The Austrian Alps are gorgeous. While the French, Swiss and Italian Alps get all the hype, the Austrian Alps sit there quietly in all their stunning glory. We visited Zell am See, Austria last December and had a week of wintery fun from skiing to snow tubing to winter hiking. I put together a 7-day Zell am See itinerary for you, that is flexible and a mix of snowy adventures.
Okay, Zell am See isn’t exactly quiet, but I just haven’t noticed the Austrian Alps highlighted as much as the others. This might be because Americans don’t really venture that way, while other Europeans do.
If you are looking for a ski holiday in Austria, we really liked the Zell am See area. It is set up nicely for tourists and there are 3 different ski resorts to choose from in the area. With so many options, there’s bound to be an area you fall in love with. We know we sure did.
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How To Use This Itinerary
Before we dive into the 7 days in Zell am See, I want to explain how to use this itinerary because I created it a little differently than I normally do. It is really set up as a ski vacation in Zell am See.
If you are looking to visit the area in the winter and not ski, I have another blog post that highlights some of the best wintery things to do in Zell am See and that might interest you a little more.
Check it out here: 12 Fun Attractions For Zell Am See In Winter
This Zell am See itinerary starts with 5 days of skiing that are spread out between the 3 resorts. You can and should mix up the days of skiing with other activities. Don’t just follow this plan from day 1 to day 7 in order.
There is one day dedicated to the ski resort right in Zell Am See, Schmittenhohe. Another day for Kitzsteinhorn which is in Kaprun and sits in a glacier. The last ski resort, Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is quite large. So, I wanted to show a nice plan for how to make the most of your time skiing in Zell am See.
The last two days are no ski days. These ones are best for when your legs are super sore you and you just need a break. With that said, let’s get to the details and start planning your ski trip in Austria.
Best Time To Visit Zell Am See For A Ski Holiday In Austria
It would be a major bummer if you planned a week long ski trip in Austria and there was no snow to ski on, wouldn’t it?
I initially chose Zell am See for our ski vacation because one of the ski resorts, Kitzsteinhorn in Kaprun, sits in a glacier. Their ski season is from October to May. My reasoning was that if the other two mountains didn’t have snow, we could at least ski a couple of times there.
We spoke with a few locals during our trip and it turns out we got extremely lucky with snow in December. They mentioned that for last 5 years or so, there wasn’t any snow in town on Christmas. So keep that in mind if you are wondering if you can ski in Austria in December. It can be hit or miss that time of year.
Peak Season – Busiest Times
The peak season and busiest time to ski in Zell am See is in February. The snow is more likely to be on the mountain at this time of year, and it is also when the Netherlands has one of their school breaks. Sounds like it turns into a little Netherlands at that time of year.
In December, we experienced some crowds because it was the Christmas break, but it wasn’t overwhelming. Zell am See and Kitzsteinhorn were the busiest ski resorts, but Saalbach-Hinterglemm was not super busy at all. Probably one of the reasons it became our favorite place to ski in the area!
The Sweet Spot – Best Time For A Ski Trip To Zell Am See
January is an ideal time to visit Zell am See with a high chance of snow and fewer crowds than during Christmas and February break.
March is also a great time to go, but can be a little busier than January.
Ski Resort Opening Days
The ski resort, Schmittenhohe, which is right in Zell am See, opens early December and closes mid April.
Saalbach-Hinterglemm opens a little earlier, end of November, but also closes a little earlier in the beginning of April.
As mentioned before, Kitzsteinhorn is open from October to May!
7 Days In Zell Am See, Austria
The most important thing to note about this Zell am See itinerary is that these are 7 planned out days, but they aren’t in order. Pick a day and enjoy. Start on Day 6, it doesn’t matter!
If I were you, I would look at the weather and plan around that. Some days are better for skiing and other days are better for a snow tubing adventure or a day at the spa.
I grouped the days so that you can mix them around and make the most of your 7 days in Zell am see. I personally wouldn’t do back to back ski days, because well, I’m out of shape and would be too sore to move! 🙂 But that’s just me!
