Press Info
NEW: Kitzsteinhorn Explorer Tour
Through four climate zones with a National Park Ranger
Led by a National Park Ranger, set out on an exciting journey of discovery through four climate zones,
from the valley to 3,000 meters above sea level. A close-to-nature experience for the whole family, on
the Kitzsteinhorn in Zell am See-Kaprun.
Beginning 4 July 2017, and every Tuesday until 5 September, the Kitzsteinhorn – in cooperation with Hohe
Tauern National Park – will offer a brand-new experience for families and nature lovers. During the
Kitzsteinhorn Explorer Tour, you will travel through four climate zones in just one day. Your adventure will
take you from green meadows, through landscapes of barren rock, up into a world of eternal ice. A National
Park Ranger accompanies our explorers, big and small, on this tour lasting around two-and-a-half hours,
sharing fascinating insights into each different zone.
How is glacial ice created?
Which animals live in that zone of eternal ice? What survival strategies has the edelweiss, that immortal symbol
of the Alps, developed in order to thrive in the extreme conditions beyond 3,000 meters? Where does the
monarch of the air, the golden eagle, make its home? And does the bearded vulture really only eat from the
bones of dead animals? All of these questions will be answered by your “expedition leader”, the National Park
Ranger, who will add intriguing details about each climate belt. The Explorer Tour takes participants from 911 to
3,029 meters, though thanks to the ultra-modern gondolas which run up the Kitzsteinhorn, even children and
less well-trained hikers will be able to enjoy this memorable experience.
A climate journey to Spitzbergen in just 2.5 hours
Werner Schuh is one of the National Park Rangers who lead the Explorer Tour. He tells us about a few special
highlights of the expedition: “The Kitzsteinhorn treats you to magnificent views of Hohe Tauern National Park –
covering an area of 1,856 square kilometers, it is the biggest nature sanctuary in the Alpine region. From the
first climate zone in the valley, a warm-temperate climate with lush greenery and running streams, the
Kitzsteinhorn lifts will carry us over a wintry, cold climate of coniferous forests up to a tundra climate. In this
treeless region at the Langwiedboden, 1900 m above sea level, we will walk to a meandering stream bed,
where we can observe rhododendrons, gentians and, with a little bit of luck, perhaps even marmots. At the next
stop, amid the rocky wasteland close to the Alpincenter at 2500 m, we will hike to a special lookout point: Here,
a magnificent vastness reveals itself, with views of the striking summit of the Kitzsteinhorn, the glacier, and of
one of the world’s tallest gondola pylons. Together, we will explore the flora and fauna on the fringes of the
eternal ice. The journey goes on, now up into an arctic climate at 3,029 m. From the “Top of Salzburg”
panorama platform, you can look out across glaciated 3,000ers and pristine valleys. If we are fortunate, we
might even catch sight of eagles and vultures circling in the skies above the 3,203 meters-high Kitzsteinhorn
summit. With the help of binoculars, participants can observe chamois and even our summertime guest, the
griffon vulture. Living around Salzburg’s highest panorama platform are snow voles, stoats and fox. Under
normal circumstances, if you were to make a journey from the village of Kaprun through these four same
climate zones, you would have to travel all the way to Spitzbergen – as the crow flies, that is a distance of 3,445
kilometers.”
In Combination with the National Park Gallery Tour
After lunch at Salzburg’s highest restaurant, those who are hungry to lap up even more knowledge can begin
their next fascinating tour right away: During the National Park Gallery Tour, together with a ranger you will
explore “Gipfelwelt 3000”, be whisked away into the world of golden eagles at the Cinema 3000 and, in the
Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG, Wilhelm-Fazokas-Straße 2d, 5710 Kaprun, AUSTRIA
T +43(0)6547 8700, F +43 (0)6547 7614, [email protected], www.kitzsteinhorn.at
Board Chairman: Dr. Arno Gasteiger; Managing Director: Dir. Ing. Norbert Karlsböck
Commercial Reg. FN 54515 W, Landesgericht Salzburg
National Park Gallery, a mystical cave, learn how the Hohe Tauern mountains
were created and what astonishing crystalline treasures slumber within the
rock. THE scenic highlight is the National Park Gallery Platform: Here, you stand eye-to-eye with Austria’s
tallest mountains – foremost, the Grossglockner at 3,798 meters. The views extend far into the virgin wilderness
of Hohe Tauern National Park – here, you truly do sense the power and majesty of the mountains.
