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The beautiful winter wonderland at Wilder Kaiser-Brixental
Ponderful views, being active in a beautiful winter landscape, delicious food. Cozy après-ski or just relax completely. It's all possible in the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental ski area. A large ski area that is ideal for beginners and families with children.
The area is of course perfect for skiing and snowboarding. However, you can also go cross-country skiing, winter hiking and tobogganing. There are also plenty of wellness possibilities if you want to relax. And all that is easy to reach by car or plane.
The characteristics of the SkiWelt in Wilder Kaiser-Brixental are shown in the table below. In the table you will also find the ski pass price and a link to the piste map of the ski area Wilder Kaiser Brixental.
|
Quarks SkiWelt in Wilder Kaiser-Brixental |
|
| Highest point | 1860 metres |
| Lowest point | 620 metres |
| Total kilometres of pistes | 284 |
| Blue slopes | 122 kilometres |
| Red slopes | 129 kilometres |
| Black slopes | 33 kilometers |
| Villages in the ski area | Scheffau,Ellmau,Going,
Westendorf, Brixen im Thale, Söll, Hopfgarten in Brixental, Kufstein, Kelchsau, Itter |
| Snow security | Moderate |
| Après-ski possibilities | Very good |
| Child-Friendliness | Good |
| Oportunities for beginners | Very good |
| advanced options | Moderate |
| Post ski pass (6 days) in 2018 | € 249 |
| Extra possibilities ski pass | SuperSkipass |
| Total kilometres of pistes SuperSkipas | 2396 (1040 blue, 1117 red, 239 black) |
| Post SuperSkipas (6 days) in 2018 | € 272 |
| Average price for a lunch on the slopes | € 5 - € 20 |
| Price ski lessons (4 days x 4 hours) | € 150 - € 200 |
| Best travel period | January, February |
| Travel time from Innsbruck airport | 1 hour |
| Distance to Utrecht | 900 kilometers |
| Pistecards | Pistekaart Wilder Kaiser-Brixental |
| More information | Skiwelt.at |
The ski area SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental is one of the most popular and largest ski areas in Austria. With the normal ski pass you have no less than 284 kilometres of pistes at your disposal here. The ski pass is valid for Ellmau, Westendorf, Brixen im Thale and the other villages in the ski area. By the way, the name of the area refers to the most important mountain in the skiing area: Wilder Kaiser. Brixental is the valley.
Do you want even more opportunities for skiing or snowboarding? For example if you go on winter sports for two weeks? Then you can also opt for a Superskipas. This umbrella ski pass gives access to 23 ski areas in Austria. From SkiWelt you can use the SuperSkiPass for a day trip to Kitzbühel-Kirchberg. There is a gondola and downhill run that brings both ski areas very close together. You only have to take the ski bus for a short distance to get to Kitzbühel-Kirchberg. Also a day by car or ski bus to Mayrhofen or Zell am See is good to do.
| Village | Height (m) | Downhill | Lift | Snowproof | Price | Authentic village | Après-ski | For children | Achievable |
| Westendorf | 802 | + | + | +/- | +/- | + | ++ | + | + |
| Ellmau | 820 | + | + | +/- | +/- | + | + | ++ | + |
| Söll | 703 | + | + | +/- | +/- | + | + | +/- | + |
| Brixen im Thale | 794 | + | + | +/- | +/- | +/- | + | +/- | + |
| Scheffau | 752 | + | + | +/- | +/- | +/- | - | +/- | + |
| Hopfgarten im Brixental | 620 | + | + | +/- | + | + | +/- | + | + |
| Itter | 705 | + | + | +/- | +/- | + | - | ++ | + |
| Going | 798 | + | + | +/- | +/- | + | - | + | + |
| Kufstein | 499 | - | - | +/- | + | +/- | - | +/- | + |
| Kelchsau | 790 | + | + | +/- | + | + | - | + | + |
The most famous villages within the ski area are Ellmau and Westendorf. Ellmau is known as an authentic and atmospheric village. It is centrally located in the ski area at the foot of the mountain Wilder Kaiser. With a modern 10-person ski lift you are quickly in the heart of the ski area. Hence the appropriate name of this lift: Hartkaiserbahn.
