| Ski Run Info | |
|---|---|
| Total Runs (km) | 130km |
| Longest Run | 8km |
| Number of Runs | 57 |
| Beginner | 31 |
| Intermediate | 19 |
| Advanced | 7 |
| Lifts | |
|---|---|
| Gondalas | 8 |
| Chair Lifts | 11 |
| Other Lifts | 41 |
| Total Lifts | 60 |
| Other | |
|---|---|
| Cross Country | 300km |
| Snow Cannons | 25 |
| Uphill Capacity | 58000 |
| Social | |
|---|---|
| Clubs | 2 |
| Bars | 12 |
| Restaurants | 18 |
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Kaprun
Kaprun is the best-known partner of Zell am See in the Europa Sport Ski Region. It is 5 km from Zell am See and on a slightly higher elevation. Kaprun is an old Tyrolean village with doccumentation going back to 931AD when it was called Chataprunnin in Pisoncia. In the 12th century a castle was built at Kaprun and the area remained under the control of 2 families for 500 years until defeat during the Napoleonic Wars.
About 100 years ago Kaprun began to attract climbers and mountaineers. From then the reputation and income shifted slowly from farming to tourism and winter sports. In 1955 two beautiful reservoirs were built above the village in the Pinzgau valley, and they still attract visitors today. In 1965, the Gletscherbahn underground railway up to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, secured Kaprun's reputation as one of the first year-round winter sports resorts. Kaprun now attracts more than 700,000 guests annually, roughly a third of the total number to visit the Europa Sport Region. In spite of it’s fame and popularity, Kaprun has managed to retain some of the Tyrolean village feel.
Skiing in Kaprun
Kaprun is linked with Zell am See to form the Europa Sport Ski Region. It has a self contained ski area on the Maiskogel. Access to the higher altitudes of the Kitzsteinhorn is via a (free) 15-minute bus ride to the base of the funicular or gondola. These carry skiers high up to the ski area serviced by a networks of 18 gondolas, chairs, funiculars and drags.
When combined with Zell am See, Kaprun offers over 130km of varied piste in 4 different areas above and below the tree line. The Kitzsteinhorn glacier guarantees the snow while the Schmittenhöhe mountain behind Zell am See contains 80km of piste with great views across the lake.
Beginner Skiing in Kaprun
The Lechnerberg behind Kaprun village centre has various nursery slopes. Beginners progress from here to the easier runs on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, where the snow conditions are often better. Beginners should always make use of a ski school, and the Kaprun ski school is excelent.
Intermediate and Advanced Skiing
More advanced skiers will want to make use of the whole Kaprun / Zell am See area. The Kitzsteinhorn glacier is snow secure and offers some fantastic runs. Behind Zell am See, the Schmittenhöhe mountain offers about 80 kilometres of piste, including some excellent terrain for the advanced skier. The whole region has 7 black runs with some vicious mogul fields.
Europa Sport Ski Region of Kaprun and Zell am See has a reputation of being one of the best snow boarding resorts in Europe. The resort has a great attitude to boarders, offering a couple of half pipes at Kaprun and a board park at Zell am See. In recent years the resort has hosted the the annual “Snowboard UK” board test.
Apres Ski and Other
At the centre of Kaprun is the 'Optimum' Sports Centre, where the lift pass can be upgraded to a ‘swim and ski’ pass allowing unlimited access to the indoor/outdoor pool and the steam room. Kaprun also has ice skating, a bowling alley, night skiing and tobogganing. The village has a great selection of restaurants and a good number of lively bars, for those looking for an even livelier night out Zell am See is just a short taxi ride away.
There is a good children’s ski play area at the foot of the Lechnerberg slopes where children will take their first lessons and then progress onto gentle slopes just outside Alpin centre on the glacier which is reached by a 2 stage high speed glacier.
| Resort Information | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 775m |
| Top Elevation | 3029m |
| Nearest Airport | Salzburg |
| Transfer Time | 2h |
| Web: www.kitzsteinhorn.at | |
| Email: office@kitzsteinhorn.at | |