The SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental takes some saying (so it’s just The SkiWelt …meaning “Ski world” to its friends) but then it takes some skiing with an incredible 270km of slopes, making it indeed one of the biggest areas in the ski world.
Over more than 30 years of working together, the SkiWelt has invested more than half a billion euros into creating not only one of the largest but also one of the most modern and successful ski destinations in the world.
© SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental Christian Kapfinger
But it’s not just about size, the SkiWelt is also one of Austria’s most modern and environmentally friendly ski resorts. It’s also about having a great holiday however much or little you choose to ski, and with a welcoming ski hut offering a warm welcome and fabulous food on average every 3.5km (just over two miles) of slopes you might be tempted to stop quite often.
This attitude to life, ensuring every aspect of your ski holiday is covered in a friendly, welcoming and comprehensive manner is known as “Lebensgefühl” to Austrians., Essentially it just means that everything is correctly in line for a perfect holiday.
The slopes interconnect above the region’s nine valley resorts of Brixen im Thale, Ellmau, Going, Hopfgarten, Itter, Kelchsau, Scheffau, Söll and Westendorf. Whichever you choose to stay in you’ll find the same access to all of the slopes, more great places to eat, lots more to do off the slopes and plenty of brilliant accommodation options. And it’s all only an hour’s drive from Salzburg, Innsbruck or Munich.
Skiing with children in the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental © SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental Marketing GmbH Mathaeus Gartner
Families are a big priority and the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental has been awarded the Tirolean Family Ski Area Seal of Quality. Everything has been designed for easy access and maximum convenience. Families will find lots of wide, gentle slopes, special children’s ski areas and ski schools and many other services including the excellent Alpine Igloo Village and fun-filled toboggan runs.
Finally, it’s good to know that the environment is a major concern for the region, which has been powered by exclusively renewable energy for many years and installed the world’s first solar-powered lift at SkiWelt Brixen in 2008. With a hydroelectric power plant which produces 25% of the annual energy required of the cable cars in Söll itself and the PV system on the roof of the new Eiberg cable car, which covers 50% of the annual energy required, the SkiWelt is on the right track towards its goal of becoming an energy self-sufficient ski resort.
The Ski Areas
The Skiwelt has over 275 kilometres of wonderfully wide, perfectly groomed slopes served by 81 comfortable, fast modern lifts. You can enjoy incredible panoramic views of more than 70 three thousand metre peaks from these pistes and along with runs for all ability levels, you’ll find more than 80 privately run huts and mountain restaurants so there’s always somewhere to take a break.
Skiing in the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental © SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental Tim Marcour
On most mountains, there’s a choice of blue, red or black descents so skiers of different abilities can choose different routes down but all meet at the bottom of the slopes each time.
There’s so much choice you can ski all day without needing to take the same run and lift twice, although there are so many great runs you’ll probably want to. The choices include 20 long valley runs.
One attraction many good skiers won’t want to miss is the longest ski circuit in the world which takes you not just across the slopes of SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental but also into the neighbouring KitzSki area on an 88km (55 mile) odyssey! The amazing KitzSkiWelt Tour also takes you over 17,000 vertical metres in altitude as you ski from Tirol into the province of Salzburg and back. You can also start and finish at any village in the SkiWelt (the longest route is from Going am Wilden Kaiser to Hollersbach and back) and it can be tackled in one or more days.
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental © SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental Marketing GmbH Dietmar Denger
There’s also the SkiWelt Tour which is a tour through the entire ski area. Depending on the tour variant, you can ski 69 – 84 kilometers on the slopes. You can choose different routes, and durations and again can start and finish in any village, but best of all you never have to use the same lift or ski run twice (unless you want to).
If skiing all day isn’t enough for you, there’s Austria’s largest night skiing area in Söll, with 10km of slopes open from Wednesday to Saturday.
At the other end of the day, from 14 February 2025 onwards, the section of SkiWelt Brixen and SkiWelt Westendorf will offer early access slopes free of charge from 7.30 am every Friday and Saturday. Lucky early risers will find 22 kilometres of freshly groomed slopes waiting at sunrise. In addition, as soon as the days start getting longer, from the end of January, the entire SkiWelt will also extend its daily afternoon opening hours to provide even more skiing fun for the same price.
Beyond all those kilometres of piste there are additional fun areas for freestylers and just playing in the snow. These include three fun parks, speed and ski movie trails and self-timed race tracks, all working automatically with your lift pass.
Skiing with children i© SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental Marketing GmbH Dietmar Denger
Families feel especially welcome at the enchanted children’s birthday party and the Winter Night Witchcraft at SkiWelt Söll, which are top attractions. The new winter playground invites children to romp around in the snow and also offers a natural ice rink on the mountain. There’s also the Raven Rally for kids which starts at the “Rabennest” (top station), then it’s off across SkiWelt Söll to track down the ravens that have flown away. In the Raven’s Nest, you will find coins with different motifs from the witch’s treasure. On the treasure hunt, you might even discover the witches on the slopes!
