Forecast today: Light rain
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) |
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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 |
Thu 24 Apr | Fri 25 Apr | Sat 26 Apr | Sun 27 Apr | Mon 28 Apr | Tue 29 Apr | Wed 30 Apr | Thu 1 May | Fri 2 May | Sat 3 May | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 | Light snow |
Rain/Snow shower |
Light snow | Light snow |
Light snow |
Light snow | Light snow shwr |
Broken clouds |
![]() Generally clear | ![]() Partly cloudy |
Light rain shwr |
![]() Generally clear | Light rain shwr |
Light rain shwr |
Light rain/snow | ![]() Generally clear |
Light rain shwr |
![]() Mainly fair | ![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear | ![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Generally clear | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
Clear skies | ![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Mainly fair |
Clear skies |
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Snow expected | 0.7 cm | 0.4 cm | 1.6 cm | 2.2 cm | 1.5 cm | 1 cm | 0.2 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | 1.2°c | 1.3°c | 1°c | 0°c | 0.2°c | 0.3°c | 2°c | 2.8°c | 2.1°c | 6°c | 6.2°c | 4°c | 6.1°c | 6.4°c | 4.6°c | 7.7°c | 8°c | 5.7°c | 9.2°c | 9.3°c | 6.5°c | 9°c | 9.1°c | 6.4°c | 8.2°c | 8.6°c | 6.6°c | 9.1°c | 9.2°c | 6.9°c |
Min temp | 0.1°c | 1°c | -0.2°c | -0.6°c | 0°c | 0.1°c | -0.1°c | 2°c | -0.3°c | 1.6°c | 4°c | 1.5°c | 3°c | 4.6°c | 2.2°c | 4°c | 5.7°c | 2.6°c | 4.8°c | 6.5°c | 2.6°c | 5°c | 6.4°c | 2.9°c | 4.8°c | 6.6°c | 3.6°c | 5.9°c | 6.9°c | 3.8°c |
Feels like temp | -3.6°c | -1.9°c | -2°c | -3.7°c | -3.8°c | -3.5°c | -2.9°c | -0.5°c | 1.9°c | 1.5°c | 4.1°c | 3.7°c | 2.8°c | 5.7°c | 4.3°c | 3.7°c | 7.1°c | 5.4°c | 4.5°c | 7.7°c | 6.1°c | 3°c | 7.1°c | 4.4°c | 2.9°c | 6.4°c | 6.2°c | 5.5°c | 8.5°c | 6.5°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | Light snow |
Rain/Snow shower |
Light snow |
Wind | |
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Snow expected | 0.7 cm | 0.4 cm | 1.6 cm |
Max temp | 1.2°c | 1.3°c | 1°c |
Min temp | 0.1°c | 1°c | -0.2°c |
Feels like temp | -3.6°c | -1.9°c | -2°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | Light snow |
Light snow |
Light snow |
Wind | |
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Snow expected | 2.2 cm | 1.5 cm | 1 cm |
Max temp | 0°c | 0.2°c | 0.3°c |
Min temp | -0.6°c | 0°c | 0.1°c |
Feels like temp | -3.7°c | -3.8°c | -3.5°c |
Thu 24 Apr | Fri 25 Apr | Sat 26 Apr | Sun 27 Apr | Mon 28 Apr | Tue 29 Apr | Wed 30 Apr | Thu 1 May | Fri 2 May | Sat 3 May | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 | Light rain |
Occasional rain |
Occasional rain | Light rain |
Occasional rain |
Occasional rain | Light rain shwr |
Rather cloudy |
![]() Mainly fair | ![]() Generally clear |
Light rain shwr |
![]() Generally clear | Light rain shwr |
Light rain shwr |
Light drizzle | ![]() Generally clear |
Light rain shwr |
![]() Generally clear | ![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Generally clear | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
Clear skies | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
Clear skies | ![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Mainly fair |
Clear skies |
Wind | |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | 11.8°c | 12.9°c | 11.2°c | 10.2°c | 11.6°c | 10.2°c | 12.9°c | 14.8°c | 12.5°c | 17.1°c | 18.1°c | 13.9°c | 17°c | 17.8°c | 14.6°c | 18.9°c | 19.9°c | 16.1°c | 20°c | 21.1°c | 16.6°c | 20°c | 21°c | 16.1°c | 19.1°c | 20.1°c | 16.4°c | 19.5°c | 21.1°c | 16.6°c |
Min temp | 7.6°c | 11.2°c | 6.9°c | 5.1°c | 10.2°c | 7.1°c | 5.9°c | 12.5°c | 5.1°c | 6.1°c | 13.9°c | 7.1°c | 7.6°c | 14.6°c | 8.1°c | 8.4°c | 16.1°c | 8.6°c | 9.1°c | 16.6°c | 8.9°c | 9.5°c | 16.1°c | 8.8°c | 8.9°c | 16.4°c | 9.2°c | 10.2°c | 16.6°c | 9.5°c |
Feels like temp | 6.3°c | 11°c | 10.9°c | 5°c | 9.1°c | 9.2°c | 5.8°c | 12.4°c | 12.1°c | 5.9°c | 16.5°c | 13.7°c | 7.4°c | 16.6°c | 14.7°c | 8.3°c | 18.4°c | 16.1°c | 9°c | 19.7°c | 16.6°c | 9.4°c | 19.3°c | 15.7°c | 8.7°c | 18.7°c | 16.4°c | 10.2°c | 19.1°c | 16.8°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | |
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Wind | |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | 11.8°c | 12.9°c | 11.2°c |
Min temp | 7.6°c | 11.2°c | 6.9°c |
Feels like temp | 6.3°c | 11°c | 10.9°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | |
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Wind | |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | 10.2°c | 11.6°c | 10.2°c |
Min temp | 5.1°c | 10.2°c | 7.1°c |
Feels like temp | 5°c | 9.1°c | 9.2°c |
Snowfall | Next 3 days | 12.4 cm |
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Depths | Upper piste depth | No information |
Lower piste depth | No information | |
Snow conditions | Snow quality | No information |
Lifts | Lifts open | No information |
Resort opening date | Fri 06 Dec 2024 | |
Resort closing date | Sun 20 Apr 2025 |
Updated 15/04
Spring conditions continue through this week for most Austrian areas, as the freezing line remains high – around 3,000m. This will change, however, as the weekend approaches, with more unsettled conditions bringing cooler temperatures and snow to much of the region.
Western reaches will see a brief flurry of snow on Thursday, mostly across higher ground. More unsettled weather will come in through the weekend, bringing snow to all elevations as the freezing line drops off a cliff; around 20cm can be expected across higher ground.
Further east, flurries of snow arrive all week, remaining on higher elevations thanks to a higher freezing line. In a similar chain of events, snow moves in over this weekend and will reach all elevations, albeit only half a foot or so.
Unsettled conditions and snowfall remain in play throughout the new week.
Our Reps service in Zell am See has now concluded for the season; thank you to all our Reps who helped Members and non-Members alike discover better skiing! We look forward to seeing you all in in resort next season.
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