Family Holidays: Kaprun family skiing and activity holidays

Take the Family holiday rating 3½ stars out of 5

Why

Kaprun is a special resort for several reasons. It's a charming village in it's own right. Add to that the backdrop of the towering Kitzsteinhorn and the beautiful lake on Kaprun's doorstep. Plus the all year round skiing potential for beginners and advanced skiiers alike, thanks to the glacier. And, finally, this is a great area to bring the family in the summer too.

Skiing – There's guaranteed snow here on the glacier, regardless of general winter weather, and two other areas are also covered by the Europa Sport Region lift pass.

All three areas cater well to beginners and advanced skiers so a family with differing levels of skiing ability can at least enjoy being in the same general area together.

Summer – Not many places on earth provide families with the opportunity to ski in the morning and relax by the pool or lake in eighty+ degrees in the afternoon. And even if you're not tempted by the skiing there's a vast range of other activities to occupy the whole family. We think it's a great alternative to a week or two on the beach.

Top left: Skiing
Top middle: Kaprun Town
Top right: Kaprun Town in Winter

Bottom left: Kaprun Village
Bottom right: Kaprun Mountains

When

The ski season runs from mid-December through mid-December! Though if you want to ski in the summer you need to prepare for an early start before the top layer of snow turns to slush. If you have younger kids then consider January (cheaper, but cold) or March and later (more expensive, less cold) and, obviously, try to avoid half term.

The summer season lasts from early June through September. Although it can rain, temperatures are generally warmer than in the UK, unless you're at higher altitudes.

How

take the plane

There are frequent flights between the UK and Salzburg. And from there it's about a 90 minute drive. Other options include a two and a half hour transfer from Innsbruck.

take the car and ferry

We wouldn't recommend driving down if you're planning to spend just a week here skiing. But it's an option to consider in the summer and, although a long drive from Calais (10-12 hours), you can break up the journey along the way.

Do

Skiing – Although there’s guaranteed snow and skiing here (11 metres of snowfall on the glacier between November and April), ironically the only thing that can stand in the way of the perfect family holiday is if conditions are poor elsewhere, since the Kitzsteinhorn glacier then draws everyone from miles around and gets very busy.

There’s a total of 130 km. of piste accessible via 55 lifts in the Europa Sport Region. Beginner’s can learn on the Lechnerberg slopes adjacent to Kaprun. The glacier itself also offers gentle slopes ideal for learning. For intermediates and advance skiers there’s a great range of skiing on both the Kitzsteinhorn glacier and the Shmittenhoehe slopes. And few places offer as much powder during the winter as the glacier. Not to mention the challenging mogul fields!

Apart from skiing there’s the ‘Optimum Leisure Centre’, with indoor / outdoor pool, bowling, tobogganing, tennis and squash. And you've got the village of Kaprun and town of Zell am See for shopping and / or an evening out.

Summer – gold-panning and kayaking are just two activities that your kids might be introduced to for the first time. Did we mention that you could ski in the summer? Even if you don’t ski it’s worth checking out the glacier, the gondola ride alone is spectacular. There’s also hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and much much more. And a trip to Austria’s picuresque second city Salzburg is another must.

Eat

You're likely to eat meals at your hotel in the morning and evening. During the day, if skiing, you can enjoy meals at 28 different mountain restaurants. Most of them remain open in the summer too.

Cost

Skiing costs vary tremendously depending on time of year with the February half term week costing as much as £1,000 or more for an adult once everything is included. Children benefit from considerable reductions. Do travel outside peak periods if at all possible to save money and avoid queues.

In the summer, an adult can pay less than £400 during peak season for a self-drive holiday with half board accommodation included. Generous discounts for children (no charge for infants). Flight options available too.