family travel guide
The Zell am See resort is unique in that you can ski and swim in the lake at the same time. There is snow on the glacier in June and the Zeller Lake has time to warm up in the warm valley.
On the other hand, it is a typical Austrian resort with good pistes, comfortable hotels and a lively après-ski programme.
And it's a great place for families: the region has many hotels that specialise in children's skiing, a separate Maiskogel family ski area with wide and long pistes, a large playground, a rail toboggan run and a children's education area.
Find out how to choose the right time of year for a holiday with children in Zell am See, where to stay and what to do in the resort in the Kidpassage overview.
Zell am See is a ski resort in western Austria, in the state of Salzburg. The town of Zell am See is the administrative centre of the district of the same name.
The distance from the resort to Salzburg is 86 km, to Innsbruck — 142 km, to Munich (Germany) — 167 km.
There are many ski resorts in this part of the Alps where Zell am See is located. There are great skiing heights, long winters and good snow cover everywhere. However, only Zell am See offers skiing from October to June.
Zell am See is surrounded by other winter resorts. But it is not lost on them: there is enough to keep tourists coming here all year round.
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Winter holidays in Zell am See are usually all about skiing. You can try your hand at skiing at low altitude or on a glacier, go deep powder skiing or test your mettle on the black Mamba slope with a 63% incline.
There are ski schools for children, which are more about entertainment than learning — except that the skiing skills children learn are quite serious.
Please note that glacier skiing in Zell am See can be challenging for children. This is due to the high altitude to which a child's body has to adapt.
Acclimatisation takes up to seven days. Summer in Zell am See is also a nice holiday for children. You can either make use of our children's clubs or enjoy walks and excursions with the whole family.
The number of family-friendly hotels in the resort is also worthy of special praise. They have everything you need for a great holiday with your child at any time of year. Some hotels cater for families with babies with everything from baby bottle sterilisers to ready-made baby food.
Another reason why there are so many families with children is that travelling to your holiday destination is relaxing and straightforward. From the airports in Salzburg and Munich, it is possible to reach the resort directly by public transport.
The season in Zell am See is almost non-stop. The Kitzsteinhorn glacier opens in October, all the slopes are open in December and in May, skiers and those who want to spend their summer in the mountains can enjoy their holiday in the resort at the same time.
The season for hiking, cycling and relaxing with the kids lasts until October, when it's time for skiing again.
Although it is possible to ski on the glacier as early as October, the winter season in Zell am See does not open until December.
The best time to ski is before Christmas and New Year's Eve, in January and March, when the worst of the frost has passed. Only the Kitzsteinhorn remains snow-covered until the end of April.
The resort is much quieter in summer and the first half of autumn than in winter. It is better to come to Zell am See with an infant in the warmer months to enjoy the tranquillity and long walks.
When deciding when it's best to come to Zell am See, take a look at the calendar of events. One of the most interesting events in the resort is the Spartan Race, which is open to both adults and children.
Zell am See has a climate very similar to other alpine resorts. Frosty, snowy winters from December to April, rainy summers and cooler, sunny autumns.
Cold weather arrives in November. Daytime temperatures range from -3°C to +3°C, while nighttime temperatures drop to -5-15°C.
There is usually snow in the mountains by early December. From December to February the thermometer shows -1-5°C during the day and -7-12°C at night.
Sometimes night frosts bring temperatures down to -20-25°C for a day or two. Snow is frequent, especially in January, so freeriders plan their holidays in Zell am See in the middle of winter.
Daytime temperatures are already above freezing in March, although there is still frost at night. After a relatively gloomy winter, sunny weather and occasional snow showers set in — just what you need for the best holiday in Zell am See with children.
In April there is still snow in the mountains, even though the air temperature is +2-10°C (but the nights are still frosty). By the end of the month, however, the snow gives way to rain, and rain is a frequent visitor to the resort until the end of the summer.
Temperatures in May and August rise to +17-24°C during the day and +4-12°C at night.
In September, the weather in Zell am See can resemble summer, although the average temperature for the month is only +15°C. In October the temperature is +6-9°C, with possible frost at night.
In winter the public transport in Zell am See is a ski bus which runs from 8:00 to 16:00-17:00 (timetable changes during the season). The ski buses are free of charge if you have a valid ski pass.
IIn summer, bus no. 660 can be used to travel between Zell am See and Kaprun. In the evenings, there is an additional bus that ends around midnight.
Travelling between resorts costs around €2.60 and children's tickets are half price.
Intercity transport in Zell am See is by bus and train. You can get to Salzburg by bus no. 260 or a regional train.
The resort of Zell am See is ideal for outdoor activities. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, ice skating, bobsleighing, curling — there is plenty to keep children and parents entertained.
