Zell am See reviews

My family and I have just returned from a week in Zell am See 1st - 8th March 2008, the resort was compact and picturesque with a varied and family friendly apres ski scene. We stayed half board in the Hotel Heitzman a small family run hotel, with a friendly atmosphere, great rooms and first class food. Rudi and Anitta Heitzman and all their staff could not do enough to help make our holiday as enjoyable as possible. As for the skiing, it's great, catering for all level of skier well groomed and suberb snow even after a previously warm week the piste was kept in the best condition possible. We skied with Ski Club Rep Steve Collins nearly everyday, his local knowledge and friendly, sociable a

I've just returned from Zell Am See and what a fantastic time I had. So much snow ! Zell really is a great resort. I've always said that I'd never go to the same resort twice but for Zell I will make an exception. I stayed at the 4* Grand Hotel on the edge of the lake and I loved it ! The hotel is stunning and in a great location, the food was lovely and the staff could not do enough to help you. I would definitely recommend it. The village was nice with plenty to do for any non skiers, loads of little bars and restaurants (Octopussy was nice and Crazy Daisy was good too) The Skiing was out of this world LOADS of snow and plenty of sun too ! I would encourage people to take a ride up to the

In Zell for third time - this time over the new year thanks to the school attendance people. Snow not good at the beginning - except on the Kaprun glacier, but then we got something like 50cms of snow over 36 hours. Snow after that was magical with all lifts open and slopes kept in great shape. Only downside of the snow was that we were driven off the glacier by a blizzard. Given that it was new year, crowds at lifts and slopes not too bad and we rarely had to queue very long. One hint, if going up the mountain use the CityExpress lift in the centre of Zell or the Areitbahn at Schuttdorf - avoid at all costs the Schmittenhohebahn gondola a couple of miles out of town, even a relatively small

Great spot to spend a week, particularly if with a group of mixed abilities. Schuttdorf is probably the best place to stay as it is positioned between Zell and Kaprun, so if conditions are varied in the week you can choose and have easy access to either resort. Very picturesque with really friendly locals. Have skied in France,Italy,USA and Andorra but Zell (& Austria) is by far the best all round ski holiday. Not only just about skiing but fantastic apres-ski. Having a few schnapps in an igloo bar at mountain summit as the sun is setting and silouettes of skiers dancing on tables in their skiboots to tacky Euro techno was FUN. Prices are great particularly for ski equipment. Black runs

Overall, Zell am See is a cool resort with great skiing & superb nightlife. The town is beautiful & has a genuine atmosphere of it's own. It has NOT gone downmarket like so many other resorts in the Alps. It is remarkably cheap & has excellent aprhs-ski. Therefore it is suitable for both families & groups. You can also ski there all-year round as the Glacier in Kaprun is only 10 minutes away. One of the best things is that it is only 50 miles and a simple transfer from Salzburg, where you can get to cheaply from the UK with ryanair or flebe.