"Skiing is the very best what one could ever imagine". These lines from a famous song of Austrian legend Wolfgang Ambros describe the region around Zell am See very well, also due to another verse of the song: "Friday night I pack my skis onto my car and then I go to Stubai-Tal or to Zell am See since up there I always find amazing snow".

Zell am See with Schmittenhöhe and the close Kaprun with its impressive Kitzsteinhorn make up the centre of this area in Salzburger Land.

With its location Zell am See is blessed and visitors can enjoy the great motives of the surrounding mountains in the valley as well as on the Schmittenhöhe, the town's landmark mountain with its wonderful centre. In Zell am See and Kaprun  136 km of pistes lure the ski fans and with 50 Prozent of the descents being rather easy beginners will also get their money's worth.

A brand new gondola with seat heating named TrassXpress relieves the other lifts at Schmittenhöhe since 2007 which enthuses the sporty skiers and snowboarders enjoying racing downhill via Trass and Standard. Sonnkogel and Sonnenalm are pure fun while cracks prefer the Kettinglift and the valley descents.

In the numerous cabins on Schmittenhöhe après-ski starts early and it's all the more special in the spring's sunshine. But also on a cold day the cabins are well prepared for the skiers' desires. When the sun goes down Villa Crazy-Daisy and Karambar in the centre are best spots for party people. For a chill-out snowboarders meet up at Kitsch & Bitter in Kaprun.

Kaprun is divided into two areas, one which is the Maiskogel with its easy and medium-heavy pistes and the Kitzsteinhorn that begins in 2.000 metres sea level and which is Austria's oldest glacier ski arena. Since 1965 the year-round ski area is developed and over three sections you will get up to nearly 3.000 m. Unfortunately there is no valley descent, so the gondola is a must on the way back.

On the glacier some dreams of skiers and snowboarders will come true. Broad, perfectly prepared pistes provide diversity and for whom wants to strain his knees will love the mogul piste at the Maurer-glacier lifts.

For the hungry ones the "Pfefferbauer" in Einöd will have the appropriate dishes. It's all about cheese in the ktichen of "Gasthof zur Mühle". And if you want to see your steak sizzle on hot stone check out the "Dorfstadl" in the centre of Kaprun.

The offspring is taken care of in two ski kindergardens and cross-country-skiers will freak out on 58km of runs.

by Dietmar Stanka