Day 1 – Zell Am See Itinerary – Kitzsteinhorn
I’m starting this Zell am See itinerary with skiing at Kitzsteinhorn because this is the activity you should plan around the weather the most. The ski resort is high up on the mountains and due to the altitude it can be very cold and windy at times.
Choose a warmer and sunny day to ski in Kaprun. Honestly, the best part about Kitzsteinhorn are the views.
Get To Kitzsteinhorn Ski Resort At Opening
Like I mentioned before, Kitzsteinhorn is way up on the mountain, so it takes a bit of time to get up there. To maximize your time on the mountain, I would get there at opening. Then you can ski for as long or as short of time as you want.
Getting Up The Mountain
You can access the ski resort from two entry points. The first is right in Kaprun’s town center. The other is up the valley a little bit at the Kitzsteinhorn Valley station.
In the middle of winter, either one will work, but if you visiting early season or late, make sure that the lifts are running.
For example, as I’m writing this post in early November, the MK Maiskogelbahn and 3K K-onnection gondolas that take you up the mountain from Kaprun are not open. You would have to access the mountain from the Kitzsteinhorn Talstation only.
Opening Times
If you go at opening, you can start your ascent up the mountain at 8:15am from the Kitzsteinhorn Talstation (valley station) or MK Maiskogelbahn (Kaprun) at 9am.
How To Get To Kitzsteinhorn
Kaprun is accessible by bus or by car. There is no train that goes into the town. If you drive, there are free parking lots by both of the base stations. Another reason to go early, if you are driving, is that the parking lots can fill up quickly. We parked at the valley station and we found a spot, but it was getting full fast.
If you don’t drive or don’t want to worry about a parking spot, take the ski bus! The ski bus is free with a ski pass. If you are coming from Zell am See, hop on the 660 bus.
Click here to get the times and bus stops of the 660 ski bus.
Top Of Salzburg
Another reason to get to Kitzsteinhorn at opening is to make your way up to the Top of Salzburg to enjoy the view. With two viewing platforms overlooking the Hohe Tauren National Park and the ski resort below, you will be amazed by the stunning mountain peak views. I mean, just look at them! Wow!
The Top Of Salzburg is located at the very top of Kitzsteinhorn and it takes at least 4 gondolas to get there. You will find two panoramic viewing platforms, a restaurant, a small museum, and a cinema.
For more information on the Top of Salzburg, read this post: Epic Views At Kitzsteinhorn: Top Of Salzburg Review & Tips
Eat At A Restaurant With A View
After experiencing the mind-blowing view you won’t be able to get enough of, grab a seat in the restaurant at the Top of Salzburg for a coffee or for an early lunch.
We were just going to have a snack at Gipfel restaurant, but ended up grabbing lunch instead. It is one of the most beautiful restaurant views, and we didn’t want to leave.
I’m glad we did too because all of the alpine huts on Kitzsteinhorn looked super packed throughout the day when we were there.
The food itself isn’t extraordinary, but it is still good. We had sandwiches, a pasta and a yummy dessert. The Gipfel restaurant is open from 9:15am to 3:30pm.
Ski Or Snowboard Kitzsteinhorn
Kitzsteinhorn’s ski runs are up there. They sit between 1976 meters (6,484 ft) and 3,029 meters (9,938 ft). Because is it high, it does mean that it gets snow earlier and that it can be chillier and windier.
When skiing down from the Top of Salzburg, you will first arrive to the glacier area, which is not very steep. It would be a nice run to do for beginners. There is also a fun slope in this area with lots of bumps. Our kids love these!
The mountain resort is one of the smallest in the area, so for us it felt a little crowded at times. I think mostly for me, as I am not a very good snowboarder, so when I get to difficult runs, I notice people around me a lot more.
There are two things I’d like to mention about Kitzsteinhorn.
One is that it is really better if you are at an intermediate skill level or higher. I did fine, but it wasn’t as enjoyable for me. Some of the routes are skinnier while being steep, which is not a good combo for me!
Second, is that there are a lot of T-bar lifts on this mountain. Let’s just say, I’ve had some bad experiences getting up them on a snowboard.