Sharacteristics Ellmau:
Westendorf is a little more on the edge of the ski area. It is a charming authentic village with a striking church, several restaurants, shops and pubs. The main road runs outside the village and the centre is car-free. Westendorf is mainly known for its cozy après-ski. In high season it is full of Dutch people. Just like Ellmau by the way. You will also find in the village several wellness possibilities.
The other villages in the ski area are Scheffau, Going, Brixen im Thale, Söll, Hopfgarten in Brixental, Kufstein, Kelchsau and Itter. All authentic villages and each village has different characteristics. Going and Scheffau am Wilder Kaiser ski area are for example wonderfully quiet. Söll is the most centrally located ski area in Austria. The castle in Itter is a real eye-catcher. Kufstein is the only village without a lift connection. By ski bus or car you can reach the first ski lifts of SkiWelt within 15 minutes. Kelchsau has its own isolated ski area. If you want to go to the SkiWelt ski area, you have to take the ski bus to Hopfgarten.
The Wilder Kaiser-Brixental ski area is ideal for beginners. In almost all villages you will find simple blue slopes for practice. With a little experience you can already make beautiful tours through the entire SkiWelt. The blue valley run from the Brandstadl to Scheffau is highly recommended for beginners. You bridge almost one kilometre difference in altitude.
For beginners there are also a number of small ski areas around Kufstein. Thiersee and Zahmer Kaiser for example. And also Kelchsau has its own isolated ski area. In contrast to the rest of the SkiWelt, these small areas are wonderfully quiet. As an advanced you can slalom in Kelchsau by the way. For advanced skiers and boarders there are several red and some black slopes from which you can whizz. The mountains are not very high and steep. For a real challenge you better choose another ski area.
Competitions are regularly held at the Westendorf fun park
Tip: Do you want to make miles? Then follow the marked SkiWelt tour that you can pick up and leave in each village. The green tour goes clockwise and is 80 kilometers long. The reverse orange tour is 90 kilometers long. The SkiWelt tour guarantees beautiful descents and beautiful views.
A fine advantage of the skiing area are the many downhill runs. In almost every village you can ski down at the end of the day. Due to the low altitude of the ski area, the valley slopes are not always open. This depends on the temperature and the amount of snow. In Westendorf and Söll you can also ski at night on a floodlit piste. Nice to do once! Winter hiking, ice-skating, sledding, tobogganing and cross-country skiing are also possible in the ski area.
Longlaufing can be done very well in SkiWelt
In Westendorf, for example, you will find an extensive cross-country skiing network. Ellmau and Scheffau are known for their beautiful winter hiking trails. In Itter you will find Schloss Itter, a beautiful castle. Here you can enjoy culinary specialties. Tobogganing is good in Going and Kufstein.
The Wilder Kaiser-Brixental ski area is very child-friendly. In various villages you will find children's countries, practice meadows and simple blue slopes. In addition, the ski pass for young children is free of charge (under 5/6 years of age). Children can therefore learn to ski in this ski area. However, it can be busy in high season. Ellmau is the most child-friendly village in the SkiWelt. You will find many practice slopes and a children's area in the village. With the gondola you get to several simple blue slopes
Rondom Kufstein are a number of small ski areas, such as Thiersee and Zahmer Kaiser. Kelchsau has its own ski area with a practice lift in the valley. These smaller ski areas are ideal for very young children to learn skiing or snowboarding in peace and quiet. For older children, the ski area is nicely arranged. Many simple slopes and nowhere is it really steep.
The best villages for children in the Wilder Kaiser-Brixental ski area are:
SkiWelt isn't very high. Wilder Kaiser-Brixental is therefore moderately snowy. Especially on the side of Brixen im Thale and Hopfgarten, the snow cover in the ski area is regularly a bit thin. On the higher stretches, the snow conditions are much better. In the winter there is always enough snow for skiing and snowboarding. The snow security is highest in January and February. When there is little snowfall, countless snow cannons are used to keep the slopes white. This means that you can still ski in December and April.
In the villages there is generally little snow because of the low altitude. Only when it is cold and after heavy snowfall it is nice and white.
