41 km
1976 m - 3029 m
open »
open »
Test report Kaprun/Kitzsteinhorn
Skiresort.info Test of the ski resort Kaprun/Kitzsteinhorn
Total result: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Test Kaprun/Kitzsteinhorn
The review Kaprun/Kitzsteinhorn was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
Test result: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Skiresort.info Test Winner 2011:
Insider Tip: Best ski resorts with up to 50 km of slopes >>
Best Pools & SPA: Tauern SPA >>
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Further evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria for special interests
In detail: Test report for ski resort Kaprun/Kitzsteinhorn
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
With its 41km of slopes, the Kitzsteinhorn is not one of the largest ski resorts in the province of Salzburg. However, it is the highest ski resort and the only glacier resort in the province.
Runs/slopes
Additional runs
3 km Marked ski routes
Altitude difference
1053 m (Valley 1976 m - Mountain 3029 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
20
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 4 ← 3
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 4 ← 3
Photos
Runs of all difficulty levels can be found at the Kitzsteinhorn. From wide and easy glacier runs to very steep slopes - everything is available. Ski routes and deep snow runs round off the offering.
Runs/slopes
Total 41 km
Easy
19 km
(47 %)Intermediate
19 km
(46 %)Difficult
3 km
(7 %)
Additional runs
Marked ski routes
3 km
Freeride XXL offer: 5 freeride routes near the lifts
Longest run
5 km
Run location
Glacier, above tree line
Worth knowing
- Valley run not available
- Public race course with time measurement
Modern and high-performance feeder lifts lead up from the valley to the glacier. On the glacier, there are mainly t-bars. There are modern chair lifts with covers and sometimes with seat heaters surrounding the Alpincenter.
The highest cable car support in the world is Number 7 at a height of 113.6m.
Number of ski lifts
20
Total capacity
32120 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
23.3 km Total
Lifts and cable cars
1
1
3
5
10
The glacier ski resort is open for skiing almost the entire year. According to snow levels, it is even possible to ski throughout the whole summer. The snow-making capabilities stretch from Langwiedboden (2000m) to the edge of the glacier (2700m).
Worth knowing
- Glacier ski resort
- Artificial snow-making
56 Snow canons
50 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
Season 2008/2009
310 Days open
Season 2009/2010
320 Days open
Photos
The slope preparation is excellent.
The snow cats are in operation from 4:30 pm until the next morning.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
Photos
Further evaluation criteria
The nearest highway is 57km away. A mountain road leads from the village of Kaprun directly to the free parking lots of the glacier lifts. When the lots are very full, a shuttle bus runs in the parking lot and brings guests to the valley station.
Access via Autobahn A8 München-Salzburg, Ausfahrt Traunstein/Siegsdorf
- Kitzsteinhorn Gletscherjet 1 (Kaprun), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 90 km · approx. 91 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, free of charge
Access via A12 Inntal-Autobahn, Ausfahrt Wörgl Ost
- Kitzsteinhorn Gletscherjet 1 (Kaprun), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 88 km · approx. 93 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, free of charge
Access via A10 Tauernautobahn, Ausfahrt Knoten Pongau
- Kitzsteinhorn Gletscherjet 1 (Kaprun), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 57 km · approx. 59 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Side road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, free of charge
Winter Closure
The Grossglockner high alpine road is closed in the winter
The Grossglockner high alpine road is closed in the winter
Trail map and overview maps:
Trail maps are available at all ticket desks and the ski resort is depicted well on the map. The highlights of the ski resort are indicated and all restaurants are well-described. Events and bus schedules are also included. More detailed information about the lifts and more altitude indications on the glacier would be helpful.
Trail maps are available at all ticket desks and the ski resort is depicted well on the map. The highlights of the ski resort are indicated and all restaurants are well-described. Events and bus schedules are also included. More detailed information about the lifts and more altitude indications on the glacier would be helpful.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
Large panorama boards in the ski resort provide guests with an overview. Information systems (screens) are located at the valley station, at the Gipfel lift (peak lift) and at the Gipfel station (peak station). There are also sign-postings at the intersections.
