Snow Park Mellow Park on the Kitzsteinhorn above Kaprun opens.




The Mellow Park ski park on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier above Kaprun opens its doors for  the "White  out"  of  the  official  ski  season in Kaprun,  this normally  takes place around the  first or second weekend  in November.  With  the benefit  of  the glacier the  start  of  the ski season is  almost guaranteed.

Planet snow  along  with other weather forecasts  can give  a good  prediction of  snow conditions  With reports of snow "Snow looking Pretty good" across Europe, it sets a white back cloth to build on.

Planet Ski reports that RyanAir is offering a free ski transfer with flights booked over the next few days. Looks like an extra incentive to get that ski holiday booked?

If you are looking for somewhere to stay, please consider looking at www.austria-holiday-apartment.com

Snow park on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier above Kaprun wins award




The German magazine ADAC Reisemagazin in its published Ski guide reports on the testing Euorpe's ski resorts terrain parks. The Kitzsteinhorn glacier Ski area above Kaprun has been judged for the year of the report. The Kitzsteinhorn has been very successful and has won in the category of "Snowpark" in front of other leading resorts such as Les Deus Alpes and Davos/Jakobshorn.

To summarise the Kitzsteinhorn Mellow Park is considered to be world class!

If this is not enough there are plans for the snow park areas to be extended and the "park shapers" are waiting for their turn to build up again the Glacier Park, the DC Central Park

To have a look for yourself please have a look at the web cam via the attached link to the Kitzsteinhorn Mellow Park

News update:-

New Superpipe Being Built at Austrian Ski Resort of of Kaprun


The Kitzsteinhorn stands at a height of 3203 meter with it's glacier offers the ability to ski all year round. The area shuts normally (weather dependent) for 2-3 weeks a year in June to allow for the ski lifts to be relocated higher up the glacier slopes.

Come and discover this area for yourself, the Skiing is great and the views superb don't just take my word for it have a look at the attached you tube clip of the parks, the film is rated 5* who am I to disagree? For those who prefer their videos in German here is a separate clip to give you a flavour of the Kitzsteinhorn ski area.

For further info on the 3 ski areas of Kaprun and Zell am See known as the Die Europa sportregion, which consist of the Schmitten, above Zell, the Maiskogel where you can ski down into Kaprun or the Kitzsteinhorn with its glacier see the attached link for a map and further info


Looking for somewhere to stay? consider staying at www.austria-holiday-apartment.com

Safe places to holiday in? - Austria

Interesting link listing the 10 safest places in the world for travelers. The list is a bit objective but comes up with the following countries:-  New Zealand, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Austria, Sweden, Japan, Canada, Finland and Slovenia.

The list seems to pick up on the best places with some common themes:- i) Nordic countries ii), Alpine countries, or iii) Tundra countries. The top ten  list comes from a survey of 144 countries and they look at 23 specific areas as indicators to come up with their favourites.

Political Map of Austria, showing adjacent countries

When it comes to Austria, it has the following in favour, a  politically stable country, population community orientated (as opposed to "my" rights orientated), Austria is a religious county counting on the number of beautiful Catholic churches, secondary indicators include the absence of litter and  the "graffiti" index, the  Austrians come over as friendly, honest, kind law abiding, and are very proud of their nationality. 


If you  are going to visit Austria? and are looking for somewhere to stay? for 3 - 9 guests, then please please consider staying at Austrian Holiday Apartment - Kaprun.

Kaprun Zell am SeeWeather and Snow reports


Kaprun & Zell am See Weather / Snow Reports

The Kaprun snow report and weather forecast is available from a number of sources.

If you are anything like us we are always curious and excited to find out how much snow has fallen in the days leading up to your holiday. Check out the latest weather forecast and Kaprun snow report in the resort and on the mountain.

There are many sites which offer this facility, have a look at these?

  • Or try these two sites for a live camera at various locations across the Kaprun/Zell mountain: www.kitzsteinhorn.at

If you are recommend any other sources for the weather please let us know and we will update this page.


