Opening MK Maiskogelbahn
The future on the Maiskogel begins now –
“We are bringing together what belongs together”
The opening of the MK Maiskogelbahn and the multi-function Kaprun Center on December 14, 2018, has raised the bar to whole new heights in terms of quality and comfort. It also marks completion of the first construction stage of a generational lift project – the Kaprun-Maiskogel-Kitzsteinhorn link. The new Kaprun Center brings together a valley lift terminal, ticket windows, ski depot, an Intersport Bründl sport & rental shop, along with the corporate headquarters of Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG, all under one roof. And as of 2019, it will also serve as the starting point for the K-onnection all the way up the Kitzsteinhorn. By linking the ski areas of the Maiskogel and Kitzsteinhorn, we will not only establish a new milestone in Alpine mountain tourism, but also provide a vibrant new impulse to the Zell am See-Kaprun Region as a whole.
New era in Kaprun: First stage of a generational project brought to fruition
The opening ceremonies for the new MK Maiskogelbahn and the Kaprun Center, which took place on Friday, December 14, 2018, marked an important step on the way to completion of a superlative generational project, a project which will ultimately establish the Kaprun-Maiskogel-Kitzsteinhorn lift connection. After the merger of Kaprun’s two lift companies in December 2017, construction of the MK Maiskogelbahn began in April 2018. “The opening of the MK Maiskogelbahn as well as the Kaprun Center on December 14 doesn’t only mark the beginning of a new era for the Maiskogel itself, it also brings a direct link between Kaprun and the Kitzsteinhorn one giant step closer”, reports Norbert Karlsböck, President of Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG. The invitation to the official opening was accepted by around 200 people, who were also able to enjoy a test ride on the new lift. Participating in the event, in addition to invited guests, hoteliers and host businesses, were board members of Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG, community representatives from Kaprun as well as the executive directors of regional tourist offices.
Ski operations on the MK Maiskogelbahn will begin as scheduled on Friday, December 21, 2018.
10-passenger cabin lift with new mid-station on the Maiskogel
The new MK Maiskogelbahn spans two sections, connecting the town center of Kaprun (elev. 768 m) via the new Stanger mid-station (1137 m) to the Maiskogel mountain terminal (1570 m). Taking just 12 minutes for its journey up this family mountain, the lift is able to transport as many as 2800 people to the top of every hour. And because there is now an option to ride the lift back down, skiing operations in the upper, snowier section can begin earlier and be extended longer.
Kaprun Center: new multi-function valley station and central service center
The new Kaprun Center doesn’t merely serve as the valley station of the new MK Maiskogelbahn, it also features a rental & sports shop. Guests can store their skis and boots in a big new depot with more than 2000 lockers, then enjoy the convenience of being able to return to their hotel on foot or simply by hopping aboard either the ski- or village bus.
Strong economic engine for the entire region
The merger of Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG and Maiskogel Betriebs AG, which was passed unanimously in September 2017, laid the foundation for this generational lift project. Made at the same time, the decision to construct a lift link between the Maiskogel and Kitzsteinhorn ski areas heralded the beginning of a whole new dimension of Alpine mountain tourism in Zell am See-Kaprun. With a total investment volume of €81.5 million, this lift project represents the biggest investment since the Kitzsteinhorn was initially developed as a tourism destination.
Kaprun’s family mountain brings quality to a whole new level
The new lift doesn’t only make Maiskogel Family Mountain a more appealing destination in winter. As of 2019, it will provide readier access during the summer months as well. Which means, for the very first time the countless hiking paths and bike trails on the mountain will be within easy reach of the town center, just a short lift ride away, allowing holidaymakers to get the absolute most out of them all.
As of December 2019:
3K K-onnection promises ski-in-ski-out and a chain of lifts second to none
Much of the 3K K-onnection shell construction for the mountain terminal, valley station and support structures has already been completed. After the winter break, in spring 2019 the building work leading to final completion of Salzburg’s first tri-cable gondola will get back into high gear. By December 2019, the long-awaited Kaprun – Maiskogel – Kitzsteinhorn ski-area link will have become reality. The 3K K-onnection will then open up whole new competitive advantages for the Zell am See–Kaprun Region: For the very first time, Kaprun will be able to offer a ski-in-ski-out experience. The unique panoramic ride from 768 m up to the TOP OF SALZBURG at 3029 m will connect the town center with a glacier ski area that offers a 100% snow guarantee. The six interconnected lifts will also represent the longest uninterrupted lift axis in the Eastern Alps, simultaneously overcoming the biggest elevation change at 2261 vertical meters.
For further details, we invite you to visit www.k-onnection.com
Kitzsteinhorn – the glacier
The Kitzsteinhorn, which is located within the Zell am See-Kaprun Region, is the only glacier ski area in Salzburger Land. At 3000 m above sea level, winter sports fans are 100% certain to encounter snowy conditions from October until early summer. Thanks to the Maiskogel, Kaprun boasts a second, very family-friendly ski area, which, thanks to this generational project, will now be directly linked to the glacier itself. As the first step, December 2018 sees the opening of the MK Maiskogelbahn, a 10-passenger mono-cable lift up the Maiskogel. One year later, the 3K K-onnection will go into full operation. At that point, Salzburg’s first tri-cable gondola will carry guests from the Maiskogel directly to the Langwied area of the Kitzsteinhorn. Which means, as of December 2019 it will be possible to reach the mountain terminal on the Kitzsteinhorn (TOP OF SALZBURG, elev. 3029 meters) thanks to what is essentially a string of six lift pearls directly from the town center of Kaprun (768 meters) via the Maiskogel. This scenic 12 km ride will not only be the longest continuous lift axis in the Eastern Alps, it will also effortlessly overcome the greatest elevation span at 2261 vertical meters.
