Kitzsteinhorn: Power of Change 50 years Gletscherbahnen Kaprun Content: Kitzsteinhorn: Power of Change Mile stones 50 years Gletscherbahnen Kaprun Winter 2015/16: Gletscherjet 3+4 advances Kitzsteinhorn to an even higher level Press contact: Maria Hofer Kitzsteinhorn - Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG Wilhelm Fazokas Straße 2d A-5710 Kaprun Tel.: +43 / (0) 6547 / 8700-171 Mobil: +43 / (0) 664 / 78 29 855 E-Mail: maria.hofer@kitzsteinhorn.at Mag. Ursula Wirth Mag. Florian Emminger Plenos Agentur für Kommunikation Paracelsusstraße 4 A-5020 Salzburg Tel.: +43 / (0) 662 / 620242-12 bzw. +43 / (0) 662 / 620242-34 Mobil.: +43 / (0) 676 / 83 786 212 bzw. +43 / (0) 676 / 83 786 234 E-Mail: ursula.wirth@plenos.at, / florian.emminger@plenos.at
Kitzsteinhorn: Power of Change 50 Years Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG The Kitzsteinhorn in Kaprun: pioneering spirit, courageous decisions and constant transition hardly any other skiing area in the Alps has this claim to fame. The visonary idea of Ing. Wilhelm Fazokas in the1960s was to plan a Summer skiing area. However, the Kitzsteinhorn, due to its expansive direction and infrastructural adaption, developed steadily step by step to an all year round tourism motor for the whole region.the Kitzsteinhorn, today, has wide glacial slopes and a great variety of pistes with a snow guarantee from October until June - 50 years after the first guests were transported by cable car to the glacier on 12th December 1965. There is also an unique all-year round panoramic experience offered in the high alpine adventure world of the Gipfelwelt 3000, right on the border to the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern. Snowparks, freeriding terrain and ski touring routes are provided today in Winter just as mountainbike trails, guided tours by National Park rangers, popular events and discerning culinary attractions are provided in Summer. Superlative and technically revolutionary developments, such as the highest cable car tower in the world (113,6 meters) and the first drag lift construction on a flowing glacier in 1968, reinforce the continuous innovational strength of the Gletscherbahnen Kaprun. The company was also an international pioneer in installing the first panorama camera to relay live TV images from the skiing area in 1982. Inextricably bound to the story of the Kitzsteinhorn is the tragic fire disaster of the tunnel train on the 11th November 2000, whereby 155 people lost their lives. The accident marked a painful turning point for the Gletscherbahnen. The following years were shaped by new orientation, change of direction, and enshrined in a new corporate mission: to build upon existing natural and unique strengths, to be creative and in balance with high alpine nature and reach higher quality and service standards. The Gletscherbahnen entered a partnership agreement with the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern and also began cooperating with the Salzburg Institute for Ecology, who have accompanied all building projects since then. Since 2003, the Gletscherbahnen Kaprun is the only Austrian cable car company to be ISO-certified for all quality and safety standards and also, since 2007, for the domain of environmental management. The company created a second leg to stand on, apart from winter sport, when it opened the Gipfelwelt 3000 in 2011. The Gletscherbahnen Kaprun has its 50 year jubilee in December 2015. The title Kitzsteinhorn: The Power of Change represents an impressive history, as well as the future of Austria s first glacial skiing area. The start-up to the 2015/2016 jubilee season is the implementation of the new lift axis, Gletscherjet 3 and 4, which makes the glacier faster and more comfortably accessible. The central skiing area of the Kitzsteinhorn is being completely restructured and with this project, the Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG sets its adaption strategy to changes in the glacier, the climate and in tourism further and welcomes another new era on the Kitzsteinhorn, The Power of Change. ---
