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Kaprun Ski Resort
Located in Salzburg, Kaprun is perhaps best known for being the home of the magnificent Kitzsteinhorn glacier and was the first Austrian resort to partake in glacier skiing way back in the 60’s.
As with many other Austrian resorts, organic growth over time has meant much of the town’s architecture still presents a quaint throwback to days gone by - those wishing for the fairy-tale holiday setting may very well find their wishes come true in the shadow of the regal 12th century Castle, or amongst the delightful A-framed chalets that are a commonplace throughout the resort.
A modest hour and a half transfer from Salzburg airport, Kaprun is also readily accessible from Germany- Munich airport is two and a half hours away for those who fancy taking the scenic route.
Aside from being one of the most breath-taking attractions in the region, the Kitzsteinhorn glacier also ensures that a trip is unlikely to suffer from a lack of snow. The glacier can be accessed by a sequence of gondolas, so anyone can take in the stunning panoramas of the surrounding Alps- even if they don’t fancy having to ski down from the summit.
Located just around the corner from neighbouring resort of Zell am See, it offers a beguiling mix of terrain to suit all abilities and enough extracurricular activities to keep you entertained should you fancy a day off the piste.
The standard ski pass covers Kitzsteinhorn and Maiskogel, as well as allowing access to the slopes at Zell am See, which the resort is often paired with. Zell am See is a short trip away on the local Skibus- conveniently also covered by the lift pass. The small hop over to Zell almost doubles the number of skiable slopes and some of the après bars overlooking the lake are well worth the short bus trip.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Austrian Alps
Established: 1960
Open: November-May
Downhill: 61km
View our detailed Kaprun snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Kaprun snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Salzburg | 80km, 1.5 hours |
| Munich | 200km, 2.5 hours |
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| Top Altitude: | 3029m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 786m |
| Resort Altitude: | 786m |
| Longest run: | 5 km |
| Slope Orientation: | NS |
| Vertical Drop: | 2243m |
| Skiable Vertical: | 1053m |
| Night Skiing: | No |
| Glacier: | Yes |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 61km |
| Beginner slopes: | 30% |
| Intermediate: | 44% |
| Advanced slopes: | 26% |
| Lift Pass Price: | 225€ 6 days |
| Nearby resorts: Europa Sport ski area, Zell am See, Hinterglemm, Saalbach, Uttendorf/Weißsee | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Kaprun
Kaprun’s pistes are split fairly evenly in terms of ability level, with the majority being classed as suitable for intermediate skiers. Don’t let this scare you off or lull you into a false sense of security though, as newbies and adrenaline junkies are fantastically catered for too.
Of particular appeal to families and those with limited experience is Maiskogel- known as ‘The Family Mountain’. Accessible by the Maiskogelbahn gondola, the area is accessed separately from the larger Kitzsteinhorn area of the mountain. With an agreeable selection of surface and chair lifts and plenty of refreshment options, this is the perfect area to rediscover those ski legs, or ease the little ones into the holiday. The queues for lifts are usually significantly shorter in this area and there’s even a purpose built ‘Fantasy Park’ with small jumps and features suitable for the budding freestylers of tomorrow.
More experienced snow lovers wishing to stick to the manicured pistes will find an array of variously graded runs in the main area (the Rettenwandabfahrt is a nice long cruisey blue that you’ll lap to your heart’s content), with some challenging expert terrain within easy reach of the Maurerlift- the highest draglift.
From the top of the Gipfelbahn (the highest lift accessed point) you’ll be looking down onto some of Europe’s best frontcountry terrain. The preordained freeriding routes- our favourite is the Colossal X-2 - serve to highlight the true variety of the mountain and showcase everything from natural hits and kickers to wide open powdery bowls and thigh burning technical sections.
Freestyle enthusiasts fear not, Kaprun has 3 snowparks at various locations on the mountains, as well as Austria’s biggest superpipe. The Central park is the jewel in the crown, attracting enthusiasts and pros year round, whilst the Easy Park has a more relaxed atmosphere and features that are suitable for all levels.
Kaprun Apres Ski
Despite the relatively modest size of the resort, there are still almost 50 different bars and restaurants to choose between. The evening’s festivities can kick off before you’ve even left the slopes; the Häuslalm’s famous terrace bar is the perfect location to start your après and indulge in some traditional Austrian fare whilst looking down onto the village below.
Nestled right at the base of the slopes, Zur Lederhos´n is the first stop for many fresh off the lifts. Boasting a heated terrace with live DJ’s, it is easy to see the appeal; especially when you consider it is also home to largest pair of lederhosen in Europe!
A more raucous evening can be enjoyed too- the Pavilion Bar’s central location, large outdoor area, and open minded attitude to fancy dress makes it a sought after venue, whilst Kitsch and Bitter boldly claims that ‘God is a DJ, and Kitsch is a dance floor’. Needless to say, those looking to dance the night away won’t be disappointed.
The Dorfkrug offers a traditional Austrian a la carte menu, alongside a popular pizza restaurant for the less gastronomically adventurous.
There’s no danger of non-skiers getting bored whilst everyone else hits the slopes – the ‘Family Mountain’ proudly offers the first alpine roller coaster in the Salzburg province and the nearby Lake Zell is surely one of the most picturesque ice rinks you could ever skate on.
