The pretty resort of Kaprun, along with its neighbouring ski village of Zell am See, is at the heart of the Pinzgau area. Kaprun has three gondolas, four cable cars, ten chair lifts and a range of drag-lifts which give access to 136km of pistes. The region has a 3-star rating for expert skiers, 4-star for intermediates and a 5-star rating for beginners.
Change accomplished: the popular holiday region in the heart of
the province of Salzburg has been using its new name for several
weeks already for internal purposes and on press releases. Now it
finally makes its big entrance on the public stage with its new
name: Zell am See-Kaprun. From now on it comes without the
addition 'Europa-Sportregion'. There have been some slight
changes to the concept as well: the region is going to lay its focus
on three core elements.
It is perhaps better known for its superb summer skiing on the glacier with pistes as high as 3029m but with a snow range extending from 775m to these high slopes, there is never a shortage of snow throughout the winter.
With gentle nursery slopes around the village of Kaprun and an excellent ski school, beginners can quickly gain confidence and head towards intermediate slopes which extend over 130km and with 58 lifts available in the Kaprun – Zell am See region (linked with a FREE bus service) there is ample opportunity to test a different slope every day.
Accomplished skiers will really enjoy the glacier bowl with its excellent powder but the seven black pistes – some with quite difficult mogul fields – will test your ability to the limit! Slopes above Zell am See’s Schmittenhohe Mountain and on the Maiskogel are certainly worth attempting.
New for the coming winter will be two new chairlifts and a gondola giving access to the Kitzsteinhorn and Schmittenhohe. This will allow skiers to get to the slopes faster and in more comfort as seats are heated and you are covered on your way up! From the glacier bowl you can enjoy downhill runs extending approximately 4km from top station to the valley with guaranteed snow cover throughout the winter.
The Kitzsteinhorn opens for skiing on 17 November (White Start Opening) with special rates available in the lead-up to Christmas. As there are 14,000 tourist beds available, there is no shortage of accommodation.
Kaprun is a pretty little village just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of neighbouring Zell am See but guests can still make use of the massive sports centre with adventure pool, sauna, steam-bath and massage but Kaprun also has an indoor pool with sauna and massage. There are bowling alleys, toboggan runs, ice skating and curling, floodlit slopes, sleigh rides and ten ski schools offering carving and snowboarding techniques in addition to perfecting your skiing.
There are plenty of shopping activities, bars and restaurants, night clubs and music so all tastes are catered for.
If you are accessing the area by car, the preferred route is via Munich and then the direction, Salzburg, Siegsdorf, lofer, Kufstein, St. Johann in Tirol, Pass Thurn. Alternatively, you can continue from Munich to Salzburg, then take the direction south to Bischofshofen and Zell am See.
The nearest airport is Salzburg (80 km) but Munich (230km) also gives a transfer of around three hours.