For more information about Kitzsteinhorn and Kaprun check out this post: Kitzsteinhorn Ski Trip: Everything You Need To Know About Skiing In Kaprun
Day 2 – Zell Am See Itinerary – Schmittenhohe
The second ski day in this Zell am See itinerary is at Schmittenhohe, which is the resort right in Zell am See, Austria. Schmittenhohe is supposed to be one of the best ski resorts in Austria for families. Be sure to go on a clear day to catch a beautiful view of Lake Zell.
Zell Am See Ski Day
Our first day skiing during our ski vacation in Zell am See was at Schmittenhohe. We were staying in Zell am See-Süd and could walk to the gondola. It was super convenient.
Before coming to Europe, I had switched from snowboarding to skiing. I wasn’t very good, but I felt confident enough to hit the blues (beginner routes).
Well, turns out, I forgot almost everything and I was having some hip problems! I made it down maybe two pistes and gave up.
Mike and the boys made a day of it while I explored on my own and switched my skis for a snowboard.
Lunch On The Mountain
There are a few great places to grab a bite to eat on the mountain. Depending on where you are around lunch time, here are a few options I’d recommend.
AreitLounge – The best part of AreitLounge are the pretty views and the nice atmosphere inside. We only had drinks, but the food looks really good too.
Sonnkogel Restaurant – Sonnkogel has great reviews and the food looks tasty at a decent price too. The view is pretty darn good too! You can find Sonnkogel at the top of Sonnkogelbahn.
Blaickner’s Sonnalm – Another great option at the top of the Sonnenalm cable car is Blaickner’s Sonnalm. Here you will find a family run restaurant and inn that has such a friendly staff.
Eder Hütte – For rustic charm and a good burger try Eder Hütte. You can find it near the Kettingbahn lift.
Glockneralm – For pasta and pizza, Glockneralm is a great stop. It is also near the children’s ski area at the top of Areitbahn II gondola and Hirschkogel-Express chairlift.
Schmittenhohe Ski Resort Info
How To Get To Schmittenhohe
There are a few access points to get on the mountain in Zell am See. There are parking lots at the base of each of the lifts. The one in Zell am See you have to pay for, but there is free parking at the base of Schmittenhohebahn and AreitXpress.
There is also the option of taking the ski bus. The ski bus is free with a ski pass. If you are coming from Kapurn, hop on the 660 bus.
From Saalbach-Hinterglemm, you will want to catch the 680 bus. There is also a gondola that connects the two resorts together in Viehhofen.
Click here to get the times and bus stops of the 660 ski bus.
Ski bus schedule from Saalbach is here.
Getting Up The Mountain
Schmitten Valley Station is right in Zell am See, up the valley a little ways. At this base area, you can access the resort by taking one of three different gondolas or a T-bar.
There are a couple of lifts right in the town of Zell am See, so if you are staying in town, you can easily walk to one of these. The CityXpress gondola or the Ebenbergbahn are both options depending on where you are staying in Zell am See.
There is also a gondola in Zell am See-Süd, the Areitxpress. This one was the most convenient for us as we were staying in this part of Zell am See. The parking lot here is very large.
If you are based in Saalbach but want to try out Schmittenhohe, you can access the mountain via the gondola ZellamseeXpress in Viehhofen.
Opening Times
All of the lifts on Schmittenhohe open at 8:30am.
What Not To Miss
Besides the pretty views of Lake Zell, the best things about skiing in Zell am See- Schmittenhohe are all the great areas for families. One of these is the Funslope XXL which is 1.3 kilometers long and has tunnels, wavy bumps, twists and turns, high-fiving giant hands and other fun obstacles.
For younger kids there is a whole kid area where the kiddos can ski with a dragon and enjoy easy hills.
For adrenaline junkies, you can hit the snow park.
Read more about Schmittenhohe ski resort here: Skiing In Zell Am See: Everything You Need To Know About Schmittenhohe Ski Resort
Day 3 – Zell Am See Itinerary – Skiing Saalbach-Hinterglemm
While Schmittenhohe is supposed to be the best ski resort in Austria for families, I would disagree and point to Saalbach-Hinterglemm instead. The last time area we skied during our ski trip in Austria was at Saalbach.
And honestly, it is probably a good thing because if we had started there we probably wouldn’t have even tried the other ski areas. We liked it so much.