For further information please see www.austria-holiday-apartment.com

Tauern Spa World Kaprun construction update - NOW OPEN December 2010


Work progresses on the construction of the new Spa-World Kaprun complex. It is costing 85-90 million Euro to construct and it sits proud in the valley bottom close to Kaprun. It is in a stunning setting looking out on the Kitzsteinhorn with its glacier standing at oner 3000 metres in height, which is in the Tauern Hohe National Park, the largest nature reserve in the Alps.

The 36 hole championship golf course of Kaprun and and Zell am See is adjacent, across the valley guarding the approach is Kaprun Castle or in German Burg Kaprun well worth a visit and paegents are held throughout the season.

The spa complex is due to be completed in November 2010, and promises to make Zell am See and Kaprun even more of an all year round resort.

To find out more and to keep abreast of developments please see our sister website Spa-world-Kaprun blog.


If you are looking for somewhere to stay then please consider staying at www.austria-holiday-apartment.com, the apartment consists of 3 bath / shower-rooms and 3 bedrooms and can sleep 3-9 in luxury and comfort. The apartment is a 10 minute walk away from the centre of Kaprun.





Tauern Spa Kaprun

Water sports & Swimming in Austrian lakes



Austria is great for swimming out in the open, the lakes are clean with a fantastic panorama around as a setting. The Salzburg tourist office gives regular updates of the water temperature and the facilities in and around the lake.

For example at the time of writing the temperature of the lake at Zell am See was given at 20 degrees centigrade, and a water quality of "A" which is a drinking water standard. The site tells you also what facilities beaches, boats etc. are available and open.

For those who are tempted by wilder waters it is possible to go Canyoning, walking up the river the wrong way in a wet suit, and then swimming / walking / floating back down. Sometimes this is done with the benefit of a rubber ring or other flotation ring. For further information on canyoning, rafting and other advanture sports click on the Adventure Sports link. There is also the Rafting Centre at Taxenbach, they not only do rafting, but they will organize "Pirate Rafting" aimed at younger adventuresrs, along with mountain biking, parascending. It is possible to do a session of cycling, canyoning and wild water rafting in one day.

If you are looking for somewhere to stay for your group please consider staying at Austrian holiday apartment in Kaprun, close to Zell am See, with lots to do in and around the area.

What is the worlds oldest boy band?


An interesting question, and a possible answer is the Vienna Boys Choir ? it was founded in 1924. The group continues to regularly tour around the world, and goes from strength.

The picture was used by the Austrian Tourist board in 2008 onwards with the new strap line of "It's got to be Austria".

Walking holidays in Austria - Kaprun- Zell am See




Austria is great for walking, whether it is a steady walk along the valley bottom, or something more strenuous at a higher level, you will not be disappointed when it comes to the views?

Zell am See - Kaprun

Are known for the varied terrain. Walkers are able to experience an assorted range of natural topography - sometimes all in one day! mountains, forests, lakes, valleys.


Walks to consider Around the Lake at Zell am See?

For those who like there walks on the level, i would recommend the lakeside ramble around the waters of the Zell am See, it comes in at around 7 miles, at just over two hours steady walking and is predominately flat, with interesting vistas across the lake. There are places to stop and have a swim and have a drink. I would recommend the Grand Hotel in Zell, the prices are not too expensive and it is well worth a visit to take in the ambience.

To find the route click on the link and have a play with the terrain buttons? the walk up the valley to the Schmitten ski lift is entirely an optional extra loop.

If you do the walk in winter you may have the further option of walking across the frozen lake to or from the Thumersbach. The lake does not freeze every winter, but when it does it is more likely to be in the middle / end of February.

Route Zell - Schmittenhöhe - walking down the Schmitten to Zell

You can take the cable car up the 2000 metre high Schmitten, it is a little bit cheaper in the afternoon for those who are on a budget. There is a cafe / restaurant and the Empress Elizabeth chapel which is worth a peek inside. The route down the mountain is easy to find and follow and can be found on the attached map again have a play with the buttons to get the most from the map, there is a shorter route down to the Schmitten chair lift base, which is served by a large car park and bus service. For those who take this shorter route your walk can take you past a swimming pond just up from the Schmitten on the south facing slope, there is also a bar, which is certainly welcome on a warm day.

