Winter News From Salzburgerland

SalzburgerLand’s 22 diverse winter areas promise fun-packed winter holidays for skiers and non-skiers alike. The larger resorts including Gastein, Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Zell am See-Kaprun, Hochkönig and Obertauern, complemented by charming Alpine hamlets such as Grossarl, Rauris and Filzmoos, provide 2000 kms of groomed pistes with beautiful scenery, cosy huts and Alpine wilderness on all sides. Snow parks, après-ski, medical and leisure spas and wide-ranging accommodation options for all budgets reinforce SalzburgerLand’s inviting package of sport, fun and relaxation.

• 7 new lifts - new lift pass - 12 new hotels & apartments - 23 new & enhanced Tours and Apps - improved access by rail
• Reach Austria’s SalzburgerLand by rail for low carbon-impact travel using Eurostar from Kings Cross to Saalfelden or Zell am See. Connect with the Alpen Express via Amsterdam or Cologne.
• The region launches 7 new lifts this season including the pioneering 3K K-onnection to complete the link between Kaprun and the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier ski area. Also the new zellamseeXpress to Viehhofen opens up access to Saalbach for a total of 408kms of pistes under one lift pass. A state-of-the-art and improved infrastructure, 12 new accommodation options, and a wide variety of new and enhanced activities and apps are also available.

Ongoing investment and reinvestment into infrastructure, accommodation, facilities and snow-making keeps SalzburgerLand at the cutting edge of technologically advanced resorts.  The region is home to Austria’s snowiest resort - Obertauern, and with 95% of slopes covered by advanced snow-making equipment, it is also Austria’s most snow-secure region.  Leo Bauernberger, managing director of SalzburgerLand Tourism said: ‘we intend to continue to lead the way in presenting the best possible winter holiday experience in Europe.’

NEW / UPGRADED LIFTS IN DETAIL

Zell-am-See-Kaprun (www.zellamsee-kaprun.com)

• The 3K K-onnection, representing an €81.5 million investment, opens its final stage on 30^th November to complete the connection between Kaprun and the Kitzsteinhorn’s glacier ski area. The record-breaking 6-stage gondola axis over 12km, with an altitude gain of 2158m (768m-2926m), is a pioneering feat of engineering. It is the first tri-cable gondola in Salzburgerland with the world’s first 360° glass-sided ATRIA cabins, each carries 32 passengers in 9 minutes from Maiskogel to Langwied (1975m) - a breathtaking panoramic ride. The Kitzsteinhorn (‘top of Salzburg’) is the highest easily accessible point in SalzburgerLand offering snow reliability from October well into spring. www.kitzsteinhorn.at/en/k-onnection
• The zellamseeXpress is launched on 7^th December with a live concert. The new lift completes the connection between Zell am See’s Schmittenhöhe ski area and Viehhofen in the Glemm Valley from where a 5km bus takes skiers to lifts for Saalbach linked to Hinterglemm, Leogang and Fieberbrunn.  In the other direction, a 7.5km blue piste from the top of Saalbach’s Polten chairlift runs directly down to Viehhofen and the zellamseeXpress.  The new lift comprises 25 Jukeboxx cabins, each with 10 heated seats and wifi connecting to smartphone music.  Viehhofen also gains a new station with extensive parking, sports shop and information centre. ZellamseeXpress capacity is 2800 skiers per hour. www.schmitten.at

Saalbach-Hinterglemm (www.saalbach.com)

• The 12er Kogel opens on 1^st December. The 2-section 10-passenger gondola with heated seats replaces the old Zwölferkogel lift and increases capacity to more than 3500 passengers per hour from Hinterglemm to the top station at 1984m

Salzburger Saalachtal – (www.lofer.com / www.skialm-lofer.com)

• The 8-seat SENDEREXPRESS chairlift launches in December. Replacing the 4-seater Schonbuhel lift in Lofer, it offers heated seats, weather cover, automatic opening/closing bar and a conveyor belt for safe easy boarding. Transports 3400 passengers per hour.

Hochkönig/Dienten – (www.hochkoenig.at)

• The new 10-passenger Gabühelbahn gondola launches in December 2019, replacing the 2-seater chairlift from Dienten to the Gabühel (1634m) ski areas. It completes a €13m investment to improve comfort and reduce queues across the Maria Alm, Dienten and Mühlbach ski network (120km of piste). Transports 2400 passengers per hour.

