 Poster: A snowHead
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I’m planning a ski trip to Austria this winter and I’m trying to decide between Zell am See and Saalbach-Hinterglemm.
I’d say I’m an intermediate skier, so I’m looking for well-prepared slopes but also some variety so it doesn’t get boring after a couple of days.
If anyone has been to either of these places, I’d really appreciate your recommendation.
It would also be great if you could share some info about good spots to eat nearby.
Thanks in advance!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Origami22, you may want to look at the annual Saalbach thread, if you are after well groomed runs and excellent infrastructure and some pretty good apre and food then Saalbach Hinterglemm should be your choice.
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=173606#5460242
Though Zell has nice views over the lake, but you can get there from Saalbach as the resorts are connected by a short bus and a lift 
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Mon 13-10-25 22:14; edited 1 time in total
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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They are side by side, on a connected ski pass. AND not OR
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Saalbach Hinterglemm is a better base in my opinion over Zell. Less faffing around to ski S-H whereas the uplift in Zell is in various places needing buses at times. Better apres in S-H too
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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S-H definitely has better slope access and a much larger ski area. Zell might be a better option if certain factors are more important to you, e.g. shorter transfer time, easier access to other resorts in the region, options for non-skiers, etc. Zell also has fabulous apres-ski, whether at the top of the mountain (the legendary Schnapps Hans), slope side, valley stations or in the town.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Yes it doesn't really matter. If you wanted to ski on the glacier at Kaprun, then that marginally more convenient from Zell, but still doable from S-H. Although in my experience it get quite crowded when conditions are good,as everyone thinks, ah clear sunny weather, ideal for a day at Kaprun!
I would be more guided by where you can find accommodation that tickles your fancy and budget.
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Depends on your priorities - Saalbach def has easier access to a much larger ski area and a broader variety of Apres . . .but on this basis its generally more expensive in terms of accom etc. Zell is really accessible / cheap to get to (Bus 260 from Salzburg Airport) and a bit quieter / perhaps family orientated but better located for Kaprun if conditions are sketchy - both are very Austrian and the locals generally jolly. You can 'ski' to Saalbach from Zell and or catch the bus . . .just be aware that the last return bus is usually circa 18.30 in peak season, otherwise its a drunken taxi return . . .
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Skied both and would recommend Saalbach ahead of Zell am See, good "on-slope" apres options in Saalbach and Hinterglemm when compared to Zell as well if that's your thing
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Origami22, Some eating options :
Del Rossi in Schulstrasse has a good menu a good reputation and reasonably priced, try and book a table.
The Eva Alm next to the Eva Hotel on the corner as you walk up Dorfstrasse from the village square, also one of our favourite places for an evening drink does reasonable food, you can book a table, or just grab a burger while having a drink.
Spielberhaus, head up on the back of a Pisten Bully have dinner and toboggan down, they have been know to take people down on the Piste Basher best to ask before booking. Be sure to have a few Euro as its 10 per person (check when booking) to ride the piste basher, booking is a must.
The centrally-located Schattberg Stub’n, on Schulstrasse near to the Schattberg Xpress lift station, the menu is varied and reasonably-priced.
Hotel Peter their house speciality is the “Felsensteak”, a large steak served sizzling on a hot stone, best to call ahead to book. On Friday Peter does a magic show.
Past the Bernkogel lift station is the Soul House (good for ribs), they also have an outside bar which is a good spot to end the day at the bottom of 146 with live music.
Wildwechsel at the Hotel Wechselberger is good for game, the venison in a crushed pumpkins seed crust is very good.
Tiroler Buam serves very good Austrian food, amongst the best we have had in Saalbach, it does also do the simpler things such as Pizza (it has a proper Pizza oven) and Wienner Schintzel, it’s near the Schönleiten bahn, an easy walk across the road if you want to have a lunch stop, for the evening drive down leave the car, pick it up in the next day using the ski bus, or use the 680 bus to get there, (last bus about 19.15) and take a taxi back.
Herzlstubn at the hotel Kendeler, excellent food beautifully presented we have eaten here a couple of times for a celebratory meal and it is good
Hotel Mitterer, this three star hotel has a restaurant at the front for non hotel guest, the food is good and straightforward and great value, a must book
Neuhaus, the restaurant is open to non residents, they do an excellent steak, in a nice dining room, ask for it, you don’t want the conservatory at the front
Napoli, if you are looking for Pizza this is the best place in Saalbach, they do have other items on the menu, a must book.