Large panorama boards in the ski resort provide guests with an overview. Information systems (screens) are located at the valley station, at the Gipfel lift (peak lift) and at the Gipfel station (peak station). There are also sign-postings at the intersections.
The Hohe Tauern National Park is a partner of the Kitzsteinhorn ski resort. In order to protect the high alpine holiday and leisure region, pioneering environmental protection measures have been implemented, such as the generation of energy through solar panels, restoration of slope areas, waste separation and waste prevention.
Awards:
The first cable car company in Austria to be certified as ISO 9001 and 14001 for all business areas. It also received the pro natura - pro ski AWARD 2011.
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- No direct train connection
- Comprehensive ski bus network
- Scheduled busses
Enjoyment on every level is the motto for the gastronomy on the Kitzsteinhorn. There is nothing mundane, the food is rather colourful and diversified from down in the valley up to the peak station at 3029m. From typical Austrian cuisine to international delicacies, from the calm sun terrace to Après Ski at the umbrella bar - the choice is made according to taste and altitude.
8 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Gastronomy tip
-
Gipfel Restaurant
At the mountain station at 3029 in the Gipfelwelt 3000
The Gipfel Restaurant offers culinary delights with a beautiful view of the highest mountains in Austria and is directly connected to the Gipfelwelt 3000.
-
Gletschermühle
At the Alpincenter at 2450m
Typical Austrian cuisine is served in this homelike restaurant. Golden Wiener Schnitzel, Pinzgauer Kasnock'n (Pinzgau cheese dumplings) served in an iron pan and legendary Austrian pastry specialties are served here. Wines from well-known Austrian vintners are also offered by the glass here. The restaurant is a member of the Genusswirte Österreich (an Austrian culinary organisation) since March 2010 and is thereby the member located at the highest altitude.
-
Big Apple
At the Alpincenter at 2450m
The food and flair are international in the Big Apple self-service restaurant. Making a choice can become difficult here: the colourful market grill, the daily soup, pasta bar, burgers and fries, asian, salad bar, pizza oven, vitamin bar, pastry shop, the first glacier vinotheque, and much more offer a true culinary experience.
Mountain hut tip
-
Krefelder Hütte
Below the Alpincenter at 2300m
The cozy restaurant belonging to the Deutschen Alpenverein (German Mountaineering Association) which is located in the area between the Alpincenter and Langwiedboden offers good homestyle meals and tasty dumpling dishes.
-
Häuslalm
At Langwiedboden at 2000m
The rustic alm offers good homestyle cooking and hearty Pinzgau specialties. The Haeusl Bar hosts a fun Aprés Ski.
Photos
Before you begin the descent down to the valley, you can celebrate at the Alpincenter and at Langwiedboden. There is a cozy atmosphere at the Volvo Ice Camp and in the Jagawirt. You can stop at Kitz 900 at the valley station and if you still have the energy, you can party in Kaprun until deep into the night.
-
Parasol Schirmbar
Next to the Alpincenter at 2450m
Great party atmosphere with good music until the last valley run. The middle point is the large terrace facing South in front of the Alpincenter.
-
Häuslalm
At Langwiedboden at 2000m
Before you go down to the valley with the gondola, you can have loads of fun at the Après-Ski oasis - the Haeusl Bar
-
Da Jagawirt
Half way between the Gletscher lift and Kaprun
Da Jagawirt in Kaprun represents traditional, honest enjoyment. The Après Ski here is more cozy and friendly.
-
Volvo ICE CAMP
At the mountain station of the Sonnenkar lift
Chill out to the relaxing sound on the sun terrace
There are 3 places where you can stay the night up in the ski resort: Volvo ICE CAMP (igloo), the Bundessport- und Freizeitzentrum (German Sport and Leisure Centre) next to the Alpincenter, and the Krefelder Huette. Most of the accommodations are located directly in the village of Kaprun.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are only a few accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Tips
-
Tauern Spa Kaprun
On the outskirts of Kaprun.