Kitzsteinhorn Milestones Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG 1963 Foundation of the Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG Ing. Wilhelm Fazokas, Kaprun mayor and plant manager of the Tauernkraftwerke, is the initiator and motor of the visionary project to develop a Summer skiing area on the Kitzsteinhorn. 1965 First glacial skiing area in Austria opens on the Kitzsteinhorn. A cable car in two sections, up to the Alpincenter brings the first skiers to the Kitzsteinhorn on 12th December 1965. Opening of the Berghaus alpine guest house (2.450 m). 1966 Opening of the third cable car section, taking guests from the Alpincenter to the summit station at 3.029 m, for the first time on 26th November. 1967 The first glacial ski lift, the Maurergletscherlift (Maurer glacier lift), is designed together with the Family Doppelmayr and opens on the Schmiedingerkees. 1968 Salzburg s highest restaurant, the Gipfelhaus, welcomes its first guests at 3.029 m above sea level. 1969 Opening of the Schmiedinger glacial lift. 1970 The new double chairlift, the Schmiedinger-Gratbahn increases comfort and service. The glacier can also be reached by hikers through the Hanna Stollen, a 360 Meter long tunnel from the top station, on the south side of the mountain. 1973 The Gletscherbahnen Kaprun on the Kitzsteinhorn also reaches new milestones in the gastronomy, with the opening of a self-service and a serviced restaurant, the Alpincenter. 1974 The opening of the first alpine tunnel train GBK2, from the valley to the Alpincenter and independent of weather conditions, means an increase in transport capacity - to 1.500 guests per hour. 1977 The construction of the Krefelderhütte lift by the Gletscherbahnen Kaprun also develops the central alpine section of the Kitzsteinhorn. 1981 Expansion of the Gipfelbahn (Summit Lift) and Gipfelstation (Summit Station): raising the height of tower 7 to 113,6 Meters (still the highest cable car tower in the world today), new larger cable car cabins (60 instead of 36 persons) and construction of the second floor of the Gipfelstation. 1982 The world wide success story of live panorama cameras starts on the Kitzsteinhorn: a panorama camera sends the first live pictures from the glacier. 1987 The Sonnenkarbahn double chairlift opens up the Sonnenkar. 1988 The new Magnetköpfl lift on the glacier plateau provides an all year round beginners area on the Kitzsteinhorn with a snow guarantee. There is a new service area in the valley station, with new cash desks and a cafeteria. 1990 The Gletscher Shuttle joins the Gipfelstation to the glacier plateau the new funicular guarantees reaching the glacier in comfort all year through. With the engageable four-seater chairlift, Langwiedbahn, the mid alpine terrain of the Langwied and a popular freeride area are accessed. The central glacial area is further accessed with the Keeslift. Opening of the first Funpark for the young wild ones. 1991 The Panoramabahn (gondola cabins for 8 persons) replaces the cable car GBK1 built in 1965. 1992 The new Gratbahn (engageable four-seater chairlift with weather hoods) replaces the Schmiedingergratbahn built in 1970. 1993 An umbrella bar is erected in place of the Berghaus.
