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Kirchberg: a lower cost – but equally lively – alternative to Kitzbühel

May 10, 2015 By admin

Just round the corner from its more famous sister resort of Kitzbühel, the well-established yet still upcoming resort of Kirchberg is a good lower-cost alternative. Attracting couples and a younger more informal clientele, Kirchberg offers the same great ski area as Kitzbühel and an equally lively and cosmopolitan après ski scene.

Ski area
Skiing in Kirchberg offers access to one of the largest linked ski areas in Austria. Kirchberg’s principal ski area access points are the Fleckalmbahn and Maierlbahn gondolas, each based just a couple of ski-bus stops away from the centre of Kirchberg village and both serving the Ehrenbachhohe sector of the Kitzbühel-Kirchberg-Pass Thurn ski area.

Less experienced skiers can start off on the gentle slopes of Kirchberg’s own mountain, Gaisberg, where there is a small beginners’ area. While more experienced skiers can opt for the red and black ski pistes – equipped with floodlighting for night skiing. If you really want a challenge then you can try your hand at the world’s most difficult downhill run, The Hahnenkamm.

This entire area is also prime intermediate cruising territory, with a number of short black runs and a couple of ungroomed ‘ski routes’ to entertain more advanced visitors too.

The iconic Kitzbüheler Horn that pierces the horizon directly north-east of Kirchberg is another nearby ski area, of particular interest to freestyle enthusiasts as it houses a good snowpark; this separate area is accessed via a gondola based in the north-eastern suburb of Kitzbühel and is covered on the same area lift pass.

Other options from Kirchberg include the Ki-West gondola further along the Aschauer Valley to the south; this serves the Gampenkogel sector of the Westendorf ski area in the SkiWelt domain, home to one of the best snowparks in the region. Westendorf is linked via Brixen im Thale into the core SkiWelt circuit, but a more convenient access route is simply to take the short bus or train journey from Kirchberg directly to Brixen.

All ski-bus services, plus limited daytime train services between Kirchberg and Kitzbühel, are free-of-charge to area lift pass holders.

Off the slopes and apres ski
Kirchberg is a picturesque and lively village, with plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars all within walking distance. But Kirchberg really comes to life in the evening. The après ski gets going from mid-afternoon onwards at slope-side mountain bars, such as Schneebar Oberkaser on the home-run from Maierl, and the popular ice-bars and pubs of the village after the lifts close.
In the village you can find everything from a laid-back cosy pub to disco-bars where dancing on tables is encouraged. Prime venues include the renowned London Pub, the Kuhstall and the Tiroler Disco.

Kristall Spaces will soon be offering property for sale in Kirchberg.

Filed Under: Kirchberg

Amazing powder days in Galtür & Ischgl

April 8, 2015 By admin

Just back from the perfect family trip to Galtür. Staying in the Hotel Marangun before it becomes the only collection of luxury apartments in Galtür by the end of December 2015.

We had 4 days in Galtür where the children were incredibly well looked after in the ski school. I have never known a ski resort that is so well organised around the little ones. For 15 Euros, they can be taken off for lunch at the Wirlerhof too.

This enabled the grown-ups to venture out for the occasional lunch on the mountain and to take advantage of the conditions.

We had everything in those 4 days: blazing sun, cold temperatures and lots of fresh snow.

Best run in Galtür: I can recommend the offpiste under the Birkhahnbahn through the powder. A quick journey on the chairlift to the top and then almost straight off the piste and away from the other skiers.

This is real bird-nest skiing through the trees with snow that flies up in the face on the steeper, faster turns. Very nice to see a pair of Birkhahn (Black Grouse) one morning too.

Of the 4 days in Galtür, we had 3 mornings of powder skiing. The last one was in beautiful sunshine with a dreamy view down the valley to Galtür. Note the colour of sky, which here they call Paznaun blue.

Although we had to share the deep snow with fairer weather powder skiers, we still found a few spots for our fresh tracks, which is what it’s all about.

For the last 3 days, we hopped on the bus and took the whole family down to Ischgl where we spent most of the time on the long blue runs from the top of Zeblasbahn down to bottom of the 23 where the Höllkar starts. Easy enough for the whole family with a couple of powder opportunities to the side whilst the ladies chaperoned the Kinder down.

