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View of the ski slopes at Königsleite
Nice hopping and singing along in an après-ski bar in Gerlos. Or enjoy the peace and quiet and nature in Ramsau im Zillertal. Sizzle from a broad blue piste. Or look for the challenge of a steep black slope. In the Zillertal Arena ski area in Austria there is plenty to do for every winter sportsman and woman. tobogganing.
The Zillertal Arena ski area is one of the largest ski areas in Austria. Several ski passes are possible in the skiing area. The simplest is the 1-day ski pass for the Zillertal Arena. This ski pass gives you access to the 143 kilometres of pistes in the Zillertal Arena. From 2 days you automatically get a Zillertal ski pass and you can also opt for a Superskipas.
With the Zillertal Superskipas you have access to the Zillertal Arena and all other ski areas in the Zillertal. For example, you can spend a day skiing in Mayrhofen if you like. There are around 500 kilometres of pistes at your disposal with this ski pass. You can reach the other ski areas in the Zillertal by ski bus or car.
Then there is also the Superskipas which gives access to no less than 2396 kilometres of pistes. Absolutely recommended if you are going to ski for more than a week. Of course the Zillertal Arena falls under this ski pass, just like all other ski areas in the Zillertal. You can also take the car or ski bus to, for example, Kitzbühel-Kirchberg or SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental.
Please note: The ski pass is included in the price for some winter sports providers. Would you prefer an extended ski pass? If so, always consult with the provider in question. Virtually all buses and trains between the ski resorts take you free of charge on presentation of the Zillertal ski pass or Superskipass.
The characteristics of the Zillertal Arena ski area are shown in the table below. In the table you will also find a link to the piste map of the ski area including the villages of Gerlos, Zell am Ziller and Königsleiten.
|
Kkenmerken Zillertal Arena |
|
| Highest point | 2500 metres |
| Lowest point | 580 metres |
| Total kilometres of pistes Zillertal Arena | 143 |
| Blue slopes | 43 kilometers |
| Red slopes | 89 kilometers |
| Black slopes | 11 kilometers |
| Total kilometres of pistes Zillertal Superskipas | 497 (153 blue, 263 red, 81 black) |
| Total kilometres of pistes SuperSkipas | 2396 (1040 blue, 1117 red, 239 black) |
| Villages Zillertal Arena | Königsleiten, Gerlos, Zell am Ziller,
Krimml, Hippach-Schwendau, Wald im Pinzgau, Aschau im Zillertal, Ramsau im Zillertal |
| Child-Friendliness | Very good |
| Oportunities for beginners | Very good |
| advanced options | Very good |
| Snow security | High |
| Après-ski possibilities | Very good |
| Post ski pass Zillertal Arena (1 day) in 2018 | € 52 |
| Post ski pass Zillertal (6 days) in 2018 | € 249 |
| Post SuperSkipas (6 days) in 2018 | € 272 |
| Average price for a lunch on the slopes | € 5 to € 20 |
| Price ski lessons (4 days x 4 hours) | € 150 to € 220 |
| Best travel period | January-February |
| Travel time from Innsbruck airport | 1 hour |
| Distance to Utrecht | On approximately 900 kilometres |
| Pistecards | Pistecards |
The most famous villages within the Zillertal Arena ski area are Gerlos, Zell am Ziller and Königsleiten.Gerlos is centrally located in the ski area. With two gondolas in the village you reach the slopes. At the end of the day you don't have to wait for the lift. There is a beautiful valley run to Gerlos. The village lies along a busy road. The friendliness is mainly found in the various après-ski tents.
Zell am Ziller is located on the edge of the ski area. The village lies a lot lower than Gerlos. The ski lifts are located on the border of the village. To reach these lifts you often have to take the car or ski bus. Since 2015 Zell am Ziller also has a valley run. The village also has a nice center with cafes and shops.
