Skischule Zell am See Kaprun -What you need to know!
If you are looking for SkiSchool Zell am See, you came to the right place. I’ve put together this site, so it will be easier for you to decide, 
which lessons to choose and how to assess your level of ability before booking. I will overview the packages that the skischool offers, as well as, what to be careful about, when booking your lesson.
The following goes both for Snowboard and skischule Zell am See
SkiSchool Zell am See – your level of ability
When you book your lesson, you will be asked about your level of skiing. You should objectively assess your level of ability – it is for your own safety and the safety of others! This will save you and your ski instructor a lot of trouble later on.
There are 5 basic levels:
- Beginners: You have never been on snow and don’t know, how to stop, or go on lifts. Depending on your physical stamina and determination, you will learn how to stop and do some basic snow plough turns on blue slopes.
- Recreational: You already know how to stop and do basic turns, as well as, how to go on lifts. Usually you will be able to step up from snow plough turns to some basic parallel turns. For the best ones, a red slope won’t be a problem after the course.
- Intermediate: If you ski blue slopes comfortably and you are not afraid of red slopes, this is the level for you. You can do some parallel turns, but you are not completely comfortable.
- Advanced: Skiing on red slopes isn’t a problem, speed isn’t a problem and you can do some nice linked turns. Brushing up your technique, to gain that extra level of confidence, is the way to go!
- Expert: Every slope from blue to black is completely comfortable for you. Parallel turning is a joke for you. Learn how to do fast carving turns, go off piste, do some jumps? You are at the right level! With SkiSchool Zell am See you can progress even more, getting that fine tuning that you need.
Skiing in Zell am See – The Offer
There 2 basic types of lessons that you can have:
Group lessons – If you decide to take group lessons, you will be among other skiers matching your level of ability. A group lesson is for 4 people or more. Group lessons are very effective, but for best results, I would suggest a private lesson.
Private Lessons – One on one with the instructor, but you can also book a private group lesson. A private group means, that only 3 people will form the group. Less people, more time for your progress!
Zell am See Ski School – Picking you Skis
When picking your skis, you should always assess your level of ability and go from there. The truth is, there is no perfect ski. A lot of factors come into play i.e. conditions of snow, type of terrain, your style of skiing… Our instructors usually go with more than one pair of skis. It is best to look out the window or on a webcam to see what is happening on the slopes, so you can pick your best ski for the day!
Length of Ski
When you pick the length of your skis, you should know, that a shorter ski is easier to turn, but isn’t as stable as a longer ski, especially at higher speeds. With a rocker ski you can go a little longer, because the rocker shape makes it easier for you to pivot your skis between turns. A carving ski with a smaller turn radius can be skied shorter and vice versa. Instructors in our ski school vary their lengths on their personal preference.
Picking a ski closer to your chin:
- Beginner or intermediate skier
- Your body weight is less than average for your height
- You prefer short quick turns
- You don’t ski very fast
Picking a ski closer to the top of your head:
- You weigh more than average for your height
- You tend to ski faster
- You like speed
- You prefer long turns
- Would like to go off piste
If you still find it confusing, don’t hesitate and ask, we will be more than happy to assist you with your decision.
Types of Skis
Now, according to your height, weight, knowledge and personal preference, you will have to decide for a pair of skis. We will be more than happy to help!
There are several different types of skis out there…
Here I will overview the most common ones…
All-mountain skis:
As the name implies, these can be your everyday all-around skis. Powder, ice, steeps, groomers, heavy snow… these babies can take it all. But it comes with a price… They are versatile, but these skis perform just average in every condition. If this is the only ski you will own, then this is a sure bet for you! Some of our instructors use all mountain skis as a everyday ski!
Racing skis:
These come in different shapes and sizes. They tend to be stiffer and are made for groomed or hard packed snow. You can get anything from a slalom racing ski to an downhill ski. Turn radius goes anywhere from 13m to about 27m or more. Again, know your style and level of ability before you decide. We have a few ex-racers in our skischule zell am see and they will be more than happy to help you.
Powder skis:
If you come to skischool Zell am See and the Zell am See – Kaprun resort can offers you some fresh snow, go with a wider ski. Powder skis provide flotation in deep snow, because their size keeps you floating. These skis are longer and wider, so they can provide enough flotation to keep you rocking! Usually they come with a rocker profile, so you can initiate the turns easily and don’t catch edges in deep snow!
Freestyle (park&pipe skis):
Spend the majority of your time in the park? Then grab a pair of twin-tips and hit the jumps! Because they are made for jumps and rails, they have some characteristics, that will keep you from catching edges and provide that extra confidence for big jumps. Get camber twin-tip skis and you will be shredding hard packed and groomed slopes, like you would, with any other ski.
Picking your skis for the best experience – Overall Thoughts
When picking out your pair of skis, keep all of the above in mind. If you don’t know what to go with, a all-mountain ski is the way to go. My personal preference and the preference of some other skischool Zell am See instructors are longer skis. Although they are a little bit harder to handle, they offer so much more than a short length/radius ski. They are also less forgiving, which means, you will have to ski even more technically correct. Again, if you need any advice, we are more than happy to assist you in any way!
