raddays » Europe’s Ski Resorts

Snowboard & Skiing Day Trip to Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, Austria

For Fun — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:16:47 +0000

On surfing the web for idea's during the Spring, after we though all our snowboarding days were over, I happen to start clicking through the Austria Offical Tourist Information website and came across Summer Glacier Skiing and was surprized there were a few to choose from.

Salzburg Airport, Austria

Kitzsteinhorn looked favourable at this point and I looked at its location in relation to Airports. It seemed like it was approximately 75 minutes from Salzburg Airport !.

I hunted down UK airports that flew to Salzburg and opted for Standead as the scheduled flight times looked perfect. I think we fly out at around 06.30am and landed in Salzburg airport at about 09.30, the last return flights were departing Slazbrug Airport at 22.40 tthe same day.

We pre booked the car hire, so once we landed one went to the car hire desk to beat the queues (if there was one out of season?) whilst the others collected the snowboard bags. We managed to leave the Airport just after 10.00 and headed on the empty motorway to the the Ski Slopes in the Summer (this is mad we said) !. We got changed in the car park and got on the gondola about 11.30am which wasn't bad, clear blue skies, red hot I think it was about 25 celcus and all the summer pistes were open. As this was mid week the pistes were empty and only the international Ski Teams seemed to be there.

Kitzsteinhorn-Kaprun Piste Map - Winter Version

Check out Kitzsteinhorn Glacier website for more details.

This particular trip was in early May and the furthest point you could ski down to was Langwied at 1978m which was a Gondola station. However we went in late June another year and you could Ski down to the Main Aplincentre at 2450m which is understandable.

There are plenty of runs to keep you interested for a day trip, we stopped about 13.30 for lunch and to soak up the sun even more. After an outstanding and surreal days boarding we headed for the Umbrella Bar at about 16.40 to unwind for an hour. The atmosphere as always in Austria was friendly and fun, the usual Bavarian Beer/Euro pop songs were blasting out which brought a mouth stretching smile to us all.

Kitzsteinhorn - View on Sonnenkarbahn Chair Lift

Once off the slopes we had a walk around the local village of Kaprun which is ideally situated for this area and Zell am Zee. As the flight was late in the evening we did not have to rush around everywhere, it was relaxed and we took out time getting back to Salzburg Airport to hand over the car and check in. On another trip we had a drive around Salzburg and dropped into the close by retail park for pizza.

Kitzsteinhorn Glacier - AlpinCentre Umbrella Bar

Overall this was an excellent off the cuff trip, which was well worth doing to break up the lack of snowboarding days during the rest of the year, I think we got about four and a half hours in boarding which wasn't bad and satified our appetite for snow, Austrian Mountain atmoshpere, Snowboarding and the great outdoors.

We took these trips when the flight taxes and hidden extra's where not as high and time tables may have changed since so please check. Its all about getting the earliest flight out and the latest flights back.

Have a look into it for the Spring/Summer months as it still may be worth a trip out for a slide.

What a Rad Day !

Check through to see if there are any possible bargins for your next skiing trip.

NEW 2012 Lange EXCLUSIVE RX 80 All Mountain Performance Womens SKI BOOT 245
£253.21

Rossignol Cut 104 R skis160 cm with Salomon 700 Bindings D Retail $14999
£25.32

ROSSIGNOL 7SV Alpine Skis 198cm with Rossignol bindings Also poles and bag
£21.00

Volkl Racetiger GS R World Cup Skis 187cm New 109870
£126.62

Rossignol Cut 104 RW Skis 150 cm w Salomon 500 Bindings Retail $14999
£31.65

NEW 2011 Nordica HOT ROD PRO 125 All Mountain Freeride SKI BOOT 255 US 75
£233.62

