|
 |
There
are two major areas: Zell am See’s Schmitten-höhe lifts
take skiers to the 6,500-foot level, while Kaprun is famed as a
year-round ski area with runs on the glacier beneath the peak of the
10,506-foot Kitzsteinhorn.
To
ski the Schmittenhöhe, avoid the main cablecar from town and
take either the Sonnenalmbahn or better still, the newly-extended
Areit gondola from neighboring Schüttdorf direct to the Breiteck
peak. You can also take the Zeller Bergbahn and work your way up the
left side of the mountain. |
The
runs are good for intermediates with some expert challenges too,
particularly the two runs used in the World Cup and regional downhill
races. Our favorite is the trail from the Kapellenlift summit to
Breiteckalm and then down a wonderful turning slope parallel to the
woods. From there, it’s black to the bottom. Locals call this
run the Trass. Intermediate skiers may enjoy the Standard—it
drops from the top to Breiteck but then breaks back to the right over
the Hirschkögel trail.
Kaprun
is about six miles from Zell am See and it’s an-other 3-1/2
miles to the base of the area’s lifts. Take the two-stage
cablecar up to the glacier to Alpincenter. A third section of the
aerial cablecar contin-ues to the top of the Kitzsteinhorn at 9,935 feet.
Kaprun’s
skiing is for the most part intermediate. Experts will want to
tackle the final part of the run from the top of the Gletscherbahn to
the Langwied midstation, run 8 from the Sonnenkarbahn, or run 2 on
the left side of the glacier. While up at the peak of the
Kitzsheinhorn, take your skis off and walk the 360-meter-long tunnel
for a 360-degree panorama view of the Hohe Tauern National Park and
the Grossglockner, a 12,460 foot high giant of a mountain.
Finally,
for the area’s ultimate in off-piste expert skiing, hire a
guide (contact any ski school) and leave the back side of the
Kitzsteinhorn glacier and ski to the valley of Niedernsill.
[BACK]
Snowboarding
|
 |
The
'Europa-Sportregion' has long been a Mecca for snowboarders. On
Kitzsteinhorn and Schmittenhöhe, they can leave deep tracks in
the snow and encounter hitherto unknown heights in the half-pipe. And
there is still more: the 'Snowpark' in Zell am See-Kaprun, which has
been opened only recently, lends a completely new dimension to snowboarding.
In
30,000 square metres of ground, boarders can romp around to their
hearts' desire. Thanks to the extended area, still more 'cool'
attractions are now waiting for you at an altitude of up to 2,900
metres. Fun Box, Styleroller or Step Down Kicker: there are no limits
set to your creativity for new 'moves'. And since the various parks
are centrally situated, they are easily reached by way of the lifts.
Freeriders
do not have to forgo anything either: they can dash through the
untouched backcountry of the region on the 'Magnetköpfl' course
or the 'Langwied' route. A mixture of steep slopes and some flatter
inclines makes these rides an unforgettable snowboard experience.
Boards should be chosen according to the special requirements of the
respective course. |
[BACK]
Mountain
Rating
Zell
am See is outstanding for intermediates; its network of trails and
connecting lifts offers new challenges and dif-ferent aspects to the
slopes as you work your way across the area. For the beginner there
are training slopes and plenty of room to take a fall or two without
serious suffering. Experts will head for the glacier at Kaprun, where
there are also challenging intermediate runs. The combined ski region
offers 54 lifts and 130 km. (80 miles) of trails. A very efficient
bus system, included with your Europa Sport Region ski pass, serves
both areas.
The
Kitzsteinhorn glacier is an easy intermediate area. Though there are
ultra wide, gradual runs, the vast number of skiers and the altitude
make it an intimidating experience for the beginner. Experts will
have to search for ravines (renne) or gullies (wassarkar) to the
sides of the groomed pistes for bumps and steeps filled with powder.
[BACK]
Cross-country
Track at the Glacier
|
 |
Cross-country
skiers find some remarkable conditions at the glacier.
The
versatile advantages provided by cross-country skiing at such an
altitude can be put into action throughout most of the year at the Kitzsteinhorn.
At
the glacier plateau at 2900 m there is a nearly 3 km long
cross-country track. This is the main meeting point for all Nordic
fans at the Kitzsteinhorn. |
[BACK]
Summer
Skiing - The Icing on the Summer Cake!
The
eye says it’s winter, but the brain says it’s summer: and
even in summer, you can enjoy the best of both seasons on the
3,029-metre-high Kitzsteinhorn glacier. Skiers and snowboarders can
hit the slopes on this cooler-than-cool mountain from January right
through to December. Who needs a calendar with 365 days of great snow?
While
others gaze skywards and yearn for the first heavy snowfalls, ski
and snowboard buffs from all over the world are already gathering
here for their winter rendezvous. The Kitzsteinhorn glacier is the
Salzburg region’s only ‘hotspot’ for year-round fun in
the snow.
In
the morning check out the ski-runs at over 3,000 metres and then
take a pre-lunch or
afternoon
swim in the warm waters of Lake Zell! |
