Ruqayyah Snyder
Nestled in the Austrian Alps, Zell am See is a charming lakeside town and resort surrounded by mountains. With over two million overnight stays every year, Zell am See is a popular tourist destination, particularly for skiing and winter sports. The town offers about 80 miles of local slopes, catering to beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers, with pistes that take you directly into the town. In the summer, Zell am See attracts holidaymakers with its clear air, crystal-clear water, and a range of water sports and hiking trails. The town also boasts urban flair, sophisticated shopping, and culinary delights, making it a well-rounded destination for travellers seeking both nature and culture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Zell am See is a town in the Austrian Alps, in Salzburg county. |
| Population | 10,131 inhabitants |
| Transport | Zell am See has a train station in its centre and is accessible by bus from Salzburg. |
| Attractions | Skiing, hiking, cycling, rafting, paragliding, water sports, cable cars, art exhibitions, and the "Zell am See Town Market". |
| Nearby towns | Kaprun, Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Viehhofen, Leogang, and Fieberbrunn. |
| Accommodation | 75 hotels, 14 inns, 10 B&Bs, 15 aparthotels, and 390 other businesses. |
| Food and drink | 39 bars, 24 cafes, 81 restaurants, and 47 mountain and ski huts. |
| History | Founded around 740 AD by monks, Zell am See became a popular summer and winter resort in the 19th century. |
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What You'll Learn
Schmittenhöhe mountain
The mountain can be accessed via a cable car system that was built in 1927 and has been renovated several times since. From the summit, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of over 30 three-thousanders, as well as Lake Zell, the river basin, and the Saalach Valley. The hiking trails in the summer start almost directly behind the pedestrian zone of Zell am See, and the ski pistes in the winter allow skiers to go directly from the mountain into the town.
For those seeking a more relaxed skiing experience, Schmittenhöhe offers gentler slopes and smaller line-ups compared to larger resorts. The ski resort is set in the old town, with historic buildings and a traditional mid-mountain hut (Glockenhaus) serving lunch.
In addition to skiing and hiking, visitors can also enjoy paragliding off Schmittenhöhe mountain, with long-distance flights possible into the Pinzgau region. The mountain is also a great place to take in the views, with a walk to a mountain cafe and a small chapel.
Zell am See has become a popular tourist destination, with over two million overnight stays every year. The town offers a combination of natural attractions, such as glaciers, mountains, and lakes, as well as urban amenities, including sophisticated shopping and culinary delights.
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Lake Zell
The lake is the heart of the region, especially in summer, when water sports enthusiasts and sun worshippers flock to its shores. You can explore Lake Zell through a variety of activities, including swimming, sailing, and surfing, or enjoy the view from a boat. The lake offers stand-up paddling, surfing, and sailing, as well as pedal boating and water skiing. The surrounding area also provides opportunities for hiking and cycling.
In winter, Lake Zell takes on a different character, offering a special view of the lake and the mountains. It is possible to walk around the lake, with one part of the trail being beside the water and the other on the street. Thumersbach Park, with free parking, offers a walking trail, lakeside views, kayak rental, and boat tours. The lake is a great spot for photography, with stunning views of the mountains and lakeside towns and villages from the dock.
The town of Zell am See is located on the shores of Lake Zell and offers urban flair, sophisticated shopping, and culinary delights. The town has developed over the centuries from a small village into a popular holiday destination, known for its clear air and crystal-clear lake water. It is a picturesque lakeside town with about 80 miles of local slopes for skiing and 125 miles of cross-country trails offering panoramic views.
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Kitzsteinhorn Glacier
Zell am See in Austria is a popular tourist destination, offering a unique combination of glaciers, mountains, and lakes. One of the main attractions in the region is the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, a skier's paradise located near Kaprun. Here is some essential information about the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier:
Location and Transportation:
The Kitzsteinhorn Glacier is situated in the Zell am See-Kaprun region of Austria, specifically in the High Tauern range of the Central Eastern Alps. It is easily accessible from Zell am See by a short bus ride. The region is well-connected, with frequent train and bus departures from nearby Salzburg, making it a convenient destination for travellers.
Skiing and Snow Conditions:
Mountain Railways and Views:
Modern mountain railways transport visitors up to over 3,000 meters above sea level, where they can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from the "Top of Salzburg" viewing platform. The highest point accessible to everyone in SalzburgerLand offers a unique perspective of the sea of peaks. The Glacier Aerial Tramway, including the world's tallest cable car pylon, takes visitors up to the summit comfortably.
