|
Skiing in Kaprun
Kaprun, situated south of Salzburg, is a pretty Tyrolean village still retaining its’ original farming roots, whilst offering year-round skiing for all levels. Together with neighbouring Zell am See, Kaprun makes up the ski area known as the Europa Sport Region, one of Austrias’ premier ski destinations attracting two million visitors per year. There are 130km of pistes offered throughout the region, with 50km of those found on the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, where it is possible to ski 365 days of the year, and 80km on the Schmittenhohe Mountain in Zell am See. The skiing in Kaprun is ideally suited for intermediate skiers looking for an authentic village atmosphere, and the resort itself is known as one of the more reasonably priced Austrian ski destinations.
Skiing in Kaprun – The Mountains
Kaprun offers skiing in three main areas - a local area on the Maiskogel, the glacial slopes of the Kitzsteinhorn and the Schmittenhohe Mountain in Zell am See – all accessible by local bus service and available on one lift pass. Beginners visiting Kaprun will be best suited to the Maiskogel area, reached by cable car from the village, where there are numerous gentle blue runs through the trees, served by many drag lifts. The Kitzsteinhorn Glacier is large enough to offer high altitude skiing for all abilities, with some gentle slopes for the less experienced, and can be reached by gondola from the village. The runs here are mainly reds, and a series of 20 lifts carry skiers around the glacier and up to the highest point of Kaprun, its’ peak of 3,029m. The already fairly snow-sure slopes of the glacier are boosted at the lower elevation by snow-making facilities. Summer skiing on the glacial slopes attract many visitors to both Kaprun, and the slightly more sophisticated lakeside resort of Zell am See, only 5kms away. Here, 75km of sunny pistes can be found on the Schmittenhohe Mountain, again mainly for intermediates, although more advanced skiers can enjoy the varying blacks running through the trees, some steep moguls and the longest run is the Schutt, at 6km, which takes in a vertical drop of 1,200m back down to the village. Snowmaking is extensive here also, with facilities covering more than two-thirds of the slopes at Zell am See. Snowboarders have a boarder cross to enjoy on the Schmittenhohe and a fun park on the glacier at Kaprun.
Skiing in Kaprun – The Après-ski
The après-ski scene in Kaprun is surprisingly good for its’ small size, with the village offering a taste of authentic Austrian mountain life, together with plenty of bars and restaurants, such as the Music Café, Skialm and the Pavilion, to cater for all the year-round tourists that visit. Zell am See provides a more extensive choice of après-ski venues, and is a short drive away for those looking for more lively nightlife. Other pastimes to enjoy whilst staying in Kaprun are swimming, ice-skating, snow-shoeing, and exploring the many walking trails.
Austria Skiing Holidays
|
Back to Austria skiing holidays