Both of these National Park Ranger Hikes are included free of charge with your valid gondola ticket. Advance
registration is not required.
FACTS
Kitzsteinhorn Explorer Tour
Content
Nature discovery tour through 4 climate zones from 911 to 3,029 m, led by a ranger:
Comfortable ride on the Kitzsteinhorn gondolas up to the
TOP OF SALZBURG elev. 3,029 m (Salzburg’s highest panorama platform)
with stops in between and short walks at elevations between 1,900 m and 2,500 m
Dates
Every Tuesday, 4.7. – 5.9.2017
Meets
9:30 a.m. Kitzsteinhorn valley station, Kaprun
No registration required
Lasts
2 ½ hours – until ca. 12:30 p.m. (viewing platform TOP OF SALZBURG 3,029 m)
Tips for optional afternoon activities:
 Lunch at the Gipfel Restaurant – Salzburg’s highest restaurant
 National Park Gallery Tour
National Park Gallery Tours begins at 1 p.m. – a National Park Ranger leads
you through Gipfelwelt 3000 (meets TOP OF SALZBURG, ca. 50 minutes)
 Ice Arena
Free area to have fun and slide in the glacier snow, 2,900 m
Free
with valid Kitzsteinhorn gondola ticket
Requirements Suitable for anyone, especially for families
The tour takes you up to 3,000 m above sea level: sturdy shoes, a warm jacket and
sunglasses are recommended
--Download – Text and Photos:
http://www.kitzsteinhorn.at/de/presse/pressemitteilungen/explorer-tour
NEW as of Summer 2017: Kitzsteinhorn Explorer Tour
In just one day, explore four climate zones with a National Park Ranger:
from 911 m in the valley to the world of eternal ice at 3,000 meters.
Kitzsteinhorn Explorer Tour, close to the Alpincenter 2,450 m
Photo: Kitzsteinhorn
Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG, Wilhelm-Fazokas-Straße 2d, 5710 Kaprun, AUSTRIA
T +43(0)6547 8700, F +43 (0)6547 7614, [email protected], www.kitzsteinhorn.at
Board Chairman: Dr. Arno Gasteiger; Managing Director: Dir. Ing. Norbert Karlsböck
Commercial Reg. FN 54515 W, Landesgericht Salzburg
From lush, green alpine meadows to the world of glaciers:
Nature- and hiking experiences for the whole family on the Kitzsteinhorn
Kitzsteinhorn-Langwiedboden, 1,976 m
Photo: Kitzsteinhorn
TOP OF SALZBURG 3,029 m
Highlight of the new Kitzsteinhorn Explorer Tour: Salzburg’s highest
lookout platform
Kitzsteinhorn-Top of Salzburg, 3,029 m
Photo: Kitzsteinhorn
Press Contact:
Maria Hofer
Marketing Manager
Kitzsteinhorn - Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG
Wilhelm-Fazokas-Straße 2d
A-5710 Kaprun
Tel.: +43 / (0) 6547 / 8700-171
Mobile: +43 / (0) 664 / 78 29 855
E-Mail: [email protected]
Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG, Wilhelm-Fazokas-Straße 2d, 5710 Kaprun, AUSTRIA
T +43(0)6547 8700, F +43 (0)6547 7614, [email protected], www.kitzsteinhorn.at
Board Chairman: Dr. Arno Gasteiger; Managing Director: Dir. Ing. Norbert Karlsböck
Commercial Reg. FN 54515 W, Landesgericht Salzburg