TAYLORMADE R11 FWY 3 155 DEG REGULAR FUJIKURA BLUR LH
£119.66

NEW IN BOX ROSSIGNOL DOWNHILL SKI BINDINGS JUNIOR WOMEN KIDS GIRL BOY DIN 45
£34.19

Black Diamond Guru 2010 11 Skis SZ 167 cm New
£139.28

Black Diamond Guru 2010 11 Skis SZ 158 cm New
£139.28

Salomon GT Xscream 700 Skis 180 cm with Sal 500 Bindings N Retail $14999
£28.48

LH TaylorMade Burner Oversize Single 9 Iron Bubble S 90 Graphite Stiff
£25.32

NEW Smith HOLT PARK Multi Sport HELMET Ski Snowboard Bike Skate GREEN M
£25.32

Fischer RC4 WC GS 188
£253.24

TaylorMade RAC CGB Single 6 Iron Steel Stiff Flex
£22.15

NEW 2011 Nordica ENFORCER 100 Supercharger All Mountain SKI BOOT 260 US 80
£233.62

TaylorMade RAC CGB Single 6 Iron Steel Regular Flex
£22.15

Head Monster Team Jr Skis 117cm w Tyrolia SP45 Bindings Retail $14999
£56.97

New Rossignol Skis 162cm Bindings DISCOUNTED
£139.00

Fischer RC4 WC GS 180 Womens Skis
£253.24

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Family Ski Drive to the French Aples – Les Saisies

For Fun — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 08:18:53 +0000

On searching the bargins for a skiing holiday at Easter one year I came across the not so well known French Ski resort of Les Saisies. It may not be well known amongst the British Downhill Skiing population however it is famous for holding the Cross Country skiing and Nordic events in the 1992 Winter and many more World Class Events.

Les Saisies 1650m - La Lègette

It has a traditional timber built Chalet atmosphere with one main road running throught the centre of the village. You can ski-in ski-out generally from most Lodgings which is a big bonus for many.

Our family of six were lucky enough to obtain an amzing deal in a newly opened quality MGM appartment with free use of the private indoor heated swimming-pool with Jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish baths and fitness room. I think we got a good package as it had just opened and some minor items were not finished in time for the winter season. However this did not effect our family at all, the accommodation was as imaged in their marketing brochures.

Les Saisies Balloon Festival & MGM Appartments

Half our family were beginners so I was looking for a resort for the family, I was amazed that most of the runs were friendly towards children, beginners and intermediates. I didn't want a resort that had intimidating runs which would break their confidence and put them off for the rest of the holiday or forever. This resort was just perfect for all of us. Les Saisies is now linked to other small resorts and is called the 'Espace Diamant' which includes Praz sur Arly which is near the larger resort of Megève. It now boasts 185km of downhill pistes and 80km of Cross Country pistes to suit all levels. You have the chance to try Cross Counrty Skiing in the morning to warm up those muscles and then take to the Downhill pistes to test your turns and take in the panoramic views of the Mont Blanc.

The snow record for this area is one of the best in the Alpes due to its location near Mont Blanc, we went in April and there was not one run closed or going thin. We were lucky as the sun shone for all seven days so the children could play in the snow after skiing without getting cold and my wife could top up her tan at the bar.

I have been skiing and snowboarding since 1989 and visited many different ski resorts and this is the first ski resort where I have seen masses of walkers with snow shoes on buzzing around

Les Saisies Village & Slopes

the place which was lovely to see for a change. You can hire them in most of the Ski Hire Shops aswell as Cross Country Ski's.

Apart from Skiing you can use the outdoor Ice Rink which was nice to have for a small resort and their was a dedicated sledging Area which was very popular with the younger families. As the MGM Chalet was on the slopes we went sledging every night after the slopes were closed and had a great time.

At the time we visited there were not many British Families however the Ski School Spoke good English for the children. In our personal opinion we felt this was a good point about the resort.

Our journey back home to the UK started at 08.00, stopping off at 08.30 at the Patisserie in Praz sur Arly in the valley for our breakfast of pain au chocolat's and drinks. We arrived back in the East Midlands just gone Mid night the same day. We travelled by the motorways and used the channel ferry having regular stops for the children, so overall we didn't feel it took that long and it was well worth the trip and one day we wish to return to see how it has changed.

Check out the possible bargins below, to help reduce costs on your family Ski holiday. I always feel Easter is a good time to go in Europe as the air temperatures are warmer inthe day, so the kids can mess about inthe snow and not get so cold quick.