Then something amazing happened. The children and the wives packed in at 3 … just as the clouds disappeared leaving a big blue.

Within the hour, we had made it to the top of the Piz Val Gronda: the mother of all cable cars and far away from the Idalp so it’s strangely quiet bar a few serious, ABS-wearing types with powder and touring skis (not sure the ice picks were necessary).

From the top, we had the last run down under the cable car and made turns under the blue sky through steep, untouched snow that had fallen over night.

Deep enough to control the speed of descent and long enough to make a few dozen turns without stopping.

All on our own too.

Filed Under: Galtür, Ischgl

First impressions of Kühtai

March 21, 2015 By admin

The drive up to Kühtai reminded me of Maine in the States: snowy roads and a small river running by the roadside; but it was the sense of being in the wilderness that really fires the imagination. I expected a moose to run across the road at any moment and yet we were only 10 minutes from the Oetztal Bahnhof. No wonder those Habsburgs liked the hunting round here so much.

My host for the day was a Kühtai connoisseur (a Chemistry teacher from Innsbruck who was born on skis in Sölden and thanks to his Tirol ski pass can pick any of the top resorts for a day’s skiing when he fancies). He and his pals favour Kühtai because “the snow is the best” as soon as you come off the very first lift (no uphill trek needed to find quality pistes); the atmosphere is never showy and for the abiding fact that your personal space is never invaded. I distinctly recall following him down from the top of the Dreiseenbahn to the foot of the Gaiskogelift and not once did I adjust my line or speed to avoid other skiers. “So, it’s true what they say: it really does feel like being in your own private ski resort,” I thought to myself.

The snow was excellent too. We only started skiing at 2:00pm but it was still cold and smooth as we flew down the pistes. No slush or sudden moguls here or those annoying piles of snow where skiers have scraped all the loose snow into a mini snow drift leaving a sheet of ice as a run-up. In fact, the piste is so consistent that you will see various ski teams (US and Austrian) training by the side of the slope.

And hardly any snowboarders sat around in groups philosophising over Jägermeister and Limp Biscuit. They’re all in the K-Park: supposedly Austria’s biggest half pipe with a series of big air kickers and gnarly looking bits of metal sticking out for them to slide over or do whatever they do. I quite fancied one of enormous kickers – maybe I would pluck up the courage to have a go later in the day.

We skied down into the snow bowl in which the resort is positioned surrounded by white peaks which mostly lead to nowhere. We had been skiing on the North facing slopes and so ventured across to the South side where the night skiing had been the night before. No queues anywhere by the way as I reminded myself that this was a Thursday afternoon in March, so still high season.

It was like being in our own ski resort: there were even fewer people on this side! The runs down from the Hochalterbahn were pretty much ours. And the views were spectacular as we chatted over a Weizenbeer looking back down into Kühtai. I was now talking up trying one of those kickers: the ones were you have to be traveling at over 60kms to get enough speed to make it over the 6-metre lip between the end of the ramp and the landing so steep it looks like the start of a speed skiing course. The science teacher explained these facts. Also, that I was 43, not wearing a helmet and he didn’t fancy hanging out in Innsbruck hospital.

So, overall impressions were very, very good. I have skied in countless, medium sized resorts and I was trying to compare Kühtai but it’s unique. There is a lot skiing of here and the runs are really smooth and nicely pisted. No grim moguls waiting round the corner – just wide motorways. I loved the fact that I felt like I had the piste to myself and there is definitely a different tempo here compared to the bigger, more famous resorts. It’s more relaxed and yet it’s only 35 minutes from Innsbruck and that’s a major attraction if you are looking for an Austrian property: quick access to the airport means you can land and be on the slopes the same day like I did. It’s also close to the hospital if you get carried away in the K-Park.

Filed Under: Austrian Property, Kühtai

22% more Brits looking for property for sale in Austria (year on year)

March 9, 2015 By admin

Kristall Spaces’ data points to a significant rise in interest among UK buyers looking to buy property for sale in Austria, driven by Euro’s continual slide against the Pound.

