Down but not out .....

Back from Zell am See with mixed feelings. I was there with a non skiing friend (whose brother's chalet we were staying in), her son (18) and my son (23) and daughter (20). It snowed all day Moday and Tuesday so we were lucky. The journey itself was fine if a bit tiring - plane to Edinburgh to Salzburg, bus to train station (long wait for train though), 2 hour journey to Zell and then taxi to chalet. Unfortunately daughter had caught a sickness bug on the day of travel although she managed to hold it together until we got to the chalet where she was sick until about 4am. Next day out on the slopes I started to feel sick though not as bad as her but wrote the rest of the skiing day off. Monday was the start of group lessons. They were great fun but a lot of time was spent standing about. I was always there about 15 minutes early with skis and boots on ready to go (keen or what), but someone was always late with the result that an injury to my leg which happened about 2 years ago flared up. Long story short - managed to ski the group lessons but had to take the boots of at lunch time. If I had my way I would have rested and gone back out again later, but non-skiing friend was keen to go into town and explore and I felt I should spend the afternoons with her. I am making this sound like I did not enjoy it at all but I did have a good time just did not get to progress or ski as much as I would have liked. Also defintely need to work on my confidence and tecnhique. Looking at a photo I am leaning too far back althugh my leg is pressed against the front of the boot (basic mistake) which made me feel out of control at times. Going to book a couple of lessons at Braehead and maybe also do dry slope lessons throughout the year as it is such a long time between ski holidays. Will post more about the slopes later as my son and daughter are really good skiiers and will be able to give better info than me. Want to go back and do it all again though (preferably without the sickness and leg pain). Ria xx

Hi Ria

Glad to hear you had a good time despite bugs & injury, I`m going there on March the 5th with our group of 12, what are the conditions like at the moment as I think its best to get a report from someone's hands on experience.

We are staying in the Lebzelter in Zell Am See has anyone stayed there before & give me your thoughts including location for lifts & apres.

Hi Brooksy. I think the Lebzelter is pretty near the centre of town as I am sure we stayed up the hill from it when I was there the last time and we used to pass it. If it is then you are quite near where you get the ski bus up to Shmitten and also the City Xpress Gondola. I will check Google to see if it is the place I am thinking of. We had fairly good conditions as it snowed solidly for two days but I know someone who is out there this week and they say it is a bit icy in places. You have a good few weeks to go so hopefully a few snowfalls before then. Also very little queing for gondolas or chairlifts. There are lots of good restuarants - my own favourites are The Traube Hotel, Kuperferkessel, Guiseppe Italian. Greens was ok too. Again there are lots of bars - usualy we would try a few and then end up in Crazy Daisy which is down near the lake as it has a good atmosphere. Its got a live webcam if you want to check it out. Hope you have a great time. Ria x

Thanks for the reply Ria & from what you say all sounds good, as you say 3 more weeks, in that time it surely must snow, law of averages.

I have just returned from a week in Zell so can give the latest info for you. It was brilliant! It was so warm and a very different holiday to the ones I have had there before. For the first time ever I didn't book into 4 hours each day of skischule. This meant I could be on the slopes at 9.00am when the conditions were perfect and the slopes were almost deserted. We went for lunch at 11.00am when the restaurants were still quiet. By 1.00pm the slopes were busy and the snow a bit slushy so we stopped skiing and started apres ski! I did have a couple of private lessons at 9.00am which suited me perfectly and my skiing did improve. The instructor did say the weather was getting much colder and snow was coming so I am sure that will be no problem. The Lebzelter hotel is bang in the centre, but the bus system there is fantastic so there is no problem with skiing or apres ski. Go to Pinzgauer Hutte as the views are stunning but beware the skidoo on your return! Scary stuff! You will love Zell and I am very jealous!
Sue

Hi Sue. Glad you had a good time in Zell. My kids and their friend went to the Pinzgauer Hutte I think - is that the place where the skidoo has a rope which you hang on to and it takes you back on to the piste after you have eaten. I keep looking at my photos and longing to go back, but it wont be till next year unfortuantely. I have uploaded a couple of pics which are my favourites.



My son on a very snowy day on number 13 I think



Looking very happy - want to go back :cry:



View from the gondola at the Kitzteinhorn

Hi Zelle Belle! The photos are brilliant and bring it all back. The snowy ones look amazing as we had spring weather and blue skies all week! The last two years I had skiied in Zell had been very snowy all week and I must admit this year was much easier. There are times when the chair lifts have stopped in blizzards and I thought I was going to die of hypothermia! How many times have you visited Zell? I have been 4 times and every holiday is very different. This year was so good waiting another year to go back is not good! Schmitten.at now has live streaming of the slopes- too much time on my hands I think! Forgot, the Pinzgauer Hutte is the one where you hang on to the rope for dear life and the skidoo pulls you back up. I thought the driver would take it easy but no, I think he got muddled with the pedals! All I could think of was if I fall it will hurt a lot! Well worth it though, the restaurant was quiet, it was a sun trap and the views were out of this world. Well worth a visit!

Nice pics .... but why do Austria number their pistes and not name them ????