SkiWelt is a cozy ski area and has the necessary après-ski. Especially Westendorf is known for its many après-ski possibilities. Both directly after skiing and in the evening. The afternoons are very cozy at the Bruchstall and Gerri's Inn. In the evening you can party in Westendorf, for example at the Moskitobar. Think of lots of drinks, a hossing crowd, sing-alongs and performances by Dutch artists.
Also in Ellmau you will find a number of cosy après-ski tents. In this village it is not nearly as exuberant partying as in Westendorf. Especially in the evening it is a lot quieter. The afternoons in Ellmau are very cosy. Visit the Ellmauer Alm. In Söll there is also plenty to do in the field of après-ski. Both at the lifts and in the village. It is a bit less exuberant and a bit more international than in Westendorf.
Brixen im Thale is in the sandwich between the two après-ski hotspots Westendorf and Kirchberg. In the village you will find pubs where you can have a drink in the afternoon. If you really want to party, you have to take the car. Within a few minutes you are in Westendorf and within fifteen minutes in Kirchberg. Going, Itter and Scheffau have virtually no après-ski. Here you really come for peace and quiet. Also Hopfgarten is quite quiet in terms of après-ski, but there are a number of cozy pubs. Kufstein does not have its own ski area and therefore no real après-ski. You can have a drink in one of the bars or restaurants.
If your apres ski is important then book a hotel or apartment in the following villages:
You want to get some rest then go to:
In order to fully enjoy winter sports in Austria, it is nice if you can do a little skiing or snowboarding. Especially for beginners and children it is wise to arrange ski or snowboard lessons. Therefore choose a suitable ski school in Ellmau, Westendorf or one of the other villages. Almost every ski school has its own website for more info.
You can opt for group lessons or private lessons. Private lessons are a lot more expensive, but you often master the skills faster. For adults and children ski lessons cost between € 120 and € 200. This amount applies for four four-hour lesson days. At lunchtime you often have lunch with your ski class. For a private lesson you will quickly lose more than € 200 for four hours.
In the ski area Wilder Kaiser-Brixental you can eat very well. There are several cosy mountain huts on the slopes. Just like large and modern restaurants. Enjoy traditional dishes such as Tirol gröstl, Käsespätzle and Kaiserschmarren. Or go for a hearty stuffed soup, a salad or a large plate of fries with meat. The prices are fine. For a lunch on the mountain you pay on average between 5 and 20 euros. In many huts, lunch almost effortlessly turns into après-ski.
In the villages of the Wilder Kaiser-Brixental ski area you will find numerous hotels, chalets, apartments and guesthouses. There is something for every budget. From simple and cheap guesthouses to super luxurious and expensive star hotels. SkiWelt is not expensive. The price of the ski pass in SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental is slightly below the average for Austrian standards. Prices for accommodation and food in most villages are also average.
Westendorf is a bit more expensive, especially the accommodations. Here a lot of money is often spent on après-ski. Not necessarily because of the high prices of the drinks, but mainly because of the quantity. Kelchsau and Going am Wilder Kaiser are cheaper than the other villages in this ski area in Austria. This is mainly due to the location. The villages have no lift to the ski area SkiWelt. Also in Hopfgarten it is easy to find cheap accommodation because of the size of the village.
The ski area is very popular and can be quite busy. Especially at weekends and during holiday periods, waiting times at the lifts and crowds on the slopes are not uncommon. If you know the area a little bit, you can avoid the worst crowds.
The SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental is easily accessible. You cross the border at Kufstein and drive the last part of the way along the main road to the different villages. On changeover days and during the holidays it can be busy.
Snow chains and winter tyres are recommended if you go on winter sports to Austria. It can be quite snowy. Winter tyres are mandatory in Germany and Austria in winter conditions. Don't forget a vignette for the motorway. You can order a vignette online at the ANWB or buy one on the way from a petrol station.
By plane to Wilder Kaiser-Brixental is also possible. From Innsbruck airport you can take a taxi to your destination within an hour.
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental guarantees a beautiful winter landscape, well groomed slopes, good food, lots of fun or just wonderful peace and quiet. An excellent destination for a top holiday in the Austrian snow! The ski area is also beautiful in summer. Compare below all holidays and providers to Wilder Kaiser-Brixental.
