Limitless variety since 1966

It is the most important holiday destination in all of Austria - and one of the friendliest for families in all of Europe, too: since 1966, the two communities have been known under the name of Zell am See-Kaprun and have been a byword for perfect holiday fun. Guests from all over the world throng in the heart of Pinzgau year after year.

About 138 kilometres of pistes and a unique offer of activities away from the trails make the region so interesting. The local mountains of Kitzsteinhorn and Schmittenhöhe are ideal for descending down into the valley on superb powder snow. As early as in October, skiers and snowboarders start into their snow-white season. At the foot of the mountains, visitors can choose from uncountable relaxing leisure activities like, for example, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, and hiking.

Today Zell am See-Kaprun is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. It is hard to believe that the two neighbouring communities started off quite small: Zell am See served as an up-and-coming market place, while Kaprun became rather well-known as a mountain guide village at the beginning of the 20th century. Since then, the region has been developing its offers continuously. It is not least for the many different events from sports to music that visitors flock to the heart of Pinzgau.

Here you'll find sports, culture, and lots of relaxation

Life is good in Zell am See - and healthy, too! The picturesque community in the majestic Alpine valley has been a health spa resort since 1961. But not only that! Lake Zell also provides the town with a natural reservoir of 175 million cubic metres of the purest of drinking water. Naturally, the 4.5 square kilometres of its water surface are also wonderfully suited for ice and water sports.

Right at the gates of the town, you will find Schmittenhöhe rising up to 2,000 metres high. Some 77 kilometres of ski pistes are only a stone's throw away from downtown Zell. But it is also well-worth your time, to spend a little of it in town. The shopping streets of Zell am See make for a nice stroll and there is a very popular Christmas fair taking place in the town square every year in December.

Zell am See is integrated into an ample network of cross-country ski runs and hiking trails which go all the way to neighbouring communities. But why should you go to distant shores if everything you need is right here at your fingertips? The town with its Parish Church, St. Hippolyt, and the town's museum at the Kastnerturm tower also constitute a cultural destination, while sports fans come here to watch ice hockey games at the national league club in town.

Holidays in the vicinity of the Hohe Tauern mountain range

Situated at the foot of Kitzsteinhorn, Kaprun is a prime tourism destination in Europe, featuring 5,000 guest beds and approximately 650,000 overnight stays per year, which makes it one of the economic powerhouses of the Alpine republic. A special attraction for holidaymakers from all over the world is the glacier skiing area at a height of 2,900 metres above sea level. This is where winter sports enthusiasts meet the best of conditions for unclouded fun in the snow.

Even in the summertime, it is perfectly possible to use the pistes; they cover a distance of 41 kilometres. About 20 kilometres of the fluffy snow are to be found on Maiskogel, the little brother of mighty Kitzsteinhorn. This family mountain with its gently ascending slopes constitutes ideal grounds for those who are just about to start doing winter sports. Getting up to the peak is a piece of cake: the ski bus takes the guests directly to the lifts and cable cars.

The village can look back on an eventful history of many centuries. Its figurehead is its castle, 'Burg Kaprun'. The building, which had a total overhaul in 1975, was erected on a prominent piece of rock in the 12th century. Even up until today, it has been serving as a platform for many cultural events. Its eastern tower, which is called 'Turn ze Chaprunne', was built in the Romanic style. It is said to have been built as a compensation for attacks by the Velber Family.