Austria ski resorts :: Zell am See - Kaprun resort information

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Resort Overview

The resorts of Zell am See and Kaprun are part of the Europa Sport region which offers 138 kilometres of piste and is ideal for all abilities. The skiing includes guaranteed snow on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier with skiing over 3000 metres and a free and efficient ski bus network connects the two areas.

Zell am See :: With its stunning lakeside setting and the snow-sure slopes of the Kitzsteinhorn nearby, ski holidays to Zell am See have been popular with British visitors for many years. The pretty town of Zell am See hugs the lakeside and the cobbled, traffic-free centre is full of character offering plenty of stylish shops, bars and restaurants and excellent nightlife.

Kaprun :: Slightly smaller than Zell am See, Kaprun is much closer to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier and also has plenty to offer the visitor with a good selection of bars and restaurants and plenty to do off the slopes. The newly-opened (December 2010) 'Tauern Spa' is one of the latest local attractions and offers a fantastic array of pools, saunas and treatment rooms.

Whether you choose to stay in Zell am See or Kaprun, the Europa Sport region is a superb, all-round winter holiday destination with a varied ski area, great scenery, good après-ski and snow-sure slopes.

Zell am See - Austria | Zell am See centre | Skiing Kitzsteinhorn Kaprun, Austria

Lifts and Slopes

There are 53 lifts in total across Zell am See and Kaprun with around 77 kilometres of piste in Zell am See and 61 kilometres at Kaprun. Most of the runs are intermediate runs plus some excellent beginner slopes and also some challenging skiing and snowboarding for advanced riders.

Zell am See offers good, varied terrain with wonderful views down to the lake and across to the Kitzsteinhorn and some of Austria's highest peaks including the Grossglockner. There is snow-making on all the pistes.

There are a couple of local beginner lifts (Maiskogel and Lechnerberg) in Kaprun and most skiers and snowboarders head to the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier which is just under ten minutes by free ski bus from Kaprun centre to the bottom station.

The new (December 2010) 'Gipfelwelt 3000' – Peak World Summit station – on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier offers a panoramic viewing platform, gallery, cinema and summit restaurant.

Skiing and snowboarding

Zell am See :: Beginners are very well catered for on the lower nursery slopes and intermediate skiers will relish the wide open pistes higher up on the Schmittenhohe. Zell am See’s black runs provide challenging skiing with the runs down to resort offering some great views over the resort and the lake.

The Rome Fun Park offers kickers, rails and jumps for all levels on the Hahnkopf in Zell am See.

Kaprun :: Beginners can master the basics on the local Maiskogel lift and the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier offers a wide range of snow-sure slopes for all abilities. Runs at the top of the glacier are broad and ideal for cruising and there is some more challenging skiing and boarding lower down as well as some good off-piste. The Kitzsteinhorn has dedicated Freeride areas and boasts three Fun Parks and a mighty half-pipe.

The extended Salzburger Super Ski lift pass also covers nearby Saalbach (200 kilometres of lift-linked slopes) which is a great away-day trip from Zell am See.

Off the slopes

The pedestrianised centre of Zell am See has a great selection of bars, cafés and restaurants and après-ski is lively with a wide choice of early and late evening bars and discos.

The Zell am See Sports Centre has indoor swimming pools and sauna village and other resort activities include ice skating and hockey, tobogganing, sleigh rides, bowling, indoor tennis and squash centres.

Kaprun also has a good variety of bars from the lively to rustic, traditional Stuberls. The resort centre offers plenty of choice for shopping, cafés and restaurants and there are nightclubs in Kaprun.

The 'Optimum' Sports Centre and new 'Tauern Spa' complex both have fantastic facilities and there are many other non-ski activities on offer.

Events and links

Kitzsteinhorn Snow Parks – selection of fun parks on the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier
Tauern Spa – a newly-built, fantastic Spa and Hotel complex in Kaprun

Please note that the resorts of Zell am See – Kaprun are not staffed (Snowscape Resort Managers).