We rented our skis in Zell Am See – Süd at Rent 2 Ski. While we were picking up our skis we got to chatting with the guys that worked there. We asked them about the ski areas, and we learned so much from them.
They mentioned that Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn was their favorite area to ski and gave us a route to complete one of our ski days. By the way, because the name of this ski area is like 4 towns, for ease, I’m going to shorten it. The locals call it Saalbach, so that’s what we will go with.
The guys made it seem like we could take one lift up, ski both sides of the valley, and arrive back where we parked in one day. Well, we didn’t quite get that far. Um…not even halfway.
If you are skiing with kids, like us, or want to go at a slower pace. I would set aside a few days to ski here. At least two, if not three or more. It is massive!
The resort is separated into zones on the map. The first day, I would suggest skiing zones H, G and D.
Start At Vorderglemm
Take the Schönleitenbang I lift to the top. Take the 166 piste and make your way down the north side of Saalbach moving west.
Ski around this area for the morning. On the map it is labeled as Zone H.
Plan A Stop At Maislam To Warm Up And For Lunch
Pretty soon after starting our decent down the mountain, the kids started complaining of cold feet, so we stopped to get some hot chocolate and warm up. The closest place was Maislam. We grabbed a seat by the window and warmed their little toes.
While sitting there, it was getting close to lunch and the food looked incredible. So we ordered some wood oven pizza and pasta. We are very happy that we did. It was so good.
Maisalm is located next to the top of the Kohlmaisbahn I gondola. We sat inside because the kids needed to warm up, but they also have a huge patio with an incredible view.
Ski The Afternoon By Hinterglemm
After lunch, ski down to the base of the Bernkogelbahn lift and make your way to the top of Bernkogel. Ski this area in the afternoon. We loved this section of the mountain. There were some nice pistes, a fun snow trail with giant hands to high five and a speed check. There was also a small snow park for the kids to practice their jumps.
After skiing around this area, we made our way over to the top of Hasenauer lift and stopped at Wieseralm for a sweet treat. It was delicious and a nice way to end a full day of skiing.
Plan to end at the base of Reiterkogelbahn. You will have to walk a short distance at the base to get to the bus, but it isn’t too far.
On the map it looks like you end on top of a tunnel. I was worried that there wasn’t a bus stop close by, but there was one. The bus will take you back to where you parked, and it is free with your ski pass.
You May Also Like: Where To Ski In Austria: Zell Am See Ski Resorts
Day 4 – Zell Am See Itinerary – Skiing Around Hintergleem, Lengau, Saalbach
The second day skiing at Saalbach in this Zell am See itinerary brings you to zones A, B and C, circled on the map above. When the guys at Ski 2 Rent described the ski route, this section was also a part of day one.
There was no way we could complete this whole route in one day, so if you are taking it slow or skiing with kids like us, ski this area your second day at Saalbach.
Start The Ski Day At Hochalmbahn – Park At The Base
I think the best way to approach this day is to start your ski day at zone C. Park at the base of Hochalmbahn gondola and take it up. There are a few routes to ski around in this area that are a mix of blues and reds.
Move On To Zone B
When you are ready, ski to the base and then take the B4 12er Nord gondola up the other side of the mountain. You will arrive at the top of to Zwölferkogel where you will find blues, reds and even a black route.
In addition, there are some fun slopes over there too! Play around until you get hungry!
Lunch On The Mountain
Since we didn’t have time to ski this area, I don’t have any personal recommendations for places to eat on the mountain.
- Ellmaualm – A small hut on the mountain raves friendly staff and delicious food at a reasonable price. Located at the base of the Zehner 6er lift and has a nice sun terrace. The cheeseburger looks incredible from the pictures!
- Genuss Hoch 12 – For a tasty, but more expensive lunch, go to Genuss Hoch 12. You can also find reasonably priced items here like the ramen and sandwiches.
There are a few restaurants at the base of Westgipfelbahn I or 12er Kogel I too, so you will definitely be able to find something good to eat in this area.
