It's snowing! Fresh snow in 69 ski areas this week · See live snow depths →

Skiing in Zell am See

534

km of pistes

100

lifts

759-2839

Altitude (m)

Snow reliability

accommodations

€414

Go to the deals

Zell am See sits at around 750 metres on the lake of the same name in the Salzburgerland and is one of Austria's best-known winter destinations. The town pairs a historic centre on a peninsula in the lake with the pistes of the Schmittenhöhe, which start right above the rooftops. Together with the surrounding areas, including the glacier terrain on the Kitzsteinhorn at Kaprun, the region counts 534 kilometres of pistes and 100 lifts in our data, from valley to glacier. Recent winters recorded up to 146 centimetres of snow. Lake, mountain and town life in one holiday: that is Zell's strength. We list 6 accommodations, from 396 euros per person.

Last checked: 2026-10-26 · Sources: Open-Meteo (snow data), OpenStreetMap (lifts and pistes), partner offers refreshed daily.

Accommodations in Zell am See

SortStarsMax price: €441352 accommodations

Zell am See8.6

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Fish'Inn

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Der Schmittenhof

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Latini

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Schutthof

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

HAIDVOGL MAVIDA Zell am See

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Holiday

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Der Waldhof

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Romantikhotel Metzgerwirt

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Haus Point

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Alpenparks Central

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Schihütte

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Max & Moritz Top 16

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Point

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Sunshine Top 12

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Grandhotel

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Leif

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Holger

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Ebenberghof mit Terrasse

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Kitzblick

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Tirolerhof

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Anny 2

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Anny 1

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Alpenchalets

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Alpenchalet

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Ebenberghof mit Seeblick

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Jäger Suite

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Wildbachhof 12

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Haus Kitzsteinhorn

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Glacier Loft Kitzsteinhorn 1

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Rupertus

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Siegl

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Areitblick

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Linda

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Rupertus

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Gletscherblick incl. Summercard

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Seeblick inkl. Sommerkarte

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Rupertus

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Alpenchalets

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Rupertus

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Appartement Ursula

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Wildbachhof 15

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Wildbachhof 16

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Wildbachhof 17

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Alpenchalets

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Alpenchalets

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Anny 3

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

Wildbachhof 18

Salzburgerland, Oostenrijk

alpenHIT Zell am See

7 nights

€1.637 p.p.

View

Snow report & 7-day forecast

Loading forecast...

Skiing the Schmittenhöhe and beyond

Zell am See's home mountain is the Schmittenhöhe: pistes up to about 2,000 metres, with broad descents, panoramas over lake and Hohe Tauern, and lifts from several parts of town. For variety you switch to the neighbouring areas; together the region counts 534 kilometres of pistes and 100 lifts in our data.

The biggest trump card is the Kitzsteinhorn above Kaprun: glacier terrain a short hop away, included in the regional pass. You combine town-side ski days with high mountains.

Snow reliability in Zell am See

The Schmittenhöhe reaches about 2,000 metres and is intensively covered by snowmaking; recent winters recorded up to 146 centimetres of snow. For this altitude zone, January and February conditions are usually fine.

The real insurance is the Kitzsteinhorn glacier around the corner: in mild spells in December or late spring you simply shift to high terrain. That combination keeps the region dependable all season.

The town: lake, promenade and urban life

Zell am See is a proper town: a compact historic centre with shopping streets, cafes, restaurants and a lakeside promenade. Life here runs year-round, with winter sports as one of its pillars.

Apres-ski exists at the valley stations and in the centre's bars, but the whole stays more civilised than the famous party villages. Non-skiers get a full programme with the lake, wellness and excursions.

Who Zell am See suits

Zell am See fits winter guests who want more than pistes alone: mixed groups, families with teenagers and couples combining shopping, dining and skiing. Intermediates thrive on the Schmittenhöhe, and the glacier absorbs the sporty days.

Beginners find practice terrain, though the town-side offer is more compact than in pure family villages. For total quiet, pick a smaller village nearby such as Fusch; for liveliness, you are exactly right here.

Practical: getting there and booking

Zell am See is superbly accessible: via Munich and the German corner in about 9 to 10 hours from the Benelux, and the town has its own railway station with connections via Salzburg. Salzburg airport is just over an hour away.

We list 6 accommodations, from 396 euros per person, a sharp entry rate for such a complete destination. Christmas and half-term are peak crowds; January and March offer space and better prices.

Zell am See on the map

Webcams · Zell am See

📷 Aufhausen: Schmittenhöhe

📷 Piesendorf: Glocknerwiese Areit

📷 Zell am See: airport west

📷 Zell am See: airport north

📷 Zell am See

📷 Zell am See › North-east: Zell am See Airport

📷 Zell am See: Schmittenhöhe

📷 Piesendorf: Schmittenhöhe

FAQ about Zell am See

How much piste can you ski from Zell am See?

From Zell am See you reach the Salzburgerland ski area with around 534 km of marked pistes and 100 lifts.

What does a ski holiday in Zell am See cost?

Accommodations in Zell am See start from around €414 per person; Nivosola compares 52, refreshed daily.

Is there enough snow around Zell am See?

Yes. Recent winters in Salzburgerland reached a maximum snow depth of around 146 cm. December to March is the most reliable period.

How high is Zell am See?

The town sits at around 750 metres on Lake Zell; the home mountain Schmittenhöhe reaches about 2,000 metres. The Kitzsteinhorn glacier terrain at Kaprun is a short drive away.

Can you ski a glacier from Zell am See?

Yes, the Kitzsteinhorn above Kaprun is fifteen to twenty minutes away by car or ski bus and is covered by the same regional pass. It is the region's snow-sure trump card.

Is Zell am See suitable for non-skiers?

Yes, more than most: the town has shops, restaurants, wellness and the lake promenade, and excursions to Salzburg or Krimml are easy. Non-skiers fare better here than in most ski villages.

Which nearby town is an alternative?

Kaprun sits right below the Kitzsteinhorn and is quieter and more ski-focused; Fusch is the silent budget option further along. Both share the same ski areas with Zell am See.

Other villages in Salzburgerland

Kaprun (21)Bruck (10)Mittersill (8)Uttendorf (8)Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer (7)Fusch (5)Rauris (4)Saalbach-Hinterglemm (4)

← To ski area Salzburgerland