SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental Ski Resort Austria

SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental ski resort is one of the largest interlinked skiing area in Austria - though they claim to be the largest (we reckon Ski Arlberg - St Anton et al is larger ..... & better!). Regardless of which is bigger, the SkiWelt has something for everyone looking for a quintessential Austrian ski holiday, but on the piste!

Pros & Cons for SkiWelt Ski Resort

Pros

• Long skiable vertical of over 1,330m.
• Vast network of lifts & groomed ski trails.
• Sensational quality on-piste trails for beginner & intermediate skiers & snowboarders.
• Excellent value lift pass.
• Public transport access by train & bus is fantastic.
• Over 80 mountain huts to satisfy every restaurant & bar need imaginable.
• Authentic villages with high quality accommodation options.

Cons

• Questionable snow quality on the lower piste trails.
• Low elevation villages may not have natural snow for much of winter.
• Limited advanced & quality off-piste terrain.

Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)

• Lots of villages to choose from- maybe too many for some.
• Extremely popular ski area with massive visitation numbers.

Skiing & Snowboarding, Lift & Terrain

The SkiWelt has huge statistics - over 275km of piste trails, 81 major ski lifts & a total skiable vertical in the realms of 1,337m on north, south & east-aspect terrain. The caveat though is the comparatively low elevation of the bases; the lowest of which is Hopfgarten-im-Brixental at 620m. The nine main villages of the SkiWelt are all linked by lift and super-groomed piste trails to allow for epic ski explorations of the classic Tyrolean countryside. It is possible to ski long on-piste descents of over 1,200m vertical from Hohe Salve (1,829m) into Hopfgarten village (620m), and over 1,000m vertical from Choralpe (1,820m) into Westendorf village (802m).

Get a sense of the vastness of the skiing area by viewing the SkiWelt ski trail map below.

SkiWelt Ski Trail Map

Lift passes for the entire SkiWelt are well priced (compared to the rest of the world!) & split between a low and high season. High Season prices apply from the period just before Christmas to about mid-March. Low Season prices (up to €8.50 cheaper than High Season) are applicable either side of high season.

The low altitude base suggests a visit to the SkiWelt is best in January or February. Off-piste & freeride skiing & snowboarding is not hugely supported within the ski area (something we find a tad strange), however it statistically ranks as one of the most popular ski regions in the world (i.e. based on its huge visitation rates).

If your ski proclivities are more tuned toward advanced or freeride off-piste & powder, a better option is the adjacent KitzSki area including renown Kitzbühel & Kirchberg; or a little further on, the Skicircus and its marvellous sectors in Saalbach, Hinterglemm or better still, Fieberbrunn.

Where is SkiWelt Austria?

Named after the peak of the Wilder Kaiser that looms over one valley (and is ever present on the northern horizon regardless of where one is!) & the Brixental (tal = valley) on the opposite side of the resort, SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental is in the iconic Austrian state of Tyrol (Tirol). The SkiWelt village of Hopfgarten is only 71km east of Innsbruck.

The train is the recommended mode of travel to the region. Travel to Hopfgarten & two other SkiWelt villages (Westendorf & Brixen im Thale) is an easy train ride from Innsbruck (<1hr travel time) or Munich via Wörgl (2hr). The airports at Innsbruck (INN), Salzburg (SZG) & Munich (MUC) are the most convenient to the region. Munich is the one for all non-European/UK residents.

Search & book train tickets to Hopfgarten, Westendorf or Brixen im Thale.

For hints, tips & warnings about getting to Austrian ski resorts in winter, see our Travel in Austria page.

SkiWelt Accommodation

The SkiWelt comprises nine villages spread through two valleys. The villages of Brixen in Thale, Hopfgarten, Westendorf, Ellmau, Going, Itter, Kelchsau, Scheffau & Söll (or Soll, or Soell!!) all provide the full range of accommodations including ski-in ski-out options, both high on the mountains & lower down near the main lift bases.

Search & book all SkiWelt accommodation.

The best village to stay in is Brixen-im-Thale. It has a train station, numerous accommodation options, lift bases that connect to both sectors of the resort, plus is close to Kirchberg-Kitzbuhel (which you should visit!). Try the exceptional Das Heimsitz Hotel Apartments.

The next best village location in Hopfgarten-im-Brixental. Closest to Innsbruck, it has a train station, loads of quality accommodations & a gondola lift linking into the heart of the resort. Check out the superb Sportresort Hohe Salve.

In the northern part of the resort, Ellmau has the widest range of lodging options in a lively town, with loads of lifts heading up into the north-aspect slopes. It also has some of the resort’s few 5-star hotels, including the classic ski-in ski-out Hotel Kaiserhof.

Ski Rentals, Lessons & Guiding

Ski equipment rentals are available in all the Ski Welt villages. Receive a discount when you search & book via our SkiWelt Ski & Snowboard Rental page.

Compare, search & book ski & snowboard lessons or mountain guiding on the listings below.

Review

The Powderhounds may review the SkiWelt at some point, but we are in no hurry. We tried in 2019 but were thwarted by a series of unfortunate events and we all know what happened in 2020! More information is coming once we visit and cast our super judgmental eye across a resort that has previously stated to us that they are not supportive of off-piste freeride - go figure! Stay tuned for our photos & insights.

See how the Austrian ski resorts compare on the Austria ski resort ratings page or compare the rest of Europe on the European ski resort ratings page.

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