Forecast today: Partly cloudy
From the fabulous views in Zell am See, the Maiskogel’s “locals’ hill”, the incredibly snowsure Kitzsteinhorn glacier in Kaprun and the vast network of intermediate cruising in the Ski Circus at Saalbach Hinterglemm, there’s plenty of ski area to explore inside & outside of Zell am See-Kaprun too. It’s no wonder the Ski Club Freshtracks holiday to Zell sells out months in advance and our Ski Club Rep has so many returning Members each season!
Zell am See-Kaprun has a great reputation for its alpine charm with a modern skiing twist. Its location near the picturesque Lake Zell and the historic architecture make it an attractive base and a draw for non-skiers too. The dominating mountain of Schmittenhöhe overlooks the village and offers stunning views of the lake and towering glacial peaks surrounding the area.
If you’re visiting Zell am See-Kaprun this winter you’ll experience a significantly better connected ski area. The 3K-Konnection cable car which opened in December 2019 is 12 kilometres up the mountain from the centre of Kaprun to the summit of Kitzsteinhorn. On top of this the first section of the zellamseeXpress was completed in time for the 2019/20 season and allows skiers to reach the Schmittenhöhe for the first time from Saalbach Hinterglemm.
The terrain is mostly suitable for beginner and intermediate level skiers but there are a few reds and blacks suitable for more advanced skiers, several of which drop down all the way from the summit. On most parts of the mountain you get glorious mountain views over the lake. In good snow there is some good off piste, but the thickly wooded slopes limit the options somewhat.
There are two low-level beginner areas near Zell – at Schüttdorf and Schmittental, both of which are good places to start out. From the top of the Arietbahn gondola is the Glocknerbahn 8-seater chairlift gives access to the gentle Kids Slope and progression to longer blues is fantastic – head up Areitbahn 2 & 3 lifts or lap the Breiteckbahn. There’s also the Lechnerberg beginners area and Maiskogel area in Kaprun area that is perfect for families.
The Schmittenhöhe mountain is ideal for intermediates and most of the hill is accessible. A long red down to the ZellamseeXpress is a great addition to the piste map and the reds around Sonnkogel and Hochmais are always popular. Intermediates keen to get some miles under their belt should pay a visit to the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, especially on a sunny day, and most of Saalbach is ideal for intermediate skiers.
There are a few tough pistes, including Abfahrt 13 and Abfahrt 14, which both offer a good challenge to advanced skiers and are usually immaculately groomed first thing in the morning. The off piste is fairly limited but can be a blast in good snow – head to the ski routes dotted around the mountain. It is also well worth heading up to the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier to tackle the Black Mamba piste and the several ski routes down to Langwied. There are also some more challenging blacks over in Saalbach Hinterglemm.
Zell has a charming, traffic-free medieval centre and sits right on the picturesque Lake Zell. The major through-road was moved into a tunnel a while ago which means the resort is much quieter, but it can still get busy at the start and end of the ski day. There is loads to do away from the slopes, making this one of the top family-friendly destinations and perfect for a groups containing non-skiers.
Access to the low-level beginner areas is easiest if you base yourself near to the bottom of the AreitXpress, although you would be missing out on the ambiance of the main town. There are a good number of self-catered apartments to choose from in the area, which is possibly more convenient for families than a hotel. Off the slopes there is loads to do – the winter walking here is particularly good.
There are plenty of cafes and bars. Start at the top of the slopes at the Schnapps Hans Bar in the Berghotel – where the bar has a good vibe, DJ and plenty of dancing on the bar! In town, there are lots of lively bars, including Insiders, a Ski Club favourite which occasionally has live music or a DJ. Ginhouse is good for a quiet drink, whilst Villa Crazy Daisy is a restaurant with live music every night from 8pm – you will need to book in advance as it is popular.
Rubix bar opposite the station has a more “young retro” vibe with live music on some nights and a live DJ on others. Cabrio bar – another Ski Club favourite – at the bottom of the Arietbahn has an amazing band on Tuesdays and Thursdays every week from 4-6pm, which is not to be missed! Castle Bra is a must for a final Gluwen before heading back to the hotel, and Diele Disco is the place to go for those who traditional après hours are not enough.
Salzburg is the closest airport, with the drive taking around an hour and a half. This route is also served by a regular bus – #260, running direct from the airport to the hear of Zell – if you’re looking to save some euros. Otherwise, a frequent train service operates from Salzburg central station (Hautbahnhof, HBf) to Zell am See. Aside from Salzburg, Innsbruck is the next best option – sitting around two hours drive or three hours on the train/bus to the west.
Updated for 2024/25
Day passes are available for Zell am See Kaprun; anything longer than this automatically includes the whole Zell am See Kaprun and Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn area.
There are two rates available – a Main Season tariff for the period 21 December to 30 March, and cheaper rate for the periods either side of this.
Don’t forget your Ski Club memberhip card – you can load ski passes either online or at the ticket office!