NEW AND REFURBISHED ACCOMMODATION IN DETAIL

Leogang (www.saalfelden-leogang.com - www.pristeregg.at / www.rivus.at)

• PRIESTEREGG – the renowned eco-village celebrates its 10^th anniversary by launching 2 new chalets and a new wellness facility in December 2019:
  • Villa Etaner (sleeps 2-max. 10 persons) over 2 floors offers spacious suites, open-plan kitchen/dining, open fire and snug. There are also 2 hot tubs a stone-pine sauna and large outdoor infinity pool.
  • Villa Wilderer (sleeps 2-4 people): 3 levels, includes forest sauna and hot tub, reading room, and rooftop terrace with panoramic treetop hot-tub.
  • PRIESTEREGG BAD, the new wellness facility, features a stunning year-round in/outdoor silver-effect infinity pool and an original Finnish smoke sauna. A natural water plunge pool, saunas and a variety of treatment and relaxation rooms are also available.
• Boutique Hotel Das Rivus, also celebrating its 10^th anniversary, has added 18 new rooms and suites and a 4-bedroom apartment. Other introductions as part of the expansion include a new restaurant for fine-dining, larger wellness area and a dedicated kid’s playroom. Rooms and suites are offered on ½-board basis and apartments on a self-catered, B&B or ½-board basis.

Zell am See-Kaprun (www.zellamsee-kaprun.com / www.tauernspakaprun.com) 

• 4*^superior Tauern SPA Hotel has added 51 new garden rooms and wellness zone including a new reinforced glass pool, ice-fog-tunnel and sauna with glacier views. The rooms, fashioned in natural material, are equipped with high-tech sleep and digital detox systems and a spa bath. For families a new sauna, loungers and cosy nooks have been introduced and regular fireside readings, lectures and workshops will be held in the main lobby. A new sunny winter garden increases the capacity of the Lichtblick Restaurant, where the kitchen team is on view.

Zillertal Arena (www.zillertalarena.com  / www.hotel-krimml.at)

• Hotel Krimml opens in December. Perfectly positioned for Salzburgerland’s gateway to the Zillertal Arena, it is contemporary in décor, relaxed in ambience, and bedrooms have a large balcony for panoramic views of the Hohe Tauern National park. The lobby’s high-tech video-wall keeps guests up to speed with daily events and activities; facilities include a roof-top spa with 2 saunas and a whirlpool and guests also have access to the ski workshop.

Bad Gastein  (www.gastein.com / www.selina.com) 

• Selina Hotels has taken over the Hotel Weismayr, an iconic 19^th century property beside Badgastein’s famous waterfall. Working with local architects, designers and artisans, the hotel has been sensitively redesigned  and refurbished for the discerning millennial traveller.

Hochkonig – Maria Alm (www.hochkoenig.com / www.hotel-morgenzeit.at / www.hochkoenigin.com)

• Hotel Morgenzeit is a stylish new-build hotel in the centre of Maria Alm with an ergonomic design and minimalist-chic décor, 29 superior rooms and suites, and a cool wellness area.  The breakfast room serves an extensive breakfast-brunch with organic options.
• 4*^superior Magic Mountain Resort – THE HIGH QUEEN replaces Naturhotel Thalerhof in Maria Alm. The upgrade introduces 40 new panoramic loggia suites, themed saunas, an infinity pool and relaxation areas in the eco-spa. There is also an open kitchen.

Salzburger Sportwelt – Wagrain (www.wagrain-kleinarl.at / www.adapura-wagrain.com)

• Hotel Adapura Wagrain, a new-build 4* resort opens in December. The urban-Alpine-chic property has 120 rooms, 4 restaurants, a wellness oasis with in- and outdoor pools, saunas and treatments rooms. Geared towards families, extensive facilities include a playroom, kids’ cinema and teenage chillout room.  The hotel is 100 yards from the Grafenberg lift.

Obertauern – (www.obertauern.at / www.foxy.at / www.peakini.at / www.luerzerhof.at)

• Hotel Foxy launches on 22^nd November. A modern new-build guest house with 14 practical rooms (2-5 people), is located right by the slopes and surrounded by après-ski spots.  All rooms offer a kitchenette area, smart TV and wifi. Also the relaxation room, sauna and sports area is exclusively available for guests.
• Hotel Frau Holle relaunches as the Peakini Clubhouse from November 2020, after an extensive makeover. Inspired design, distinctive artefacts, original cuisine create a trendy vibe enhanced by party-time rendezvous on the ground floor. Situated close to the slopes, it is a member of the Lurzer Hotels.
• Alpin Life Resort Lurzerhof, the 4*^superior hotel in Untertauern – 10km along the valley from Obertauern, has become entirely sustainable, energy self-sufficient and CO2 neutral. The pioneering wellness hotel uses its own biomass heating plant, water from its own spring and electricity from its own power plant.

