Zell Am See

Zell am See is a charming lakeside town comprising of a medieval centre which is traffic free. The lake itself is stunning and is used for winter sports such as curling and ice skating as well as walking. There are a huge selection of hotels, pensions, small boutiques, cafes, bars, clubs, coffee chops, and patisseries (the latter of which the Austrian's are famed for). Hotels range from small 2 star to grand 4 star residences such as the Impressive shoreside Grand Hotel. From the lake to the main City Xpress gondola it is a short 8 minute stroll through this atmospheric resort.

The ski area is shared with neighbouring Schuttdorf and Kaprun, just a short journey up the valley, and totals 138km of piste. Although at a lower altitude, Zell am See benefits from 95% of its pistes being covered by snow cannons. If mother nature fails to deliver then Austrian engineering and efficiency certainly will deliver!

Beginners benefit from from an excellent ski school and nursery slopes close to the village and further up the mountain. Advancement to the blue  means skiers will be able to ski from the top of the mountain at Maurerkogel right down into the village itself. Further afield a good selection of runs at Kaprun and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier are suitable for beginners. 

Intermediates will love the cruisey blues at Zell am See as well as some of the fast reds and even the blacks. Some of these blacks are quite achievable for modest intermediates and they too will benefit from a journey or two onto the glacier. Here there are great runs for all abilities that we will look at next in the advanced skiers section.

Advanced skiers will love the blacks in Zell am See, they do tend to ski hard and fast without a huge amount of moguls but those wanting bumps can find them quite easily in this ski area. The wooded terrain offers some great tree-lined off-piste. In truth, advanced and expert skiers will be best to hitch a lift by the free bus service and head over to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. Here there are so good reds but the area is best for the free-ride terrain which will keep good skiers very well entertained for days on end. Here there are 5 free ride routes plus some amazing “ski anywhere” off-piste between the marked but ungroomed trails. Snow Finders' Nick raves about the area on and surrounding West Side Story and Jump Run with its natural pipes and kickers. X1 Ice Age is also a blast and particularly enjoys a lot of powder.

In general whilst the ski area isn't huge, it is both extensive and varied and should not be overlooked by good skiers.

Zell am See's valley floor has 40 km of cross country trails and another 18 km on the Kaprun golf course.