Six ski areas, 504 kilometres of piste, 79 cable cars and lifts: The Schultz Group has for the last 30 years been counted amongst the most successful, privately owned Lift and Tourism businesses within Austria – and to the “Best brand in the Alps”. The siblings Heinz and Martha Schultz now operate six of the best ski regions in Zillertal (Tirol), East Tirol and Kärnten.
→ The “Parent company” of the Schultz Group – and with 181 kilometres of slopes “Emperor of the Piste” – is the Ski region Ski-optimal Hochzillertal Kaltenbach in Tirol. Every year it leads the field in numerous Ski area surveys and tests: It scores just as highly with its snow guarantees as with its piste maintenance, service, family friendliness and Price-Benefits-Performance ratio. The turnstiles are already open at 7.30am allowing the 36 ultra-modern lifts to soar up to 2,500 metres. Cruising through powder snow on sunny slopes or conditioning training on the eight kilometre long Stephan-Eberharter-Gold piste and eleven kilometre long valley run to Aschau are only a few of the highlights. The young Boarding generation are swept up to the Almdudler Park on Öfelerjoch by 8 seater chair lift with heated seats.
→ With ca. 110 kilometres of piste the Großglockner Resort Kals-Matrei is East Tirol’s largest ski area and the second largest ski region under the Schultz Flag. The Großglockner resort already ranks in the ADAC and ski resort International top ten world-wide list. From the Austrian association of consumer information was awarded first place for the best Price-Benefits-Performance ratio for family ski areas in Austria. From the heights of Cimaross at 2,621m head down the longest valley run (11km) in East Tirol to Matrei. Also on offer are pistes exclusive for carving. “A Black Appetiser” is the Blauspitz downhill and the Goldriedsee variant. 100 per cent of the piste including all three valley runs can be powder covered as required.
→ With the snow guarantee of Kärnten’s only glacial ski area, the Mölltaler Glacier in Kärnten lures you into snow fun right up to 3,122m high. Operating for the first time this year is the new Alteck 4 seater chair lift which enlarges the “Mölli” piste area up to 71 kilometres, including 16 kilometres of variable slopes. The seven kilometre long FIS Downhill is the favoured training area of the Austrian and German National skiing teams throughout the year. The snowboard Fun Park and the wide treeless slopes direct under the 3000m boundary are the main hot spots for the Boarder scene. Ankogel with its 35 kilometres of piste is very close behind the Mölltaler Glacier as the second highest ski mountain in Kärnten. The wide spacious slopes have carvers and Boarders chewing at the bit to explore them – and beginners have access to the amazing beginner’s area in the valley. In addition, Ankogel has one of the most beautiful Off-piste Territories south of the main Alpine ridge. From powder training areas to 1,600 metre off-piste down hills is everything available. A real “Thigh burner” is the seven kilometre long valley run to Mallnitz (1,350m altitude difference).
→ East Tirol’s “Sunny child” on the border of South Tirol is the Ski Resort of Hochpustertal. Because of the altitude (1,100 – 2,400m) and complete snow production facilities right down to the valley, between December and the middle of April the entire 55 kilometres of piste appear as an immaculate white. Both the “Maxi-Valley runs” – eleven kilometres to Sillian and nine kilometres to Villgraten – are in sparkling form until spring. Next to certainty of natural snow, highly prized amongst deep snow riders and Free riders is the endless amount of Backcountry. Free stylers’ get their kicks in the ski and snowboard park “Yellow-Snow”. The Dolomites Residence Sport Hotel Sillian**** is located only 100 metres from the Valley Station and is the perfect accommodation for families, winter and wellness fans.
→ In the East Tirol Ski Resort of St. Jakob in Defereggental the 52 kilometres of piste open all types of possibilities for both large and small ski fans: Wide carving piste above the treeline, a How-fast-can-i-go and training stretch, a Boarder Fun Park as well as fast valley runs. The most modern cable cars and chair lifts travel between 1,400 and 2,525 metres in height throughout the snow and sun abundant ski area. No other Tirolean ski area had its valley runs open so long in 2010/11 as in St. Jakob.
