Zillertal Arena: Your Complete Ski Adventure Guide
I’ve skied in many places across Austria, but there is one that I find particularly special — Zillertal Arena.
There are plenty of other large resorts, but what makes Zillertal Arena stand out isn’t just the kilometers of slopes or the number of lifts (both of which are impressive). It’s the sheer expanse of the area, stretching from the Zillertal Valley in Tyrol to Krimml in Salzburgerland.
These views are absolutely breath-taking when you reach the tops of the highest lifts. Staying there and letting the mountains unfold in every direction is simply incomparable. This is like an entire alpine world spread out before you, but with an impression of freedom and awe that very few other places can match.
Zillertal Arena Key Facts
- 150 km of slopes
- 52 cable cars and lifts
- 34 huts and restaurants
- Family Friendly and snow sure
- Offers a lot of off ski activities for every taste
- More information at zillertalarena.com
Slopes: 🔵 50km 🔴 88km ⚫ 12 km
For Skiers
The terrain of Zillertal Arena is ideal for skiers of all levels and offers customized experiences that will inspire you to enhance your skills and enjoy yourself on the slopes. Here is an insiders guide to help you to get the most out of your stay from first timers to advanced skiers.
For Beginners
The Zillertal Arena is an excellent place to learn to ski. It has several gentle slopes and learning areas and ski schools that help beginners feel confident and develop their skills. It offers a great experience for first-time visitors and families since the layout is well executed and the landscape is easy to navigate; one may explore one’s leisure, which is ideal for the beginners.
Practice Areas
In Rosenalm (Zell am Ziller): There is an extensive beginner’s area with tow lifts and magic carpets, providing a rather relaxing space for learning the basics.
Arena Center (Gerlos): This has a huge practice area featuring a covered magic carpet, and gentle slopes served by the Ebenfeld-X-Press chairlift, great for confidence building.
For Intermediates
Zillertal Arena will definitely be loved by the intermediates who would enjoy getting to know and develop their skiing ability on a fantastic variety of terrain.
Recommendations
Gerlos Sector: Wide, rolling blue runs on Isskogel which are beautiful and long.
Königsleiten Area: Contains varied red runs that may give decent challenge to people wanting to improve their skills.
Tips for Exploration
Use the interconnected lift system to move about the various sectors and enjoy the full extent of what the resort has to offer.
Please keep in mind, that Austria marking runs could be tougher than in other countries. Judge runs according to your own comfort level while skiing.
For Advanced Skiers
An advanced skier looking for excitement and challenge need not look far when considering Zillertal Arena.
Adventurous Runs:
Nordhang (Königsleiten): It defines black runs as this is a very demanding one for even the seasoned skier.
Höhenfresser Tour: One of the longest valley runs in the whole of Austria, boasting an impressive drop of almost 2,000 meters, from the high point of Übergangsjoch (2,500m) to Zell am Ziller (580m), is really worth the effort and brings a lot of fun.
Off-Piste Possibilities:
Because it is so vast, the Zillertal Arena almost always offers good off-piste spots close to the lifts. Take a look at the Tiefenbach descent in Königsleiten, and explore the Hochkrimml freeride area for lift-accessed off-piste skiing. As always, use a local guide for safety and learning potential routes.
Snow Parks: Three snow parks are available for freestyle enthusiasts Action-Park Kreuzwiese in Zell, Snowpark Gerlos, and Funpark Hochkrimml, and they are equipped with numerous forms of kickers, boxes, and rails suited for all levels of riders.
Beyond the Skis
Zillertal Arena hosts more than a thousand activities apart from skiing, so every visitor will have the chance to experience the Alps in his/her own way. Here is a detailed guide on the secrets of winter you hear waiting for you:
Winter Walking and Snowshoeing
Scenic Trails: They really are countless beautiful trails that get you into winter-covered towns such as Zell, Gerlos, Wald, Königsleiten, and Krimml. They are great places to simply enjoy quiet surrounding while you immerse yourself in the beauty of alpine landscapes.
Guided Tours: Local guides will lead you along the most beautiful winter hiking routes. You will have good chance to learn about local nature, flora and fauna.
Tobogganing
Hainzenberg Run: 7 kilometers from 1,650 meters above sea level down into the valley, the longest toboggan run in Zillertal. That’s on Gerlossteinbahn the run is partly floodlit until 1 a.m, making nighttime fun sledging another highlight to the very long run.
Kids Adventure: There are six toboggan runs, suitable for everyone from toddlers to grandparents. Each offers a unique thrill, with some runs even illuminated after dark for added excitement.
Snow Tubing
The most exceptional way to experience winter thrills is to try snow tubing down specially made tracks in the Gerlosstein ski area. Fun for the whole family, teenagers will just love it.
For a total length of 1,450 m from the lower station Rosenalmbahn, it has twists, turns, and thrills. Adventure seekers should not pass up this destination, which features even more wave-like conditions and steep curves, jumps, and whether or not a 360° and 540° gyro.
Paragliding
An aerial adventure awaits those seeking a truly unforgettable experience. Paragliding offers breathtaking bird’s-eye views of the Alpine scenery. With tandem flights for beginners and solo opportunities for experienced pilots, Zell am Ziller is widely acclaimed as one of the best flying areas in Europe.
Wellness and Relaxation
Spa Facilities: After a tiring day playing in snow, you can relax in one of the wellness centers of this region. Apart from this, other hotels also have spa services to rejuvenate by including saunas, steam bath and heated pools.
Erlebnistherme Zillertal: This spa plans to expand its facilities starting in winter 2024/25, adding new chillout rooms, a larger sauna area, outdoor swimming pools, and extra family-friendly features like slides and water attractions.
I could go on and on about the Zillertal Arena, but I hope you’ve already gotten the feeling. This is truly an amazing place where everyone will find something interesting and exciting.
I haven’t even touched on the après-ski possibilities, but believe me, they are just as vast and varied as all the other wonders of Zillertal.
