Winter Highlights 2022

Active winter sports fans and excursioners alike are treated to extraordinary sporting and nature experiences on the Kitzsteinhorn and Maiskogel, here in the heart of the Zell am See-Kaprun Region. On the edge of Hohe Tauern National Park, Salzburg’s only glacier ski area is a one-of-a-kind location in the Eastern Alps. With broad glacier slopes, spectacular views of high-alpine nature and virtually limitless opportunities for winter sports. The K-ONNECTION cableway links the town center of Kaprun with Maiskogel Family Ski Area along with the Kitzsteinhorn itself, making it possible to ride from the glacier all the way back into town.

Winter sports from autumn until early summer

Winter begins early on the Kitzsteinhorn and lasts for a long time! By October, winter sports enthusiasts are already slicing down the wide pistes of the glacier. From then until early summer, guests are able to indulge in all forms of winter sport. Alpine and cross-country skiers, ski tourers, snowboarders and winter hikers take full advantage of the diverse opportunities. The elevations in particular, though also the proximity to Hohe Tauern National Park, make a day of winter sports on the Kitzsteinhorn so unique. The snow-covered mountains and fascinating natural landscapes take your breath away in awe. Only someone who has personally stood atop the Kitzsteinhorn truly comprehends the thrill of gazing out on all those mighty three-thousand-meter peaks.

On and away from the pistes: Freeriding and Ski Touring

Thanks to its snowy elevations, the Kitzsteinhorn is famous for its deep-snow slopes. Freeriders treasure the five signposted routes, the Freeride Info Base at the Alpincenter as well as the Info Points at the start of each of the runs, providing important tips for added safety in open terrain. Workshops for beginners and experienced riders are offered in cooperation with two ski schools under the header “Freeride Monday”. For touring skiers, the Kitzsteinhorn features two marked ascent routes alongside the piste beginning in Langwied: The “Schneekönigin” variant involves a gain of 474 vertical meters on its way up to the Alpincenter at 2,450 m above sea level. The “Eisbrecher” route, with an 899 m gain, leads to the mountain station of the Maurerlift at 2,875 m. A new ascent route up the Maiskogel also excites ski tourers. It begins at the Maiskogel car park, bringing you to the mountain station of the Almbahn (elev. 1,733 m) and the base station for the 3K K-onnection (elev. 1,570 m). Guided ski tours are offered every Thursday: Accompanied by a guide, you will make your way to the top of the pristine, 2,642 m high Tristkogel.

All-out Action in the Snowparks

Several perfectly maintained snowparks make the Kitzsteinhorn an unsurpassed hotspot for the freestyle crowd: They are some of the absolute best worldwide with variety that is second to none. By October, the “Glacier Park” on the glacier plateau has already opened its doors. As of December, the aptly named “Easy Park” awaits all snowboarders and freeskiers looking to tackle their first basic elements. The world’s elite are busy training throughout November in the “Superpipe” before opening to the general public in December. As of January, the “Central Park” and “South Central Park” provide two additional playgrounds where you can let it all hang out. The “Maisi Park” is likewise a source of excitement, thanks to a special fun area and elements that are easily mastered.

ICE CAMP – presented by Audi

The “ICE CAMP presented by Audi” captivates visitors at 2,600 m above sea level. From January until April, this incomparably wondrous world of snow and ice serves as a stylish meeting point on the Kitzsteinhorn. Once again, the interconnected igloos – including an art space, the ICE BAR and the showroom, in which an Audi is enthroned atop a platform of ice – become a highly coveted photo motif. Those igloos, each of which is twelve meters in diameter, are designed by Carinthian artist Max Seibald. Roughly 60 tons of ice and 2,500 cubic meters of snow go into creating this work of art. The ICE CAMP is open from approximately the beginning of January until mid-April.

Special challenges for winter sports fans

Those who crave genuine challenges will love the “Black Mamba” piste with a gradient as much as 63 percent. If you like to collect data, the ever-popular Skiline tracker will accurately keep a record of your vertical meters. Meanwhile, the Skimovie hill with a giant-slalom course will allow you to preserve those spectacular glacier memories. The Skiline Speedcheck on the Kitzsteinhorn is supplemented by another on the Maiskogel. And once again this winter, the Kitzsteinhorn K-ONNECTION CUP features five exciting Skiline.cc disciplines: Complete four of the five for the chance to win exclusive prizes.

K-ONNECTION: Kaprun – Maiskogel – Kitzsteinhorn

The K-ONNECTION cableway links Kaprun town center with the popular Maiskogel Family Ski Area and the Kitzsteinhorn. For winter sports fans and sightseers, this means significantly shorter distances, ski-in ski-out between Kaprun and the glacier, along with the ultimate convenience of the Kaprun Center including the valley station, ticket windows, ski depot, sports shop, the Maisi Alm and Maisi Flitzer. Each stage of the ultra-modern cableway reveals unique perspectives and fascinating views of the high-alpine winter landscapes.