The best ski huts in the Alps are “Brand Schultz”
The Schultz-Group lends a completely new quality to the ski rest stop and Après-ski. Since the Kristall Hut (2,147m) in Ski-optimal Hochzillertal Kaltenbach opened its doors seven years ago, it established a “Hut culture based on new standards” away from mass processing. With the Kristall Hut’s manager Stefan Eder and his Verena the guests may let the fun ski day pleasantly slide away with a Gourmet meal, a sauna, and a fireside chat with glass of wine. Overnight stays under the starry skies of the Zillertal Alps are available with four to five star cuisine. A special tip is the Kristall-Lounge outside in the open air: The “Day-Spa” with Outdoor fire place, Outdoor Sauna, whirlpool and a snuggly relaxation zone together with heated water beds has already achieved cult status. The original meeting place for culture and wine tasting, jazz brunches, exhibitions and cultivated hut entertainment has long since been established by the Kristall Hut. Three times in a row has the award for “Best ski hut” now been given to the Kristall Hut. Skiers in Ski-optimal Hochzillertal Kaltenbach have a variety of opportunities to take a break. At the Wedel Hut (2,350m) with Manni and Moni the guests can likewise expect the sophisticated service of a Gourmet restaurant. In the Wedler Premium Lounge guests can be served 4 or 5 course meals from originally interpreted Zillertal recipes. Hobby Sommeliers highly value the weekly wine tasting sessions in the 2 storey wine cellar with panoramic views from the Inntal to the Zillertal Alps. For overnight guests there are 11 luxury suites with 5 star cuisine. In Großglockner Resort Kals-Matrei skiers are able to stop at the highest situated “Merit awarded” restaurant in East Tirol. In 2011 Gault-Millau honoured the cooking art of Walther Hartwegers and his Katharina with a Merit (13 points). In actual fact they already have the magnificent views from the Adler Lounge of Großglockner, the highest mountain in Austria (3,798m) plus a further 60 three thousand metre peaks around the Hohen Tauern. Theme days and culinary events under the wings of the eagle bring tasty treats to the mountain. The Adler Lounge also provides the option to stay overnight in their stylish suites, with views of the “King’s Großglockner”.
Schultz-Group: With extraordinary ideas for the road to success
The siblings Heinz and Martha Schultz manage all together six of the best ski areas in Tirol, east Tirol and Kärnten. Their readiness to always seek out new ways, have turned the Schultz-Group into the most successful privately led Cable car and Tourism business in Austria. Making strong investments every year to enable them to do justice to their own high quality standards: Modern state-of-the-art equipment, as well as the greatest possible snow guarantee and variation of piste. Ski-optimal Hochzillertal Kaltenbach (181km piste) is the first ski region in the world renowned Zillertal with a fully lit, snow covered valley run, also with heated chair lifts. For Early-Morning-Skiing the early risers can already be on Stephan Eberharter’s home mountain piste at 7.30am. With the Kristall Hut and Wedel Hut the family Schultz have characterised the new high-quality hut culture. Top class events and overnight stays with 5 star cuisine in the middle of the ski area, have been the standard for the last seven years in Hochzillertal. East Tirol’s highest merited temple stands likewise in the middle of a Schultz ski area: In Großglockner Resort Kals-Matrei. The Adler Lounge gourmet restaurant on the peak of Cimaross with a direct view of the Großglockner, is a trend setter through its architecture and cuisine. Walther Hartweger has already cooked himself up a Gault-Millau meritation. Additionally in the Großglockner Resort is an exclusive carving piste and East Tirol’s longest valley run at 11.3 kilometres, heading down to Matrei. On the Mölltaler Glacier this year, 40% more piste has been opened up. Through the new Alteck 4 seater chair lift fantastic red and black slopes may be accessed. The piste in ski resort Hochpusteral with Sillian has been extended, the snow production coverage has been completed and a new 6 seater chair lift has been built. Under the “Schultz-Standard” there are no waiting times in the ski areas. In Hochzillertal Kaltenbach 2 parallel cable cars run simultaneously from the valley up to the mountain. The Ski resort Hochpustertal with Sillian scores again with its new 6 seater chair lift up to the summit. In all ski areas – including Ankogel and St. Jakob – snow guarantees through the construction of comprehensive snow production facilities is always a central focus point. All Schultz-Group ski areas are now under one reservations and booking platform at www.ski-optimal.at or www.schultz-ski.at making it simple to book from the comfort of your home.
