'The Freeride Experience' takes guests to pristine snow

As many as 57 pistes stretch across the snow-covered slopes of the local mountains of the holiday region Zell am See-Kaprun. The different levels of difficulty indicated by the colours blue, red, and black make sure that every winter sports enthusiast finds an appropriate challenge. In total, skiers and snowboarders can indulge in 138 kilometres of pistes. For everyone who loves snow in its purest form, there are some additional kilometres waiting. Taking advantage of 'The Freeride Experience', sports-loving holidaymakers can get to know Zell am See-Kaprun from a completely different angle this winter season. From January 2009 they can head for the virgin backcountry to enjoy downhill runs off the prepared pistes. This is possible thanks to Volker Hölzl and his team of 'The Freeride Experience'.

Freeriding - that's going skiing in untouched nature where the covering of snow is absolutely pristine and no traces scar the face of the wintry landscape. Only very few locals know of such places. One of them is Volker Hölzl. The 39-year-old was born and bred in Zell am See and has been roaming the mountains and the deep snow of the region for many years. By offering 'The Freeride Experience', he wants others to enjoy this amazing adventure as well. From 8th January Hölzl and his colleagues Nici Winterstein, and Tom and Matthias Mayr invite guests to participate in three weekend trips to the back country.

The weekend programme starts on Thursday. In the evening, the certified guides go through Friday's programme in the wide open nature with the participants. The groups comprise a maximum of seven people who are taken to the backcountry by an experienced guide. But before they set out, the group is equipped with the latest first-class models 'Titan Argos IQ' and 'Titan Cronus IQ' from the renowned manufacturer Blizzard. Furthermore, the hired equipment includes special freeride poles, avalanche transceivers and shovels. In order to guarantee for better and quicker service, Hölzl and his team have established cooperation with the close-knit network of regional Intersport branches. Participants receive competent counselling in as many as five shops in the region.

Once the participants are properly equipped, the adventure can begin. At 8.30 am the small groups (as many as three each weekend) set out into nature. Beginners and pros go in separate groups, of course. The guides will not decide on a certain tour in advance but condition it on the weather and the region where they are sure to find the thickest blankets of snow on that day. The tours last until 4 pm approximately. For lunch, the groups drop in at an Alpine hut before Volker Hölzl accompanies his guests to the most charming inns and bars of the region in the evenings.

Anyone who would love to indulge in deep powder snow can choose from three different weekends (8th to 11th, 15th to 18th, and 22nd to 25th January 2009). All you have to bring are ski goggles, weather-proof clothes and some enthusiasm about enjoying an exciting new experience in up to 200 runs between 700 to 3,200 metres of altitude - wearing a helmet is advisable. In Zell am See-Kaprun, the heart of the pleasure of freeriding is the local mountain of Kitzsteinhorn. But for 249 euros you can also venture out into the deep snow on the neighbouring summits of the province of Salzburg for one unforgettable weekend.

For more information on 'The Freeride Experience' please visit the organizer's homepage at www.freeride-experience.at or presse.zellamsee-kaprun.com

The holiday region of Zell am See-Kaprun with its 14,000 beds and two million overnight stays per year is one of the most important holiday destinations in Austria. The beautiful flora and fauna in the Alpine panorama and Lake Zell guarantee relaxation and well-being. Golfing, hiking, and bathing are at the focus for the summer time programme, but visitors can choose from more than 40 other activities as well. During the cold season, fun on skis and boards make sure that there is no dull moment. Skiers can comfortably reach the 136 kilometres of slopes covered with powder snow by one of the 56 lifts. Snowboarders enjoy the perfect conditions of the Snowpark on the 2,600-metre-high glacier plateau. Even in the summer you can swish down the slopes here. And family-friendliness is a top priority in Zell am See and Kaprun. For this reason, the region has already received various awards.

knoefler-journalist . media + communications GmbH
Mr. Benjamin Knöfler
Phone +49 (0)6028 - 80729 0
zellkaprun@kj-media.com
http://www.knoefler-journalist.com

This release was published on openPR.