Travel Guide Zell Am See

Zell am See (10,000 inhabitants) is an elegant little town on the shores of the beautiful Lake Zell... It is also a ski resort, since ski lifts leave from the town itself to climb the Schmittenhöhe (2,000 m) and then descend one of its countless idyllic downhill ski runs. All in all, Zell is a quintessential, must-see, paradise: a spa town like the valley spa towns and a ski resort like the mountain villages. What more could you want? Zell also has a small, pleasant shopping centre and offers an exceptional setting in the heart of the Kitzbühl Alps. Together with its twin Kaprun, it is one of the most important destinations in the Pinzgau, both in winter (ski resort) and in summer (lake). For skiing, free shuttle buses connect Zell with its neighbours, offering a total of 130 km of downhill runs and 300 km of cross-country runs (especially around the lake). The mountains also provide energy, through the Tauern hydroelectric power station. Perched at an altitude of 2,050 m, a museum reassures Austrians by presenting the history of the power station and its influence on the environment. The museum has two permanent exhibitions on the history of glaciers and the history of the region's use for power generation, and makes use of the advantages of its exceptional location. The waters of the lake are crystal clear. It is a pure delight to swim in it.