// | 1 Day (Zell am See Only) | 3 Days (Whole Area) | 6 Days (Whole Region) |
---|---|---|---|
Main Season | |||
Adult | €76 | €222 | €405 |
Youth (b.2006-2008) | €57 | €166.50 | €303.50 |
Child (b.2009-2018) | €38 | €111 | €202.50 |
Winter Start/Advantage Season | |||
Adult | €68.50 | €200 | €364.50 |
Youth (b.2006-2008) | 5€1 | €150 | €273 |
Child (b.2009-2018) | €34 | €100 | €182 |
Wed 18 Dec | Thu 19 Dec | Fri 20 Dec | Sat 21 Dec | Sun 22 Dec | Mon 23 Dec | Tue 24 Dec | Wed 25 Dec | Thu 26 Dec | Fri 27 Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | Partly cloudy |
Partly cloudy |
Generally clear | Generally clear |
Snow grains |
Snow | Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow | Partly cloudy |
Partly cloudy |
Rather cloudy | Light snow |
Snow |
Snow shower | Light snow |
Snow |
Snow | Snow |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow | Snow |
Snow |
Occasional snow | Rather cloudy |
Partly cloudy |
Partly cloudy | Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Wind | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.4 cm | 10.1 cm | 2.9 cm | 2 cm | 0.5 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 4.9 cm | 8.7 cm | 3.8 cm | 8 cm | 11.2 cm | 14.2 cm | 12.1 cm | 3.3 cm | 1.5 cm | 9.2 cm | 7.2 cm | 2.4 cm | 0.2 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | 4.2°c | 3.8°c | 2.3°c | 2.7°c | 2.7°c | -0.4°c | -6.8°c | -8.4°c | -9.1°c | -5.5°c | -5.5°c | -4.3°c | -1.9°c | -2.2°c | -4.5°c | -7.4°c | -7.5°c | -6.5°c | -6.9°c | -7.9°c | -6.4°c | -3.5°c | -1.5°c | -0.5°c | -0.1°c | -0.1°c | -1.2°c | -0.1°c | -0.1°c | -2.5°c |
Min temp | 1.3°c | 2°c | 1.4°c | 1.6°c | -0.4°c | -4.2°c | -8.4°c | -9.4°c | -10.3°c | -10.4°c | -7.1°c | -6.9°c | -2.2°c | -4.5°c | -6.8°c | -8.4°c | -8.4°c | -7.5°c | -8.5°c | -8.5°c | -7.9°c | -4.3°c | -3.5°c | -2.2°c | -0.7°c | -1.6°c | -1.6°c | -1.7°c | -2.5°c | -3.1°c |
Feels like temp | 1.1°c | 3.3°c | 2°c | -2.4°c | -0.2°c | -4.2°c | -13.9°c | -15.6°c | -15.8°c | -10.4°c | -5.5°c | -6.8°c | -5.8°c | -5.8°c | -9.2°c | -12.8°c | -14.7°c | -14.1°c | -14°c | -15.6°c | -14.2°c | -8.8°c | -8.1°c | -5.3°c | -0.5°c | -0.1°c | -1.3°c | -1.7°c | -0.1°c | -2.5°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | Partly cloudy |
Partly cloudy |
Generally clear |
Wind | |||
Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | 4.2°c | 3.8°c | 2.3°c |
Min temp | 1.3°c | 2°c | 1.4°c |
Feels like temp | 1.1°c | 3.3°c | 2°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | Generally clear |
Snow grains |
Snow |
Wind | |||
Snow expected | 0 cm | 0.4 cm | 10.1 cm |
Max temp | 2.7°c | 2.7°c | -0.4°c |
Min temp | 1.6°c | -0.4°c | -4.2°c |
Feels like temp | -2.4°c | -0.2°c | -4.2°c |
Wed 18 Dec | Thu 19 Dec | Fri 20 Dec | Sat 21 Dec | Sun 22 Dec | Mon 23 Dec | Tue 24 Dec | Wed 25 Dec | Thu 26 Dec | Fri 27 Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | Partly cloudy |
Generally clear |
Mainly fair | Generally clear |
Occasional rain |
Rain and snow | Light snow |
Light snow |
Snow grains | Partly cloudy |
Partly cloudy |
Broken clouds | Rain/Snow shower |
Rain and snow |
Snow shower | Light snow |
Snow |
Snow | Snow shower |
Light snow |
Light snow | Rain and snow |
Rain and snow |
Light rain/snow | Mist |
Mist |
Freezing fog | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Wind | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.4 cm | 2.1 cm | 1.3 cm | 0.3 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 1.9 cm | 2.7 cm | 2.6 cm | 6.1 cm | 7.5 cm | 10.3 cm | 9.3 cm | 2.3 cm | 1.2 cm | 5.3 cm | 0.1 cm | 0.3 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | 4.6°c | 5.6°c | 3.9°c | 5.2°c | 5.6°c | 2.9°c | -2.4°c | -1.9°c | -3.9°c | -1.1°c | 0°c | -2.8°c | 1.4°c | 2.1°c | -0.9°c | -3.5°c | -1.9°c | -2.4°c | -3°c | -1.9°c | -3°c | 0.2°c | 2°c | 1.6°c | 3.1°c | 3.9°c | 1.5°c | 3.1°c | 3.9°c | 0.4°c |
Min temp | -0.1°c | 2.9°c | 1.8°c | -0.2°c | 2.8°c | 0.6°c | -4°c | -4°c | -6.4°c | -8.4°c | -3.9°c | -4°c | -1°c | -0.9°c | -3.9°c | -5.1°c | -3.5°c | -3.1°c | -4.4°c | -3.5°c | -3.4°c | -2.1°c | 0.2°c | 0.5°c | 0.4°c | 1.2°c | -0.4°c | -0.8°c | 0.4°c | -1.4°c |