For those who miss the turn for the natural swimming pond (alibi man made), you also have the option of a swim in the drinking water quality lake of the Zell am See ( sometimes called the Zell am Zee).

The walk from the top of the Schmitten down to the base of the lift at a steady pace takes around 2 and a half hours.

Route Talschlußrunde mit Schneeschuhen ( Sallbach Hinterglemm)

Another walk is up the top end of the Sallbach / Hinterglemm valley, it follows the contours of the mountain, going higher as the walk progresses from a start of around 1200 metres up to around 1500 metres, into the higher alpine meadows, look out for the flowers beneath your feet as you take in the views! Again have a look at the map, and click on the options which suit your needs.

Winter Walking

During the winter months, paths are kept clear to encourage walkers, to get out and enjoy the scenery. On the top of the Schmitten a footpath at high level follows the line of the ridge, down from the highest point. Further down the valley at the cable car station there are further forest paths which are kept clear again for walkers.

Across the valley there are walks from the top of the Maisikogel chair lift above Kaprun, with mountain restaurants to stop off and to take in a hot chocolate.

Nordic walking along the lower slopes and a along the valley bottom are further possibilities.

To get maps of the region, to find that particular path or cycle track,  they are readily sold in and around the area at a reasonable price but they can also be purchased in advance through Amazon.



If you are looking for somewhere to stay please consider www.austria-holiday-apartment.com
it sleeps 3 - 9 people in comfort, and is only a short walk away, from the start of the extensive footpath network,  from the centre of Kaprun or to the bus stop or mountain cable car.

Summer & winter maps of Kaprun and Zell am See




There are a number of sites on the internet where detailed maps can be found showing the area in and around Kaprun and Zell am See.

A quick overview is the lake in the foreground is the lake at Zell am See, highly recommended is the 7 mile walk around at around 2 hours or so of steady flattish walking.

To the topside of the lake is the town of Zell am See which was founded by monks upon the the instruction of the Archbishop of Salzburg. It is a lovely traditional Austrian market town, the Grand hotel sits at the end of the peninsula, and the hot chocolate is very reasonably priced. There is a bypass road through the mountain to the rear of the town in a tunnel about 3 miles long!

Above the town is the Schmitten famous for its chapel dedicated to the Empress Elizabeth, from the top 30 or so peaks rising above 2000 metres can be seen on a clear day. There is a regular lift service up from the town throughout the year.

To the south ( left) of the town of Zell am See is the Schuttdorf, shops galore, with some large supermarkets in this area, but also the Schuttdorf lift.

In the valley further to the south is the aerodome / flugplatz, further up the valley is the Zell am See / Kaprun 36 hole championship golf course. Crossing the valley moving towards Kaprun is the site of the Spa-world-Kaprun which is due to open late in 2010.

Looking across the valley at the side of Kaprun is Kaprun burg /castle (one of a number of castles in the valley). Kaprun is a typical Austrian village started as a farming village and now primarily based on the tourist industry for its living.

Further South from the village is the Maisikogel lift which shoots you up the mountain to an altitude of 1675 metres, from there a stunning walk along the ridge takes you towards the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, from the top of the mountain, and over the other side of the slope is the Kaprun reservoir complex which is open in the summer months and well worth a visit.

There are many other attractions in and around the area, and the above is just a brief summary.

Austria Holiday Apartment - Kaprun


If you are looking for somewhere to stay please consider www.austria-holiday-apartment.com it sleeps upto 9 in comfort with the benefit of 3 bathrooms and 3 bedrooms.

Come and discover the area for yourselves?

Activities & Attractions Zell am See & Kaprun





With the onset of another summer, the following list gives a taste of the many attraction in and around Kaprun and Zell am See.