The Pound is at a 7-year high and buying an Austrian property now for around €400,000 saves UK buyers circa £20,000, compared with January 2014.

Austria’s gain is neighbouring Switzerland’s loss meanwhile: online customer searches for Swiss property has dropped 15% according to Kristall Spaces research thanks mainly to Switzerland’s decision to unpeg its currency from the Euro.

A UK buyer wanting to acquire an apartment or chalet in Switzerland is going to get 13% less for their money now than they would have at the beginning of the year.

Liz Cass of Kristall Spaces says, “Our marketing experts analyse and compare data from different sources including Google’s real time search tools and we are seeing a healthy upsurge in online customer behaviour in the UK which mirrors the reaction to events in Europe such as quantitative easing to rescue flagging European economies.

“We’re also hearing from one or two savvy UK buyers wanting to secure an apartment at current rates with the uncertainty of an election coming closer. On the whole, they know they are getting a better return than buying in France or Switzerland and they particularly like the Austrian way of doing things.

“Our properties are typically managed by the original families who have been welcoming skiers to the area for generations. They really do understand the personal touch when it comes to service and looking after guests. You don’t always get that in ski resorts in other countries and for this reason customers like to come back to Austria time and again.”

Please contact Liz today to find out about the different developments we are building in 2015 and selling directly to buyers without any sales agent fees.

Filed Under: Austrian Property

Ischgl or St. Anton?

February 15, 2015 By admin

The snowy paradise that is St Anton has long been a favourite destination among avid skiers. With its exceptional off-psite and second-to-none après ski, St Anton gaurantees a great ski break. However, despite being a skiing hotspot, St Anton does face stiff competition. Just 40 minutes down the road is the up-and-coming Ischgl, which offers a similar blend of a large ski area, great skiing and epic après ski. But can this new contender steal St Anton’s crown? Let’s take a look…

Choice of Accommodation

St Anton steals an easy win here. The town offers a huge range of accommodation options, from small and basic guesthouses (which can be great value) to apartments, catered chalets and seriously impressive hotels, such as the new Mooser hotel.

By contrast, Ischgl’s hotel scene is much more focused on traditional hotels – there are a few self-catered apartments around, but almost nothing in the way of affordable guesthouses. This can mean that it ends up costing significantly more to stay in Ischgl.

Buying a property

Both places are difficult to buy an apartment in. Property in Ischgl is very expensive and rarely comes on the market, so if you are looking to buy it’s best to opt for an apartment in Galtür with its picturesque setting and family oriented ski area with over 40km of pistes. For a start, the prices are much more reasonable and you are only 10 minutes away on the free ski bus.

The same goes if you want to buy an apartment in St Anton – they are hard to come by and the demand is very high, plus there are additional land prices.

Snow quality

It’s a draw here – the two resorts are geographically near enough that if one gets hit with snow the other shouldn’t be too far behind.

It’s also worth noting that the village of Lech (part of the St Anton ski area) is routinely listed as the snowiest in the Alps.

Skiing – on piste

Ischgl just pips St Anton to the post here. The resort has an abundance of predominantly red runs, and if you’re a fan of skiing smooth motorways you can have an epic time just dashing around the mountain.

But that’s not to say St Anton is at all shabby on-piste though, especially when you consider the sheer scale of the ski area. It’s also fair to say that both St Anton and Ischgl suffer from a similar problem – the main runs back to the town centre can become horribly busy and cut up late in the afternoon.

Skiing – off piste

St Anton wins by a mile here. This resort is considered to be among the world’s greatest off piste destinations, which is one of the reasons why many serious skiers choose to base themselves there. Despite St Anton’s win, Ischgl also has some excellent off piste available when the conditions are right.

Après ski

Both Ischgl and St Anton are renowned for their lively après skis, but the two approach it in slightly different ways.

In St Anton, the focus is really on the ski-boots-on après ski scene, and in particular on two bars that are perched on the Galzig run back into St Anton – the Krazy Kangaruh and the Mooserwirt. Past 3.30pm things really get going, with 4 hours or so of stomping on the tables, guzzling down beers and singing along to cheesy Germanic pop anthems.

