Summer family holiday in Kaprun Austria.

Once again we were tempted back to the Austria-Holiday-Apartment in Kaprun for the third year in succession, which speaks for itself!

Our two girls are now 6 and 8 years old and we also brought along a set of grandparents too as we knew they’d love the area, with the apartment being spacious enough to comfortably accommodate us all.

 

We were all really excited at the prospect of returning as we’d previously had two really good trips and knew that there was plenty for us all to do, young and not so young. 

This year we traveled to Munich by Easyjet from Manchester the night before and stayed in the Novotel at Munich airport – very impressed, felt like 5*, and for only €99 for a family room with breakfast recommended! It was so comfortable we set off too late and so arrived in Kaprun much later than planned. But the Holiday apartment looked great again and on the girls made swift use of the garden and outdoor swing.

Dorffest Kaprun

Dorffest Kaprun

We didn’t stay in for long though as we had been had informed, in advance of our stay of the Kapruner-Trachten-Dorffest (Festival) which was to take place on Friday 12^th and Saturday 13^th August so we headed into the town to see all the festivities.  It seemed the entire town was there having a great time eating, drinking and enjoying the music. All the local organizations and clubs had beer/food stands and I was particularly impressed at the chap who hit the Kitzsteinhorn on the ‘test your strength’ stall.  We all found a bench and had some excellent local food, plus a beer or two.

As the weather forecast was looking promising for the week we decided to go for a ‘hike & swim’ card again, providing access to the cable cars on the three mountains:- the Kitzsteinhorn, Schmittenhohe and Maiskogel plus the indoor swimming pool & lido in Zell am See, which for 6 consecutive days was approx €190 (2 adults and 1 child with 1 child free).  This was ideal for us as we wanted a mixture mountain and water activity.

Map  plan  of  Zell am See  -  Kaprun  lake  and mountain areas

We were fortunate enough to have sunshine for the majority of our stay but on the one day of rain we were keen to visit the new Tauern Spa Kaprun  which opened in November 2010 – if its good enough for the Olympic downhill gold medalist Lindsey Vonn and UEFA Champions League team Lyon then its good enough for us!  

For a family of 4 it cost €60 for the whole day (a 3 hour pass was only marginally less at €52).  We made good use of the multiple heated indoor and outdoor pools, even in the rain!  The girls loved the circular fast ‘lazy’ river and small slide and Emma especially liked the salt water pool. The long water slide was fun, but mostly and scarily in total darkness, older kids would love it though!   Even though it was very busy, there were enough loungers and parts of the complex to explore. A neat touch was that the wristband provided on entry served to provide both locker security and a cashless means of paying for food & drink in the restaurant. You simply settle the bill on returning the wristband when you leave. It’s definitely worth a visit.

 

Schmidolin's Feurtaufe

Schmidolins Feurtaufe

Our first walking expedition was a return to the children’s favourite “Schmidolin’s Feuertaufe” where there are 11 action stations, some of which had been modified since last year, on a circular walk situated between the Areitbahn and City Express gondolas. This time we started from the former (the numerically correct way around) and had fun at each one. The children even managed some that the adults attempted hopelessly at!  Its great for younger kids and as always they enjoy receiving a certificate at the end.

Later in the week we awoke in the apartment to see clear blue sky over the stunning Kitzsteinhorn Peak World 3000 and decided it was to be the day to make our first ever ascent of the glacier by the three cable cars. The whole family took the trip and enjoyed the breathtaking views from the viewing platform at 3029m. It was almost t-shirt weather but we had come appropriately prepared to go tobogganing at the ice arena  and so we left granny & grandpa enjoying a coffee and taking in the scenery from the restaurant. The sledging was nothing short of fantastic fun for everyone, here’s our Youtube clip to prove it. 

The young boy in me found it exciting to sit in the cab of a Pisten-Bully machine, just wished I could have driven it! There was something to do for everyone up there, so would recommend exploring the Kitzsteinhorn website for more detail.

We eventually made our way back down the mountain and after completing our descent back down we visited the memorial to the 155 people that lost their lives in the funicular tunnel fire disaster of 11.11.2000 how sad. The tunnel is no longer in use and access to the glacier is now via two ski lifts. 

Alpine Roller Coaster in Kaprun

Maisiflitzter in Kaprun

  
We also tried out the Maisiflitzer alpine coaster  this is a new installation in Kaprun where you sit securely in a two-seater sled and are pulled up the ski slope for 700m which with a few bumps and turns runs back down the ski slope on tracks for 1.3km. It takes about 12 mins from start to finish but you can control how fast you descend. We bought a family ticket for €23 for one run down and thought it was great! Older children might like to do this more than once though so its worth considering a 3 run ticket for €60. An added attraction was the bouncy castle, play park, animals and café at the base station.

When we weren’t up in the mountains we generally spent the rest of our time at the Zell am See lido, playing in the pool/water slide and also swimming to the pontoons in the clear fresh waters of lake Zell. Maybe some day we will visit the pool at Niedersill which has come highly recommended to us, we just can’t seem to tear ourselves away from Zell am See, probably because we make daily visit to the café’s and ice cream stalls!