The Kaprun and Zell am See website lists all the attractions in and around the area. From cable car to museum, from castle to a aeroplane flight over the glacier, from stunning scenery to relaxing moments, there is plenty to see and do in the area. Other websites with information on the area and what to do and where to visit include:-

  • The Frommers guide gives information of the scenic alpine dams high above Kaprun, part of a massive hydro-electric scheme. There is also a link for night life in the area.

  • The planetware website gives much more detail with around a dozen suggestions for things to do and see in the area, along with a star rating system of attractions.

  • The Indian Chief Travel guides give another perspective of Kaprun and Zell am See, based on the historical perspective with a few other pages of interest.

  • From the Austria tourist board website there is lots of informastion not only of the Europa sports region but further afield right across Austria.

  • The Salzburgerland card offers great value and access to over 190 sights and attractions right across the region can be found at the link

  • The Tiscover website comes up with a similar list of attractions in and around Zell am See.

If you are looking for somewhere to stay in the area please consider www.austria-holiday-apartment.com the apartment is located in Kaprun and will sleep 5-9 in comfort and is ideal for families. With so much to do and see in the area, it makes an ideal base what ever the season.

Are there many places to eat in Kaprun Zell am See?


Germknödel

Well the simple answer is yes, there are around 30 restaurants, cafe's, hotels and bars to eat in Kaprun, and plenty more in Zell am See (see link below). There is also plenty of choice to please all budgets and appetites.

Austria is renowned for the quality and freshness of its food which is paramount at all good restaurants. My experience I am pleased to say that is that you will struggle to to get a bad meal! quality seems to come with every meal and at every course.

My advice is come and find out for yourself? The advantage of self catering accommodation is that you have the choice to eat in or out. Perhaps having a breakfast at a mountain restaurant or staying late in Salzburg or Innsbruck and eating at a restaurant / bistro there, or just walking down into the village and taking your choice.

Restaurants in Kaprun (for Zell am See - see below)

Overview with name, address and phone number

Name Address Phone
Alpincenter Kitzsteinhorn (2452m) +43 (0) 6547-8621-341
Antonius Schloss Strasse 744 +43 (0) 6547-7670
Baumbar-Reiteralm Sigmund Thun Straße 734 +43 (0) 6547-8216
Bella Casa Nikoalus-Gassner-Straße 571 +43 (0) 6547-20132
Burg Burglindgasse 481 +43 (0) 6547-8306
Cantina Bar Zucchini Schloßstraße 208 +43 (0) 6547-20010
Di Vino Geschäftszeile 693 +43 (0) 6547-8663
Die Insel Parkstraße 700 +43 (0) 6547-7666-31
Dorfkrug - Restaurants & Appartements Nikolaus-Gassner-Straße 383 +43 (0) 6547-20081
Dorfstadl, Holiday u. Villa Theresa Kellnerfeldstr.691 +43 (0) 6547-7280
Falkenstein Nikolaus-Gassner-Str. 434 +43 (0) 6547-7122
Gasthof Auhof Augasse 560 +43 (0) 6547-8540
Gasthof Künstleralm Kesselfallstraße 166 +43 (0) 6547-8560
Guggenbichl Guggenbichlweg 11 +43 (0) 6547-8578
Gut Pichlhof Schloßstraße 827 +43 (0) 6547-20302
Hilberger´s Beisl Wilhelm-Fazokas-Straße 149 +43 (0) 6547-7246
Hotel Kaprun Krapfstraße 546 +43 (0) 6547-86250
Jagawirt Kesselfallstraße 404 +43 (0) 6547-8737
Kitsch & Bitter Geschäftszeile 693 +43 (0) 6547-8663
Metzgerstube Nikolaus-Gassner-Straße 689 +43 (0) 6547-8179
Mitteregger Schloßstraße 13 +43 (0) 6547-8207
Naturhotel Steiner Kesselfallstraße 647 +43 (0) 6547-8461
Orgler Schloßstraße 22 +43 (0) 6547-8205
Rudolfshof Vitality Lechnerdorfgasse 606 +43 (0) 6547-7183
Sonnblick Schloss Strasse 394 +43 (0) 6547-8301
St. Florian Feldstraße 721 +43 (0) 6547-88710
Steigenberger Kaprun Schloßstraße 751 +43 (0) 6547-7647
Tauernhof Nikolaus-Gassner-Str. 276 +43 (0) 6547-82350
Unteraigen Schaufelbergstraße 66 +43 (0) 6547-7277
Vierjahreszeiten Schloßstraße 550 +43 (0) 6547-8316
Waidmannsheil Salzburger Platz 158 +43 (0) 6547-82430
Weißsteinalm Schaufelbergstraße 687 +43 (0) 6547-7439
Winklhof Winklhofweg 37 +43 (0) 6547-70704
Zeitlos Schloßstraße 827 +43 (0) 6547-20302
Zur Mühle Nikolaus-Gassner-Str. 38 +43 (0) 6547-8254