Lungau – (www.lungau.at / www.almgut.at)

• ALMGUT in St Margarethen has added 20 new rooms and suites upgrading to a 4*^superior hotel. The extension includes 3 new dining areas, an extended wellness facility with saunas, relaxation rooms, a library and outdoor whirlpool. The new rooms and suites are created from natural materials, including one entirely stone-pine floor for enhanced sleep, with a bright décor. In spring 2020 there will be a wellness garden at the centre of a flower meadow.

NEW LIFT PASS AND APP 

• SKI ALPIN CARD (www.alpincard.at) covers 3 significant ski regions, 408 kms of pitses and 121 lifts: SkiCircus (Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn), Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See, the glacier ski area of Kitzsteinhorn and Maiskogel in Kaprun, plus the Hinterreit lifts at Maria Alm and Naglkoepfl in Wachen. Reduced prices available from 21 March to 13 April 2020.
• Ski Amadé Guide app (www.skiamade.com) - free to download - has had a makeover. The region-specific information and accurate track-and-route device, enhanced by 3D image-maps, has added a Friend Tracker tool to locate and connect with like-minded skiers and friends also using the app.

NEW ATTRACTIONS IN DETAIL

Zell am See-Kaprun

• Audi Ski Run : giant slalom course (16 gates/200m) on the Schmittenhöhe, free to all skiers. Records the course time to the nearest 100^th of a second using a fully automatic camera www.schmitten.at
• Kitzsteinhorn Explorer Tour : new this winter, every Tuesday from 3 December at 9am from Kaprun. The 3½-hour tour, guided by a National Park Ranger, includes a 6-stage gondola journey of which a ride on the new 3K K-onnnection will be the highlight. The 2261-vertical-metre ascent crosses 4 climate zones on the way to Kitzsteinhorn (3029m), for visits to Gipfelwelt 3000 inside the glacier, Cinema 3000, the National Park Gallery and the Summit Restaurant, the highest in SalzburgerLand. Prices: foc www.kitzsteinhorn.at

Skicircus – Saalbach, Hinterglem, Leogang, Fieberbrunn

• The Bernkogel Snowtrail has doubled in length. New features include a snow tunnel, high-fives, waves, jumps and steep curves. Proximity to the ‘learn to ride’ park and extensive variety provides entertainment for experts and beginners alike. www.saalbach.com

Obertauern

• First.Track : once a month one lift opens for a small group of skiers to enjoy an hour of guided skiing on empty pistes. As other skiers arrive, a delicious brunch is served in the cosy Almdudler. Priced from €99 per person for valid lift pass holders (advance registration essential); includes guide, brunch and an Ortovox backpack full of goodies. www.firsttrack.at

CULINARY NEWS

• Gastein : On 9^th, 23^rd and 30^th January, Bad Hofgastein’s market offers a 3-course local tasting meal of local produce, created by the valley’s top chefs, with tea or a local herb shot. DJ music sets the tone, prices from €7 per person (subject to availability).
• Hochkönig : introduces the Culinary Konigstours, 3 self-guided itineraries created around the famous 35 km/6-peak Konigstour (King’s Tour) combine scenic skiing and gourmet highlights. Tours are the Heimatliebe (love of the homeland), Krautergenuss (herb enjoyment) and Gipfelgenuss (peak enjoyment). Prices for valid lift-pass holders any day, include 3 courses (in one or different huts) and a drink.
• Ski amadé : new ‘enjoyment ski routes’ highlight culinary hotspots on slopes and in villages of all five superb ski regions covered by the lift pass (Gastein, Grossarltal, Hochkonig, the extensive Salzburger Sportwelt comprising 7 villages – Flachau, Filzmoos, Altenmarket-Zauchensee, Wagrain-Kleinarl, Eben, Radstadt and St.Johann, and neighbouring Schladming-Dachstein). Choose from 14 routes, put together using local knowledge and insiders’ tips to discover the area’s best cuisine, culture and skiing.  Download the new mobile app ‘Ski Amadé Guide’ via www.skiamade/taste