Schüttdorf, Zell am See: the district at the ski area

In short: Schüttdorf is the largest district of Zell am See, about two kilometres south of the old town on the southern shore of the lake — signposted and listed on booking sites as “Zell am See-Süd”. Most of the municipality’s beds are here, the Areit valley station is on the doorstep, and Kaprun is closer than it is from town. The price: Schüttdorf is a modern settlement with no old-town lanes, and anyone who wants a choice of restaurants in the evening travels into town.

The district that belongs to the ski area

Schüttdorf is by some distance the most populous district of Zell am See — 5,622 residents at the end of 2011, with more recent estimates around 5,400. That is more than five times Thumersbach on the opposite shore, and it explains why the area feels quite unlike the rest of the municipality.

The reason lies in its history, which is shorter than you would guess. At the start of the twentieth century the ground south-west of Lake Zell was largely unsettled. Small huts went up first, so the settlement was initially called Hütteldorf — hut village. The residents disliked the name, and on 22 August 1930 the council voted unanimously to rename it Schüttdorf. So anyone hunting for a centuries-old village centre in Schüttdorf is looking for something that never existed.

What exists instead is position. Schüttdorf sits at the southern end of the lake, where the valley opens towards the Salzach, which puts it on the side where the mountains begin. For a holiday that means two very concrete things: you are closer to Kaprun and the Kitzsteinhorn than you would be from the old town, and you have your own cable car into the Schmittenhöhe ski area — the Areit — inside the district.

Schüttdorf as a base

This is where Schüttdorf differs from every other district: you stay in the ski area, not beside it. The Areit valley station is in Schüttdorf. If you come in winter and skiing is the main purpose of the trip, you save every morning the journey that guests in Thumersbach or on the promenade make by bus.

Check all the same how far the specific property is from the valley station. “In Schüttdorf” covers a district several kilometres across, and on a ski holiday the difference between a five-minute walk and a bus ride shapes the day more than the star rating does.

Into town is roughly two kilometres. That is a few minutes by bus, flat by bike, and in summer a pleasant walk along the lake. But it is far enough that you will not do it on a whim: an evening in the old town means planning the way back.

What the Summer Card covers here

The Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card is valid between 15 May and 31 October and starts with your first night in a participating property. Two benefits matter directly in Schüttdorf:

• The Schüttdorf-Seespitz lido is included, as are the other two lidos on the lake and the indoor pool. It sits on Seespitzstraße, at the southern end of the water.
• The Schmittenhöhe, Kitzsteinhorn (excluding the 3K K-onnection and the ski lifts) and Maiskogel cable cars are included. That is worth more from Schüttdorf than elsewhere, because the ascent to the Schmittenhöhe starts inside the district.

What is not included is free travel on the panoramic boat trip — the tourist board lists a reduction for it and additionally names special conditions between 15 July and 15 September. So do not budget the boat as free.

Where to stay

Schüttdorf has the largest and most varied bed capacity in the municipality: apartment blocks, holiday flats, aparthotels and a number of conventional hotels. That is precisely why you will still find something here in weeks when the old town is full — and usually at a lower price for the same floor area.

If you are arriving in winter with skis, proximity to the slope is the selection criterion, not the fittings. We have compared the region’s properties on the ski-in/ski-out question separately: ski hotels directly on the slope. Travelling with children, you will find the right houses under kid-friendly hotels in Zell am See-Kaprun.

On prices: a flat “Schüttdorf is X per cent cheaper” would be invented. The gap depends on season, property type and how close to the valley station you book — a flat overlooking the Areit does not cost less than one on the promenade. Take your own sample for your own travel dates.

What you do in Schüttdorf

Honestly: Schüttdorf is not a sight. It is a place to stay, from which you get away very well. That is not a criticism, it is a description of the offer.

• The Areit cable car takes you into the ski area in winter and up the Schmittenhöhe to walk in summer — without going into town first.
• The Seespitz lido at the southern end of the lake costs nothing extra with the Summer Card. There is an overview of all three under lidos on Lake Zell.
• The shore path into town is flat and surfaced throughout, and in summer it is the nicest way into the old town, on foot or by bike.
• Kaprun is nearer from here than from the old town. Anyone planning the Gipfelwelt 3000 on the Kitzsteinhorn starts from Schüttdorf with a small head start.

Who Schüttdorf suits — and who it does not

First, what could spoil the booking:

• You expect an Austrian village scene. You will not get one here. Schüttdorf grew from the 1930s onwards and looks it: residential blocks, apartment complexes, wide streets. If you want lanes and gables, stay in the old town.
• You want to move between bars on foot in the evening. Schüttdorf does not have that density. Two kilometres is no disaster, but it is a decision.
• You are coming in summer for the lake and want quiet. Then Thumersbach on the eastern shore is the better choice — markedly smaller and quieter.

And what it is the right choice for:

• A ski holiday. This is the district’s strongest argument and needs no qualification: the lift into the area is here.
• Families who self-cater. The supply of holiday flats with a kitchen is larger here than anywhere else in the municipality.
• Anyone who wants both the lake and Kaprun. Schüttdorf lies exactly between them.
• Late bookings. When nothing is left in town, it is often not yet full here.

In short: Schüttdorf is the practical district. It will not win a beauty contest against the old town, but in winter you are staying in the right place. How the main town relates to it is in our overview of Zell am See.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Schüttdorf?

About two kilometres south of the old town of Zell am See, on the southern shore of Lake Zell. On signposts and booking sites you will often find it as "Zell am See-Süd".

Is Schüttdorf a separate village?

No, it is a district of the town of Zell am See - and with roughly 5,400 to 5,600 residents its largest. All the town's guest cards and tariffs apply there too.

Is Schüttdorf good for a ski holiday?

Yes, and it is its strongest argument: the Areit valley station into the Schmittenhöhe ski area is inside the district. Do check the specific distance from the property to the valley station when booking though - Schüttdorf runs for several kilometres.

How do you get from Schüttdorf to the old town?

About two kilometres: a few minutes by bus, flat by bike, and in summer a pleasant walk along the lake. For an evening in the old town you should plan the way back.

Why is it called Schüttdorf?

The area was barely settled at the start of the twentieth century. Because small huts went up there first, the settlement was initially called Hütteldorf, hut village. The residents disliked the name, and on 22 August 1930 the council voted unanimously to rename it Schüttdorf.