Two large wellness centres with water fun — Spa Tauern World in Kaprun and 100 Freizet Zentrum in Zell am See — offer relaxation and recreation for the whole family after a busy day of sports.
The resort also boasts excellent après-ski facilities with a wide range of restaurants, cafes, pubs and shops to keep you entertained.
And in the evening you can take your child for a stroll around town. Zell am See is particularly charming after dark: old houses, narrow streets, a cosy pedestrian precinct and tastefully decorated shop windows in the evening light give this pretty town a special flair.
The lantern-lit promenade along the lake is a family favourite.
Some of the worry about what to do in Zell am See with a child can be passed on to the hotels. Most have a children's playroom and some have mini-clubs, children's pools and attractions for the little ones.
There are three ski areas in Zell am See - Kaprun for ski enthusiasts: Schmittenhöhe, Maiskogel and Kitzsteinhorn. The first is in Zell am See and the second two in Kaprun. All three areas are connected by a ski bus route.
The largest ski area is on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. There are around 40 different runs, evenly divided between easy and difficult, and all planned so that beginners and advanced skiers don't get in each other's way.
There are 3 snowparks and a freeride zone on the slopes of the Kitzsteinhorn. The season on the glacier lasts up to ten months a year.
A special feature of the Kitzsteinhorn is its high altitude skiing. The slopes start at 2,400-3,000 metres.
The Schmittenhöhe ski area has slightly fewer slopes, but they are almost twice as long. The blue runs are great for kids, while the red and black runs are great for advanced skiers. Schmittenhöhe has its own snowpark, fan slope and evening slopes.
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In high season there are small queues at the Kitzsteinhorn and Schmittenhöhe lifts and some slopes can be overcrowded.
The quietest area is the Maiskogel, which is great for skiing with young children. Of the 6 slopes, four are suitable for beginners.
Those who have never skied before usually take a few lessons at the ski school. The children's activities at the Zell am See - Kaprun ski schools are a delight for children and the envy of their parents.
In the Schmittenhöhe area, for example, lessons take place on the Schmidolin, an entire snow hill with ski simulators and competition slopes. Other ski resorts also have ski schools with children's sections.
You can also learn to snowboard in Zell am See - Kaprun. However, while skiing can be learnt from the age of 3-4, snowboarding can be learnt from the age of 8. Teenagers who are already confident are invited to take part in freeride courses.
| General season | December — April (The Kitzsteinhorn glacier allow to ski from late September to early summer) |
| Ski areas |
|
| Elevation difference | 750 m-3029 m |
| Ski slopes |
140 km — total |
| Ski lifts |
46 total, including |
| Ski routes | 40 km |
| Snow cannons | 85% coverage |
| Snowpark | Kitzsteinhorn 2900 m |
| Funpark | Schmittenhöhe |
| The longest ski run | 6300 m (Schüttabfahrt) |
| Interactive scheme of ski slopes and lifts | http://skimap.zellamsee-kaprun.com |
There is a single ski pass for all the ski resorts in Zell am See - Kaprun. At the start of the season, from 30 November to 21 December, a one-day ski pass costs around €55 for adults, €41 for young people (16-18 years) and €27.5 for children aged 6-15.
The approximate price of a one-day ski pass in high season is €60 for adults, €45 for young people and €30 for children.
If you buy a multi-day ski pass, the price of each day's skiing is reduced. A 3-day ski pass for adults, teenagers and children costs around €195, €146 and €98 in high season and €368, €276 and €184 respectively for 7 days.
Until 21 December and from 22 March to 28 April, a 3-day pass costs around €175, €131 and €88 and a 7-day pass costs €332, €249 and €166 respectively.
Ski hire shops in Zell am See - Kaprun are usually run by ski schools. You can hire equipment on arrival or in advance by reserving your skis or boots online and getting a discount of up to 15%.
Rental prices for skis and snowboards, depending on the class of equipment, are around €20-32 per day for adults, €15-20 for teenagers and €10-15 for children. A day's hire of boots costs €13-15 for adults and €6-10 for children, and helmets cost €6-7.
Summer holidays in Zell am See are just as popular as winter holidays. Fresh air, a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by majestic mountains, great opportunities for outdoor activities — isn't this the perfect holiday for the whole family?
In the spring and summer months you can sunbathe on the clean, grassy beaches by the lake, feed the swans and ducks, go boating, water-skiing or swimming (the temperature of the lake is often +22°C).
There is an outdoor swimming pool with slides and a children's pool in the 100 Freizeit Centrum, which is open in the summer. A golf club has been operating in the resort since 2011.
