Zell am See: Skiing, Alpine Landscapes and Lake Experiences

Zell am See combines winter sports, alpine landscapes and a wide range of excursion destinations. When choosing a ski hotel, the slopes are not the only consideration here: the Schmittenhöhe offers 77 kilometres of slopes, modern cable cars on the Kitzsteinhorn take you to over 3,000 metres above sea level, and around Lake Zell there are additional opportunities for active and relaxing days on holiday.

Winter sports between the Schmittenhöhe and Kitzsteinhorn

The Schmittenhöhe ski area has 77 kilometres of slopes. Of these, 30 kilometres are blue, 28 kilometres red and 19 kilometres black runs. This breakdown illustrates the different characteristics of the range of slopes and gives experienced skiers as well as mixed groups a concrete basis for planning their day. When selecting runs, you should match the colour categories to your own experience and the composition of your group.

At the Kitzsteinhorn, modern cable cars take you to over 3,000 metres above sea level. Gipfelwelt 3000 includes the National Park Gallery, a panoramic platform at the end of a 360-metre-long tunnel. This allows you to add a special mountain experience to a day of winter sports without focusing your stay exclusively on the slopes.

Hiking, high-altitude trails and views

Zell am See-Kaprun lies between the gentle grassy mountains of the Pinzgau and the rugged walls of the Hohe Tauern. The region offers more than 400 kilometres of marked hiking trails, mountain tours and paths. From the Schmittenhöhe, the view extends across Lake Zell and the town of Zell am See to as many as 30 peaks over 3,000 metres high. The Schmitten high-altitude promenade also features viewing telescopes, information panels about the diverse animal and plant life, viewing platforms and play stations.

For shorter outings, the Sisi Circular Trail is suitable: the approximately one-kilometre circular trail around the summit of the Schmitten takes about 30 minutes and starts and ends at the Elisabeth Chapel. The Pinzgau Walk is a considerably longer option. This high-altitude trail leads for approximately 17 kilometres from the Schmittenhöhe to Schattberg in Saalbach and takes about six hours. The Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail comprises 17 stages and leads from the foot of the Krimml Waterfalls to the Schmittenhöhe above Zell am See; in total, it is 275 kilometres long. These different distances help you distinguish between short circular trails and hiking plans lasting several hours or several days.

Lake, water and shared days on holiday

Excursion boats on Lake Zell offer views of the historic old town of Zell am See and the alpine landscape with peaks and green meadows. Around Lake Zell in Zell am See-Kaprun there are three lidos. Zell am See Lido, Thumersbach Lido and Schüttdorf Lido have direct access to the lake, sunbathing lawns, diving towers and slides, water trampolines, children’s playgrounds and heated pools.

On the northern shore of Lake Zell, the Vettermann Sailing and Surfing School offers taster and beginner courses in sailing and surfing. Families with children can also enjoy Schmidolin’s Adventure Trail “Trial by Fire”, with tricky questions, tests of courage and exciting tasks. The E-Motocross Park at the mountain station of the areitXpress is intended for riders aged 6 to 17. This means that even days without a longer descent or with different interests offer specific destinations.

Culture and regional impressions

At the Vogtturm Museum, the interactive permanent exhibition “Myth of Zell am See” explores the history, art and culture of the town of Zell am See and its region, from the first human settlement to the present day. The Vogtturm was probably built around the middle of the 12th century. The museum’s collection covers archaeology, everyday culture, folklore, economic and tourism history, architecture, as well as painting, drawing, printmaking and photography. A particular focus is placed on objects connected with Lake Zell.

From March to September, market stalls offering regional specialities as well as fresh fruit and vegetables from local farmers are set up every Friday morning in the town square of Zell am See. In summer, mountain huts and restaurants on the Schmittenhöhe serve Austrian cuisine, regional specialities and homemade desserts. In Kaprun, landscape and history come together: Kaprun Castle was built in the 12th century as a fortress and residence for noble families, and a medieval festival is held there every summer.

Planning and regional orientation

The nearest airport is Salzburg W. A. Mozart Airport. From Salzburg, there are bus or train connections to Zell am See. Overnight guests in Zell am See-Kaprun can use the Guest Mobility Ticket for all public transport in the province of Salzburg. Accommodation in Zell am See therefore allows you to consider winter sports, excursions and regional orientation as separate components of your stay. The cycle tour from Zell am See to Krimml follows the well-signposted Tauern Cycle Path; the Pinzgau Railway can be used for the return journey to Zell am See.

In summer, guided tours of the dam walls at the high-altitude reservoirs are offered in Kaprun. Wasserfallboden and Mooserboden are located at 2,036 metres above sea level. The Sigmund-Thun Gorge is over 30 metres deep and 320 metres long. Hohe Tauern National Park is Austria’s oldest national park and shapes the Zell am See-Kaprun region. The range of experiences therefore extends from marked trails and high-altitude routes to lake activities and historical and technical attractions.

Other places for orientation

Niederland, Rain, Grubing, Thalbach, Igelsberg, Gumping, Aisdorf, Gföll, Lenzing, Jochbergthurn, Hütten, Hintermoos, Königsleiten, Vorderglemm, Großsonnberg, Reitlehen, Krössenbach, Berg, Sankt Georgen, Hasenbach, Hinterthal, Reith, Högmoos, Almdorf, Aufhausen, Lengdorf, Sulzau, Mühlberg, Lend, Paßthurn, Thumersbach, Gries Im Pinzgau, Hollersbach Im Pinzgau, Walchen, Almdorf Königsleiten, Embach, Bruck An Der Großglocknerstraße, Schüttdorf, Zell am See, Wald Im Pinzgau, Viehhofen, Uttendorf, Unken, Taxenbach, Stuhlfelden, Sankt Martin Bei Lofer, Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer, Rauris, Piesendorf, Niedernsill, Neukirchen Am Großvenediger, Mittersill, Maria Alm, Maishofen, Lofer, Leogang, Krimml, Kaprun, Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Bramberg, Fusch An Der Grossglocknerstrasse, Enzingerboden, Bucheben, Dienten Am Hochkönig

To the higher-level travel overview: Salzburger Land.