On November 30 this year, the long-awaited 3K-lift is expected to begin operating, completing the tremendous axis of aerial lifts. The “K-onnection” including the Maiskogelbahn, which was opened last year together with the Kaprun-Center, will connect the village center to the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier.
2-year construction nearly finished
After a two-year construction period and over 80 million euros spent, the largest project in the 50-year-old history of Kaprun's glacier lifts will be a milestone for both summer- and wintertime tourism in the area.
Constructing preparations had started back in fall 2017, with the Maiskogelbahn and its three station buildings already opening in December 2018. The state-of-the-art gondola can transport up to ten people at once from Kaprun to the mountain station on the Family mountain.
The 3K-lift will complete the ambitious project and carry visitors another 4.3 kilometers (2.7 miles) up to Langwied Station in only 15 minutes. Starting November 30, 2019, up to 32 people will be able to travel in each of the 32 gondolas, an impressive hourly rate of 2,700 passengers. The lift will be the first tricable gondola lift in the area around Salzburg.
New Ticket Combination
The new lift system will connect a total of 61 kilometers (38 miles) of runs. These include the family-friendly Maiskogel runs as well as the more difficult “Black Mamba” and five free ride routes amounting to ten kilometers (6.2 miles) of piste. The season at Kitzsteinhorn lasts from October until July while the Maiskogel runs are groomed between the months of December and March.
>> Find out everything the resort has to offer here
A new ticket combination will be introduced this winter season, comprising the ski areas on the Schmittenand the ski circus Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn. Day and multi-day passes will be valid in all ski resorts, including the Lechnerberg in Kaprun. Prices for the day passes will be at 56,50€ for adults and 28€ for children. Only the family-friendly resorts at Maiskogel and the Lechnerberg will be offering cheaper tickets.
Ski area will feature two starting points
The new combined ski area will present two opportunities of entrance. Locals and hotel guests in Kaprun will of course use the Ski-In-Ski-Out in the village, being able to reach the new Kaprun-Center on foot. Not only the valley station of the Maiskogelbahn can be found here, but also a ski storage area for 2,000 pairs of skis, a large sports and rental store as well as free parking spaces.
One-day visitors, bus groups and all those looking to get to the glacier quickly can use the familiar starting point at the valley station Gletscherjet.
Grand opening to be accompanied by light shows and concerts
The opening planned for Saturday, November 30, 2019 will feature a number of extraordinary attractions and events. 'Dialect musician' band “Granada” as well as Austro Pop legend Wolfgang Ambros are set to give concerts on the Maiskogel mountain station. Ambros' band “Die No.1 vom Wienerwald” is also the creator of the project's theme song, “Langsam wachs ma z'amm”.
Guests of the opening ceremony will have the exclusive opportunity of a night-time ride in the lift from Kaprun to Kitzsteinhorn (Langwied) and back. Gondolas and pillars on an 8-kilometer (4.9-mile) stretch will be illuminated by mysterious lighting, visible from afar in the Zeller Becken and surely a unique experience for passengers.
The gondola rides and light shows are set to start at 5:30 pm while the concerts will take place from 7 to 9:30 pm. After show parties can be found in the valley all night long.
