Summer Sailing in Landlocked Austria

twentieth August 2024 | Simon Miller, Zell am See, Austria.

We’re in Austria for some summer time actions. Primarily crusing, but in addition e-biking, climbing, by way of ferrata and tobogganing. Who says the mountains are only for winter? NEW

Telling mates that you’re embarking on a crusing vacation in Austria will elicit some odd seems – not stunning because the landlocked nation is with no shoreline.

While you then inform them that the lakes in Austria present what are arguably among the greatest locations to be taught to sail anyplace on the planet, you gained’t simply get odd seems, however a raised eyebrow.

Shaped across the majestic Lake Zell, Zell am See shall be greatest recognized to PlanetSKI readers as an exquisite household ski resort.

PlanetSKI editor, James Cove, skied within the space final winter:

Zell am See/Kaprun. Picture © PlanetSKI

The 4km lengthy lake nonetheless freezes in locations some winters and outdated photos of Zell am See present rally automobiles racing throughout the ice.

However in August 2024 the lake is a superb 23 levels – no wetsuit required.

Summer in Austria. Image © Simon Miller/PlanetSKI

Summer time in Austria. Picture © Simon Miller/PlanetSKI

As a household we’ve been fortunate sufficient to have been on a couple of flotilla crusing holidays, however infuriatingly, the youngsters would spend their time sunbathing, snorkeling and capturing Instagram fodder – something actually apart from be taught to sail.

I examine them and my equally landlubber spouse in to a freshmen crusing class on the native crusing faculty on the promise that they’d have the ability to sail after simply 4 afternoon classes.

The primary session rolls round and we meet Harry who runs the native crusing faculty.

He wears a battered Pink Bull Excessive Crusing Collection hat – the type that appears like he has taken half somewhat than simply being a fan.

After a couple of fundamental security checks and earlier than the youngsters have an opportunity to complain, he has them in a Caravelle – a 4m dingy with two sails – and explains how one can hoist & decrease the sails.

Inside 1 / 4 of an hour they’re off.

Summer time in Austria. Picture © Simon Miller/PlanetSKI

The wind is comparatively mild and subsequently good for freshmen, and I watch as every of them take it in turns to helm the boat by way of light tacks and jibes.

After only one afternoon, they’re crusing with confidence – albeit with Harry onboard to supply tuition and encouragement.

With no tides, no ocean waves to take care of, no present and no monsters within the deep, Lake Zell is as managed a setting for novice sailors as you possibly can want for.

As any sailor will inform you when issues go incorrect on a ship they go incorrect in a short time, however with solely a mild breeze filling the sails there’s by no means any rush or trigger for panic affording the kids loads of time to enact each manoeuvre.

Summer time in Austria. Picture © Simon Miller/PlanetSKI

That is idyllic “Swallows and Amazons” crusing at its most interesting and after simply a few tutored periods they’re able to take the boat out with out Harry on board.

We’re blessed with good crusing circumstances each day however for these in search of a extra thrilling crusing expertise different bigger lakes resembling Wörthersee could also be a greater guess.

Even with no wind there are many other ways to benefit from the clear waters.

With motorboats banned, the lake is a clear and welcoming secure area for paddleboards, kayaks, rowboats, pedalos, windsurfers and kitesurfers in addition to swimmers.

We had been additionally impressed with the free municipal bathing areas across the lake, full with slides, diving platforms and swim out trampolines.

Summer time in Austria. Picture © Simon Miller/PlanetSKI

In fact the bulk of people that come to the mountains in the summertime come for climbing, climbing, biking, canyoning, paragliding and so on. Zell am See is not any exception, so having “cracked” crusing, we resolve that it’s time to go up the mountain.

First off eBiking.

The workers at Brundl Sports activities have our ebikes arrange earlier than we arrive and we’re quickly heading as much as meet mates on the Enzian Hütte for the compulsory schnitzel and Kaisersmarren, earlier than persevering with as much as the HundStein at 2177m.

eBikes are an absolute revelation.

With solely a modicum of effort we cowl huge distances, achieve some critical altitude and luxuriate in viewpoints that will in any other case not be doable to succeed in in single day with simply guide pedal energy.

Final summer time PlanetSKI’s James Cove was e-biking, and far else moreover, within the Tirol in Austria.

E-biking in the Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI

E-biking in Austria. Picture © PlanetSKI

Coming to the Alps with out doing a little bit of climbing looks like a missed alternative.

The vacationer workplace provides us dozens of choices to contemplate and we decide on the spectacular dams above close by Kaprun, eager to attempt the spectacular “By way of Ferrata” or fastened cable climb.

Attending to the beginning level is in itself a captivating journey involving a cable automobile, a funicular and a pair of quick bus rides by way of a warren of slim tunnels that burrow by way of the mountains.

As we strategy the top, the sheer scale of the dam reveals itself and the ebullient youngsters develop into noticeably quieter.

Summer time in Austria. Picture © Simon Miller/PlanetSKI

We meet our information who doles out helmets, gloves and most significantly a climbing belt with two carabiners to clip onto the fastened cable for security.

We zip wire in silence on to the dam from the place, regardless of the apparent vertiginous nature of “partitions”, it’s a reasonably simple climb to the highest – offered in fact that you just don’t look down.

Summer time in Austria. Picture © Simon Miller/PlanetSKI

While being a really common climber – extra a scrambler than correct climber, I’m all the time drawn by the prospect of attending to a peak with a cross.

I’m by no means fairly positive what determines whether or not a peak warrants a cross however I take this as a helpful information to worthwhile targets.

At 3203m, the Kitzsteinhorn is the areas highest mountain and with a carry system that takes you to just some hundred metres in need of the highest, this should absolutely be one of many best ascents within the Alps.

With an affordable head for heights and good footwear the scramble to the summit is completely doable for moderately match scramblers in good climate.

By utilizing lifts, you’re denied a way of accomplishment however regardless of.

You’re rewarded with great views of the Grossglockner (Austria’s highest mountain) and a possibility to toboggan on the glacier.

I’m all the time amazed on the sheer number of mountain based mostly summer time actions provided by Austrian resorts, however Zell am See with it’s balmy lake, brings a totally new dimension.

It’s a 2-for-1 summer time vacation mixing the perfect parts of a seashore vacation with conventional mountain pursuits.

And with unpleasantly excessive Mediterranean temperatures bordering on the damaging – summer time on a seashore of an Austrian lake is a good possibility.

Truth Field

Attending to Zell am See: British Airways to Salzburg, a brief bus to the principle station after which a 2 hour practice to Zell am See or rent a automobile to drive the 80kms. Resort: www.seevilla-freiberg.at/en

Information Workplace: www.alpinskischule.at/house.html

Vacationer Workplace: www.zellamsee-kaprun.com/en or www.austria.information/en

Crusing Faculty: www.segelschule-zellamsee.at

Enzian Hütte: www.berggasthof-zellamsee.at