13 Must do’s in Zell am Ziller and Gerlos (Zillertal Arena) | Austria

Zell am Ziller and Gerlos, collectively known as Zell-Gerlos, provide direct access to the incredible slopes of the Zillertal Arena in Austria. With over 150 km of ski slopes, this winter sports paradise offers something for everyone. From skiing to toboggan runs to serene winter hikes and exciting snow tubing, you won’t be bored for a second during your winter sports holiday. Looking for the best things to do in Zell-Gerlos? Keep reading for the ultimate guide to winter fun in Zell-Gerlos!

1) Ski winter sport in Zell-Gerlos

So no shocker but the first must do in Zell-Gerlos is skiing! The Zillertal Arena has enough slopes including wide blue slopes to practice on. There is also a direct connection between Zell and Gerlos with the Kapaunslift, Wilde Krimml lift, and the Teufeltallift.

SKIING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

If you’ve never skied before, here are a few tips:

• Relax. The more relaxed you are, the better you’ll be able to use and control your muscles and movements. Easier said than done after I had to go on a red slope. 😉 
• Wear or rent proper ski gear. If the boots don’t match, go change!
• You will not learn to ski in just 3 days, you will need 7. Even after that, it is recommended to take ski lessons on the first day of your next ski trip to refresh your skills!
• Rent a locker. Go to the ski depot or other places where you can rent a locker for your ski gear!

2) Après-ski in Gerlos

The most famous (or notorious?) Après-ski in Serfaus? The Apres-ski is located in the valley and not on the ski piste, excellent for beginners who don’t want to après-ski on the slopes!  

3) Enjoy Austrian food and drinks

Enjoy some pasta, kaiserschmarrn, Schnitzel, or a delicious Beer. Try to sit on an outdoor terrace to enjoy some rays as well! In Zell-Gerlos you will find great mountain huts and restaurants with local and international dishes.

Some options in Zell am Ziller: Englhof Bar, the Kreuzjoch Alm, the new Wiesenalm, the Gourmet restaurant HeLeni, and Genießergasthaus Schulhaus.

Some options in Gerlos: DAHUAM.202 Restobar, Gaspi’s Woodfired Grill, the Jägerstüberl, the Rössl Alm and the Umbrella Bar.

4) Ice skating in Freizeitpark Zell

Swap your skis for ice skates and make a few rounds on the ice in Freizeitpark Zell. You can go figure skating and play ice hockey, but you can also play tennis or do some bowling here.

5) Winter hiking in the side valleys of Gerlos

Gerlas has five side valleys: Krummbachtal, Schönachtal, Wimmertal, Wildgerlostal, and Schwarzachtal. The walks you can take here are generally not very difficult and are also easy to do for less experienced hikers with routes of 2km or 7km. While you stroll through the snow-white landscape, you can enjoy the impressive view of the Zillertal Alps and the mountains of the Hohe Tauern. 

6) Tobogganing (Rodelen)

Go down the mountain on a sled for a change (afternoon or evening)! You can try out the 1.5 km long illuminated toboggan run in the Krummbachtal near Gerlos. You can reach the start of the toboggan run by walking up, but also by ski bus (only during the day) or taxi. If you want to toboggan for a long time, you should take a trip to Gerlosstein, the area that you encounter halfway up the Gerlos Pass. Here you will find the longest toboggan run in the ski area, measuring no less than 7 km. 

7) A ride on the Arena Coaster

This alpine coaster is located directly at the valley station of the Rosenalmbahn and has a length of 1750 meters. The course consists of steep bends, drops, and jumps. The ride lasts about 7 minutes.

Fact: Children up to the age of 10 may only sit in a cart if accompanied by someone aged 16 or over.

8) Cross-country skiing

Try cross-country skiing (Langlaufen for the Belgians and Dutchies)! In Zell am Ziller you will find six trails with a total length of 16 km for classic and skating. Gerlos also has several beautiful routes. For example, you can glide on cross-country skis over the trails through the Schönachtal and the Innertal / Funsingau. Part of the trail in the Schönachtal is illuminated until 22:00.

9) Visit the BrauKunstHaus, a Zillertal beer brewery

Do you like beer or are you curious about the centuries-old beer history of the valley? Then visit the modern BrauKunstHaus. This museum is dedicated to Zillertal beer, which has been brewed here for over 500 years. Adults also have the opportunity to taste all kinds of beers. A must-do for beer lovers!

10) Snowtubing

Go snowtubing in Gerlosstein, just outside Gerlos. Via various specially prepared tracks, you descend in a rubber tire. Alone or in a train behind each other. In the winter months, this is possible daily from 09:00 to 16:15.

11) Light trail ‘Herzleuchten’ in Zell am Ziller

During the winter months, throughout the village centre of Zell am Ziller, light objects are set up for a special walking trail. The light trail ‘Herzleuchten’ is open daily from 21 December 2024. Every Thursday, the ice disco with a laser show and live music is open from 21 December 2024 to 20 February 2025 in the Freizeitpark Zell am Ziller.

12) Almpromenade

Gerlosstein has a very nice hiking trail for families: the Almpromenade. It’s an educational theme hike where you will learn about the history of the Zillertal in winter. The hiking trail starts at the Gerlossteinbahn mountain station at 1700 meters and ends there. The hike will take around an hour. 

13) Wellness Gerlos

Many wellness hotels in Gerlos have a spa or sauna where you can relax after skiing. If you don’t have a wellness center in the hotel where you are staying, take a look at Kristalwaldbad’s website. They have an entire wellness center including a spa, sauna, and swimming pool! So if you want to take a day off while skiing or just relax, Kristalwaldbad is the place to be!

Where to stay in Gerlos?

We stayed in a hostel!

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