Zell am See - an alpine fairy tale

Zell am See is a true white pearl of Austria. The town attracts mountain lovers all year round. Ski conditions last for up to 10 months, and access from many places in Europe is convenient.

Situated in SalzburgerLand on the Zeller See lake, it is part of the Zell am See - Kaprun resort, a village at the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier (3,203 m above sea level). The complex also includes the Maiskogel. Ski buses run between the towns of the resort.

Zell am See is considered to be the region's greatest attraction thanks to its immediate vicinity. The city is surrounded by the Kitzbuhel Alps to the east, the Salzburg Alps to the north and the Hohe Tauern Mountains to the south. The combination of the lake and mountain architecture is impressive. For this reason, there are many luxury hotels, boutiques and villas owned by wealthy people in Europe. The apres-ski atmosphere is one of a kind.

For skiing, snowboarding

There are three main ski areas in the resort. The first is Schmitten above Zell am See, the second is the Kitzsteinhorn glacier south of Kaprun, and the third, the smallest, Maiskogel , located on the edge of Kaprun. This gives a total of 279 km of slopes. The lifts are 9 ski lifts, 10 chairs, 5 smaller gondolas and 2 larger ones. The ski pass costs approx. 225 euro.

The region is especially appreciated by lovers of night skiing , thanks to well-prepared and illuminated routes. Single board enthusiasts will also not feel unsatisfied, because they will find there a well-equipped snow park , eagerly visited by freestylers from all over Europe. Those who like this style can also ride off-piste, so every skier or snowboarder who has not tried freestyle yet has the opportunity to see for himself how much fun it is to ride on loose, snow-covered powder.

Where to go?

The Schmittenhöhe peak (2,000 m above sea level) towers directly above the town. There are easy and medium-difficult routes in its vicinity. The lack of crowds on the slopes, perfectly groomed slopes and varied routes make it a pleasure to ride there. 85% of the slopes can be covered with artificial snow, and there are also numerous ski schools and kindergartens.

The main ski area, i.e. the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier , is located several kilometers from Zell am See. The highest routes can be found at an altitude of 3,030 m, which makes them technically very demanding. The slightly easier ones can be found at 1,978 above sea level

For experienced people, the Black Mamba route with a considerable angle of inclination should be recommended. In addition to it, there are a lot of medium-difficult routes on the glacier and some really great black routes. So there is plenty of variety. However, there are two factors to watch out for: fog and overpopulation.

Due to the terrain and the altitudes of the routes, it happens (especially during the most heavy snowfall) that they are covered with fog and visibility drops practically to zero . In addition, in the high season, there is often nowhere to stick the proverbial pins, and we are standing in the otherwise known "queue";). It is full of tourists from all over Europe, especially from Salzburg and Munich. The inhabitants of these two cities, due to the short distance, willingly come for weekends.

Maiskogel is the third ski sector in the area, attractive mainly to Kaprun visitors, as it lies practically on the edge of the village. Due to the relatively gentle slopes, it is ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. Besides, when the Kitzsteinhorn is covered with fog, the company moves either there or to Zell am See.

In the vicinity of these centers, there are several excellent routes suitable for cross- country skiing . The routes lead through beautiful surroundings, so you can enjoy the unspoilt mountain landscape while driving.

What else besides skiing?

After a day on the slopes, you can take advantage of the rich aprés-ski offer - bars, clubs, restaurants. The best known are Crazy Daisy, Off Piste Bar with live music , Schnaps Hans Alm or Murrays Irish Bar. They are all praised for their cocktails and other alcoholic beverages, and above all - for their atmosphere.

In spring and summer, it is worth going hiking, especially around Schmittenhöhe , where there are routes of various degrees of difficulty. Both mountaineers and families with children will find something for themselves. The views are beautiful and the alpine nature is amazing.

In addition, Zell am See tempts with a romantic promenade along the lake , as well as a charming old town. The lake is approximately 4.7 km2. There are surfing yoga classes in summer! The water temperature in summer is 18 degrees Celsius, so you can even swim. If that's not enough for you, rent a boat or pedalo and admire the beauty of the Alps from the lake. If you get here in winter and the reservoir is frozen, it is worth putting on skates and going to the slide on the lake.

For history lovers, the must-see is the church of St. Hippolytus and the Rosenberg castle , which was built in a typical southern Bavarian style. Currently, the castle houses the town hall, gallery and library. When visiting Zell am See, it is also worth visiting the oldest, about 1000-year-old building - the Kastner tower (Kasnterturm) , which houses the museum. The town often hosts various concerts, music festivals and performances.

A casino has been prepared for risk takers. It is located in the oldest tourist facility - the Grand Hotel, which is located directly on the lake. In the place of gambling we can find tables for poker, Black Jack and roulette. You can also use slot machines.

In the nearby Kaprun, it is worth going to the Tauren Spa - thermal baths located in the Hohe Tauern National Park. 11 swimming pools, 10 saunas and steam baths, a children's area, active and relaxation programs and excellent restaurants located in the facility will tempt both skiers and lovers of mountain trips.

In winter, it is worth visiting the ice village of Alpeniglu Dorf (Filz 1, Brixen im Thale). Everything is made of ice there - even the tables and chairs in the bar.

Camping holidays in winter and summer

The panorama of Camp Zell am See is located 500 meters from the southern shore of Lake Zeller See. When you open the door of your camper or caravan, you will immediately see the peaks of Kitzsteinhorn and Schmittenhöhe.

The Bründlinger family has been running the resort since 1965. Guests have at their disposal 65 plots (from 70 to 100 m²), a shop, a playground for children, sanitary facilities and laundry facilities. The facility is also pet-friendly. There is a bus stop right outside the campsite. There are bicycle paths and cross-country skiing trails nearby, and a horse stud is located about 2.5 km away. Throughout the year, we have the opportunity to enjoy the charms of Alpine nature.