1994 The Gletschermühle serviced restaurant opens in February. The first FIS-Snowboard World Cup race, worldwide, is held on the Kitzsteinhorn. 1997 New pistes open up with the 6-seater Sonnenkarbahn. 1999 With the articial snow facility Kitzsteinhorn I, the piste from Langwied to the Alpincenter is artificially snowcovered for the first time. 2000 The Alpincenter, built in 1972 is rebuilt into a modern gastronomy (self serve restaurant, Skyline Bar) und service center. 11th November 2000: catastrophic fire in the tunnel train GBK2. Worldwide grief for the 155 victims; the accident shattered Kaprun and the company. 2001 The orbital double cable lift Gletscherjet 1 opens on 23.12 - capable of transporting 2660 persons per hour. 2002 A second orbital single cable lift, the Gletscherjet 2 (3440 pers./h) also goes into operation, up to the Alpincenter. The artificial snow facility Kitzsteinhorn II covers the terrain up to the edge of the glacier with artificial snow for the first time. 2003 The glacier plateau opens for the first time in Summer for non-skiers to have fun sliding in summer snow. 2004 11.11.: A memorial site for the victims of the funicular fire opens. 2005 Start of the gastronomic HOCHGENUSS series top chefs cook on specific dates on the Kitzsteinhorn. 2006 Glacier Park, Easy Park and Central Park with three snowparks, the Kitzsteinhorn is one of the biggest freestyle centers in the Alps. July and August: premiere of the ICE ARENA on the glacier plateau. 2007 The engageable 6-seater chairlift Kristallbahn opens up a new wind and weather protected piste area. The first ICE CAMP opens at the beginning of January. Every year, artists build a new igloo landscape completely out of ice and snow. 2009 Extended artificial snow facilities and the Gletschersee II pump station increase the amount of articial snow made. Intense collaboration with the Salzburg Institute for Ecologie begins. The Institute then accompanies all planning and construction works as well as recultivating measures and high alpine greening. 2010 The Gipfelstation from 1966 is renoviert and with the Gipfelwelt 3000 (Panorama Platform Top of Salzburg, Cinema 3000), a new high alpine adventure world is created a new all year round proposition and a second commercial leg for the Gletscherbahnen to stand on, apart from glacier skiing. Gipfel Restaurant renovations. Freeride XXL Safety first! A trend-setting alpine freeride terrain is created with 5 freeride routes and an information system. ISO certification according to ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management) for all facets of the company the first cable car company in Austria with this certification. 2011 The Gletscherbahnen Kaprun wins the pro natura pro ski award at the XI. Alpenkonferenz in Liechtenstein. This highly valued award is given every second year to a skiing area for ecologically orientated management, innovative strength and lasting action. Expansion of the Kitzsteinhorn Snowpark, with a 160 meter long superpipe. The Gipfelwelt 3000 with its Nationalpark Gallery (360 m long tunnel with 5 Info stations and an unique Panorama-Platform right on the border to the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern) is extended in collaboration with the Hohe Tauern Nationalpark. Snow in Winter, electricity in Summer Extension of the artificial snow-making facilities and activation of the small Grubbach power plant, which works as the pump in Winter for the snow-making facilities and is
used as a small electricity station in Summer. Until Summer 2011 maintenance of the snow fields was only possible with cable cars now the Langwiedboden is accessible by road ( Astenweg ) for the first time. 2012 A partnership contract is drawn up with the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern due to the successful cooperation with the Gipfelwelt 3000. Three close-to-nature mountainbike freeride trails are created on already existing paths with a sensational altitude difference of 1.500 meters and length of 12 kilometers. 2013 The Alpincenter (2.450 m) is accessible by road, over the Krefelderweg, for the first time making supply and disposal, as well as building projects, so much easier. New on the Langwied: an up to 63 % steep piste 14 - the Black Mamba! 2014 The start of Gletscherjet 3 + 4 construction in April. The new lift axis from the Alpincenter to nearly 3.000 meters above sea level. New opening in October, of the renovated and enlarged Gletschermühle Restaurant. Opening of both ski touring routes - the Schneekönigin (Snow Queen) and Eisbrecher (Icebreaker). 2015 From May: second construction period of the Gletscherjet 3 + 4, relocation of the Kitz lifts and the Magnetköpfl lift, removal of the Kees lift, construction of the new Schneehasen lift (Snow Bunny lift). 17 October 2015: Start of operation Gletscherjet 3+4 12 December 2015: official opening of the Gletscherjet 3 + 4 and 50 year jubilee of the Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG. ---