With a total length of twelve kilometers from the valley station up to the TOP OF SALZBURG (elev. 3,029 m), you will rise 2,261 vertical meters and traverse four different climate zones in the process. For winter athletes who are staying in Kaprun, this is a convenient alternative to having to ride up from the Kaprun valley head. The heart of this unique cableway is the 4.3 kilometers-long 3K K-onnection. The world’s most modern gondola lift connects the mountain station of the MK Maiskogelbahn (1,570 m) with the Langwiedboden (1,976 m) on the Kitzsteinhorn.

Part of Ski ALPIN CARD

The Kitzsteinhorn is part of the ALPIN CARD ticket alliance, which includes three premium ski regions: Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, the Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See as well as Kitzsteinhorn  Kaprun. With a single ticket, winter sports fans can take full advantage of 408 kilometers of pistes and 121 lifts, the glacier included. These three top ski resorts offer boundless opportunities that include theme pistes, ski routes, kids’ zones, snowparks and an array of hospitable huts and mountain restaurants. Thanks to the Junior XPLORE CARD, children and youths under 19 years of age pay only € 13 for a day pass on Saturdays. For details, please visit  www.alpincard.at

TOP OF SALZBURG/Gipfelwelt 3000 – excursion destination on the border of Hohe Tauern National Park 

At the Kitzsteinhorn summit station at 3,029 meters above sea level, high-alpine sightseeing attraction TOP OF SALZBURG/Gipfelwelt 3000 promises magical perspectives and insights into Hohe Tauern National Park. Non-skiers can also look forward to various fascinating opportunities, including two panoramic viewing platforms, Cinema 3000 showing the film “Kitzsteinhorn – THE NATURE”, the National Park Gallery with enthralling info stations, along with the highest restaurant in Salzburg province.

An extraordinary nature experience: the Kitzsteinhorn Explorer Tour with a National Park Ranger

Thanks to the K-ONNECTION up to the Kitzsteinhorn, nature-loving visitors can also set out on a fascinating tour leading from the valley to the glacier. This wintry excursion is comfortably accomplished every Tuesday with the help of the lifts and an experienced National Park Ranger, providing families with intriguing insights into the nature of the high mountains: In this way, participants learn how eagles nest, about the important protective role played by forests, and how glacial ice is created. Participants are given an eagle’s-eye view, float in complete comfort up through four climate zones, and rise 2,261 vertical meters in the process. The actual ride on the 3K K-onnection is a breathtaking highlight in its own right, made even more unique thanks to two custom-designed “Explorer cabins”. Due to their special configuration, you are able to take in unforgettable 360° views extending from the Zeller See to the Grossglockner. Your ultimate destination is the TOP OF SALZBURG/Gipfelwelt 3000 at 3,029 meters above sea level.

Unique winter experiences on the Kitzsteinhorn

Whether in radiant sunshine, amid mystical clouds or on clear starry nights: Special winter programs on the Kitzsteinhorn promise once-in-a-lifetime experiences:

• SNOW-HOW DAYS: Snow-How Days, from 5 to 7 November 2021, are focused squarely on the latest trends in winter sports. During Snow-How Days, for an entire weekend the leading manufacturers in winter sports make their brand-new equipment available to the public for a “test drive” on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. Which means, visitors can give the season’s hottest skis and boards a complete workout before the official winter season in the glacier snow begins. At the same time, workshops and contests on the glacier as well as an exciting side program in the valley guarantee a successful premiere of this new-format event. Numerous prizes also await as part of the skiline.cc Vertical Meter Cup contest.
• Bergwelten Ski Touring Testival: In cooperation with the magazine “Bergwelten”, ski-touring fans have the opportunity from 19 through 21 November 2021 to participate in guided ski tours as well as workshops, and personally test the newest ski-touring equipment.
• Kitzsteinhorn Extreme: At the beginning of December (dates still to be announced), it will be time for the season’s toughest ski-touring race. Participants will be faced with an extraordinary challenge: 13 kilometers and a 2,700-meter vertical gain.
• Magical experiences are promised by “Mystic Mountain: Kitzsteinhorn BBQ-Nights” on 18 February and 25 March 2022. It is then that sparkling starry skies, the tones of alpenhorns, hot beverages and delicious BBQ will transform the Kitzsteinhorn into a mouthwateringly enjoyable grill zone beyond compare.
• On 26 March 2022, pros of the freeride scene go head-to-head in open terrain in the “X OVER RIDE”, also vying for valuable points in order to qualify for the Freeride World Tour.
• The “World Rookie Tour” will take place from 28 March until 1 April 2022.

Winter Weekly Program

Every Monday 29.11. - 25.04.22	Freeride Monday Freeride workshop for skiers and snowboarders ages 13 and up
Every Tuesday 28.12.21 - 22.03.22	Explorer Tour from Kaprun via the Maiskogel to Gipfelwelt 3000 National Park Gallery Tour – info tour through Gipfelwelt3000
Every Wednesday 12.01.-13.4.22	Guided snow shoeing Guided tour from the Alpincenter to the ICE CAMP presented by Audi
Every Thursday 30.12.21-28.04.22	Guided ski tour Tristkogel

 

Safely through winter with confidence!

The very latest, comprehensive information about safety and hygiene measures related to COVID-19 can be consulted at any time at: www.kitzsteinhorn.at/safety