2027 AOAC Ski & Snowboard Trip (Zell am See)

Trip Overview

One of the most popular trips on the club calendar, the AOAC Ski & Snowboard trip 2027 will head to Zell am See in Austria. The area offers 408km of linked slopes across Zell am See, Kaprun and Saalbach Hinterglemm, with glacier skiing above Kaprun ensuring reliable snow.

Zell’s Schmittenhöhe mountain has tree-lined reds, blues and blacks, open pistes with lake views, and beginner-friendly areas. Progression is supported with confidence-building blues and long rolling reds. A short bus ride away, Kapruns Maiskogel offers easier blue and red pistes whilst the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier provides high-speed carving and runs ranging from gentle blues to steep blacks.

Advanced skiers can tackle steeper blacks including the 4km Trassabfahrt, whilst the glacier also offers accessible powder terrain. There are four freestyle parks (including a 150m superpipe). Plus, new lift links to Saalbach-Hinterglemm Skicircus provide great access to the wider 400km+ ski area, with 70 lifts linking as far as Fieberbrunn in the Tirol so you can really cover the miles. 

Zell am See offers picturesque charm, historic architecture, lakeside views, Tauern Spa close by and lively après-ski, with plenty to do on and off the slopes.

Resort Facts

• 408km linked slopes

• Snow-sure glacier and snowmaking on lower slopes

• Varied wooded slopes with lake views

• Extensive lift system

• Crystal/Ski Club GB ratings: Beginners 4/5, Intermediates 4/5, Advanced 3/5, Boarders 4/5, Snow 4/5

• Altitude: 762–3,029m (resort 762m)

• Zell am See–Kaprun: 138km (plus Skicircus 270km)

  • Easy 60km, Intermediate 55km, Difficult 29km

• Longest run: 6km (Schmittenhöhe–Schüttdorf)

• Lifts: 84 (2 cable cars, 26 gondolas, 22 chairlifts, 21 draglifts, 13 carpets) (plus Skicircus 70 lifts inc. 29 gondolas and 20 chairlifts)

• Snowmaking: 90% coverage

Hotel Heitzmann

Described as “one of the best hotels in Zell am See” and rated 4.3/5 on TripAdvisor, with the food particularly praised by reviewers, the Heitzmann also boasts a bar, sauna and steam room, perfect for unwinding at the end of the day.

https://www.crystalski.co.uk/ski-resorts/austria-ski-holidays/zell-am-see/hotel-heitzmann/

• Half board: buffet breakfast and 4-course evening meal (6 nights, not on Tuesday)

• Twin rooms (Austrian twin) with shower/bath and WC

• Bar, sauna and steam room

• Boot room with lockers and heated racks

• Lift to all floors

• 3 minutes to City Xpress gondola

• Ski bus stop outside

• 1 minute to town centre (shops, cafés, après and pubs)

Trip Details & Cost

• Departure - Saturday 6th March 2027

• 22 places (expected to sell out quickly, so reserve your place now!)

• Flights from Bristol to Innsbruck including 20kg hold baggage

• Coach transfers to Zell am See

• Shared twin en-suite rooms

Cost breakdown:

• Base cost (flights, transfers, hotel half board): £1,037

• Club contingency: £60 (up to £60 potentially refundable)

Total base cost: £1,097 

Includes:

• Flights and transfers

• Hotel Heitzmann (half board)

• Buffet breakfast and evening meals (6 nights)

• Club contingency

Not Included in base cost

• Full area lift pass with free carriage (approx £383, see below)

• Ski / board / boot hire (discounted offer with lift pass, see below)

• Drinks (not included with evening meal)

• Lunches and slope drinks

• One evening meal (Tuesday)

• Tourist tax €2.50–€3.00 per person per night (payable locally)

Lift pass / Equipment hire – indicative costs:

• Lift Pass £383pp (+ free carriage)

• Lift pass + standard skis: £410pp

• Lift pass + intermediate skis/snowboard: £431pp

• Boots: £45pp

• Helmet: £27pp

Booking

• £200 deposit to secure your place

• Balance (plus lift pass and equipment hire) payable to agent by 12 December 2026

• 22 places available; a waiting list will be operated but we can’t guarantee a place

You must be an AOAC member. This is a private event facilitated through the club; the club accepts no liability. The holiday provider is via Crystal Ski (TUI), ATOL protected.

Participation & Info Required

The AOAC ski trip is a great opportunity to ski/board with people of similar levels, meet new people and make new friends. We welcome new members to the club. Whilst most people on the trip are likely to be advanced or intermediate, this is a trip for all abilities – we do however advise that beginners get lessons. 

Please inform the organisers before booking:

• Any dietary requirements (so we can check the hotel can cater for you)

• Any room-sharing preferences (name of roommate or if booking as a couple)

Further details (payment, ski level (see chart below in the members area), equipment hire etc.) will be collected nearer departure. We’ll also sort out room sharing for those who haven’t specified a roommate. Room shares will be sharers of the same sex unless you’ve requested otherwise.

Policies & Additional Information

• Cancellation: Refund only if place resold (less fees). After balance payment, refunds follow agent terms. 

• Insurance: Mandatory (winter sports including third-party liability).

• Passports: Must meet validity rules (check Passport Office guidance).

• Contingency: Unused portion will be returned after all balances are paid.

For further information, please contact the organisers.