In Ischgl, the party is more focused in the town rather than up on the slopes. People ski down and head straight on to Niko’s Hexenkücke or the Hotel Elisabeth (complete with dancing girls in short Dirndls), but while the party is fun, it doesn’t quite have the same atmosphere as that at the Mooserwirt.

However Ischgl’s real strength lies in its nightlife. For those who have the energy to go out after the afternoon/early evening fun in the Mooserwirt or Krazy Kangaruh, the St Anton late night après ski can feel a little bit tame, and perhaps a bit of a disappointment.

Ischgl, on the other hand, boasts an exceptional nightlife. There is a branch of Pacha, the Ibizan superclub, replete with podium dancers and VIP lounge. There is are also a number of other locations (Posthorndl, Fire and Ice) that are substantially more sophisticated than anything in St Anton, plus two strip clubs – if you’re into that sort of thing.

So which is better?

Of course it is down to personal preference and what your priorities are in a ski trip. If you’re looking for sheer quality for skiing (especially off piste) St Anton is heaven for all those who live and breathe skiing.

Whereas, Ischgl’s greatest strength lies in its epic late night party scene. But this means that a lot of people at this resort are there for the clubs and so it tends to attract less serious skiers.

Go to both and decide for yourself – don’t be surprised if you end going back to each one again.

Filed Under: Galtür, Ischgl, St Anton

Swiss Franc good for business in the Austrian Alps

February 3, 2015 By admin

The Central Bank of Switzerland recently ended its 3-year plan to cap exchange rate gains of the Swiss Franc versus the Euro resulting in an almost instant switch of customer demand from Swiss property and Swiss ski resorts in favour of Austrian destinations, for both Austrian property buyers and holidaymakers.

In the run-up to 15 January 2015, the SNB had pegged the Swiss currency to adhere to patterns in Euro behaviour but after several falls in the Euro, the Bank lifted the enforced exchange rate and allowed investors to pile in sending the currency up by as much as 30%.

The move has created a sizeable impact on the Swiss ski industry and overseas ski property investors looking for their dream alpine ski property.

Many buyers have been put off by the dramatic rise in property prices and are finding much better deals in markets like Austria which has always offered better value for money than the French or Swiss Alp resorts (grounds costs are lower and rental yields higher).

Moreover, the traditional Austrian atmosphere is another factor cited even by French and Swiss visitors to Austria thanks to many of the original local families still running their hotels and Gasthofs offering a level of personal service and hospitality seldom found in other European resorts.

Kristall-Spaces-Galtur-Silva-Peak-Residences-West-view-3-Feb-2015

Snowy view in Galtür today – the Türtschers will manage the Silva Peak Residences on behalf of owners.

A few other reasons for UK customers to choose Austria over France:

73% of Austrians speak English versus 39% of French;
Average restaurant price in Austria – 40€ versus 50€ in France;
The average price of a beer in Austria – 4€ versus 8€ in France;
1 minute of mobile phone usage costs 0.07€ in Austria versus 0.24€ in France.

Filed Under: Austrian Property

Anybody can train in Channel 4’s The Jump winter disciplines

February 1, 2015 By admin

The new reality show, The Jump, sees celebs try a whole host of adrenalin-fuelled wintersports in Kühtai, Austria.

Taking inspiration from last year’s Winter Olympics, The Jump showcases eight disciplines including ski cross (see video below – most exciting FIS event), giant slalom, skeleton and ski jumping – all performed by 16 famous faces who are competing to be crowned snow king or queen.

Brave contestants include Made in Chelsea star Louise Thompson, former England cricketer Phil Tufnell and Joey Essex from TOWIE … or our favourite, Mike Tindall.

If you’re feeling inspired by the celeb efforts on the show, why don’t you give these challenging winter sports a go?

Here’s our summary of the most exciting and where you can try them for yourself on the slopes of Austria.

Bobsleigh

Fear factor: 3/5

Crammed into a steel pod only 3.8m in length in teams of two or four, participants make timed runs down a 1.5km narrow, twisting, iced track in a gravity-powered sled – reaching speeds of more than 80mph. Tantalisingly terrifying, but extremely fun.

Try it: Based near Innsbruck, Austria, at the kilometre-long Olympic bobsleigh track, you can learn to navigate a two-man bobsleigh through the track’s 14 bends: Olympiaworld Innsbruck (+43 512 377160 from €95 / £71).