“Schultz for families”: Austria’s best family ski areas
The Schultz-Group brings the entire ski family on to the piste. Through reasonably priced ski passes, cooperation with organised School ski courses and a children friendly infrastructure in the ski area, is the healthy sport even for families with small children and teenagers highly attractive. Ski-optimal Hochzillertal Kaltenbach counts frequently amongst the best Austrian ski regions not only for Price-Benefits-Performance ratios but also family friendliness. Start the family ski day from the free enclosed parking and then over the escalators to the parallel cable cars which both run up to the piste. The turnstiles open daily from 7.30am to 5pm (Last cable car to valley) allowing all piste addicts to ski a full hour longer than normal. From the total of 181 kilometres of piste are 141 kilometres suitable for families (Red and Blue). The large beginner’s area and the children’s ski school (4-12 years) with lunchtime supervision are specifically coordinated with the little ones in mind. The Großglockner Resort Kals-Matrei has received an excellence award for the best Price-Benefits-Performance ratio for families in Austria, from an independent Association for Consumer Information (VKI)
Children rates for up to 18 year olds on the Alps southern side
The further five Schultz ski areas in Kärnten and East Tirol also represent high standards in children friendliness: Under sixes can bomb along all over the piste for free. Between six and eighteen years are children rates available – that means a 50% price reduction. Multi day ski fun automatically translates in to the SkiHit pass which is valid in every single East Tirol and Kärnten Schultz ski area. The Großglockner Resort Kals-Matrei has been selected by the independent Association for Consumer Information as the Family ski region in Austria with the best Price-Benefits-Performance ratio. 95 out of the 110 kilometres of piste are suitable for families (Red and Blue). Beginners are well taken care of in the two children ski areas in Kals and by the Goldried cable car station. The Mölltaler Glacier is also the place for our little carvers, Free riders and boarders to effortlessly find their rhythm. The snowboard Fun Park has proved good enough for World champion Sigi Grabner to successfully complete his training. There is also the Ski & Board Academy where beginners easily learn to find their feet and rhythm. Mallnitz, a charming place at the foot of Ankogel, is a genuine secret family tip. The big spacious ski area on Ankogel by Köfele lift is perfect for beginners to get started. The little skiers place their trust in Bobo the Penguin and his Children ski school. Similarly ideal for families is the Ski Resort of St. Jakob in Defereggental: A fantastic beginner’s area in the valley makes it simple to quickly learn this healthy and varied sport. What is especially good for families: In the ski kindergarten are parents able to lie back on their sun loungers and watch their little ones find the ski feet in the snow, making their first turns. In addition nearly all of the 52 kilometres of piste are designated either blue or red making them ideal for kids to progress even further. The Brunnalm Snow Park summons snow addicts from all over to Austria’s sun balcony. There is also the truly family orientated ski resort of Hochpustertal with Sillian on the Italian border. On its 55 kilometres of wide open piste is enough space for the whole family to making lovely swinging turns. Meanwhile the little ones will find the perfect training area in the Hochpustertal Bobo ski club and the snowboarders can meet in the Yellow Snow Ski and Snowboard Park at 2,130 metres. The Schultz Group delivers the perfect family accommodation to accompany this. The Dolomites Residence Sport Hotel Sillian**** immediately next to the valley station is East Tirol’s number one family-Wellness Hotel. Children from the age of 3 may enjoy the Häpi-Päpi-Holiday program which includes 12 hours daily of professional supervision.