Zell am See-Kaprun Has It All

Zell am See-Kaprun region is the perfect place to go for a perfect ski holiday between Glacier, Mountain and Lake.

Combining three ski areas, two fabulous resort bases, the stunning Lake Zell with its crystal clear waters and one of Europe’s most snow-sure ski resorts, the glacier-capped Kitzteinhorn (3.029m), above Kaprun, there truly is something for everyone here.

View of Mitterberg Zell am See-Kaprun © Zell am See-Kaprun Tourism

In fact, visitors to Zell am See-Kaprun will feel they’ve reached a state of knowing you’re in the best place for a perfect time that Austrians call “Lebensgefühl” when they visit.

Skiers and riders will be excited by the 408km of slopes awaiting them all seamlessly accessed with the Ski ALPIN CARD. There’s a wealth of terrain for every ability level from complete beginner to the most experienced experience, and every taste in snowsport covered from smooth pistes, to freeriding parks and then deep powder terrain loved by freeriders and ski tourers.

Of course, there’s much much more to do off the slopes too, whether you’re a skier looking for more to enjoy or a non-skier wanting a winter holiday in the snow. Zell am See-Kaprun has it all.

The Zell am See-Kaprun app is the place where all the information on what’s available is stored and readily available too. The app also provides visitors with an interactive route planner, restaurant guide, events calendar, ticketshop, wallet and much more.

The Ski Areas

Zell am See-Kaprun is home to one of Austria and Europe’s leading ski regions. There are more than 400km of snowsure slopes on its doorstep and a still bigger area accessible with a regional lift pass if you need even more and wish to ski neighbouring resorts too.

Along with extent, there’s snow certainty with the slope’s climbing to over 3,000-metre altitudes and a glacier ski area with an extra-long season from October to May.

Ski holiday in Zell am See-Kaprun © Zell am See-Kaprun Tourism

There are three separate ski areas to choose from, all included in the Ski ALPIN CARD, which offers an incredible total of 408km (over 250 miles) of piste served by more than 120 fast, comfortable lifts! You can choose each morning between skiing or riding the slopes of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, the Maiskogel in Kaprun or the Schmittenhöhe above Zell am See.

With so much terrain to explore there’s something for everyone, but each of the three ski areas does have a particular appeal to a certain demographic.

The Maiskogel Family Mountain above Kaprun, for example, has wide slopes of relatively gentle terrain on the whole, perfect for beginners, children and families. There’s also the fun-packed Maisi Park here with its wave runs, turns, small jumps and a snowpark line that everyone will love. It’s also possible to get the convenience of ski-in/ski-out access from some Kaprun hotels.

The Kitzsteinhorn glacier, served by the modern 3K K-onnection lift, is the only glacier ski resort in SalzburgerLand and is a paradise for piste fans, freeriders and ski-tourers. It’s the highest ski area in the region, climbing to 3,029 metres, with a season that lasts from early autumn to late spring, one of the world’s longest.

Along with perfectly groomed slopes, often with untouched powder snow, there are some steeper runs, including the infamous Black Mamba, which it’s a 63 per cent incline. The Kitzsteinhorn is also home to no less than five world-class snowparks and there are a further five clearly marked freeride routes with powder lines, cliff jumps and natural pipes.

Skiing with children on the Schmittenhöhe Zell am See © Zell am See-Kaprun Tourism

The ski area at panorama and family mountain Schmittenhöhe above Zell am See is the largest of the three areas. There’s something for everyone here including five long valley runs, each with a thigh-burning 1,000-metre vertical drop. The “Trass” run, with a gradient of up to 70 per cent, is the region’s ‘blackest run’. The resort features three access points in Zell am See as well as ski-in/ski-out facilities directly in the town.

The Snowpark here is famed in freestyle circles for just going on and on with 1,300 vertical metres of jumps, rails and boxes, incorporating one of the longest fun slopes in the world.

The Ski ALPIN CARD also includes access to the slopes of the neighbouring Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn region, easily reached with a short bus ride.