Ski jumping

Fear factor: 4/5

Definitely not one for the faint hearted. Beginners should start with jumps of 10m and reach 20m after a day’s tuition.

However, whatever the size of the hill, it takes an extraordinary amount of courage to race down the icy runway on extra-long 2.4m skis and take that leap of faith – especially with the near-vertical ramp to start you off.

Try it: Towering high above Innsbruck on the wooded Bergisel Hill, the Bergisel Ski Jump offers the perfect opportunity to give ski jumping a go.

Skeleton

Fear factor: 5/5

Face down on a small sled just inches from the ice, participants hurtle down a frozen track reaching speeds of more than 90mph – with no brakes. Of all the Olympic adrenalin-fuelled sports, this has to be the scariest.

Tri it: Momentum Ski (020 7371 9111) offers a two-day Skeleton Experience with Amy Williams in Innsbruck, Austria, including a full track day with Amy, a passenger bobsleigh ride, two nights b&b accommodation, transfers and two dinners with wine from £1,500 per person.

Downhill and giant slalom

Fear factor: 3/5

In giant slalom, brave participants negotiate a series of widely spaced gates on a rock-hard piste at high speed. Downhill takes the game to a whole new level. It has only a few control gates and is over a much longer and steeper course. Plus, the surface is injected with water to make it icier.

Both disciplines require varying combinations of technique and bottle. You won’t learn either overnight – and downhill training is extremely difficult to acquire because it involves a whole section of the mountain being fenced off and closed to the public.

Try it: Snoworks (0844 543 0503) runs racing courses in Austria under the direction of expert instructor Phil Smith and Emma Carrick-Anderson.

Kühtai need-to-know facts:

Kühtai is situated at an altitude of 2,020 metres making it the highest winter sports resort in Austria;

It’s 35 minutes from the region’s capital Innsbruck and its airport;

Due to its almost guaranteed snow record, this season Kühtai has already hosted the first event of the Luge World Cup (Natural Track), an International Paralympic Committee World Cup race as well as two women’s World Cup ski races in Giant Slalom and Slalom;

EU and non EU buyers can now own a property in Kühtai thanks to the new Kristall Spaces 2020 Residences right in the middle of the resort with doorstep skiing.

Filed Under: Kühtai

Snow-sure Kühtai: the choice of the FIS to host the World Cup

January 7, 2015 By admin

The World Cup tour came to Kühtai at the end of December after the Semmering races were cancelled due to a lack of snow.

The FIS took the decision to relocate the two Ladies World Cup technical events to Austria’s highest ski resort in Kühtai thanks to its unmatched record of early and late season snow and ideal temperatures to ensure the best racing conditions.

Another deciding factor was Kühtai’s proximity to Innsbruck the most important city in Tirol.

Kühtai is one of the first places the inhabitants of Innsbruck head towards when they want quality skiing and ideal snow conditions, all within a 35-minute drive.

Over 6,500 spectators made their way up to the resort at 2,020 metres to cheer on their favourites racers which included an all-star line-up of Sweden’s Sara Hector, home country favourite Anna Fenninger and USA’s Mikaela Shiffrin whose form had been on a slight downward trend in recent races.

The courses were set right in the middle of the resort facing the exact location where Kristall Spaces is developing the 2020 Kühtai Residences, a collection of 14 brand new apartments in Kühtai for next Winter.

Filed Under: Kühtai

2020 Kühtai Apartments Now Available to Investors

December 18, 2014 By admin

Venture Plus AG and Kristall Spaces are proud to announce a stunning new build of holiday apartments in Kühtai, Austria’s highest ski resort. This is a unique opportunity to invest in ski property in one of the most snow-sure resorts in Austria.

Austria’s highest resort

At 2020 metres above sea-level, Kühtai nestles among the peaks and mountain lakes above the Ötztal valley — yet it’s only 35 minutes from Innsbruck airport. With snow on the higher pistes for most of the year, the resort has invested heavily in tourism, including a planned installation of a 100MB WiFi system, and it was voted by ADAC as Europe’s best value for money ski destination, as well as winning the SkipassIndex for 2013/2014.