The lifts provide access to special hiking trails, most of which are suitable for families with children. One of the trails leads to the top of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier — which is covered in snow even during the hot summer months!
The Schmidolin Club organises a fun programme for children aged 5-15 during the summer. Hiking, biking, games and competitions are on the programme. You can also have a great time with the little ones on one of the playgrounds.
Skiing holidays don't usually include many excursions. But if there are museums in the resort, why not show your child something interesting?
The main attraction in Kaprun is the 12th century castle. It has recently been restored and is often the venue for medieval cultural festivals and knights' tournaments.
In Zell am See you can visit a small museum with a child where you can see archaeological finds, samples of flora and fauna, folk costumes and household items.
Kaprun also has a small museum of retro cars and motorcycles. The cars include a tiny BMW Isetta and a Messerschmitt KR200.
Completing the list of things to see and do in Zell am See and the surrounding area are the attractions of Salzburg. There are many attractions for children in this old city:
On the way to Salzburg, stop off at Berchtesgaden (Germany) or Hallein, where the salt mines are located. Innsbruck and the neighbouring towns of Rattenberg, Kramsach and Schwaz have plenty to offer children.
It's easy to decide where to stay in Zell am See with children: there is a wide range of accommodation available, almost all hotels and apartments are within easy reach of the lifts and the service is excellent.
The districts of Zell am See - Kaprun are similar in terms of infrastructure, so the only thing to consider when choosing accommodation is your own preferences and budget.
Zell am See is a small and compact town on the lakeside, at the foot of the Schmittenhöhe.
Excellent facilities for children: pedestrian area in the centre of the resort, several supermarkets, pharmacies, shops, indoor complex with swimming pool, children's ski schools, wide choice of restaurants.
When choosing the best place for children, please note that hotels/apartments close to the railway along the lake may be affected by train noise.
Zell am See's main ski area is centred on the Schmittenhöhe (2000 m). There is a train station in town from which it is easy to travel around Zell am See - Kaprun.
Schüttdorf is the neighbouring village to Zell am See. Smaller and less picturesque, but with excellent facilities for a budget independent holiday in Zell am See with children (there is a good choice of B&Bs and mini-hotels). The village is served by the Areitbahn gondola lift, which takes you to the main ski area.
Schmitten is a small village close to Zell am See, where the lifts for the Schmittenhöhe ski area are located. It has cheap hotels and apartments and is connected to the main resort by bus route 71.
Kaprun is a small provincial town for a quiet break. It has its 'home' ski area on the Maiskogel (1675 m), which is good for family skiing.
The main skiing area, the Kitzsteinhorn, is about 15 to 20 minutes away by ski bus. After a day's skiing, the whole family can visit the modern Tauern Spa World with swimming pools for children and adults, a play area, saunas and steam baths.
In summer you can stay in the villages close to Zell am See, on the shore of Lake Zeller.
Meals in the resort hotels can be arranged on a breakfast or half board basis, or all inclusive.
Family-run hotels offer children's menus and special diet meals, meals for children who do not yet eat at the main table, tinned baby food, cereals and baby food. Sometimes the restaurant has a baby corner with microwave and kettle.
The nearest airports are Salzburg (100 km), Innsbruck (148 km) and Munich (208 km).
There are regular bus services from Salzburg Airport to Zell am See, with bus no. 260 directly from Salzburg Airport. Alternatively, Vorderegger buses run directly from Salzburg and Munich airports to the resort.
Other options for getting to Zell am See:
Zell am See railway station is in the town centre. The journey from Salzburg and Innsbruck takes approximately 15.2 hours and from Munich 2.5-3.5 hours. There is also a direct train from Vienna to the resort. From the train station you can take a taxi, request a transfer from the hotel or take the local bus. Kaprun is 8 km from Zell am See railway station. You can get there by post bus.
The timetable is available on the Austrian Railways website: https://www.oebb.at/.
There is a bus service from Zell am See to Salzburg. The bus journey takes just over 2 hours. Buses no. 660 run from Zell am See to Kaprun and take 10-15 minutes. Information about timetables and tickets can be found on the VVT website: http://www.vvt.at.
How to get to Zell am See:
From Germany, take the Munich - Salzburg motorway and exit at Siegsdorf. Continue to Inzell, Steinpaß, Lofer, Saalfelden and Zell am See;
From Switzerland, take the Inntal motorway and exit at Wörgl. Continue to Kitzbühel, Mittersill and Zell am See;
From Italy or Slovenia, take the Tauern motorway (A1) towards Salzburg. Take the Bischofshofen exit. Continue on the B311 to Zell am See;
From Vienna take the A1 motorway to Salzburg. Take the A10 to the Bischofshofen exit. Continue on the B311 to Zell am See.
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