Family Park After Lunch
After lunch make your way to the base of Unterschwarzachbahn and have a blast at the Family Park. Here you can practice small jumps, go through a tunnel, go over easy, wide rails and a fun twisty route. This family park is a great place to start the kids on some fun ski tricks.
Finish Your Ski Day
To end your ski day, go up the Westgipfelbahn I and II. Make your way to the top of Schattberg West and ski towards Schattberg Ost where you will eventually make your way down.
The easiest route will take you to Vorderglemm and the harder route, which is red and black, takes you into Saalbach. At either location, you can grab a free ride on the ski bus back to your car.
Day 5 – Zell Am See Itinerary – Skiing Leogang And Fieberbrunn
Last day of skiing at Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is in the last two towns in that very long name.
We didn’t personal get over to this area to ski on our ski vacation in Zell am See. I still wanted to add them to this Zell am See itinerary as they would still be fun areas to explore. I am not sure about timing, but I made my best guess.
Start At Steinbergbahn I
If it were me, I would start this ski day in Leogang which is at the bottom of this picture. Take Steinbergbahn I and II up to the top. From there ski toward Zone I, but watch the time. If you ski all the way to Voerdergelmm or Viehhofen it would be difficult to get back to Leogang.
Instead ski around this area and make your way back to the top of Asitzbahn II to ski down to the base in Leogang.
There seem to be some really cool snow trails and snow parks in this area which could be really fun.
Lunch On The Mountain
Since we didn’t ski this area, I’m not sure how timing will be. Here are a couple of options I found in this area.
AlteSchmiede – High reviews for this ski hut at the top of the Asitzbahn II gondola boasting delicious food, friendly people, and nice views!
Hendl Fischerei – Another highly rated option in the same area as AlteSchmiede. Looks to be a little more expensive, but does look delicious!
Afternoon Skiing Fieberbrunn
Depending on time, the next area you could ski is Fieberbrunn. At the base of the Asitzbahn I lift, take the bus to Fieberbrunn and ski around this area.
On Day 7, we will return to this area for other outdoor adventures like winter hiking and an alpine slide if you want to explore the area in a different way. You could always do the alpine slide this day too. It is free with your lift ticket!
Another option would be to go on a hike in Fieberbrunn before you ski there and see if the slopes are interesting enough to make time for.
Day 6 – Zell Am See Itinerary – Spa, Snow Tubing And Zell Am See Explorations
We are done with the skiing sections of this ski trip in Austria and moving on to how you could spend a day off from skiing, but still have fun in Zell am See.
Soak Those Sore Muscles At The Spa
There is a fantastic spa in Kaprun. The Tauren Spa has 11 pools, 10 sauna and steam baths and even a separate area just for the kids. The pools are open year-round, even the outdoor ones, which makes this a special place.
Start your day here as the Spa Water World opens at 9am! You can purchase a day ticket or a flexible 3-hour card. There is even a family ticket option. Children 3 and under are free.
- Day tickets
- Adults starting at €37.53
- Children 3-14 years old start at €21.38
- Flexible 3-hour card
- Adults starting at €31.83
- Children 3-14 years old start at €19.48
- Family tickets (valid for the whole day)
- 2 adults + 1 child starting at €69.92
- 2 adults + 2 children starting at €80.56
- 2 adults + 3 children starting at €89.68
If you want to experience the sauna the prices go up. There also other massage and beauty treatments available for a fee.
Lunch
Find a place for lunch in Kaprun. I don’t have any recommendations for restaurants, as we didn’t eat at any there except on top of Kitzsteinhorn. There are plenty of options in Kaprun, so I’m sure you will find something you will like.
Snow Tubing In Piesendorf
After lunch in Kaprun, head to Piesendorf to go snow tubing next.
Piesendorf is fairly close to Kaprun and snow tubing is such a fun activity. One that the kids and you will both enjoy.
Snow tubing is only open from 12pm to 4pm. You book for an hour and it is enough time, although I’m sure my kids would disagree. They could have probably sled all day!
One hour of tubing is €13.90 per person. Their website isn’t very clear, so we didn’t know if we could purchase our tickets in advance or if they would sell out.
We decided to just go for it and bought our tickets right when we arrived. We had no problems and the lines were’t very long either. It was Christmas Eve, so that could have made a difference.
