European Sports Region, Austria

According to clothingexpress, the European Sports Region (ESR), located in the federal state of Salzburg, includes two ski resorts: Zell am See (757 m above sea level) and Kaprun (786 m above sea level), in total – more than 130 km of groomed slopes. The height of the maximum rise is 3029 m (Kaprun glacier).

One of the main advantages of the region is the abundance of natural attractions, some of which form national parks. For example, the largest nature reserve in the Alps and the oldest in Austria, the Hohe Tauern, located on the territory of three lands at once and famous for its glaciers, mountain rivers and lakes and 266 peaks, some of which exceed 3000 meters. The park can be visited not only in winter, but also in summer. Admission is free with the special Zell am See-Kaprun Card, available from selected hotels.

The European sports region is good for beginners, as well as for families with children, although there are places for professionals to ride. Snow guarantee – from late December to mid-March. Disadvantages: overcrowding of slopes and queues for lifts in high season. The slopes of the resort are passed “from and to” in a week.

The resorts of the European Sports Region are an ideal place for families with children. The local infrastructure is designed in such a way that it will be fun for both teenagers and kids. Of course, the number of winter playgrounds is limited, and the number of children’s ski schools does not exceed ten, but those that exist are ready to offer parents classes with kids from a year old (for example, the Kaprun resort, Bobos baby club) and children much older, from Sunday to Thursday, in the morning. The cost depends on the availability of food and drinks, the length of the lesson and how many lessons are planned. So, in Zell am See, a one-day lesson (children from two years old), from 9.30 to 15.30, with meals, entertainment and careful care of teachers, will cost 70-85 EUR.

How to get there

First you will need to fly to Salzburg from Vienna or Munich. From there, from Wolfgang Mozart Airport, there are several ways to get to the resorts of the European Sports Region at once.

By car

The road to one of the resorts from Salzburg will take about an hour and a half. If you decide to go by car from Munich, you will spend at least two and a half hours on the way.

By train

Trains run from the railway station in Salzburg to Zell am See. Since the station where they arrive from the administrative center is located in the city center, it is quite easy to get to the hotel from there by taxi or public transport. Travel time is about 1 hour 40 minutes. The cost depends on whether you are traveling first or second class. The average price is about 15 EUR one way. Trains run quite often. Trains do not go directly to Kaprun from Salzburg, you will need to go through Zell am See.

By bus

From Zell am See to the resort of Kaprun can be reached by bus number 660, the stop is a two-minute walk from the railway station, a hundred meters. Travel time by bus is just under 20 minutes.

Region trails

Most of the trails, about 77 kilometers, are located in the Schmittenhöhe mountain area. It will appeal to both beginners and advanced skiers. Skiing in the Kitzsteinhorn area (about 40 km of pistes) is more suitable for professionals. Maiskogel is for families with small children. More than 50 lifts are used to service the tracks.

A two-day ski pass for an adult will cost 88-100 EUR. Small children (6 years and older) pay exactly half as much. A teenage ski pass costs 66-75 EUR. For comparison, the cost of a one-day ski pass for an adult vacationing in Kaprun during the high season is 51 EUR.