Zell am See-Kaprun - introduction

It might seem odd to visit a ski area named after a lake. But although Zell is indeed a lakeside town – and an attractive and atmospheric one at that – it also has abundant skiing, and a significant bonus: glacier skiing not too far away near Kaprun, on the Kitzsteinhorn. Together they make up the Region Zell am See-Kaprun.

The year-round resort of Zell am See is not well known to British skiers – and a little under-rated. Many of the slopes are steeper than average, with an exciting roller-coaster feel. If snow conditions are poor you can visit Kaprun, which has some great high-alitude runs and is easily reached on a free 15-minute bus ride.

The picturesque town of Zell am See, with its traffic-free medieval centre, is refreshingly different from most Austrian ski resorts. Because Zell is a proper town, the après-ski is much more varied with a great selection of restaurants.

A combined ski pass allows you to ski in Zell am See, Kaprun and on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, giving you 138km of groomed runs served by 53 lifts. Zell has 77km of well-groomed runs – ideal for good intermediates – and there is extensive snowmaking.

The Kitzsteinhorn offers a snow-sure alternative. From Zell, there are four ways to access the Schmittenhöhe mountain, with its steep, gladed runs above and below the tree-line.

Highlights

• Exhilarating steep slopes
• Glacier skiing
• Superb scenery: lake and mountains
• Varied après ski and extensive restaurant choices

Lowlights

• No ski-in ski-out (you can’t have everything in a lakeside town!)
• Not much seriously challenging skiing
• Rather a schlep to get to the Kitzsteinhorn