Morning mood on the Schmittenhöhe Zell am See © Zell am See-Kaprun Tourism

One popular option not to miss is ‘Ski ‘n’ Brunch’ at Schmittenhöhe. Taking place from 7 am every Thursday in January and February this is really just as the name suggests. Participants get early access to the perfectly groomed slopes before everyone else, and then just as the lifts open to the public, it’s time for brunch!

At the other end of the day night skiing is offered on the Schmittenhöhe’s piste no. 6. every Tuesday and Thursday evening.

If you are a fan of ski touring it’s worth noting that the Ronachkopf ski mountain in Thumersbach is now reserved exclusively for ski touring. There are easy and intermediate ascents there and groomed slopes for the descent, with a café at the Enzian hut below the 1,350-metre summit to take a break after your climb too. Over at the Kitzsteinhorn, there are two more marked ascents; the ‘Ice Queen’ route to 2,450m and the ‘Icebreaker’ route to 2,875m, both of which start at the Langwied cable car station at just under 2,000m. There are weekly guided ski tours you can join to, up 660 metres of ascent to the 2,642 metre high Tristkogel. After a three-hour climb, you’re rewarded with a fabulous descent through pristine terrain.

Cross-country skiing is also popular in the area with 107km of tracks for both classic and skating styles and with routes for all ability levels from beginner to expert. The gentle Schlossloipe in Kaprun is particularly suitable for beginners whilst the high-altitude loop on the Kitzsteinhorn snow certainty late into spring for experienced skiers.

Activities

Zell am See and Kaprun have long been year-round leisure destinations and have great facilities beyond their extensive ski slopes.

These include lots of alternative activities and leisure and relaxation options including extensive shopping, particularly in Zell am See.

Couple in the Skyline Pool 2022 © TAUERN SPA Zell am See-Kaprun

There are great spa faculties in both villages with many hotels having excellent swimming and wellness centres open to the public. The wellness resort TAUERN SPA Zell am See-Kaprun is a major centre of relaxation with an indoor swimming pool and wonderful sauna and wellness facilities.

There are plenty of outdoor and on-snow activities to enjoy too, including snowshoe tours and an extensive network of cleared winter hiking trails.

One option is to head up to one of the viewing platforms above the ski slopes to take in the views. The new Kaiserblick viewing platform at the top station of the Schmittenhöhe cable car opened in the summer of 2024 and provides views out over the resort and lake as well as of more than thirty 3,000-metre peaks. At its furthest extent, the platform rises 30 metres above the mountainside below and some sections have a glass floor. There’s a second, higher platform at 3,029m on the Kitzsteinhorn which provides views of the glaciated flanks of the three thousand metre peaks of the Hohe Tauern National Park and looking south you can see Austria’s highest mountain, the 3,798-metre Grossglockner. At Gipfelwelt 3000 here you’ll also find a national park gallery and Austria‘s highest cinema.

Dining

Zell am See and Kaprun are great choices for foodies with wonderful cafes and extensive restaurant dining options from all corners of the world. Choose from traditional mountain huts serving up local specialities to gourmet-rated restaurants serving up exquisite culinary masterpieces.

Above Zell am See, “Franzl“ Restaurant serves up imperial-royal specialties inspired by the times of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph whilst the AreitAlm & AreitLounge provide a modern lounge with an open fireplace and great views of the Hohe Tauern mountains.

Above Kaprun, Gletschermühle serves up cuisine using regional products with the SalzburgerLand seal of origin and the highest dining in the region is provided by the Kitzsteinhorn summit Gipfel Restaurant up at 3,029m. Here you can take in the views of the 3,000m peaks surrounding you as you enjoy regional and international cuisine.

Events

There’s always something happening in Zell am See and Kaprun.

Right at the start of the main season in November the magic of Advent can be enjoyed in Christmas markets in both resorts running right through to the height of the festive period. This year Star Advent in Zell am See and Kaprun runs from 21^st November to New Year’s Eve.

The Balloonalps Festival runs from 1^st to 9^th February 2025 with the Night of the Balloons on the 5^th a particular highlight.

The Falstaff Gourmet Ski Days combine sports and culinary delights over two weekends. On 20-23 March and 4-5 April 2025 skiers enjoy fantastic delicacies, BBQs, food markets show cooking and more.

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