Zell Am See Town
Historic Town Centre
Zell Am See is an old and storied town rich in culture and history. The fact that is is also a world class ski resort only adds to its charm. It's a very old village, and has been a tourist haven long before the arrival of skiing. it's worth a wander to the lake shore to see the Grand Hotel sitting in pride of place on the water's edge. Zell am see is also a popular summer destination.
Hotel Heitzmann is perfectly located at the edge of the car-free centre of the town. On your doorstep you'll find an array of bars, cafés, restaurants and shops. The Romanesque style church, just 200m from the hotel, is the focal point of the town. Lit up at night it makes a wonderful sight, with parts dating from the 1500s.
Apres-Ski
Austria is famous for it's Apres-ski, and Zell am See is no exception. You'll find plenty of bars on your doors step open each afternoon ready to welcome skiers back from the slopes. The bars start about 30m form the hotel door. Some resorts do their apres-ski on the mountain, and some in the village. Zell am See if definitely the later, with everyone heading into the village for their post-ski drinks. For the competitive people, you can try your hand at the uniquely Austrian game where you each take a turn trying to hit a nail into a large piece of wood using the chisel side of a hammer. Whoever gets the nail fully in, using the least swings, wins. A wonderfully frustrating bar game when, like me, you miss the nail completely half the time...
For those looking at their first ski holiday, a quick note on apres-ski. Partying happens early in ski resorts - normally in that gap after skiing and before dinner. You'll find bars choc-a-block with revellers at 5pm, then empty by 8pm when everyone wanders home for dinner.
Lake Zell
You cannot talk about Zell Am See without talking about the lake! The picture postcard views and coupled with its amazing history only add to the charm. For winter visitors one of the most important questions is "Does it freeze over?" ANd the answer is...... Yes, sometimes! Every few years the lake does freeze over. It usually happens after a prolonged period of cold dry weather. The tourist office will let you if it is safe to walk on the ice. If it is safe it is an easy walk from one side to the other.
You walk all the way around the lake. It takes 3 to 4 hours, and is (unsurprisingly) a flat route. There's a walkway right on the lake shore for large parts, then in sections you'll be walking on the roadside just stepped bak from the lake. If you fancy a day off skiing it's well worth the walk, or alternatively just an hours stroll after skiing along the lake shore offers magical views.
Fun Fact: Ferdinand Porsche (yes that Porsche) used to race his cars on the lake in the winter back in the day. His family still have a strong connection to the town, with their own mountain retreat there (including large car garage), and also Porsche designed the Schmittenhohebahn telecabine.