2020 Apartments

The new 2020 apartments (named after Kühtai’s altitude) are being designed by one of Austria’s leading architects, with construction due to start in April. Designed for the luxury market, they’ll be ski-in, ski-out properties located centrally in Kühtai, with current prices ranging from €286,000 for a two-bedroom ground floor unit to €641,500 for a large, three-bedroom penthouse apartment.

All the apartments will be luxuriously fitted out, with traditional furnishings and underfloor heating beneath the Swiss parquet floors. Kitchen and bathroom fittings will be by designers such as Hans Grohe, Miele and Siematic, while they’ll be completely up to date with smart TVs and wireless LAN. Triple-glazed, floor-to-ceiling windows will allow you a perfect vista of Kühtai’s breath-taking scenery.

A unique investment opportunity

It isn’t often that this kind of opportunity becomes available in one of Austria’s top resorts. The authorities keep very strict control over holiday homes, and Venture Plus AG and Kristall Spaces have carefully acquired permission for a new build in such a premier location.

Kühtai’s winter sports season starts earlier than most other resorts and lasts a long way into the year. There’s no shortage of snow at 2020 metres! Whilst the summer offers visitors the chance to enjoy the breathtaking Alpine scenery with a range of activities suited to all ages, so there’s demand for holiday apartments all year round. Kristall Spaces will not only manage the apartments, but also arrange rentals through renowned tour operators.

With VAT rebates available on the properties and strong annual capital growth rates, they not only guarantee a good return on investment through rentals, but are also almost certain to appreciate in value.

You can reserve an apartment by putting down a deposit, but several have been sold already, and the rest are likely to follow quickly. Check out the details for a wonderful investment opportunity! Download Brochure.

Filed Under: Austrian Property, Development News, Kühtai

Zell am See — What Does It Have to Offer?

December 18, 2014 By admin

Nestled on the shores of the Zeller See and dominated by stunning peaks, Zell am See and its neighbouring resort of Kaprun offer some of the most spectacular scenery in Salzburgerland. Not to mention some of the most varied skiing options, with a season lasting ten months of the year. Whether you’re an expert skier or on holiday with young children, whether you want to party at night or have a relaxing time — Zell am See has what you need.

Winter sports in Zell am See

The town is surrounded by three mountains, the Schmittenhöhe, the Kitzsteinhorn and the Maiskogel, which between them offer everything from freestyle slopes to child-friendly pistes. The Kitzsteinhorn has the most challenging slopes to suit the experts, while the Maiskogel is more suitable as a place to take the kids. The Schmittenhöhe has a full range, from expert to easy.

Each of the mountains has a snow park. The Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn, at 2900 metres, includes Austria’s biggest superpipe, 160 metres long and 6 metres high, while the Schmittenhöhe boasts the world’s longest Funslope, packed full of obstacles. The MPark on the Maiskogel mainly caters for children to have fun, but it includes areas to challenge advanced skiers, too.

There’s a ski shuttle to take you to whichever mountain you want, which is free with a ski pass, and the area has many ski schools, if you feel the need to improve your skills.

Après-ski

The night-life of a ski resort is important too, of course. Pubs and bars both down in the town and on the slopes offer drinks, live music and a party atmosphere. These include the Schnapps Hans Alm-Bar, the biggest après-ski in the Alps, but there are many other choices to suit every taste.

Or maybe that isn’t your thing. If you’re more interested in a romantic evening — or just a quiet one — than partying until you drop, there are plenty of Gasthofs and mountain huts that offer local specialities like Kasnocken and Gluhwein while you can look down at the lights in the valley or across the lake.

And, if you’re looking for something completely different, there’s always the Ice Camp Kitzsteinhorn, an igloo complex high on the mountain that offers an Ice Bar and Ice Lounges for social events.

Salzburgerland

In the unlikely event that you can tear yourself away from the slopes for a day, there’s still plenty to do in the area, ranging from the museum of vintage cars in Kaprun to the sights of Salzburg itself — whether you’re more a fan of Mozart or of The Sound of Music.

Whatever you’re looking for in a winter holiday, Zell am See has everything you could want.

Filed Under: Zell am See

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