Feels like temp | -0.1°c | 4.3°c | 2.6°c | -0.2°c | 4.8°c | 2.6°c | -5.6°c | -6.6°c | -4°c | -8.4°c | -1.1°c | -3.9°c | -1°c | 1.3°c | -0.9°c | -4.5°c | -7°c | -6.8°c | -7°c | -7.7°c | -6.4°c | -2.1°c | 0.2°c | 1°c | 0.4°c | 2.9°c | 1.1°c | -0.8°c | 2.9°c | 0.4°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | |||
Wind | |||
Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | 4.6°c | 5.6°c | 3.9°c |
Min temp | -0.1°c | 2.9°c | 1.8°c |
Feels like temp | -0.1°c | 4.3°c | 2.6°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | |||
Wind | |||
Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.4 cm |
Max temp | 5.2°c | 5.6°c | 2.9°c |
Min temp | -0.2°c | 2.8°c | 0.6°c |
Feels like temp | -0.2°c | 4.8°c | 2.6°c |
Snowfall | Last Snowfall | 16/12/2024 |
---|---|---|
Next 3 days | 22.8 cm | |
Depths | Upper piste depth | 54 cm |
Lower piste depth | 10 cm | |
Snow conditions | Snow quality | Hard packed |
Lifts | Lifts open | 20 out of 28 |
Resort opening date | Fri 06 Dec 2024 | |
Resort closing date | Mon 21 Apr 2025 |
Updated 17/12
Another varied week ahead for Austria, with a mix of conditions fighting it out across the period and the region.
A mixed middle of the week will bring sun and cloud across all areas, with a high freezing line bringing positive temperatures at 2,000m. This will change as Wednesday ends and Thursday begins, with a dense low pressure area moving over Ireland, the UK and Northern Europe bringing snow to the country. This will start on higher ground only, but as the freezing line falls on Thursday evening it will bring snow with it to all elevations; around 10cm can be expected in the west and southwest, but areas further east will see the best of this snow with 30cm expected across Thursday and Friday. Temperatures will plummet to -10°C at 2,000m at this time.
Austria will see unsettled conditions continuing, with cloud and a few floccons of snow coming across Friday and into Saturday, when more proper snowfall begins again; another foot is expected down across westerly reaches on Sunday, although this will be more limited to higher ground as the freezing line rises from below sea level to close to 2,000m at this time. These more unsettled conditions are expected to continue into the new Christmas week, including in the east where the snowfall will be more limited, with half a foot coming down on Sunday.
We are making important changes to how you register to ski with the Club this season, including shifting registration to the Ski Club App. Please note, this option is not yet available; we thank you for your patience in this matter.
Meet your Rep using the details below, or reach out to them using the contact number or via the Ski Club App.
Your Ski Club Reps are in resort for one reason only; to help you discover better skiing. They are your personal resort gurus, with years of experience skiing here and around the world, who will bring you and your fellow Members together to conquer the mountain! Stay up to date with everything in resort, find the best spots for an après beer, and ski to your heart’s content.
Our Reps will be in resort between 28 December 2024 and 28 March 2025, skiing six days a week – Reps’ day off/changeover day is Saturday in this resort. We are making changes to how registration to ski with the Club in resort works. Thank you for your patience whilst we undertake these updates to the registration process.
I run several business focused around the wedding and events business which means we get most of the Winter off but spend most of the Summer working 24/7! I live and work in Zell am See alI yeat round.
My nick name is Loudbird (you'll soon see why) and I believe skiing is all about having a laugh and an amazing holiday whilst coming back in one piece. I put 110% into everything I do
If you are coming to Zell am See and want to ski in Saalbach, Hinterglemm, Leogang, Dorgastein & Maria Alm please buy the Supersalzburg lift pass - NOT the Alpin Pass.
I also run a Facebook page for UK guests with pics, updates and info about the resort why not check it out! https://www.facebook.com/zellamsee4uk
I'm looking forward to seeing you all soon xx
Feel free to email me in advance [email protected]
I will also have my personal phone with me in resort so please feel free to text me on that +44 7921 070 990 at any time.
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