Downhill in Zell am Ziller
Königsleiten is very conveniently located between the Gerlosplatte and the rest of the ski area. There is a lift available. The high altitude at 1600 meters makes it one of the most snow-sure villages of the Zillertal Arena. The village is beautifully situated on top of a pass and is very attractive. Other villages in this ski area in Austria are Krimml, Hippach-Schwendau, Wald im Pinzgau, Aschau im Zillertal and Ramsau im Zillertal. Each village has its own characteristics. Ramsau, for example, is one of the cheaper destinations in the valley. And Aschau im Zillertal is one of Austria's better campsites. The campsite is also open in winter.
The table below shows the characteristics of each village. From the villages without a lift connection you travel by car or ski bus generally within 5 to 15 minutes to a lift.
| Village | Height (m) | Downhill | Lift | Snow | Price | Authentic village | Après-ski | Children | Accessibility |
| Gerlos | 1247 | + | + | + | +/- | +/- | ++ | ++ | + |
| Zell am Ziller | 575 | + | + | +/- | +/- | +/- | + | + | + |
| Königsleiten | 1600 | + | + | + | +/- | + | + | ++ | +/- |
| Krimml | 1076 | - | - | + | + | + | +/- | +/- | + |
| Hippach-Schwendau | 630 | + | - | +/- | + | +/- | +/- | +/- | + |
| Wald im Pinzgau | 900 | - | - | + | + | + | - | +/- | + |
| Aschau im Zillertal | 567 | - | - | +/- | +/- | +/- | - | - | + |
| Ramsau im Zillertal | 604 | - | - | +/- | + | +/- | - | +/- | + |
The Zillertal Arena ski area is very suitable for both beginners and advanced skiers. You will find different slopes in the ski area and the variation is great. Beautiful blue pistes, challenging red pistes and spicy black pistes. The black connecting slope between Gerlos and Königsleiten, for example, is very popular with experienced skiers and snowboarders. And for a nice trip between the trees, the Sportabfahrt in the Zell am Ziller ski area is highly recommended.
Lovely connecting track between Gerlos and Königsleiten
Nothing as annoying as staying on a flat slope. And then messing around on your skis or walking with your snowboard. In the Zillertal Arena you hardly have any problems with that. The only relatively flat part is between Zell am Ziller and Gerlos. The area is very extensive and offers many possibilities. Unfortunately, the connections are not optimal everywhere. The pistes connecting Gerlos and Zell am Ziller are not very adventurous. The Zillertal Arena is therefore not particularly suitable for long trips.
[penke text=You going out in the powder snow? Around the Königsleitenspitze you will find a number of easy and accessible off-piste possibilities.
In winter you can not only enjoy excellent skiing and snowboarding in the Zillertal Arena. Winter hiking, cross-country skiing, paragliding, freeriding, ice climbing and tobogganing are also possible in the skiing area. The Gerlossteinbahn cable car takes you to the Hainzenberg. Here you will find the longest toboggan run in the Zillertal. Here you can slide down the mountain until 1 am. And how about night skiing in Gerlos? Really an experience! You'll also find a swimming pool in almost every village.
Night tobogganing from the Hainzenberg near Gerlos
Zillertal Arena is very child friendly. In Gerlos you will find both on top of the mountain and in the village a children's land with many practice slopes. Dutch is spoken here most of the time. From Zell am Ziller you can take the children by gondola to the Rosenalm. There is a large children's land to find. Children up to about 5 years of age ski for free in the ski area.
The best villages for children in the Zillertal Arena ski area are:
Snow security strongly depends on where you are in the Zillertal Arena. Zell am Ziller, for example, lies very low and there is not always a lot of snow here. Gerlos and Königsleiten are very high and are pretty snow sure. Luckily there are plenty of snow cannons in the area to help you make a white blanket. From mid-December to mid-March you can actually always ski in Zillertal Arena. Especially on the higher slopes. January and February are the snowiest months. If it's a good snowy year, you can still go on holiday to the ski area in April. More chance of sunshine and longer skiing days!
