Kaprun Skiing
Ski ability
Whether you've never skied before or you're a self-certified powder hound, the Europa Sport Region offers something for everyone.
These are the generally accepted suitability ratings and piste stats for Kaprun and Zell:
| Suitability Ratings |
Piste Statistics |
|
|
Kaprun Beginner
|
Level
Blue |
Runs
31 |
|
Zell-am-See Beginner |
Level
Blue |
Runs
18 |
Beginners enjoy access to nursery slopes and plenty of inviting blue runs to build up confidence both in the village and at the top of the glacier .
Intermediates are in seventh heaven and, in particular, can enjoy the exhilarating, uninterrupted (assuming you don't mow someone down!) 6.3km run called the "Sch�ttenabfahrt". Some challenging reds provide ample opportunity for you to improve your style and ability.
Advanced skiers have better than average possibilities when compared with many other Alpine resorts, including the autobahn pace of the World Cup downhill course at Zell and the powder skiing opportunities on the glacier.
Snowboarders and carvers benefit from some high speed terrain as well as their own half-pipes and fun parks in both Kaprun and Zell.
Cross country skiing
Often ignored by British skiers, cross-country skiing has much to commend it. Widely recognised as the best all round body work out, it can also be performed at a more leisurely pace requiring little more energy than walking. If you want to exercise harder just walk/jog/run a little faster!
The area has 200 km of beautiful cross-country trails. And for those wanting to try it alongside daytime skiing, or for the fitness freaks out there, a 5km section of the trail by Kaprun Castle is floodlit nightly until 22.00. There is also a track at 3,000m for altitude training! The special cross-country skis are very cheap to hire and, no, you don't have to wear a lycra catsuit to do it.
This is where the Austrians excel. The ski schools in Kaprun have a great reputation across the Austrian Alps stemming perhaps from the year round nature of their business (you can ski on the glacier throughout the summer). The ski schools and the Austrian national team train here in the summer. In our experience, the instructors are friendly and usually speak good English.
In the past we have sometimes pre-booked the ski school to guarantee a prompt, hassle-free start and to ensure that the kids have a place. We found "Petra" at [email protected] (Ski Dome/Oberschneider - the nearest ski school to our accommodation) particularly responsive and they are able to reply by email in English.
Skischool Oberschneider www.ski-kaprun.com
Ski-School Kaprun � Gernot Schermer www.skischool-kaprun.at
Ski- & Racing-School Thayer www.kitzsteinhorn.com
Ski & Board with us � Fam. Hartweger www.ski-kaprun.at www.snowboard-kaprun.at
Skischool Professional � Maresa Handl www.skilehrer.net
Skischool Kaprun www.skischule-kaprun.com
Skischool Kaprun � Handl www.skiprofis.com