol: invest to multiply the return.
The expansion will also have a significant economic impact. It is estimated that more than 100 million euros will be invested in new ski lifts and infrastructure adaptation. This would boost several local sectors: from construction and equipment manufacturing to tourism.
For example, SkiWelt has already invested more than €27 million in the 2024-25 season in improvements such as the new Eibergbahn chairlift, a small hydroelectric power plant for energy self-sufficiency and a new reservoir for making growing snow. KitzSki, meanwhile, is investing around €23 million to replace the Trattenbach and Gauxjoch chairlifts with modern 6-seater lifts for the 2024/25 season.
The increase in capacity and the extension of the ski season would make it possible to accommodate more tourists, with a consequent increase in revenue from overnight stays and services. The ski industry generates a significant economic impact on local economies, creating direct and indirect jobs in lodging, catering, equipment rental, ski schools, and maintenance. A united domain facilitates the sale of integrated packages (accommodation+pass system), attracting long-distance foreign tourism. Overall, the merger would amplify the economic benefits for Tyrol by consolidating the region as a top ski destination, resulting in increased visibility and international competitiveness.
Collaboration between Kitzbühel and Westendorf (gateway to the SkiWelt) is already being planned, sharing costs and feasibility studies. The investment would not only modernize lifts, but could include additional facilities (provision of new ski areas, marked routes, on-piste services) to enhance the visitor experience. Ultimately, the growth of this mega-domain would generate economies of scale in the hotel and recreational sector: more skiers means more demand for hotels, restaurants and related activities. All of this strengthens the local economy, crucial for a region where winter tourism is a major driver. However, some local residents have expressed concern about the burden of mass tourism, the rising cost of living and the possible elimination of discounts for locals on ski passes, underscoring the need to balance tourism development with community needs.
Currently, there is no map that directly illustrates the proposed linkage with new infrastructure between KitzSki and SkiWelt. This is because the project is still in the discussion phase and plans to build new physical connections are a future vision, not an immediate reality.
However, what does exist and is very relevant to understanding the potential connection is the “KitzSkiWelt Tour”. This tour is a ski route that already de facto links the two areas, although it requires a short bus transfer.
Sustainability and environmental challenges
This type of mega-project involves complex sustainability challenges. On the one hand, climate change is already reducing the reliability of snow; as CIPRA (International Commission for the Protection of the Alps) warns, slope expansion is only a short-term solution to global warming. Studies indicate that alpine skiing “will lose the race against climate acceleration,” so extending winter infrastructure requires consideration of its long-term viability.
Global warming has led to a 5-10% reduction in snow cover in major ski regions over the past three decades, and projections suggest that low altitude resorts in the Alps could lose up to 50% of their natural snow cover by 2050 even though data from this past season is very positive at the natural inivation level. If the forecasts were to come true, the decline in natural snow requires increased reliance on farmed snow production, which, while crucial for operations, comes with significant financial costs. Snowmaking consumes substantial amounts of water and energy, and can increase the energy consumption of the resorts by up to 50%.
Austrian ski resorts have already experienced a 10% decrease in winter tourism revenues during years with poor snow conditions. In response to these challenges, a group of leading international ski resort operators, including KitzSki, launched the Global Alliance for Ski Sustainability on May 7, 2025, in Innsbruck, Austria. This alliance seeks to reduce carbon emissions, modernize infrastructure and promote sustainable practices in the ski tourism sector, recognizing that “climate challenges are too big to tackle alone”. KitzSki and SkiWelt have already implemented sustainability initiatives individually. For example, SkiWelt operates exclusively on 100% green energy from Tyrolean hydropower, uses heat recovery systems from ski lifts to heat buildings, and employs GPS snow measurement systems to optimize resource use, achieving annual savings of 25% in snowmaking. They are also testing electric buses to replace conventional ones.
KitzSki, for its part, maintains an ongoing dialogue with ecological and energy experts and regularly evaluates its sustainability measures. On the other hand, the expansion would affect sensitive ecosystems. Although the full details of the affected land are not yet known, it is worth remembering that the Alpine Convention and European directives require the protection of natural areas. The construction of new slopes and the expansion of ski areas involve the clearing of forests and the leveling of the ground, which increases the risk of landslides and mudslides, and reduces the habitat of local wildlife.
In the current context, the KitzSki-SkiWelt merger must be evaluated against stringent ecological criteria. The promoters have announced the preparation of environmental impact studies, where the effect on fauna, vegetation and water resources will be measured. In addition, the sustainability of the domain will involve investments in green technology (low consumption ski lifts, efficient water management to produce snow, restoration of disturbed terrain). This project exemplifies the tension between international competition – Austria seeks to respond to similar initiatives in France or Italy with large tourist offers – and the preservation of the Alps. The challenge will be to balance the attraction of skiers and economic benefits with the protection of the Alpine landscape and climate commitment, outlining a responsible development for future generations.
