Kaprun and Zell am See
This is where most of our Pinzgau homes are. Zell am See sits on the Zeller See, with a lakeside promenade, swimming lidos and the Schmittenhöhe lifts climbing straight out of town. Kaprun, about 10 minutes south, has the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, which usually opens in autumn and runs late into spring. Zell am See has a mainline station, and Salzburg airport is around an hour and a quarter by car.
Best for: Two-season trips with a glacier, a lake and the shortest transfer
Not for you if: You want a quiet village: both towns are full in peak ski weeks and in July and August.
Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Viehhofen and Leogang
Saalbach and Hinterglemm share a long, enclosed valley at the centre of the Skicircus, which links to Leogang and over to Fieberbrunn in Tyrol and is one of Austria's biggest ski areas. Viehhofen, lower down the valley, is a cheaper and calmer base on the same lift pass. In summer the lifts carry bikes, and Leogang's bike park draws riders from across Europe. Salzburg is about an hour and a half away.
Best for: Keen skiers, mountain bikers and groups who want après-ski
Not for you if: You want peace and quiet in February: Saalbach's village centre is loud until late.
Mittersill, Uttendorf, Neukirchen and Bramberg (Oberpinzgau)
The upper Salzach valley runs west towards the Krimml Waterfalls, with the Hohe Tauern National Park in the side valleys to the south. Neukirchen and Bramberg share the Wildkogel ski area and its long toboggan run, Uttendorf has the small Weißsee glacier area, and a gondola from Hollersbach links into the Kitzbühel ski area. A narrow-gauge railway runs along the valley from Zell am See. Salzburg is around two hours away.
Best for: Families and walkers who want space, national park valleys and lower prices
Not for you if: You want a big linked ski area outside your door: you will usually drive or take a bus to the lifts.
Bruck and Fusch (Grossglockner road)
Bruck sits where the road from the Zeller See turns south towards the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, which starts above Fusch and climbs to around 2,500 metres before dropping into Carinthia. The road is a toll road and is normally open from early May to early November. In winter both villages are a short drive or ski bus ride from the Kaprun and Schmittenhöhe lifts. Salzburg is about an hour and a quarter by car.
Best for: Drivers, cyclists and anyone who wants Kaprun and Zell am See within 10 minutes
Not for you if: You want a resort feel: these are working villages with a small choice of restaurants.
Rauris and Taxenbach (Rauris valley)
The Rauris valley runs south from Taxenbach into the Hohe Tauern National Park. Rauris has a compact ski area that suits families and intermediates, and in summer the valley has marked walks to mountain huts and a stream where children can pan for gold. The Kitzlochklamm gorge walk starts near Taxenbach. Salzburg is around an hour and a quarter away.
Best for: A quiet valley base for walking, gold panning and gentle skiing
Not for you if: You want lots of evening choice: Rauris is a small market village and the valley is quiet after dark.
Saalfelden and Dienten (Hochkönig side)
Saalfelden is the largest town in the Pinzgau, under the limestone wall of the Steinernes Meer, with proper shops, a railway station and a summer jazz festival. Dienten and Maria Alm sit on the Hochkönig ski area to the east, which is quieter than the Skicircus. Zell am See is around 15 minutes from Saalfelden, and Salzburg about an hour.
Best for: A market-town base with the Hochkönig ski area close by
Not for you if: You want lake swimming or glacier skiing on the doorstep: both are a drive away from here.
