This calm Alpine town in Tyrol sits at 583 meters altitude in the Zillertal Valley. Winter sports and mountain biking draw visitors to its slopes and trails year-round.
Zell am Ziller sits at the junction of Gerlos Valley and Zillertal in Austria's Tyrol region. You'll find Austria's oldest private brewery here, dating back to 1500, where you can taste the local Gauder Bock beer. The town connects directly to the Zillertal Arena ski area with 143 marked pistes. Take a ride on the Arena Coaster, visit the Zillertal Regional Museum in a 300-year-old farmhouse, or join thousands of visitors at the UNESCO-recognized Gauder Fest in May.
Getting to Zell am Ziller
You can reach Zell am Ziller within an hour by car from Innsbruck Airport, or in two hours from Munich Airport. The train from Innsbruck main station takes approximately 1.5 hours. During winter, ski buses run every 30 minutes throughout the valley, connecting all major ski areas and villages.
Winter Sports in the Zillertal Arena
The Zillertal Arena opened in 2000 and includes 200 miles of downhill skiing across 143 marked pistes, accessed by 112 lifts. Two gondolas - the Rosenalmbahn and Karspitzbahn - take you directly from Zell am Ziller to the slopes. 319 snow cannons maintain snow coverage on 44 miles of runs throughout the season. For the 2024/25 season, you can use the new Teufeltal 8-seater chairlift between Zell and Gerlos, while the Duxer X-Press comes with heated seats and weather protection.
The Gauder Fest
Each May, over 30,000 people gather in Zell am Ziller for the Gauder Fest, an event that has run for more than 500 years and is now on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Watch traditional "Ranggeln" wrestling matches, join folk processions, and drink the special Gauder Bock beer brewed by the local Zillertal Brewery. The festival runs for three days and has grown into Tyrol's largest spring celebration.
Summer Activities and Adventure
Ride the Arena Coaster year-round - its 1.45km track includes waves and steep curves at the base of Zillertal Arena. The area has 30 marked mountain biking trails ranging from beginner routes to advanced single tracks. Climbers can tackle the Gerlossteinwand fixed rope route, with routes graded from A to E. The Leisure Park includes tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a children's playground.
Cultural Attractions
At the BrauKunstHaus in the Zillertal Brewery, you can learn about beer production through interactive exhibits and join guided tastings. The Zillertal Regional Museum occupies the "Ental" farm, built in 1713. Inside, you'll find exhibits about local farming traditions, traditional costumes, and mining history from the region.
