Kaprun is small and picturesque, but at the same time rather posh and expensive place. There you will find pools, skating rinks, bars, and the night life varies from peaceful atmosphere to wild all-night-long parties in local disco clubs. Accommodation is expensive, but extremely comfortable, especially when speaking of the village of Kaprun itself.
The ski lift pass price has always been spiced up; one day ski lift pass in spring season is thus EUR 30, and EUR 40 in winter season. You will get a hands-free pass at EUR 3 deposit. Local bus ride from the village of Kaprun to 4-5 km distant gondola's starting point is included in the ski pass price. Those who are more fond of their cars won't have problems in finding a parking place. Also, if you park your car somewhat further from the gondola's starting point, a free bus will take you there.
It is also worth knowing that more day ski pass covers nearby resorts above Zell am See and Kaprun, while one day pass includes only the glacier and the local Kaprun resort.
The slopes are accessible by two large gondola lifts; an 8 seated gondola lift, and Gletscherjet 1, 24 person standing gondola lift built in 2001. From the lower part of the ski resort (1976 m a.s.l.) (where one of the two Intersport stores, a ski rent, a ski service and a restaurant are situated) to the Alpin center (2452 m a.s.l.), which is the central part of the resort, you can take also newly built Gletscherjet 2 (from 2002) or a chairlift.
Alpin Center (second photo) is a huge modern facility at the foot of the glacier, with all the necessary services and conveniences, starting from the Intersport store, ski rent service, ski school, info desks, toilets, a bar and a huge self service restaurant. This is also the point from where a 50 person standing gondola (built in 1966) takes you up to the resort's top. It is known for the fact that it has the tallest tower in the world - 113.6 m (picture on the left). On the top of the resort (3020 m a.s.l.) there is a restaurant with a panoramic balcony. You cannot ski from this point, but need to descent to the top of the ski slopes (3000 m) using a small ropeway.
From Alpine center, you can take one of (only) the three chairlifts to reach the slopes. The rest of the slopes are connected by numerous anchor lifts (10 in total), which is the greatest drawback of this resort. In 07/08 season, a new chairlift was installed, which also resulted in one new trail on the right side of the resort. Despite the small number of chairlifts, the anchor lifts are very fast and ensure continuous flow of skiers on the ski lifts without crowds. However, the flow of skiers on the slopes is sometimes not so great and the runs get crowdy. There is a great numbers of beginners and ski schools, which, combined with the crowd and speeding skiers and snowboarders (whose number is growing due to the new snow park), can result in quite a mess.
Snow is never a problem on this resort, or, to be more precise, in its upper part. The runs are typical for a glacier - wide and always rather soft due to extremely thick snow base. Most of the runs are categorized as reds and blues, and there are no blacks (except for the non-groomed runs, and the moguls run). The declared total trail length is 40 km, which is true. The plan of the pistes in the brochures is very precise and the waymarks on the slopes are many and useful.
Off-piste skiers will consider this place a heaven! Wherever you turn your head, you'll see a potential new run. However, be very careful; great amount of snow is prone to avalanches, which unfortunately in March 2000 caused the death of 11 ski teachers.
There are a couple interesting things on the resort, starting from the Nordic skiing terrain on top of the glacier, or even three different snow parks that were opened in 06/07 season. The largest of them is located also on top of the glacier, so excellent snow condition from fall to the start of the summer are guaranteed (picture on the left).
If you want to enjoy a beautiful panoramic view, there is a great one from the "panoramic tunnel" reachable from the resort's top. The tunnel starts at the foot of the restaurant. It is 362 m long, with a couple of educational billboards on its wall that will inform you on the development of the resort. It ends on a platform rising above a cliff at the very top of the resort. On sunny days the place offers unforgettable view.
There are four restaurants on the resort: the first one is at the end of Gletscherjet. The second one, a large self service restaurant, is at the end of the Gletscherjet 2 inside the Alpine centre. One more nice and small, typically Austrian restaurant is situated beside the Alpin centre, and one, which is rather stifling is located at the top of the resort. The same as on other Austrian glacier resorts, prices are rather high: French fries with sausage are EUR 7.60, spaghetti bolognese is EUR 6.60, Germknedl is EUR 4.60, and three deciliters of Coca-Cola or beer cost EUR 2.50.
The resort's glacier surrounding is both its greatest drawback and its asset. The price of relatively sure snow is paid by extremely changeable weather conditions that can be put in two categories: skiing is possible, and, skiing is impossible. It is thus advisable to check out the screens at the foot of the slopes for the live feed at the top.
It is almost impossible to speak of Kaprun and Kitzsteinhorn without mentioning the greatest disaster on the ski resorts ever. Everything on the resort reminds of it; the first thing you see at the gondola starting point are the funicular rails leading to the sealed tunnel entrance. Everything remained the same as during the funicular's last ride, on 11.11.2000, when it caught fire in the tunnel, which resulted in death of 155 people in the tunnel and a couple of them who choked in the smoke in the Alpin Center. The funicular, first one of the kind (built in 1974) didn't operate since. It was replaced by two Gletscherjets. Memorial center reminding of the victims was built across the old funicular tunnel entrance (picture on the left).
Ideal time for visiting the Kitzsteinhorn – Kaprun resort is the start of May, especially if you like apres ski parties, happy crowds and loads of sun. First weekend in May, skiers at the Kitz are entertained by a live band and DJs, there are free ski tests, but also other interesting things such as free massage, ski waxing, jugglers...All in all, one thing is sure - if the weather if fine, you're in for a great time.
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