Travel to Zell am See-Kaprun with travel insurance from Essential Travel

Linked by bus, Zell am See and Kaprun resorts make up the Europa Sport region, southwest of Salzburg. The region is an ideal destination for beginners and intermediate skiers, but advanced/expert skiers may be frustrated with the lack of challenging runs.

Its fantastic slope access aside, the 8th century town of Zell am See is an enticing destination, set on a picturesque lake and surrounded by breathtaking mountain vistas. The centre is pedestrianised, preserving an atmosphere of history and serenity. The town is well-designed to receive visitors, with a wide range of off-slope activities and a plethora of inviting shops.

The slopes at Zell am See / Kaprun ski resort total 130kms (80kms of which are in Zell), including 50kms in the glacier area. Most runs are suited to beginner and intermediate level skiers. The longest run in the two resort areas is six kilometres, and the pistes are linked by 57 lifts, able to transport 79,268 skiers per hour.

Zell am See / Kaprun ski resort features a lively après-ski scene, with a profusion of coffeehouses, cafés, bars and discos. Off-slope alternatives to skiing are also plentiful, with the resorts offering tobogganing, sleigh rides, ice-skating, hang-gliding, paragliding, hot air ballooning, indoor tennis and swimming, a sports hall and fitness centre. Accommodation is provided by 13,500 guest beds in a variety of establishments.

A highlight of the area is the Gletscherbahn, a cogwheel railway, which runs from Kaprun along a glacier bed to the peak of Kitzsteinhorn (3,203m). If you are interested in sampling some other ski resorts in the region, Saalbach, Bad Gastein and Schladming all offer superb downhill runs.

The winter season at Zell am See / Kaprun runs from November to April, with all-year skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier. The best rates are offered from January 4 to February 8, from March 8 to 23, and from April 5 to 13. The best snow conditions extend from early February to early March. The most convenient way of accessing the resort is by flying to Salzburg or Munich and taking a train to the resort town.

Skiing in Zell am See-Kaprun

The resort towns of Zell am See / Kaprun are located within easy driving distance of Salzburg, and are perfect for intermediate skiers or those seeking summer skiing, with year round skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier. The town of Zell am See, dating from the 8th century and with an idyllic, lakeside location, is delightful.

Between them, Zell am See and Kaprun have 130kms of groomed pistes (inclusive of 50kms of glacial pistes), with 80kms of pistes in Zell. Beginners are allocated 38 per cent of the total number of pistes, intermediates are given 50 per cent, and advanced/expert skiers can enjoy 12 per cent.

Fifty-seven lifts, including a standard cable car, 11 large cabin and circular cable cars, 15 chairlifts, and 30 surface lifts, are cumulatively able to transport over 79,000 skiers per hour. The longest run in the area is six kilometres, and there are 58kms of cross-country trails (40kms in Zell and 18kms in Kaprun). Off-piste skiing is prohibited due to Zell’s strict environmental policy.

Winter skiing is offered from November to April at Zell am See / Kaprun resort, with summer skiing available on the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier. The best snow conditions can be enjoyed from early February to early March. The resort can be accessed by road or rail, or by air transportation combined with road/rail transfers.

Apres-ski in Zell am See-Kaprun

In addition to skiing, Zell am See / Kaprun ski resort offers a wide range of other exciting opportunities for winter amusement, including tobogganing, sleigh rides, ice-skating, hang-gliding, paragliding, hot air ballooning, as well as indoor tennis and swimming. There is even a sports hall and fitness centre. Nights are busy here, with a multitude of après-ski venues to provide entertainment. There are 13,500 guest beds in the area, with options to suit all preferences and budgets

Transportation to Zell am See-Kaprun

The linked resorts of Zell am See and Kaprun are located 100kms southwest of Salzburg, and can be accessed by road, rail, or by catching a plane to Salzburg and completing the journey by hire car or public transport. This is the easiest option, but if you are on a tight budget it is worth considering the far more affordable options of road or rail transportation to the resort.

If you opt for driving from the UK, take a car ferry or the Chunnel train service across the Channel. Once in France, it is a two-day drive from Calais to Zell am See / Kaprun (over 1,200kms) via the cities of Reims, Metz, Stuttgart, Munich and Salzburg.

Alternatively, many visitors choose to fly into Salzburg’s international airport and hire a car to access the resort. From the airport, head south on autobahns A-1 and A-10, then turn right on to the B-311 for Zell am See. Kaprun is a farther 15 minutes along the same road.

Train travel is a cheaper alternative to flying, and a less stressful alternative to a long drive from the UK. Eurostar trains depart from London’s Waterloo station twice daily for Paris. From Paris, trains run to Munich and Zürich. From either destination, it is possible to catch connecting trains to Zell am See via Innsbruck or Salzburg.

The quickest and simplest route to Zell am See / Kaprun is to fly into Salzburg’s international airport, obtain a shuttle transfer to the train station and catch a train to the resort.

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