Visitor reviews for Zauchensee Ski Resort

Zauchensee Ratings

Overall: 4.0. Based on 7 votes and 10 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 4.3

(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Zauchensee is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Variety of pistes: 4.3

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Zauchensee has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Off-piste: 3.5

(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.

Scenery: 4.6

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Access: 4.4

(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Zauchensee.

Public Transport: 4.8

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Zauchensee, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Accommodation: 3.7

(1) No places to stay in/near Zauchensee, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 3.0

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 4.5

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Zauchensee.

Ski in/Ski out: 5.0

(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

Childcare: 3.7

(1) There are no child care facilities at Zauchensee, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowmaking: 4.5

(1) Zauchensee relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 4.7

(1) There are no snow groomers at Zauchensee, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Zauchensee are groomed daily.

Shelter: 3.7

(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Zauchensee is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 4.8

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Zauchensee, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

Regional rating: 4.1

(1) Zauchensee usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.

Lift Staff: 4.4

(1) The staff at Zauchensee are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Zauchensee are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 3.6

(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.

Ski Schools: 3.8

(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

Hire and Repairs: 4.8

(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.

Beginners: 4.0

(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.

Intermediates: 4.7

(1) No intermediate terrain at Zauchensee, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 4.3

(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.

Snow Park: 2.8

(1) Not even a kicker at Zauchensee, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Cross-country: 3.7

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Zauchensee, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 2.3

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Zauchensee has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 4.5

(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

Eating: 4.0

(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.

Apres-Ski: 3.2

(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

Other Sports: 4.0

(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.

Entertainment: 3.0

(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

Winter Walks: 3.7

(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.

Ski Pass Value: 4.3

(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

Value (National): 4.3

(1) Overall, Zauchensee is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.

Value (Global): 4.3

(1) Overall, Zauchensee is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

Show all 35 ratings

January 01, 2021
Ed Holloway from Ski Austria Austria
My Wife and I went there to celebrate 2021 on New Year's Day with no particular expectations. We left the resort speechless. We have skied across the Alps and this place Is hands down our favourite. The Tauernkar black is a magnificent run, perfect pitch, wide open pistes and you can blast it as fast as you like. Opposite the World Cup downhill run which is a varied brute and superb as well. Prior to today, my favourite skiing was Grand Montets, Chamonix. Whilst Tauernkar is shorter than Grand Montets, it is of the same calibre, and you leave feeling you have had the best run...
January 25, 2011
Smitty from Ski Germany Germany
Excellent snow conditions at Zauchensee. Several cms of new, fresh powder on nicely groomed slopes. A few icy patches. Try the World Cup Run for a fantastic, challenging, continuous run from the top of the mountain to the base station.
April 13, 2010
sally-Ann from Ski Austria Austria
Zauchensee is a great place to ski although it can get crowded on the weekends when the buses from Germany arrive bringing in a few hundred folks. The new gondola at Flachauwinkel side helps to get people up the mountain. Need a new gondola in the town as this does get crowded. There is a lot of off-piste which is fun when there is snow. However, the marking of obstacles needs to be improved as came across dirt in the middle of the piste and no markings. I live in Villach and it is only a one hour drive to the Ski Amade area and I do have a season pass for Salzburg.
February 19, 2010
Graeme from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I have a season pass for the Ski Amade area and Zauchensee is a gem (including Flachauwinkel). The pistes are long and interesting, but the offpiste is where this resort scores highly. The new lifts on the Flachauwinkel side are a massive improvement and in Flachauwinkel itself the new snow parks are fantastic. I've skiied all over the world and I keep coming back to this area,. I've had more fun here than in Tignes and better powder than Colorado! Flying back out this Sunday whoop, whoop!
December 07, 2009
Gethyn from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Zauchensee is a fantastic place with reliable snow even when other close by resorts are suffering. We come here for a few days every year whilst also skiing the surrounding areas. There is a good variety of slopes and an excellent lift system (improved with a new gondola and chairlift from the Flachauwinkl side for 2009/10). Only down side is that the bottom of the slopes tend to get rather crowded as they all converge into one area. Other than that, definitely worth a visit.
January 11, 2009
mark from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I've been to Zauchensee four times and have three more trips booked. I love this resort as it's small and quiet, yet has a seemingly endless supply of slopes within easy reach within the Ski Amade region. There is an excellent lift system, well groomed pistes and small bars all over the mountain selling great well priced food. Wonderful location for groups of differing abilities as the runs cross over so you can still spend most of the day together.
December 26, 2008
me julie from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
The shneeboarding is good. Drinking is even better. Try the ofenturl in flachauwinkle if you think you're good enough. Snow is great and we love this place for the atmosphere and the clubs.
April 09, 2008
Andy from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
We just love this place, It offers a wide range of skiing for all levels. When skiing with a group of mixed experience it is easy to meet through the day as many of the runs terminate in the same area and cross the same huts. You can ski from Zauchensee to Flachauwinkle where there is a snow park and on as far as Kleinarl. The standard ski pass also covers Flachau which is accessible via the ski bus ( I would ski to Flachauwinkle and take the 15 min free bus to Flachau). Even in the worst of seasons, Zauchensee has always produced the snow and has many cannons to support this. The quality of the piste grooming is exceptional, lifts are generally modern and fast (some with heated seats) and queuing has never been a problem for us other than on major holidays. The mountain huts all offer traditional Austrian charm with friendly staff. They all offer great value with a goulash soup costing less than 5 Euro or sausage and chips at approx 7 Euros. Coffee or beer typically 3 Euro. The free ski bus will take you on a 10 minute ride down the valley to Altenmarkt which offers a wide range of shops, restaurants, cafes etc. It is also worth considering staying in Altemmarkt if you want more to do other than ski/board as it is easy enough to get to Zauchensee on the ski bus. We have visited for several years and everyone we have introduced has been back. If you want any more info please feel free to mail me andy@taylorhut.fsnet.co.uk
January 18, 2006
Edward Hsu from Ski Monaco Monaco
In the Salzburger Sport Welt region, Zauchensee is a little Jewel. It has great runs with a decent pitch served by a fairly modern lift and Gondola system. We found runs in Flachau and Wagrain boring by comparison. The biggest advantage of Zauchensee over the vast majority of its Alpine competition is the height of the tree line. The North facing slopes are tree lined almost to the summit which means you have excellent visibility even when its cloudy. The on slope huts are family owned and serve delicious Austrian food Summary - cheaper than Lech and Skiiable in all weather
December 04, 2004
andy from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
In our view Zauchensee, offers the best skiing in the region, A wide choice of slopes for all levels,including a slalom course with electronic timer (not so good when your 12 year old beats you) and of course the world cup downhill run. Fast plentifull lift systems and excellent modern facilities all in the traditional Austrian style. There is no shortage of investment in snow machines and piste bashers and the guys out there do a great job keping the piste in good condition. Most of the pistes meet in the same area so handy if your group ski's at different levels as easy to meet up through the day. From Zauchensee you can ski over the mountain to Flachauwinckle which opens a whole new area. This year will be our 12th trip and every year we still seem to discover new trails. If you wish to explore further afield it is easy to take a 15 minute bus trip from Flachauwinckle to Flachau which is all covered under the same ski pass. Or take the ski bus down The mountain to Altenmarky (10 minutes) and ski over to Raddstat, Austrian hospitality is friendly and welcoming and offers good value. In the mountain huts, of which there are plenty)a hot lunch and beers etc costs less than Euro 10. Apres Ski is good but after dinner night life tends to centre around your hotel.