Where to Ski And Snowboard - Freeride fun in Kaprun

Freeride fun in Kaprun

20th November 2009, by Chris Gill

Kaprun's high glacier slopes [Snowpix.com/ C Gill]

Kaprun will have three new ski-routes this winter, as part of the resort’s development of Freeride XXL – a combination of information, guidance and fun off the pistes.

The glacier ski area already has two ski-routes, one above the Alpincenter and the other close to the Langwiedbahn. And being a glacier area, these are marked. Of the new routes, the longest will be ‘Westside Story’ – this will start close to the top of the Kristalbahn lift. ‘Left Wing’ is challenging run with natural pipes to whizz through, and is located in the Langwied area.

As well as providing marked ski-routes, the resort is developing a freeride information service at the Alpincenter that will provide all you need to know about off-piste and avalanche awareness. Local experts, including Volker Hoelzl of the Freeride Experience, have helped to develop the centre and a series of Freeride Information Points at the entrance to each run that indicate the type of terrain and up to date conditions for example.

Play safe

Workshops to help you get the best of these off-piste slopes are available through most of the season. There are one-day clinics every Monday from January and weekend skills courses; these will be led by certified instructors so you’ll receive tuition in equipment as well as the right skills to ride the powder.

All of this takes place on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, so you’re virtually guaranteed some decent snow accessed from the ski area’s 20 lifts – and with slopes at 3000m.