Summer Activities:
During the summer months, Kitzsteinhorn transforms into a haven for hikers and bikers, with a multitude of clearly marked hiking trails and biking routes catering to all difficulty levels. Visitors can explore the Gipfelwelt 3000, the National Park Gallery, and the ICE ARENA, offering year-round snow activities. Guided tours led by experienced National Park rangers provide insight into the natural landscape.
Historical Significance:
Skiing on Mt. Kitzsteinhorn has a long history, dating back to the early 20th century. The first cable car was introduced in 1965, opening up the glacier ski slopes to the public. The mountain was first climbed in 1828 by local mountaineer Johann Entacher, and the summit now features a restaurant and a panoramic terrace, providing a perfect spot to take in the majestic surroundings.
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St Hippolyte's Church
Zell am See, a picturesque lakeside town in Austria, is a popular tourist destination. The town is known for its skiing and winter sports, with over 80 miles of slopes suitable for beginners, intermediates, and experts. The neighbouring town of Kaprun is also famed for its glacier skiing.
However, Zell am See also offers a lot for summer holidaymakers, with its clear air, impressive views, and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Zell. The town has a lot to offer in terms of urban flair, shopping, and culinary delights.
One of the main attractions in Zell am See is St. Hippolytes Church, officially known as the Katholische Pfarrkirche "St. Hippolyt". Located on the town square, it is one of the most awe-inspiring church buildings in Pinzgau, with a history dating back to the 10th century. The church is built in a mostly Romanesque style and consists of three naves. The central nave, which was once crowned with a Gothic vault, now features a flat wooden roof. The impressive west tower and west gallery are spectacular examples of late Gothic architecture, and the interior features neo-Gothic altars and beautifully designed stained-glass windows. Uncovered frescoes from the 14th and 17th centuries add to the historical ensemble.
The church is one of the oldest buildings in the Pinzgau region, with only the crypt remaining from the original Ottonian aisleless church. The current building, a three-church pillar basilica, was extended in the Gothic style up to the 13th century.
Zell am See is easily accessible by train or bus from Salzburg, with buses taking around 2 hours and trains between 1.5 and 2 hours.
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Skiing and other winter sports
The town's local mountain, the Schmittenhöhe, is a popular ski resort. Skiers can access the resort via the zellamseeXpress, which takes you directly from the Skicircus to the Schmittenhöhe. The resort offers family-friendly, wide, perfectly groomed pistes for beginners and junior skiers, while the "Trass" run provides a challenge for more ambitious skiers with its 70% incline. The resort also offers impressive views of Lake Zell and over 30 three-thousand-metre-high peaks in the region.
The Kitzsteinhorn Glacier near Kaprun is another popular ski destination, known for its high-altitude skiing and exceptional snow quality. The glacier offers five incredible snow parks, including the Glacier Park, Easy Park, and Central Park, with features such as kickers, rails, boxes, and a superpipe. The glacier also provides pristine snow conditions and a long ski season, often starting as early as October.
For beginners, the Easy Park on the Kitzsteinhorn is a great place to start, while young beginners can try the Maisi Park on the Maiskogel, with wave runs perfect for playful practice on snowboards or skis. Zell am See also has ski schools with supportive and high-quality instruction, making it a great place to learn.
The neighbouring town of Kaprun is also known for its glacier skiing, and the nearby Saalbach-Hinterglemm area offers extensive off-piste areas and more challenging runs. The Ski Alpin lift pass covers multiple resorts in the region, including Zell am See, Kaprun, Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Fieberbrunn, and Leogang, offering over 400 kilometres of pistes with just one ticket.
In addition to skiing, Zell am See offers other winter activities such as ice skating, sleigh rides, and indoor swimming, making it an ideal destination for a winter holiday. The town also has a vibrant après-ski scene, with various activities to keep visitors entertained long after the slopes have closed.
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Frequently asked questions
Zell am See is a picturesque lakeside town in the Austrian Alps, surrounded by mountains and famous for its skiing in winter. The town is located on a peninsula formed by the Schmittenbach stream, which juts into Lake Zell. The slopes of the Schmittenhöhe mountain offer a paradise for skiers in winter and hikers in summer. The town itself has urban flair, with sophisticated shopping and culinary delights.
In summer, Zell am See offers a wide range of water sports on Lake Zell, as well as hiking and mountain sports. The town also has a lively après-ski scene, with plenty of atmospheric eateries and bars. The summer cable cars on the Schmittenhöhe mountain are also a popular attraction.
In winter, Zell am See is a popular destination for skiing and other winter sports. The town offers a range of pistes suitable for different skill levels, including the Trassabfahrt, the steepest piste in the region. The neighbouring town of Kaprun is also famed for its glacier skiing.