The last new thing we did was to take a pedalo on the lake, which we had for just under an hour for €14. I rather enjoyed our girls doing some of the work (their choice!) and it was nice to get a new perspective on the surrounding landscape. Whilst messing about in the middle of the lake a drama unfolded as the rope at the front was used for fishing (don’t ask!) and this got caught around the paddle underneath, rendering the peddles totally useless. After much pulling we managed to free it just about enough to make our return to shore, phew! Time for another ice-cream! 

Anyway all in all it was another fantastic holiday, probably the best there yet! The region in my opinion has to be up there with the best in Europe when the weather is good. It offers so much for everyone. Thanks again to the Housley's for use of their apartment, we can’t fault it!

Many thanks

J and E

Update  we  actually  stayed  again in the  area  in the  same  apartment   click  on the  Link for  further  family holiday  excursion ideas.

 

Looking for somewhere to stay for 3-9 people? With the benefit of three bedrooms and three bath / shower rooms. For further information please see www.austria-holiday-apartment.com

View from the Apartment where we stayed of the Kitzsteinhorn

Weather in Zell am See - Kaprun and Austria

Austria enjoys a moderate continental climate featuring the four seasons. Summers are generally warm and pleasant with cool nights, if it gets too hot you can go up onto the mountain tops to cool off or visit a glacier! Its great for walking, cycling, swimming in the lakes,  outdoor adventure activities,  and sitting out over an evening meal  in a warm balmy summer evening.

Seasonal weather in Zell am See - Kaprun

Winters are sunny, with reliable and frequent snowfalls making it perfect for skiing in winter, both Kaprun and Zell am See have extensive snow making facilities enhancing the skiing.



Further weather information is available from the ski companies for the Maiskogel , the Schmitten and the Kitzsteinhorn.  The Kitzsteinhorn glacier comes with its own snow guarantee!   Also weather forecasts for the area can be downloaded via the following link

Weather updates also available from the Kitzsteinhorn website.

      In the colder years the lake at Zell am See freezes over making extra opportunities for ice skating.     

     

No matter what time of the year you are visiting, there is plenty to do and see.  If you are looking for somewhere to stay with 3 bedrooms for  up to 9 persons, with the benefit of three bath / shower rooms?. 

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

Walking rambling and discovering the Austrian Alps

 Map of the mountain region above Kaprun, with reservoirs and photo of Zell am See and the Kitzsteinhorn


What ever your ability as a walker, hiker or stroller you will not be disappointed when it comes to Austria. In the Kaprun and Zell am See there is a plethora of walks for all ranges and abilities. There are a number of different routes between Zell am See and Kaprun.

Throughout Austria footpaths are excellently signposted and marked, and in the Europa Ski area it is no different.

A beautiful but simple walk / cycle and not so challenging is around the lake at Zell am See it is mostly flat, with one or two slight inclines, there are places to stop and take in the views or perhaps have a drink partway through your walk, the views are ever changing, and at around 7 miles / 11 kilometres a gentle stroll of some in around two - three hours. The Euro Alps website gives a brief description of the walk, along with two accompanying maps! and photographs showing some of the sights.

Via the attached link there is an excellent article describing some of the joys and tribulations of walking in the area, along with descriptions of walks and supporting photographs, worth a look?

For the more adventurous and fitter ones amongst us who would like to take on the challenges of higher level walks, you need to be aware of your ability, and their in a distinct difference when walking at altitude and the weather can suddenly change in a matter of minutes so it is vitally important that you have the right equipment and training. You wouldn't go wrong in acquiring a copy of Cecil W Davies book of "Mountain Walking in Austria" attached to the link are a number of other books and maps which may be of interest to you?

Another option to consider is buying a Kitzsteinhorn "Hike and Swim" ticket, so that you can perhaps hike on the mountain during the morning having use of the lifts, they even do guided walks,where you can see the alpine flora and fauna as you go. The map above shows some possible routes for the experienced alpine walker, and it also shows the lift locations. Then later in the day you can choose have use of the skimming pool in the Optimum Centre Kaprun ( planned to shut by October 2010, when Tauern Spa Kaprun opens ) where you can swim indoors, outside, have a sauna, and chill and relax. (that is if you can chill in a sauna!). Or alternatively at Zell am See where there is a indoor public pool ( use of sauna extra). Subject to the time of the year there is also lakeside bathing Zell am See renowned for its clean drinking water quality.

A new spa complex, Tauern Spa World  is planned for Kaprun, to open in November 2010, and work is under way in a superb location, near to Kaprun's village centre, click on the link for more details.

Finally I would like to recommend the walk which follows the river south up from Kaprun, there is the Sigmund thun Klamm it is basically a beautiful walk up a ravine on a constructed elevated platform and path, the words don't do justice to the majesty of the place. Have a look at the link, map below and make sure that you look at some of the other photographs, you will not be disappointed?

View  fro the  mountains  above  Kaprun  with  Zell  am  See  in the  distance 

a new route has opened for biker's / hikers  the top of the  Maiskogel  ski lift and the first lift stage up to the Kitzsteinhorn, bikes can now go on the lifts.

By the start of the walk at the start of  Sigmund thun Klamm gorge there is an interesting indoor display area, and free!, run by the hydro electrical company explaining how the complex of dams, and tunnels controls the run off of water from 7 valleys preventing flooding, creating electricity, storage facilities for drinking water, and a great tourist attraction.

I will close there if anybody else would like to recommend a walk in the Kaprun and Zell am See area, I would very much welcome your contribution.

Cheers Derek.