Zell am See - Kaprun
Since 1966 a true paradise for wallowers
REGION
It is the most important holiday destination in all of Austria - and the friendliest one for family in all of Europe, too: Zell am See-Kaprun belongs to the most perfect holiday locations on an international scale. Since 1966, the two communities form the tourism association of the same name. Today guests from all over the world are thronging to get into the heart of Pinzgau year after year. From the mountain peaks all the way deep down into the valley, you can choose from a wide range of relaxing and recreational activities. Whether it is bathing, golfing, or hiking: Zell am See-Kaprun offers everything you need to invigorate your body, mind and soul. The little ones will be taken care of by Lake Bunny Fridolin. Those who are a little older can enjoy the mountain panorama view of the region, for example, while on a leisurely boat trip across crystal clear Lake Zell. But it is not only the summer holidaymakers who are excited about Zell am See and Kaprun. Germany's renowned publishing house Falk and Austria's Ministry for Economy and Labour are praising the region and awarded it for its family-friendliness. It is hard to believe that the two neighbouring communities started off quite small: Zell am See served as an up-and-coming market place, while Kaprun became rather well-known as a mountain guide village at the beginning of the 20th century.
kaprun
Situated at the foot of Kitzsteinhorn, Kaprun is a prime tourism destination in Europe, featuring 5,000 guest beds and approximately 650,000 overnight stays per year, which makes it one of the economic flagship of the Alpine republic. A special attraction for holidaymakers from all over the world is the glacier skiing area at a height of 2,900 metres above sea level. This is where winter sports enthusiasts meet the best of conditions for unalloyed fun in the snow. Even in the summertime, it is perfectly possible to use all the pistes which cover a distance of 40 kilometres. About 15 km of the fluffy snow are to be found on Maiskogel, the little brother of mighty Kitzsteinhorn. This family mountain with its gently ascending slopes constitutes ideal grounds for those who are taking their first 'steps' on the boards. Getting up to the peak is a piece of cake: the ski bus takes the guests directly to the lifts and cable cars. The village can look back on an eventful history covering many centuries. Its figurehead is its castle, 'Burg Kaprun'. The building, which underwent complete restoration in 1975, was erected on a prominent piece of rock in the 12th century. Even up until today, it has been serving as a venue for many cultural events. Its eastern tower, which is called 'Turn ze Chaprunne', is a real eye-catcher and was built in the Romanic style. It is said to have been erected as a compensation for attacks by the Velber Family
bikING
Following in the tracks of the World Champions: in Zell am See-Kaprun, cross-country bikers can emulate their heroes without the usual pressure of competition. In the 2002 World Championship, the pros attacked the 8.2-kilometre track, going up and down. Once you have conquered the 295 metres of difference in altitude from the 'Baumbar' in Kaprun all the way up to the peak of Lechnerberg, you will easily be able to deal with the other trails of the region. An easy start: there are also suitable challenges waiting for cross-country beginners. Thirteen trails of light and medium difficulty start around Kaprun and Lake Zell alone. The region is also full of possible adventures apart from the pistes. A trip across the undulating trails of Mount Hochkönig and the Hohen Tauern mountain range can quickly turn out to be a breathtaking sightseeing tour. A paradise for bicycle lovers: if you look to the right and left of the pistes, you will quickly perceive that cycling is a rather popular sport in Pinzgau. In addition to innumerable approved tour trails, you will find cycling-friendly inns and hotels as well as superbly equipped specialized stores and hire places. Zell am See-Kaprun has made sufficient provision for cyclists and bicycles alike.
