For winter visitors, snow conditions in the Zell area are usually ideal from December to the end of April. Zell am See attracts beginner and intermediate skiers, plus many nonskiers -- people who like the bustling life of the winter resort even if they never take to the slopes. Even if skiing isn't your thing, take the chairlift (shoes are fine) for the alpine scenery. Skiing is possible at elevations ranging from 915 to 2,745m (3,002 to 9,006 ft.).
There is a Zell/Kaprun Ski Pass that covers both Zell am See and Kaprun. A 2-day pass costs 65€ ($85) and is sold at the tourist office in Zell am See and often at the lifts. A free shuttle bus runs between the two resorts during the day from December 20 to April 13 every 15 minutes. If you're coming to Land Salzburg to ski, we recommend purchasing a ski package from your travel agent. A package will include the cost of all lifts and ski passes, and will be more economical than paying for each activity separately.
Sports fans gravitate to the Kur-und-Sportzentrum, an arena northwest of the resort housing a mammoth indoor swimming pool as well as saunas and an ice rink (sometimes in cold weather the lake is frozen over).
Zell am See also attracts visitors in the peak summer months. Lake Zell, which has been called the cleanest lake in Europe, is warm, maintaining an average temperature of some 70°F (21°C) in summer. The lake is 4km (2 1/2 miles) long and 2km (1 mile) wide. Motorboats can be rented. You can go along a footpath from the town to the bathing station at Seespitz, a half-hour walk.