The Tauern Spa has state of the art facilities and makes for a perfectly hedonistic rest day - its impressive offering of treatments are can also come in handy after a particularly strenuous day on the slopes.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Kaprun
Best time to visit & ski Kaprun
Being a glacial resort, Kaprun’s high alpine areas are covered by snow year round- the glacier itself is only closed to skiers for an average of two months per year. Traditionally, this has meant that there are some great conditions to be enjoyed throughout the resort later on in the season as the snow base, once established, can prove incredibly resilient. Snow making facilities also offer protection on the lower slopes in Maiskogel, and the wide array of mountain restaurants ensures that if all else fails, you can always enjoy an early slope side après in the sun.
Peak Dates
A fairy tale end to the year is surely on the cards for everyone spending Christmas in Kaprun. You’ll be enchanted by the charming village in the shadow of its grand castle, and the thrills on spills on the slopes will leave you desperate to return next year. Kaprun Christmas ski holidays ‣
The diverse range of entertainment on offer makes spending New Year’s Eve in Kaprun an unforgettable experience for everyone. See in the New Year in style, whether you’d rather spend it with a loved one and some mulled wine by the fire, or with the fun loving locals in the street with a few beers. Kaprun New Year ski holidays ‣
Kids of all ages will have a great time in Kaprun at Half Term. Designated learning areas and world class tuition will get the youngsters up to speed in no time and parents will have a hard time catching up with them once they’ve hit the higher slopes on the glacier. Kaprun Half Term ski holidays ‣
With some of the highest skiing in Austria on a glacier that’s skiable for 10 months a year, spending Easter in Kaprun is the consummate choice for a late season trip to the Alps. The huge variety of on-slope dining options are also sure to please those that are more concerned with working on their tan later on in the season. Kaprun Easter ski holidays ‣
Families in Kaprun
Families of all ages and abilities are more than likely to love their ski holiday together in Kaprun.
Catered chalets such as Chalet Mara allow parents get a well deserved break from the kitchen and give everyone a chance to make some new friends. The local Skibus stops all over the resort, so Dad won’t spend his holiday struggling with everyone’s skis as the rest of the family get to grips with walking in ski boots.
Parents worried about leaving their children alone whilst they hit their slopes will have these fears firmly put to bed by BOBO the penguin. This fun loving mascot of the acclaimed Snow Dome is responsible for instilling a love of the snow in the youngest children and he’s never a disappointment. Magic carpets transport little skiers up the slope and the days are never dull when there’s a pirate ship to be boarded and mini-moguls to be negotiated. For youngsters who may have outgrown the joys of a giant penguin, the Ski School Kaprun offers fantastic ‘Rock and Ski’ courses. This is the perfect environment for those who are too cool for ski school and don’t want to be held up by Mum and Dad, but are looking to progress into more extreme areas of skiing with a likeminded group.
Many of the on-slope restaurants offer special kid’s menus and are liberally spread over the mountain, allowing for regular breaks to top up the energy levels and keep warm all day. The main slopes in Kaprun are all gondola accessed, so everyone can get to the piste together in one piece. Downloading is encouraged, removing the risk of any hiccups on the high danger ‘last run of the day’.
For a family friendly day away from the slopes, the well-equipped local sports centre has an array of activities on offer. Youngsters can enjoy the slides and diving boards, whilst those that are only young at heart these days can prepare for the next sojourn onto the slopes with a relaxing sauna or steam bath. If you’ve still got enough energy left, why not try a spot of ice skating; either rubbing shoulders with the local ice hockey team indoors, or outside on the frozen Lake Zell, nature’s own rink. Maiskogel’s ‘Alpine coaster’, the first of its kind in the region, is open 365 days of the year and is a unique experience for young and old alike - if your adrenaline fix hasn’t been sated by a day on the slopes, hurtling around banked corners and over bridges at up to 40km/h should be exactly the solution.
GroupsGroup Holidays Kaprun
The types of accommodation available in Kaprun make it a mecca for those travelling in a group this season. Large catered chalets such as the Chalet Mara offer a great central location that’s equidistant from the slopes at Maiskogel, the ski bus to Kitzsteinhorn and the village centre. If you fancy spending your evenings with good food, a cosy atmosphere, and some great company, then a chalet holiday is right up your alley. With plenty of space available, there’s room for the whole group as well as some friends that you haven’t quite met yet. Even if you don’t all end up skiing as together, the lure of a home cooked meal is enough to tempt the whole group back into one place for a review of the day’s events.
With the a high proportion of Kaprun’s accommodation being provided by a massively varied selection of hotels, it’s easy for latecomers to jump on the bandwagon and tag along on the holiday you’ve had booked for weeks! The Kaprun Guesthouse is a delightful chalet style hotel that’s sure to tempt those seduced by notions of a charming alpine resort and is a great option for smaller groups wanting to stay in a central location. With private rooms and large communal areas, groups can find the perfect balance between privacy and the community spirit that’s so essential for a good day on the slopes. B&B hotels are a popular option for groups staying in Kaprun and offer unparalleled flexibility when deciding on your après ski entertainment. The whole group can wine and dine together, or choose to investigate the resort in smaller parties before arranging a later rendez vous in one of many watering holes.
The range of skiing and snowboarding available in Kaprun makes it an appropriate choice for groups of varying abilities, especially when you consider the pass also covers transport to, and skiing at, the nearby resort of Zell am See.
Which are the best ski holidays in Kaprun?
| Accommodation | Number of nights | Price (per person) from |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Hotel Barbarahof | 7 | £ 1064 |
| Alpenparks Hotel and Apartments Orgler | 7 | £ 548 |
| Hotel Tauernhof | 7 | £ 754 |
| Hotel Ever.Grün | 7 | £ 1011 |
| Pension Elisabeth | 7 | £ 573 |
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