The best year of Hias Leitner’s ski career was his 1960 season, highlighted by a silver medal in slalom at Squaw Valley in 1960. That year he also won an Arlberg-Kandahar slalom in Sestriere, the Lauberhorn at Wengen, and the Harriman Cup at Sun Valley. Leitner also won the slalom at the 3-Tre race in Madonna di Campiglio. A slalom specialist, he competed at the 1964 Winter Olympics but placed only 21st in his main event.
Leitner then turned professional and skiied in the United States on the US Pro Ski Tour through 1972, winning the 1966-68 World Professional Championship. He then worked as a ski trainer with the Tyrolen Ski Association and Austrian Ski Federation through 1999, training among others, Leonhard Stock, Stephan Eberharter, and Benjamin Raich.