Kaunertal

A quiet and picturesque valley surrounded by three-thousanders? A place where you can ski for hours, admire the scenery and not have to queue to the ski lift? We can find them in the Ötzal Alps, at the Tyrolean Kaunertal glacier. Snow awaits skiing enthusiasts here from October to June, and the 38 km of slopes are blue (20 km), red (12 km) and black (6 km), so advanced and beginner skiers can test them. According to some, the best route is the almost 2 km long red "9". It is very varied, has numerous walls, and ends at an intermediate chairlift station.

Kaunertal is not great, but has been enjoying a lot of interest among winter sports fans for years. The local routes are not only beautiful, but also easily accessible - you can drive up to them by car so close that practically all you have to do is put on your skis or a board and move forward, pushing off with your poles. Add to that two chairlifts and five T-bar lifts and an 8-seater cable car with heated seats, taking skiers up to 3,100 m above sea level. There is also a ski school and three ski rentals.

The youngest child of the Tyrolean glaciers

There are many atmospheric villages in the valley. The most important and famous of them is Feichten, located in the central part of the area - it is the best starting point for skiers. Despite its intimacy, Fendels enjoys an excellent reputation, and Kauns and Prutz are also famous. The Kaunertal valley itself attracts tourists all year round. In winter, it tempts with fluffy snow and many sports opportunities, while in summer it is visited by a lot of cyclists, amateur walkers and experienced mountain rovers. Every year, a road cycling race is organized in the valley, providing an opportunity to participate in a great event. Anyway, there are plenty of fancy events here, from the spring Spring Classics to the autumn Kaunertal Opening.

This is not the end of the region's cars. Many people consider the Kaunertal scenic route to be the most beautiful alpine route in the Alps. In addition, the glacier attracts with a wide range of entertainment for snowboarders. They have a fixed gutter, a trampoline and a fun park here. There are also descents of various difficulty levels, including a 1,000-meter altitude difference. The valley is also famous for one of the best snow parks in the Alps, attracting crowds of free ski enthusiasts.

The aforementioned ski runs are mostly easy. There is also a 30 km long cross-country trail in the valley - for skating and classic. You can explore the area not only on skis, but also on snowshoes, sleds or boards. What about a day on the slopes? There are two restaurants in the glacier area where you can admire the scenery from the terraces.

Fendels - perfect for families with children

But not only amateurs of fast skiing and madness in the snow will be satisfied with their stay in Kaunertal. There is a small family ski area in nearby Fendels with 16 km of pistes (8 km blue, 6 km red and 2 km black). Its cableways and slopes are the perfect place for winter fun against the backdrop of rugged peaks and terribly clear skies. Every Thursday night skiing and night tobogganing on a 4.5 km floodlit track are organized there. The slopes of the runs leading through the forest are also illuminated, which guarantees skiers good visibility also on foggy days. Tired after a day's drive, they can relax at the elegant table of the Sattelklause mountain restaurant, and the little ones will spend time on the playground.

Importantly, skiers can use free ski buses when buying a one-day pass for the Fendels ski runs. For comparison, those who ride the Kaunertal slopes can use the free bus only after purchasing a 4-day pass.

Ticket prices in Kaunertal in the season 2013/2014

The fact that Kaunertal is friendly to families with children can be seen not only in the varied offer, but also in the favorable prices of the passes. As for the glacier slopes, we will pay EUR 36 for a 1-day adult pass in low season and EUR 40 in high season. A 1-day ticket for a child born between 1998 and 2007 costs 22 and 24 euros respectively. In turn, for a day of skiing on the Fendels routes in the off-season, an adult skier will pay 30 euros, and a child - 18 euros. At the peak, the ticket prices increase to EUR 33 (adult) and EUR 20 (child). Regardless of the season, adults will pay 11 euros for night skiing and 7 euros for children.

The Kaunertal is the most distant Tyrolean glacier from Poland , but it is still worth visiting its regions at least once. If only because it is not (yet) commercial like his colleagues, sometimes crowded in the season to the limit. Regardless of the season, we will spend a wonderful holiday among the lofty peaks towering over the quiet and peaceful valley. Not only are the slopes waiting for guests, but also the Kaunergrat nature park, where you can relax in unspoiled nature.