| The first time I visited Zell am See I was actually | | | | needed boost to the convenience level the resort |
| staying at a small town further north going back | | | | has to offer, previously there was a long trek to the |
| towards Saltzburg called Lofer bie Martin. I was | | | | top of the hill going out of the town where you could |
| actually staying in the Schloss Grubhoff castle which | | | | get the gondola. This is still running and is serviced by |
| was once owned by the king of Bavaria but has now | | | | a regular bus service or is accessible by people with a |
| been converted into luxurious apartments which can | | | | car available, personally I would not consider it |
| be rented out as holiday lets. I was enjoying my stay | | | | walking distance from the town center particularly if |
| at Lofer and in particular the quaint ski facilities there, | | | | you are having to wear ski boots and carry skis, |
| which incidentally would be no challenge for anyone | | | | (although I am sure there are probably a number of |
| who considers themselves good intermediate or | | | | people who could prove me wrong). |
| advanced level but is well worth a visit for curiosity's | | | | If you do park at the gondola there is a sort of |
| sake, it really is oldy worldy Austrian skiing facilities | | | | cross country track that goes out to it from the |
| and you will not find much of a presence there | | | | main piste (number 4) but there are sections of it |
| beyond the Austrians themselves. | | | | that are actually flat to uphill and no decent run that |
| The marked difference I noticed in visiting Zell am | | | | lets your speed carry you through those sections, so |
| See was the level of activity there, lots more people, | | | | a lot of puffing and panting goes on. The alternative |
| a thriving little town in a gorgeous setting and much | | | | is to come down some of the steeper slopes or to |
| more to offer the higher level skiers, still not a | | | | ski to the bottom and then get the bus back up. If |
| majorly serious challenge for the advanced skiers but | | | | you caught the bus or walked (mad fools) then there |
| certainly enough to keep them happy for quite a few | | | | is no problem. |
| days with some decent blacks and reds to go at. | | | | Another bonus of staying at Zell am See is that you |
| The resort in my opinion is much more suited to the | | | | are pretty close to Kaprun, where if the worst |
| intermediate level skier with plenty of reds and blues | | | | occurs and there is no snow you have a glacier, |
| plus those blacks for when you want to give | | | | although whenever I have been there snow has not |
| yourself a bit of a challenge, you should be able to | | | | been a problem. You are also quite close to |
| ski from the top of the mountain to the bottom | | | | Salbaach-Hinterglemm which is another great resort |
| without too much trouble as well. The top of the | | | | that has pistes either side of the valley where it is |
| mountain (called Schmittenhone) gives you access to | | | | located, it also offers a few more challenges to the |
| a number of runs which you can circuit and if you do | | | | experienced and advanced level skiers as does |
| prefer a longer run you can ski down to Schuttdorf | | | | Kaprun. Both of these resorts can be reached on the |
| and get lifts all the way back, or of course you can | | | | ski bus which can be used off the back of your ski |
| ski back to Zell am See or to the gondola. I class | | | | lift pass at no extra charge, the ski pass also gives |
| myself as intermediate and there was enough there | | | | you free parking in the ski areas. If you have your |
| for me to visit this resort on 3 separate occasions. | | | | own transport you can go visit Lofer which I |
| It's not a bad resort for beginners either, other than | | | | mentioned earlier or you are also not too far away |
| if you want to ski all the way back to town then | | | | from, Bad Gastein-Bad Hofgastein, Wagrain, |
| you might find it a bit tricky with some fairly steep | | | | Schladming and Obertauern. |
| slopes near the bottom that have to be negotiated, | | | | I have to say I really enjoyed my skiing at Zell am |
| the alternative being some very shallow cross | | | | See but I also really enjoyed the apres ski and |
| country tracks which can be really hard work and | | | | evenings out as well, there are loads of bars and |
| may put a lot of people off so they might decide to | | | | restaurants to choose from and the place has a real |
| just come back to the bottom on the lift. | | | | buzz to it. If you are there at the right time of year |
| That aside, the slopes at the top of the mountain do | | | | you might be lucky enough to see some of the |
| cater for beginners and if I was a beginner again I | | | | traditional Austrian celebrations, for example the |
| certainly wouldn't rule out Zell am See particularly if | | | | seeing out of the winter and welcoming in of the |
| you are moving towards intermediate level, it may | | | | spring, I have memories of the band coming into the |
| just present you with the challenges you need to get | | | | bar dressed as chickens and playing music aimed at |
| you to that next level. | | | | getting everyone to have a good time and into the |
| The addition of the ski lift from the center of town | | | | street to join in with the locals dancing. |
| (in place for a few years now) has provided a much | | | | |