Gerlos is the capital of the Alps when it comes to après-ski. You will find numerous pubs and discotheques in the village. Meezingers, a hossing crowd, carnival squatters, lots of drinks, performances by Dutch artists and DJs. That's Gerlos! The après-ski parties in Gerlos start in the afternoon and continue into the late hours. The Cincin is for example a real household name in the Zillertal Arena.
In a number of other villages the après-ski is less exuberant, but certainly also very lively. At the bottom of the lift in Zell am Ziller, for example, the après-ski is very cosy in the afternoon. In Krimml you will find an atmospheric après-ski bar in the middle of the village. Or visit the Yeti Bar near Schwendau. Also in Königsleiten you can excellent après-ski, for example until late at Hanne's Ski-Alm or the club K1. From the various villages, the bustling Mayrhofen in the ski area Zillertal 3000 easily accessible.
Please calm down? In the ski area you will also find Wald im Pinzgau, Aschau im Zillertal, Ramsau im Zillertal and Hippach is wonderfully quiet. In these villages you will not find après-ski.
Are you a novice winter sportsman? Or would you like to learn better skiing or snowboarding? In Zillertal Arena you will find several ski schools. The ski schools offer group lessons and private lessons for children and adults. Prices vary per ski school and per village. For a group lesson, charge between €150 and €220 for four days of lessons. The duration is usually four hours per day. The price for children is almost the same as the price for adults. Private lessons are a lot more expensive, but usually more effective.
In particular, children benefit from a good skiing course. Even if you can ski well as a parent, leave the learning to an experienced ski instructor. Given the popularity of the ski area it is wise to arrange lessons in advance.
What to look out for when booking ski lessons:
During winter sports, of course, you have to eat well. After all, you are quite active. There is a wide choice of traditional mountain huts and more modern restaurants in Zillertal Arena. Prices vary per restaurant and, of course, per dish. On average, the prices for a lunch on the mountain are between 5 and 20 euros. Soup, bread, pasta, pizza, salad, sausage and chips, apple strudel, Kaiserschmarren. The choice is large. Try a famous schnitzel in Rosi's Schnitzelhutte or a delicious chicken in the 'chicken bar' Larmach Alm.
In Zillertal Arena you will find numerous hotels, chalets, apartments and guesthouses. There is something for every budget! From a luxury four-star hotel in Gerlos to winter camping in Aschau im Zillertal. The price level in Zillertal Arena is fine. For the ski pass, accommodation and food and drink, the price-quality ratio is excellent. Due to the popularity of the ski area, you can often book a winter sports holiday with various travel agencies at favourable prices.
Zell am Ziller is cheaper than Gerlos or Königsleiten. And in the villages without a ski lift the prices are even lower. For example, Ramsau im Zillertal, Aschau im Zillertal, Wald im Pinzgau, Hippach-Schwendau and Krimml are surprisingly cheap compared to many other winter sports resorts in Austria. The ski area is very popular. It can therefore be quite busy during the holidays and weekends.
The villages within the Zillertal Arena ski area are easily accessible. Especially Gerlos, Zell am Ziller, Ramsau im Zillertal and Hippach-Schwendau are within easy reach. The Königsleiten ski area is a lot higher and therefore less easy to reach. Especially in busy periods. It can snow in Austria. Snow chains and winter tires are therefore often not an unnecessary luxury. During winter conditions winter tyres are even mandatory in Austria and Germany. Don't forget a vignette for the motorway. You can view the route via Google Maps or the ANWB route planner.
Do you prefer to take the train or plane on winter sports to Austria? That is quite possible. You can travel to Jenbach by train and take the train or bus to the villages. Almost every village in Zillertal Arena has a train station. From the airports of Munich, Salzburg and Innsbruck you can reach the Zillertal by taxi, bus or train within one to two hours. The taxi costs are very affordable.
Zillertal Arena stands for beautiful views, beautifully prepared slopes, delicious food and lots of fun. An excellent destination for an unforgettable winter sports holiday! And also in the summer it is good to stay in the area. Compare below all holidays to Zillertal Arena from trusted providers.
