When it comes to ski holidays, Italy is usually my destination of choice. This year though, my friends convinced me to expand my horizons and give Austria a try. And I’ll admit it, I’m a convert.

Zell am See’s tree-lined trails, wide pistes and après hotspots are a recipe for instant infatuation. Getting there’s a breeze with Jet2.com too, thanks to direct flights to Salzburg Airport, which is around an hour and a half away.

The resort

This cute-as-a-button resort has alpine charm by the bucketload. The cobbled streets are lined with cosy bars and restaurants, and the waterfront promenade calls for snowy strolls. Endless adventurous offerings are part and parcel here, both on and off the mountain. Head down to the ice rink and watch the local ice hockey team or soak away the soreness in one of the spas. If you’re visiting with kids, there’s also an indoor swimming pool, complete with a children’s pirate-themed area.

The slopes

Whether you’re looking for hold-onto-your-helmet blacks or confidence-building blues, there’s a run with your name on it. I travelled with a large group of mixed abilities and the 138km ski area was more than enough to keep us busy all week. I’d recommend spending the first few days enjoying the cruisy runs around the CityXpress and AreitXpress gondolas. Once you’ve conquered that side of the mountain, head across to Sonnenalm and tick off the medley of reds. Seasoned pro? Take on the Trass, one of the longest black runs in the SalzburgerLand region. With a gradient of up to 70% and a vertical drop of 1,000m, it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted! And if all that wasn’t enough, you can also hop on the bus to neighbouring Kaprun for high-altitude skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier.

Top tip: On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Ebenbergbahn chairlift stays open until 8.30pm. Enjoy some night skiing on a floodlit piste and enjoy views of the twinkling town. This can be subject to change, so please check online for up-to-date information.

The après

Steins of beer? Euro pop? Table dancing? I’d heard a lot about Austrian après, and it didn’t disappoint. Crazy Daisy was one of our favourite spots, with live bands playing daily. Rubix Bar was another highlight, filled with retro ski memorabilia. If chilled and cheerful is more your vibe, there’s plenty of places that will be right up your street. Gin fan? Make a beeline for the Ginhouse and you’ll have over 1,000 different types to choose from!

As for the dining, there’s everything from traditional Austrian restaurants to French, Italian and Asian eateries. We had a delicious dinner at Deins and Meins, which is particularly good for vegetarians and vegans. And if you’re in need of some fuel while you’re out and about, Eder Hütte serves up all the usual hearty, mountain staples. Order the lasagne and thank me later!