Zell am See Ski Holidays

Zell am See Overview

Set beside the striking blue waters of Lake Zell and surrounded by the Austrian Alps, Zell am See is one of Austria’s most distinctive ski destinations. Its appeal comes not only from the skiing itself, but from the unusual combination of a lively lakeside town, dramatic mountain scenery and easy access to several different winter-sports areas.

The main local ski mountain is the Schmittenhöhe, which rises directly above Zell am See. From the town, modern lifts provide quick access to the slopes, making it possible to stay in the centre of Zell am See while still enjoying a full day in the mountains. The resort has terrain suitable for a broad range of skiers, from beginners and families to experienced visitors looking for steeper pistes and more challenging descents.

One of Zell am See’s defining features is its scenery. Skiing on the Schmittenhöhe often means looking across Lake Zell towards a panorama of snow-covered peaks. The mountain's elevated viewpoints give the resort a particularly impressive setting, combining the classic Austrian Alpine landscape with the town and lake far below.

The Schmittenhöhe is the natural starting point for a Zell am See ski holiday. Its network of lifts and pistes allows visitors to explore different parts of the mountain without needing to travel away from the resort. Several lift access points connect the ski area with the town and surrounding neighbourhoods. For skiers who want even more variety, Zell am See is part of the Ski ALPIN CARD network. This links the Schmittenhöhe with the Kitzsteinhorn glacier area in nearby Kaprun and the much larger Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn. The combined network offers access to 408 kilometres of pistes and 121 lifts and cable cars, giving visitors the possibility of exploring three major Alpine ski areas with the relevant ticket. This wider choice is particularly useful for longer holidays. A skier can spend one day exploring the slopes above Zell am See, another experiencing the high-altitude terrain of the Kitzsteinhorn, and another travelling into the extensive Saalbach ski region.

Zell am See has a broad appeal. Beginners can take advantage of ski schools and dedicated learning areas, while intermediate skiers have plenty of groomed terrain on which to build confidence and explore the mountain. More experienced skiers can seek out steeper sections and varied terrain on the Schmittenhöhe, while the surrounding region provides opportunities for those wanting more demanding days on snow. The nearby Kitzsteinhorn is particularly different in character because of its glacier setting and higher elevation.

Families may also appreciate the fact that the ski lifts are closely connected to a genuine Alpine town rather than an isolated purpose-built resort. Restaurants, accommodation, shops and other services are available in the town, allowing a holiday to combine skiing with a traditional Austrian resort atmosphere.

One of Zell am See's greatest strengths is that skiing is only part of the experience. The historic town centre sits immediately beside Lake Zell, creating a striking contrast between urban streets, frozen winter landscapes and surrounding mountains. After a day on the slopes, visitors can return to town for Austrian food, cafés and après-ski. The compact setting also makes Zell am See convenient for people travelling with non-skiers, since there are plenty of things to do away from the pistes. The area around Lake Zell also provides opportunities for winter walks and other snow-based activities. Meanwhile, the nearby town of Kaprun adds another dimension to a holiday, particularly for visitors interested in the Kitzsteinhorn and its high-mountain environment.

Zell am See Ski Information

Resort height - 762m

Snow range - 762 - 3029m

Ski area - Zell am See / Kaprun - 138km (SkiCircus 270km)

Easy - 60km

Intermediate - 55km

Difficult - 29km

Longest run - 6km (blue & red)

Snow parks - 6 in total in Zell am See & Kaprun

Snow making facilities - 90%

Ski Lifts - 84 ( Cable cars - 2, Gondolas - 26, Chairlifts - 22, Drag lifts - 21, Magic carpets - 13

Things to do in Zell am See

Activities - Zell am See is a great winter destination for combining mountain adventures with relaxing activities by the lake. Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the slopes of the Schmittenhöhe, while the nearby Kitzsteinhorn glacier offers high-altitude skiing and spectacular Alpine views. Zell Kaprun Kitzsteinhorn Schmitten. There is plenty to do away from the pistes as well. Visitors can explore the snowy landscape on winter hiking or snowshoe trails, go cross-country skiing, or enjoy a fun toboggan ride. Ice skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides and scenic walks around Lake Zell are also popular winter activities. For a more relaxing experience, the region offers wellness facilities and spa experiences, while the historic town centre provides cafés, restaurants and opportunities to enjoy the local atmosphere. With mountains, a lake and the nearby glacier, Zell am See offers a varied winter experience for both active travellers and those looking to slow down and enjoy the scenery.

Restaurants - Zell am See offers a diverse dining scene that combines traditional Austrian flavours with international cuisine and modern Alpine cooking. Visitors can enjoy regional specialities such as Kaspressknödel, schnitzel and Kaiserschmarrn, with many restaurants focusing on local ingredients and traditional recipes. Some examples include Restaurant Gruener Baum, which offers Austrian cuisine in the heart of town, and Wirtshaus zum Metzgerwirt, a traditional choice for hearty regional dishes. Seewirt - Das Restaurant provides another Austrian dining option, while Restaurant Kupferkessel - Kreml GmbH is a popular casual restaurant. For dining with mountain scenery, Sonnkogel Restaurant is located on the Schmittenhöhe.

Apres Ski & Nightlife - Zell am See has a lively winter atmosphere, with après-ski beginning on the slopes and continuing into the town in the evening. After skiing, visitors can stop at places such as schirmBar near the TrassXpress valley station or the Cabrio Bar, where drinks, music and Austrian specialities create a relaxed après-ski setting. As night falls, Zell am See offers a variety of pubs, bars and late-night venues. Pinzgauer Diele - Pizzeria - Disco - Apres Ski combines food with après-ski and dancing, while GINHOUSE | Pub | Zell am See and GreensXL are options for a later evening out. During winter, the region also hosts special events and party programmes, adding extra energy to the resort's nightlife. For something different, Zell am See also offers night skiing on the illuminated Schmittenhöhe piste on selected winter evenings, allowing visitors to extend their day on the mountain before heading into town.

Airport Transfers - How to get to Zell am See

We can organise your transfers from Salzburg airport, Innsbruck airport or Munich airport. You can also choose between a shuttle transfer which can be more economical if only a few people are travelling or a private transfer which will take you direct from the airport to your accommodation.

Distance to Salzburg Airport: 78km

Distance to Innsbruck Airport: 148km

Distance to Munich Airport: 200km

If you are making your own way to the resort by car - make sure you have the "Vignette" sticker as you will need this to travel on the highways in Austria otherwise you would receive a fine.