Gold + Pepper slightly upscale new in 2023 excellent food with a good value wine list, a regular venue for us, best to book in advance.
Pension Franziska, a short walk from the apartment going into town, this modern Pension does spectacular food on Friday and Saturday, the menu is usually 3 to 4 courses and changes regularly, the restaurant and bar are on the top floor. They also do snacks and soup on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 19.00-22.30
Bobby’s Pub (at the bottom of the main street on the right), Bobby’s is good if you want a ‘cheap and cheerful’ pizza or burger or daily special (such as beef stroganoff or spare ribs.) there is also ten-pin bowling and karaoke on some evenings, they also do take away, good place to watch sport, Football, Rugby etc.
The Goassstall in Hinterglemm is place to eat (after the apre finishes), we have yet to try it.
Xandl Stadl Hinterglemm, serves excellent food there’s different feel to it in the evening compared to lunch, the food is of the highest standard and good for a special evening, book online and ask for the main restaurant.
Unter Schwarzach Hof, Hinterglemm, a recent discovery, stylish hotel and restaurant, enjoyed a very good Swordfish steak, they have a daily menu.
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I've skied both and would 100% go back to Saalbach. Zell am See was perfectly nice, but I wouldn't go back unless it was part of a group trip that someone else was organising (ie - if I was just tagging along).
Saalbach has miles and miles of great skiing, that you can loop together into circular itineraries. You can get to Zell from there for a day if you want to. Zell does have a view of the lake, but that's not enough to swing it for me!
Access to the mountain from Saalbach is also great - 3 gondolas out of town, all going in different directions, so it uploads everyone in the mornings very quickly.
Zell was v easy to get to by train, if that's a consideration, but that alone wouldn't swing it for me.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Time to bring in the big guns @tatmanstours, producers a guide to skiing in Saalbach and the ski circus (I stll refer to my 2016 version), it's worth asking him for a copy sending a DM
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@radar, thanks for the mention. Anyone is welcome to my 20 page guide to Saalbach and the Ski Circus. Just P.M. me your email address.
The question of whether to book a ski holiday in Saalbach or Zell am See is like asking whether to buy a Mercedes or an old Reliant Robin - although, to be fair, Zell is a very nice summer destination.
Saalbach is by common consensus one of Austria’s top three ski resorts, and some would say the best of the three, particularly for intermediate skiers. It has the fastest, most advanced lift system in the world, also the most gondola cable cars. Its lift pass covers 270 km of piste in the four interconnected villages that make up the Ski Circus, plus a further 138 km in the Zell am See/Kaprun ski areas. It has over 60 high quality mountain restaurants, and the après-ski vibe is renowned. There is plenty of well-located, slopeside accommodation, with no or minimal walking. 5 pistes (3 blue, 1 red, and 1 black) end up in the village - it’s as ski-convenient as it gets in Austria.
It has an attractive, compact village centre.
Zell am See is an attractive, lakeside town, with a history and an all-year round tourist industry. Its ski area is smaller and lower, and less convenient than Saalbach’s, although it’s pretty and worth sampling for a day if staying in Saalbach.
It has a few attractive mountain restaurants, though nothing like the choice on offer in Saalbach.
The ski area is more limited, in terms of the options available to intermediates, and the lift system is relatively antiquated, with a vulnerability to queues at popular times (it’s easily accessed by train from Salzburg and Munich).
The après-ski is extremely limited, compared to Saalbach. The Castle Bar attracts the ski instructors and others for low-key après-ski drinks. Crazy Daisy’s is famous but can be underwhelming. No doubt there are other convivial bars in the town, but it’s a very different vibe from Saalbach (more sedate and less traditional Austrian cheese), which some may prefer).
Despite its much smaller ski area, it’s a much bigger place - a town, not a ski village. There is likely to be much uphill walking and bussing.
Kaprun has a small but useful ski area - that is, useful for its glacier skiing at the beginning and end of the ski season. It’s accessed by ski bus from Zell am See. Probably worth a visit, if it’s a clear, sunny day, and you have your own transport, to sample the experience of skiing at over 3,000m and to visit the visitor centre at the top of the Kitzsteinhorn. I seldom go there, except in late March and April.
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