Zell am Ziller ski resort guide & reviews Ski area, apres-ski, things to see & do in Zell
Resort review
Zell lies within the spectacular Ziller valley and is at the heart of the area known as the Zillertal Arena which includes the resort s of Gerlos (11km), Koenigsleiten (6km) andKrimml (11km).
In fact, there are 4 main areas along the Ziller Valley and you can ski and hike in all of them:
- Fügen-Kaltenbach
- Mayrhofen (13km)-Hippach
- Tux-Finkenberg
- Zillertal Arena
Après-ski
Zell is well known for its après ski and for those staying within earshot of the après ski bars might find it a bit nosiy. There are 20 cafes & restaurants, 6 bars / pubs and one nightclub to choose from.
Children
In Zell and Gerlo, there are exciting and varied programs for children. The “Freizeitpark Zell” leisure park, the Arena Coaster - the first Alpine rollercoaster in the Zillertal - and the Arena Skyliner provide lots of fun for the kids.
| Key information (whole area) | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 580m |
| Top lift | 2499m |
| Family | |
| Beginner | |
| Intermediate | |
| Expert | |
| Piste (km) | 169 |
| Longest run | km |
| Off piste | |
| Cross country | 200 km |
| Season | Winter & Summer |
| Snowboard parks | 1 |
| Heli Skiing | ✘ |
| Summer skiing | ✔ |
| Glacier skiing | ✔ |
| Babysitting | ✔ |
| Creche | ✔ |
| Apres ski | Lively & Fun |
Ski area guide
Together, these 4 areas offer some fantastic holiday options including skiing 365 days a year on the Hintertux glacier at the Southern end of the valley. Zell is the first resort you come to when heading to the Zillertal Arena area and is the ideal starting point for high mountain tours and relaxing hikes for young and old. Its is a small resort in a large ski area with around 800 inhabitants but it certainly punches more than it's weight when it comes to facilities both on and off the slopes.
Beginners
Beginners and children are very well catered in Zell. The kid's beginner area is just on the edge of Zell at the resort level and there is a further learners’ area at the top of the Gerlos gondola.
Intermediate
A paradise for intermediates with 113km of red pistes to tour around and if you want a change of scenery, there are the other close by ski areas such as in Fügen-Kaltenbach.
Advanced
There are 10 black pistes in the Zillertal Arena to text the expert skier although if you are looking for more challenging terrian, it is better to head to Mayrhofen and the Hintertux glacier on the free shuttle up.
Don't miss a run down "Harakiri" in Mayrhofen - the steepest black run in Austria.However, there are some really impressive off-piste areas both in Gerlos and the neighbouring area of Konigsleiten.
Cross-country
There are 200km of cross-country trails across the Zillertal Arena area that range in level from medium to challenging.
Things to see & do in Zell am Ziller
Gerlos and nearby Krimml both have floodlit toboggan runs and there is the Alpine Coaster toboggan run near the bottom lift station in Zell which is great fun for kids and adults. Even if you do not want to ski, a trip up to the top of the Hintertux glacier in the is worth a visit. Spectacular views and there is nothing like eating a veal snitzel with a cold beer on the sun terrace of the mountain restaurant!!
| A few suggestions... | |
|---|---|
| Snowshoeing | ✔ |
| 85km of winter hiking trails | ✔ |
| Ice climbing | ✔ |
| Ice skating | ✔ |
| Take the ski bus and see the highest waterfalls in Europe | ✔ |
| Day trip to The "Erlebnistherme Zillertal" is a thermal spa in nearby Fügen | ✔ |
Featured chalets in Zell am Ziller
The accommodation in Zell and in general throughout the Zillertal valley, is great value for money whether you are staying in a ski chalet or rented apartment. In Zell, most of the holiday rentals are either on the slopes or just a few minutes walk to the ski lifts.
See all rentals
Our view on Zell am Ziller ski resort
Ski holidays in Zell am Ziller - a fantastic little resort in a huge ski area with stunning scenery and some ski-in, ski-out chalets. If you like Zell am Ziller, you may also want to look at Les Carroz in the Grand Massif area of the French Alps and Alleghe in the Italian Dolomites.
