Ski Holidays in Zell Am See, Austria

Snow report issued:	27th Mar 12
Last snowed:	19th Mar 12
Fresh snow depth:	5cm
Depth at resort:	15cm
Mountain depth:	168cm
Piste state:
Spring snow (Spring conditions across the resort)
Weather report:
Another glorious day
Temperature:	7°C
Open lifts:	20 of 26

View Zell Am See snow history

Slope Direction	N S
Very Easy Runs	0
Easy Runs	6
Medium Runs	14
Difficult Runs	9
Toughest Run Name	Trass
Skiable Vertical	1242m
Number Of Lifts	27
Top Lift Height	2000m
Night Skiing	N
Snowboarding Parks	1
Half Pipes	1
Swimming Pools	1
Night Clubs	5
Mountain Restaurants	15

Salzburg:	60 minutes
Munich / München:	3 hours

Beginners are most likely to make their first turns on the nursery slopes served by the Sonnenalm lifts, which are within walking distance of some parts of the resort, a free ski bus ride from others. Depending on where you stay, there may be more convenient places to learn to ski, but the ski school is second to none.

Intermediates will enjoy Zell am See's local ski mountain the most with 50km (32 miles) of red and blue piste to enjoy. Particularly worthwhile runs include the six-and-a-half kilometer (four mile) long Schutt run descending the maximum possible 1200 metre vertical down Zell am See. Most intermediates will take advantage of the free bus service (for area pass holders) that runs to Kaprun every 20 minutes, taking 30 minutes to make the connection and opening up a whole new range of possibilities.

There is a selection of moderate length blacks cut through the forest on quite steep slopes. These can provide some challenges, especially when left unpisted to cut up in to bumps. The ski area also holds some hidden gems for powder lovers when conditions are right. One piste not to be missed is the beautiful 4.1km (two and a half mile) long Trass black-graded descent to the bottom of the cable car, a vertical descent of 1,000 metres.

There's a permanent half pipe at Glocknerwiesee whilst Kaprun has a fun park up at 2900m on the glacier which is open in summer as winter. One of Europe's first boardercross courses opened here too, a reflection of the area's status as one of the leading boarding venues on the continent. There's plenty of freeriding terrain all around the region.

Zell am See's size and year-round population means it is better equipped with more alternatives to skiing and boarding than most ski resorts. There is a sports centre with adventure pool, sauna and steam bath as well as an ice stadium for skating, hockey and curling. Other facilities include tennis and squash courts, indoor horse riding hall, a shooting gallery, bowling alleys, library, museums, cinema, galleries and theatre.

Cross country skiing is very popular in the area with 200km of marked trails including a 10km circular track around frozen Lake Zell, a five kilometre floodlit track and a three kilometre altitude track on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier at 2900m. The frozen lake is also used for skating and ice surfing (like wind surfing but on ice!).

Other activities include ballooning, parascending, hang gliding, scenic flights, sleigh rides, hiking on 50km of prepared tracks, ice canyoning, ice climbing and floodlit toboggan runs. There really is a lot to do without even putting your ski boots on.

Zell am See usually has a lively nightlife with more than 20 bars and night spots. Popular choices include the Schnapps Hans Ice Bar, the Crazy Daisy, Greens, Resi Bar and Membar. Many activities are also available for après ski fun such as bowling, skating, sleigh rides or a floodlit toboggan run.

There are more than 60 restaurants ranging from American fast food burger bars to gourmet establishments. Dining options include Italian, Chinese and even Croatian. The many hotel restaurants mostly serve traditional Austrian fare, but often have a high value set menu for those on a budget. Traubenstüberl is a good choice for regional and traditional Austrian food.

The local Schmittenhohe mountain is family friendly and has its own kids' adventure park as well as tubing runs. There is a non-ski childcare facility which accepts children aged two and up, and then a choice of four ski school kindergartens. Ski - Snowboardschool Zell am See is the largest with 100 instructors and operates a mini club for children aged two and up with those three or older able to take first-time beginner lessons. Older children can work their way through regular ski school classes, especially tailored to their age group.