Zell am See

Set by a lake, usually frozen in the winter months, overlooked by a unique horseshoe-shaped mountain, Zell am See's setting is stunning.

Skiing here is splendid on the slopes of the 2000m Schmittenhohe, with the added attraction of the Kaprun glacier on Mount Kitzsteinhorn, a short bus ride away. Breathtaking views at 3000m, fabulous skiing.

One pass allows you to ski or snowboard across the region of Zell am See-Kaprun with 130kms of piste to choose from. Formerly known as the Europa Sport Region, you're assured of snow throughout the season with pistes above 2500m.

It's great for mixed ability groups because the runs range from easy blues to open reds and whizzy blacks. Many slopes are wooded which gives skiing a Christmas-like magic. There's also easy access to Saalbach, to extend your skiing experiences - but it's unlikely you'll be bored skiing or snowboarding in the Zell am See area.

Apres-Ski in Zell am See

Unlike many Austrian ski resorts, Zell am See is a larger, bustling medieval town with lots to offer, full of boutique hotels and interesting shops, favoured by well-off Salzburgers who have holiday villas here. It's often described as 'Kitzbühel-on-Sea' which may give you a flavour.

The centre is charming and traffic-free so perfect to wander around window-shopping or spending your holiday money if you can't resist. There are over 100 restaurants serving everything from local to Mediterranean to Asian cuisine so your taste in food will be met in platefuls. For five star dining there's the Salzburger Hof, for a burger or two, try the American-style Kupferkessel or for pizzas there's Villa Crazy Daisy.

Après bars - Berghotel, Pinzgauer Diele club, O’Flannigan’s , A Bit of Irish, to name but a few - and there's even the Ginhouse. Guess what you drink there!

Other activities - Tobogganing, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, ski touring and Nordic walking, ice skating and watching ice hockey. Or why not take a train to Salzburg or Kitzbühel?

Go go go, Zell am See! So much to offer it'd be mad not to. Let us sort out a great holiday for you.

Gary's Little Gems in Zell am See

Glacier skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn is worth a full day trip as the snow is great and the scenery is breathtaking with lake below and some of Austria's highest peaks towering nearby.