One of the most important winter sports resorts in the whole of Austria is located in Salzburger Land – the holiday destination Zell am See-Kaprun. Surrounded by the Alps, the town, whose roots date back to the Bronze Age, offers a first-class tourism program almost all year round. Winter sports paradise, cosy mountain huts, breathtaking views, family idyll – there are countless positive characteristics that can be attributed to Zell am See. It is not so easy to give a little insight into this diverse tourism paradise.
Excursion destinations as far as the eye can see
The Zell am See-Kaprun holiday region is one of Austria’s tourist centres. Summer and winter fun are guaranteed here. The beautiful, historic old town of Zell am See invites locals and holidaymakers to linger. Definitely worth a visit are the Vogtturm (today local history museum), the parish church, Rossberg Castle and the town hall. The Grand Hotel, which has stood here since 1896, is also a landmark of the city and the perfect place to enjoy coffee and Austrian delicacies with a view of the enchanting Lake Zell.
The beauty of Lake Zell, which is deep blue in summer and juts out between the mountain peaks and glaciers, can also be enjoyed during a leisurely walk in the snow. The winter program also includes ice skating or star ship trips during the Advent season. In hot temperatures, a jump into the cool water is a must, followed by relaxation in one of the cozy lidos. If you can’t get enough of the fun, activities such as stand-up paddle boarding, pedal boating, water skiing, windsurfing and sailing are available. In the evening, a boat trip is worthwhile to enjoy the lake scenery in particular.
The glacier of the Kitzsteinhorn is the only giant over 3,000 meters high in the Salzburger Land, equipped with modern mountain railways, it is possible for everyone to reach the panorama platform in summer and enjoy the view. There is also the opportunity to watch interesting nature films, visit mountain tunnels or simply hike through the wilderness of the Hohe Tauern National Park and marvel at the flora and fauna. A detour to the Ice Arena is not to be missed, where snowball fights, slides, tobogganing and hikes are on the agenda even in summer.
It is not for nothing that the Schmittenhöhe is called the most beautiful panoramic mountain in Austria, the view from here extends from the valley to the city and over Lake Zell. In the distance, you can see the beauty of the huge mountains in the Hohe Tauern National Park. Other highlights of the Schmittenhöhe: summer mountain railways, herb hikes and paragliding!
From Mitterberg you have the best view of Lake Zell and the town in general. The picture-book panorama is best enjoyed after a short hike, but the Mitterberg viewpoint is also easily accessible by car.
At the Plettsaukopf there is a beautiful reservoir to discover. The Spiegelsee is an excursion destination for young and older audiences, because forest and forest paths are easily accessible. Once arrived, the children can let off steam in the water playground or romp in the sandpit while the adults relax.
Winter sports for young and old
Thanks to the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, the winter season in Zell am See begins as early as October and can be enjoyed until early summer.
Snowboarders, skiers and freeriders are guaranteed to get their money’s worth here. Zell am See-Kaprun scores with breathtaking routes for lovers of freeriding, as well as for mountain bikers – from beginners to experts. There is also a Run & Walk Park for mountain runners, Nordic walking trails and the opportunity to try out e-motocross. On the castle trail you can attend a cross-country skiing or biathlon course, there are a total of 107km of cross-country ski trails in the region. Some trails are even open at night and offer the best conditions for night skating and cross-country skiing.
With over 400 km of hiking trails, you are sure to find the ideal route and altitude for every hiker. For children, there are children’s hiking trails with adventurous play stations on the Schmittenhöhe.
Skiers can enjoy a paradise of over 400 kilometres of pistes and more than 100 lifts, including the top ski resorts of Saalbach Hinterglemm, Leogang-Fieberbrunn, the Schmittenhöhe and the Kitzsteinhorn Kaprun. Ski professionals can dare to try the Trass descent, its gradient is an incredible 70%. The Maiskogel family mountain offers ideal conditions for the little ones, and a round on the Kidsslope in the Schmittenhöhe panorama and family ski area is not to be missed, because it is one of the longest fun slopes ever. For snowboarders and freeriders, paradise is the snow park on the Kitzsteinhorn, where you will find the largest superpipe in Austria and five fantastic freeride routes.
Due to its popularity, the region is of course often the venue for international sporting events. This is also the case with the IRONMAN, one of the toughest endurance and sports events in the world, where swimming, cycling and running are on the program.
Zell am See really offers something for everyone and for all ages, from sports freaks to couch potatoes. With all the possibilities that the region offers, no one wants to sit in the living room!