If that is not enough choice, you can always take a bus / taxi ride into Zell am See where there are another 40 plus restaurants to choose from!

For further information please see www.austria-holiday-apartment.com


Wearing helmets whist Skiing in Austria?


There is a rapid debate and in some cases a heated debate evolving around whether helmets should be worn whist skiing, following a number of accidents. The Austrian Times have led with an article recently, around the suggestion that the ski lift operators should police the wearing of helmets?

The ski-injury.com website comes up with the unsurprising statistic that wearing a helmet will reduce your chance of being injured during a collision, lots of interesting additional information.
Along with the comparison of injuries between skiers and and snow-boarders.

There are counter arguments that you are more likely to sustain a neck injury if wearing a helmet?

In some ways it is similar to the debate of a few years ago concerning the wearing of seat belts in cars. It eventually becomes second nature, that when you drive you "clunk click" every trip.

Similarly with the wearing of helmets for horse riding, or for cycle riding is becoming much more common than twenty years ago.

In Italy it is now compulsory for children under 14 to wear helmets when out skiing.

There is the argument from the health & safety lobby, pushing the benefits of safety that the wearing of helmets brings. And the libertarian lobby demanding the right to choose whether to wear a helmet or not.

My personal view is that skiers and snowboarders should go at the speed and on the slopes that they are comfortable with. There is an argument that those new to skiing, are at greater risk of falling and therefore should wear a helmet. I think in time the wearing of helmets will become much the norm than it is now.


Update wearing of Ski helmets in Austria for children under 14 made compulsory

Following a number of high profile incidents the wearing of helmets by children under the age of 14, has now been made compulsory in Austria. This brings Austria into line with the safety provisions of Iataly on the wearing of helmets by skiers / snowboarders.


If you are going to buy a ski helmet, consider the advice listed here.



For further information on somewhere to stay please see www.austria-holiday-apartment.com

Hot Air Balloon News: Zell am See-Kaprun: hot-air balloons are rising once again




Hot Air Balloon rise over Zell am See-Kaprun:

I wanted to make sure that this blog was not going to be just hot air, but it did not take me long to break that promise! ( sorry but could not resist it).

The hot air balloon regatta is becoming a regular feature of the season in Kaprun - Zell am See. The colour and the designs of the balloons add to the contrast with the winters snows, adding to the stunning attraction of the area. For a further article and more information on hot air ballooning at Zell am See please follow the attached link, or this one to see some more photographs also click here, photographs like these make the spirit soar (sorry again ;-).

The balloons are set to return for 28th January 2009 with the visual high light of the "Night of the Balloons as part of a week long festival for of the BP Gas Balloon Trophy from the 24th to 31st January 2009, it promises to be a memorable week.

If you are looking for somewhere to stay consider staying at a 3 bedroom luxury apartment that can sleep up to 9 people in comfort and luxury, it is still currently available.

The mix of excellent ski conditions, Austria, Zell am See, nighttime skiing and and a week of hot air balloon displeys promises to be something special, for a already special location. Why not give it a try?