ALPINE SKIING IN ZELL AM SEE

Groomed tree-lined pistes, a charming lakeside alpine town, and an outlook towards some of the highest mountain peaks in Austria - welcome to the Austrian ski resort of Zell am See. If you've never been, you should definitely add it to the skiing bucket list!

Whether you’re an experienced skier looking for some fun off-piste powder days, or a family wanting to teach young children how to ski, this varied ski area of groomed slopes and endless off-piste opportunities has something to offer for all levels and ages. The balanced mixture of blues, reds, blacks and off-piste challenges is sure to offer you a diverse skiing experience. You can even throw in some jump practice at one of the jump parks or fun slopes, or test your racing speed at the Speed-Test Slalom or the black Trass Downhill Challenge.

This diverse ski area has immediate access from the alpine town of Zell am See to 77km of ski pistes, and has also recently been connected via the new ZellamseeXpress gondola to Austria’s largest Ski Circus of Salbaach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn. Under the introduction of the new collective ski pass, the SKI ALPIN CARD, you now have access to a whopping 408km of pistes. The variety of these slopes across the Skicircus of Saalbach Hinterglemm, the Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See and the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier ski area in Kaprun, is sure to keep you entertained for the duration of your holiday, and will leave you wanting to come back for more.

There’s no doubt about it though, covering this sort of distance is thirsty work. Good job the whole area is scattered with an eclectic mix of alpine huts, restaurants and bars, where you can take a break to soak up the breathtaking lake and mountain views. Why not sit back in the sun and listen to a live DJ play some house beats on the trendy panorama terrace of the Schmiedhof Alm, or perhaps curl up by the open fire and sip on a pipping hot glühwein at the Areit Lounge on the more chilly winter day. Whatever your preference, tucking in to the infamous Kaiserschmarrn dessert at some point on your holiday is an absolute must!

At the end of a full day on the slopes, you can ski back down to the picturesque town of Zell am See to enjoy some popular après ski and test some of the local Austrian schnapps, wander along the cobbled streets of the enchanting historic town centre, or simply stroll along the lakeside promenade to soak up the views of this magical winter wonderland.

Although the resort is a playground for skiers and boarders alike, if you like to mix it up on your winter holiday there are endless other winter activities at your disposal. Whether that’s the magical experience of riding in a horse drawn carriage by lake Zell and onwards to the ancient castle of Kaprun; shooting down tree-lined toboggan runs in a wooden sleigh, or burning off all of the hearty holiday calories consumed through laps in cross-country skiing or ski-touring, you’ll be sure to find something for you. There’s also the opportunity to partake in a bit of night-skiing every week, or perhaps watch some of the pros turn out tricks at the weekly Night Show.