Once you have your ticket, you can grab a tube right from the base and get in line. The tubing hill is right at the bottom of the mountain. You don’t have to go up a gondola or anything.
Explore Zell Am See
After a fun hour of tubing, drive over to Zell am See. It is now time to explore the town. The downtown area is small and won’t take too long to look around, but it is really beautiful.
Be sure to go down to the lake. If you are feeling ambitious, there is a trail that goes all the way around it. To go all the way around is 11km.
It is a very nice path. Even if you don’t go the whole way around, it is worth it to go part of the way.
If you are in Zell am See during Christmas, don’t miss the quaint Christmas market that will put you in the holiday spirit.
Grab some gluhwein while you stand by the fire or visit the small shops. Bring cash as most places don’t accept card. Check out the website for dates and opening hours.
Dinner At La Brasserie
For a nice dinner out, make a reservation in the old section of La Brasserie in the Hotel Traube. The old area of the restaurant is a more cozy and charming setting than the updated modern section.
Either way, you will enjoy the choice of international cuisine that is high quality and fresh.
Day 7 – Zell Am See Itinerary – Winter Adventures
To round out your Zell am See itinerary, I have a mix of some fun winter activities that you could add to a non-ski day.
Winter Hiking In Fieberbrunn
Start the day off with a beautiful hike in Fieberbrunn. There are a few options for winter hikes in this area depending on how far you want to go. All of the hikes start at the Streuböden mid-station.
- Panorama circular hiking trail Speichersee – 1k
- Panorama cirucular hiking trail Streuböden – 2k
- Hiking trail to the valley station via Schweinestberg – 4km
- Winter hiking trail Zillstatt
For more information about the winter hikes visit the Fieberbrunn website here.
Zoom Down The Hill On An Alpine Coaster
To appease the kids, go on a fun ride down Timok’s Alpine Coaster. This two seat ride is a blast! Kids under 8 need to be accompanied by an adult.
You can go as fast or as slow as you’d like. To reach the alpine coaster, take the Streuböden I gondola up to the mid-station, and it is right there at the top.
The Alpine coaster is free with a lift ticket so, it is a great deal too.
Opening hours are only from 12pm to 3:30pm, so plan accordingly.
Go Tobogganing
Alpine sledding is another super fun way to spend some time on the mountain without skiing. There are a few areas to go tobogganing in Saalbach, so I would head over that way.
- One option is to take a snowcat shuttle up to the Spielberghaus and ride a toboggan 3km back down the mountain. It is €18 per person for the snowcat ride and the toboggan. Call to reserve your spot +43 6541 7253.
- Another option is to take the D1 Reiterkogel lift in Hinterglemm and ride down the toboggan run at the top of the lift. The run is 3.2 km long and toboggan rentals are €13.50 per day. You can get your sleds at the lift. Daytime hours are from 8:30am to 4:15pm. There is night sledding on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 4:15pm to 9:30pm. We saw folks on this route when we were taking a break and they were having a blast!
Dinner At Mangia!
Before ending your ski vacation in Zell am See, be sure to make a reservation at Mangia! This pizzeria was our favorite meal we had while on our trip.
All of us had the wood oven pizza expect Isaac who had the delicious lasagna. Seriously don’t miss this place!
Frequently Asked Questions About Winter In Zell Am See
While planning a ski holiday in Austria, where to stay and where to eat are both very important details. I have a couple of posts that highlight some of the best places to stay in Zell am See and our favorite restaurants. Find them below!
What Are The Best Places To Stay In Zell Am See?
There are a few different areas to stay in Zell am See. If you want to experience the whole area and all of the ski resorts, I would recommend staying in Zell am See or Zell am See – Süd. It is the most centrally located.
If you want to spend most of your time in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, which I would recommend, then I would stay over there.
I have put together a list of hotels that I would recommend in each of these areas for families. Check it out here: Where To Stay In Zell Am See: Perfect For A Family Ski Trip
What Are The Best Places To Eat In Zell Am See?
I have listed a few of my favorite restaurants in this Zell am See itinerary, but for more options you can check out this post: 6 Of The Best Restaurants In Zell Am See Area Enjoy!
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