The Kitzsteinhorn advances to an even higher level with the Gletscherjet 3+4 More intensive glacial adventure and enjoyment whilst floating up to 3.000 meters above sea level. KAPRUN. Since October winter sport and glacial adventure on the Kitzsteinhorn are even more comfortable and intense due to the new Gletscherjet 3 +4 lift axis: the enjoyable ride to 3000 meters is an inspiration with breathtaking views floating 60 meters above the glacier, one has an unique view of the extensive skiing area and the untouched alpine world of the Hohe Tauern National Park. The glacier is reached much more quickly, the comfort and capacity has greatly improved. The central glacial skiing area has been completely restructured wide pistes with new dimensions open up for winter athletes. Families and winter-sport beginners love the new practice slope on the Kitzsteinhorn at 2.600 (snowsure) meters. Excursion guests can experience an impressive glacial round tour, the whole year through, with the new Gletscherjet 3+4. The Kitzsteinhorn, with its wide glacial slopes, has a snow guarantee and excellent winter sporting conditions from October to June. Salzburg s highest skiing area thrills its guests with its variety of slopes, freeride routes and snow parks, including the Super Pipe this top destination, right on the border of the Hohe Tauern National Park, advances to an even higher level in the 2015/16 winter season: the Gletscherjets 3 and 4 stretch up over a new cable car axis to the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn summit, at almost 3.000 meters. Thus, the glacier is much faster and more comfortably accessible. Enjoyable ascent in a breathtaking panorama The ride with the State of the Art Gletscherjets is not only more comfortable and faster it is an especially enjoyable experience: the combi-lift Gletscherjet 3, operating up to the middle station, offers you the choice between an 8-seater chairlift or a 10 person gondola. The Gletscherjet 4 runs on from the middle station, at 2.630 meters, and the full fascination of the new lift unfolds: after a short, steep ascent from the station to the first tower, the ride glides on gently to reveal a breathtaking panorama unique views whilst floating almost 60 meters over glacial pistes: deep into the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park and its untouched high alpine world, of the wide glacial slopes and pistes of the Kitzsteinhorn and down the Pinzgau valleys to the shore of Lake Zell. More open, wider glacial pistes for even more sporting fun in Winter. The enjoyable ride up with the Gletscherjet 3 and 4 glides over a fully reconstructed central skiing area on the glacier: as well as the construction of the new lift axis, the drag lifts are newly positioned. Thereby, the Kitzsteinhorn has more open, wider piste for even more winter fun. New practice terrain: Schneehasen (Snow Bunny) Lift Especially for families and new winter sport athletes, in the 2015/16 winter season, on the Kitzsteinhorn: the Schneehasen-Lift (Snow Bunny lift) a new practice terrain at an altitude of 2.650 meters with guaranteed snow. This platter lift, in the new Gletscherjet middle station area, connects a gently sloping piste, which is easily and comfortably reached from the Alpincenter, with the Gletscherjet 3. All year through: new Glacial Round Trip for excursion guests The Kitzsteinhorn, in the shortest time, established an unique tourist attraction in the Alps with the Gipfelwelt 3000. The impressive ride up to 3000 meters with the Gipfelbahn, and over the highest (113,6 m) cable car tower in the world, is now substantially easier with the Gletscherjet 3 and 4. A Glacial Round Trip around the Gipfelwelt 3000 is possible by the new lifts and the new Barbara Gallery which joins the top station of the Gletscherjet 4 with the Gletscher Shuttle. All year round activities and adventures will follow.
Fact box Gletscherjet 3+4 ADVANTAGES + Faster time to the glacier and to the Gipfelwelt 3000 + Maximum comfort + Larger, wider piste areas + More attractive for families and winter sports beginners + Optimal wind- and weather-protection TECHNIQUE Gletscherjet 3, 8,031 8,622 ft Gletscherjet 4, 8,622 9,599 ft Combination: 10 person gondola cabins 10 person gondola cabins with heated seats and 8-seater heated chair lift 3,600 persons/hour 2,772 Pers/h (through rides) and 3,326 Pers/h (single rides) 587 ft 978 ft Cable car system: Transportation Capacity: Altitude difference: Length: 3,314 ft 3,773 ft Duration: 3:30 min. 4:00 and 3:20 min. respectively BARBARA-TUNNEL Weather protected connection between the Gletscherjet 4 top station and the Gletscher-Shuttle funicular bottom station. Altitude: 9,600 ft Length: 328 ft SCHEDULE Start of Constr.: March 2014 Opening: 17 October 2015 INVESTMENT In total: EUR 25 Mio.