The Tauern Spa in Kaprun is one of the most modern spas in Austria. A complete water world is featured in the Base Camp, which invites guests to enjoy athletic activities as well as to simply relax. The water presents itself in all its wonderful facets: comfortably warm or refreshingly cold, as a bubbling massage, rushing water slide or as a pleasant body therapy with salt.
Towns/villages
- Kaprun
Distance to ski resort 3-5 km
Guest beds 5550
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
Photos
Evaluation criteria for special interests
There is a special deal now for kids and teens from 6 - 19 years old - the Saturday Ski Pass Power of Ten - for only 10 EUR. There are special ski school offers for children as well. There is no children's area and no child care is offered.
Information for families and children
- Children's lifts
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
- Ski school for children
Photos
The wide and easy glacier slopes on the Kitzsteinhorn are ideally suited for beginners. Beginners can ski down from the glacier plateau to the Alpincenter. The descent down to Langwiedboden should be made with the gondola.
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Wide slopes
- Beginner's area
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
Ski schools on-site
Photos
The Kitzsteinhorn is a paradise for advanced skiers. There is an XXL freerider offering: 5 freeride routes near the lifts (including the Ice Age, West Side Story, Left Wing, Jump Run and Pipe Line runs). There is a modern information system for deep snow skiers with a Freeride Info Base next to the Alpincenter and Freeride Info Points directly at the entrance to the routes. In addition, there is an avalanche search field for training purposes at the Alpincenter.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- very many freeride / deep snow areas
- some mogul slopes
- some extremely difficult, steep and unprepared runs (Double Diamonds)
Slope offering advanced skiers
Runs/slopes
Total 41 km
Difficult
3 km
(7 %)Additional runs
Marked ski routes
3 km
Freeride XXL offer: 5 freeride routes near the lifts
Most difficult run
-
Gipfelsteilhang · Length 0 km · Altitude difference 100 m
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Photos
The Kitzsteinhorn offers 3 world class snowparks with Austria's largest super pipe. The snowparks at Kitzsteinhorn are managed and kept in form daily by a motivated shape crew so that nothing stands in the way of ultimate freestyle fun.
Information for Snowboarders
- few cat tracks
- no runs with ascent
- very many freeride / deep snow areas
Snow parks
- Easy Park Kitzsteinhorn
Beginners will have great fun in the Easy Park at the Sonnekar lift as the special beginner obstacles enable all beginners and curious skiers a safe and fun introduction to the world of freestyling. The largest super pipe in Austria is also found in the Easy Park.
- Central Park Kitzsteinhorn
The Central Park at the Sonnenkar lift offers practiced freestylers a varied set-up, which mainly consists of rails and kickers of an intermediate level.
- Glacier Park Kitzsteinhorn
Thanks to the snow-reliable location at 2900m, the Glacier Park can be enjoyed in the fall and spring, it is closed in the winter though. It is suitable for beginners as well as advanced freestylers. The park is 250m long and 100m wide and contains approx. 20 obstacles.
Offering snow parks
- Snow park/ Fun park
- Halfpipe
- Superpipe
- Kicker (Jump/ Ramp)
- Rails/ Slides
- Boxes
- Wallride
- Corner / Hip
- Boardercross
- Waverides
- Pro Line
- Medium Line
- Beginner/ Easy Line
- Chill area with music
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 3 km
There are up to 3km of very snow-secure, groomed tracks on the glacier plateau at 2900m. It is the meeting point for all Nordic fans on the Kitzsteinhorn.
Photos
Conclusion
Beautiful, wide slopes, breath-taking panorama view, quick ascent to the glacier
No valley run, early lift closing (3:45 pm) for most of the lift facilities
Test Report issued on 2011-02-09
Feedback for the Skiresort.info Team? Please use this form »
TAUERN SPA Zell am See - Kaprun
****
Base Camp for Body and Soul
5710 Kaprun
8 km to ski resort Test report »
Base Camp for Body and Soul
5710 Kaprun
8 km to ski resort Test report »