There are 22 professional ski schools in the region, each with their own children’s divisions, as well as mini and toddler supervision on the mountain. What’s more, there are free ski passes for children up to 15 years of age for three days or more during the low season. In addition, where families with toddlers up to three years old, with an interchangeable 3-14 day pass for mum and dad to keep costs down.
Activities
There’s plenty to do on the slopes and in the villages of The SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, even if you are a winter visitor who doesn’t plan to ski but enjoys being in the stunning beauty of the mountains under snow.
There are three floodlit toboggan runs that are groomed daily and equipped with snowmaking. The Hexenritt and Moon toboggan runs at SkiWelt Söll and the Astberg toboggan run at SkiWelt Ellmau/Going are all about curves and speed (toboggans can be hired on site).
For cross-country skiers, there are approx.150 km of tracks to enjoy with tracks suited to different abilities, from complete beginners to experts, and rental and tuition available. You will also find ice skating opportunities and if you’re feeling brave the chance of the exhilaration of a tandem paragliding flight with an experienced pilot.
Skiing in the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental © SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental Marketing GmbH Dietmar Denger
Ascending to the peaks to enjoy stunning views and great food in mountain huts isn’t just for skiers. Winter hikers in the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental have the choice of 13 panoramic gondolas and cable car lifts with the hiker’s lift pass that provides quick, comfortable access to viewpoints across the region with more than 70 three-thousand-metre peaks from the Wilder Kaiser to Austria’s highest peak the Grossglockner to be seen. Pass holders may make two ascents and descents daily (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) and it’s valid for all SkiWelt lifts (except KiWest).
An ascent to the Hohe Salve (1829m), home Austria’s highest pilgrimage church and Austria’s highest revolving restaurant, as well as stunning views, is a must for most. Brandstadl, at 1650m Scheffau’s mountain station, is home to an inspiring summit cross which is also accessible in winter via a groomed winter hiking trail next to the piste. From the top of the Astberg, you can either follow a hiking path or whizz down the toboggan run back down to Going or Ellmau. Or from Hartkaiser there’s a beautiful winter hiking path through the magical forest in “Ellmi’s Zauberwelt” and a hut-to-hut hike is possible too. Choralpe offers a unique panorama over the entire SkiWelt.
Dining
There are hundreds of restaurants and cafes ready to welcome you across The SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental. In the different villages, you’ll find both family-run businesses serving traditional mountain cuisine, as well as stylish modern restaurants with international specialities on their menus.
Up above, there are more than 80 great mountain huts, each with a particular attraction all of its own. Some of the best known however include Gipfelalm Hohe Salve, a family business with a father and son team running the kitchen. There are amazing 360° views of over 70 x 3000m peaks and a revolving restaurant. Award-winning for its fabulous regional cuisine, it’s located right next to Austria’s highest pilgrimage church “Salvenkirchlein”.
Culinary delights in the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental © SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental Marketing GmbH Dietmar Denger
The slopeside Aualm in SkiWelt Scheffau serves up local cuisine much of it using ingredients grown on the family farm. There is a great sun terrace and you can even stay here in a slopeside apartment.
The Rübezahl-Alm at SkiWelt Ellmau was originally a stable when it was built in 1778 but for more than 50 years now has been a mountain hut. It’s a rustic property with an open fire but is famed for its striking wooden figures deemed “quaint companions and great wood spirits”. These have helped make it a popular establishment with celebs and TV chefs. It’s also received a Falstaff award: 4 Edelweiss (95/100 points) for its exquisite cuisine.
Treichlhof in Ellmau Going was built in 1974 then remodelled in 2002 and is a much more modern establishment. Located on the Ellmau descent of the Astberg toboggan run it offers great views.
The KRAFTalm Itter has been run by the same family since 1909, now in its fifth generation. The building was extended and enlarged from a hunting lodge to a modern, chic 29-room alpine hotel but still serves fabulous food.
The traditional, rustic Sonnalm–Westendorf located at the Alpenrosenbahn middle station is a meeting point for skiers and winter hikers. The hut is owned by a musical family and is also a meeting point for musicians at music events, gathering around the open fireplace.
The Filzalm at the foot of the Hohe Salve above Brixen im Thale is an intimate mountain hut with just eight tables and has been welcoming guests longer than any other establishment in the region, four centuries. It was renovated in 2017 but in the traditional style.
Besides the great choice of restaurants and huts in the resorts and the mountains, you can also choose to indulge in dining experiences such as the gourmet evening in the sparkling wine gondola of the Hexenwasser (“Witches’ Water”) gondola lift.
Events
There’s always something happening on and off the slopes of the SkiWelt!
In the run-up to the festive period, you’ll find Ellmi’s Zauberhafter Bergadvent, also known as Europe’s highest Christmas land, up at 1,555m. It’s open from 4.30 – 10.00 pm on the weekends of 6-7th, 13-14th and 20-21st December, 2025.
Winter Woodstock in the Brixental © TVB Brixental Julian Quirchmair
From March 21st-23rd 2025, it’s time to celebrate the traditional music of the region with the unique Winterwoodstock of brass music which will see over 40 bands take to four stages over the three days.
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Main Image Sunset in the SkiWelt © SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental Marketing GmbH Dietmar Denger
