The off-piste freeriding & powder at Zell am See will never make it to the top 10 of most people’s ‘Best of’ list, but it could easily make it onto the list for best on-piste trails & best après ski town. And that is no small feat in a country like Austria where Saalbach & Kitzbuhel are just up the road.

Despite some quite warm weather earlier in January making a mess of the snow at low elevations, Zell am See had its full complement of absolutely cracking, long groomers open from top to bottom. There is something for everyone on the piste. The advanced runs (particularly Trass (piste 14) and piste 6 into the village) are our favourites.

The real highlight of our visit was the town. It was the best ski town we visited on our 2-month long season 2022 Europe road trip. Even with covid restrictions still limiting the best of the après ski fun, the pretty town centre of Zell am See still managed to put on a fantastic line-up of great bars, clubs & restaurants to while away the night. We loved it when we first visited in the late '90s, and we think it is even better now. Having a train station and being central to the Skicircus & Kitzsteinhorn as well, we think Zell am See makes a fabulous place to stay if post-skiing festivities are an important part of your ski trip.

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Zell am See is a classic and picturesque ski resort situated in the beautiful Salzburgerland region in Austria. Zell am See offers two mountains to ski: the Schmittenhöhe and Kitzsteinhorn. The former is the local mountain which offers a great variety of skiing for beginners and good skiers. The latter is the nearby glacier which is a snow paradise for freeskiers and advanced skiers. The hotels are at a high standard and there are plenty of restaurants in town that serves high quality food.

After having been "a sleep" for quite a while the aprés ski scene is finally "waking up" in Zell again. The new concept bar OFF PISTE BAR has become one of the major highlights in the region with bars in both Zell am See and the nearby located Kaprun, which is the village connected to the glacier. There you will find live music every day during the whole winter in a cozy and ski inspired environment. The place is non-smoking too which is a huge plus for tourists. Other great venues is Castle bar and Murray's Irish bar. They are both well worth checking out.
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Had a great stay and ski at Zell am See. The mountain was covered in cold, fresh snow and still plenty of untracked lines a few days after the last snowfall. Off tthe piste isn't as good as some other places but the lifts and on-piste trails are top quality. Look out for odd barb wire fence if heading into the powder!

Lively apres in town and ability to get there and back by train are definite bonuses. Skiing Kaprun with Kitzsteinhorn and the surprisingly good Maiskogel on the same ski pass - extra bonus. Can't wait til it links properly with Saalbach.
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Zell am See with its lakeside location and proximity to all year round skiing at Kitzsteinhorn is a fantastic combination for all snow lovers. Easy access by train direct to Zell am See, huge variety of terrain for all weather and snow conditions plus great accommodation and apres make this a winner for any would be powderhounds.
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