Ski the SkiWelt Area Like a Local
One of the world's largest and most modern
Introduction
From early December to the end of March, more than 500 snow specialists keep 174 miles of slopes perfectly groomed, day after day. A favourable position on the northern rim of the Alps, north-facing pistes across open Alpine pasture terrain, and more than 1,800 snow guns give the SkiWelt excellent conditions for skiing, backed by GPS-guided grooming that measures snow depth to the inch.
The SkiWelt was a project of the community that started in 1977 when a group of visionary and regional thinkers from six villages linked up to form an interconnected "ski world" (where its name comes from) – a collaborative project deeply rooted in the region and an integral part of the region’s identity.
Since then, it has evolved into one of the world's largest and most modern ski resorts. With 174 miles of perfectly groomed slopes, the SkiWelt Area offers diverse skiing opportunities for all skill levels, set against breathtaking panoramic views of over 70 peaks above 9,800 feet, including the Wilder Kaiser mountain chain and Austria's highest mountain, the Großglockner.
The area features nine authentic mountain villages, each providing direct access to the pistes. These villages boast family-run accommodations and the highest density of mountain huts and inns in Austria (over 80), offering the best Tirolean hospitality and a full immersion into the local way of life.
The SkiWelt Area is ideal for families seeking numerous blue runs and wide, perfectly groomed slopes. It's perfect for young beginners, with free practice lifts in the valley and ski schools from age 2. Childcare is available for children starting at 5 months old. For more action, enjoy the fun parks, ski movie tracks, and toboggan tracks. Special offers are available throughout the winter season, ensuring a safe and valuable family experience.
Skiing season:
December 5, 2026 – March 29, 2027 (SkiWelt Ellmau is open until April 4, 2027)
SkiWelt ski pass
3-day pass from approx. $ 265
SuperSkiCard
for SkiWelt & Kitzbühel ski areas
3-day pass from approx. $ 268
Included in the INDY Pass
The Skiwelt Area from all perspectives
Why ski the SkiWelt Area
One of the largest and most modern ski areas in the world.
A family-run ski resort with 9 vibrant villages showcasing the local culture and traditions.
The villages offer ski-in/ski-out access and 20 valley runs; free shuttle buses between the villages.
Unique panoramic views of 70 peaks above 9,800 feet, including the Grossglockner (Austria's highest peak).
Connected to the Kitzbühel ski area, offering access to a total of 284 miles of slopes.
With 313 miles, the "KitzSkiWelt Tour" is the longest ski safari in the world.
Home to Austria's largest night skiing area.
The highest number of ski huts and inns in Austria.
Family-run accommodations across all categories, from apartments to 5-star luxury hotels.
Special deals for families & adults without children
Nearby cultural destinations like Innsbruck, Salzburg, or Munich – each only 1 hour away.
22 ski schools – all privately owned; childcare on the mountain (from 5 months).
Childcare for Infants (ages 5 months and up)
4 tips for things to do besides skiing
If you seek activities besides skiing, there's plenty to do in the SkiWelt Area. Here are some of the locals’ favourite activities:
Magical Winter Fun – Experience the magic of winter at SkiWelt Söll with a witches' rally on the winter hiking trail, a winter playground with a kids' ice-skating area, storytelling witches, popcorn by the fire, and lots of snow-filled fun.
Winter hiking trails up in the mountains – Take the gondola up into the mountains and explore the scenic winter hiking trails, which are surrounded by breathtaking views of the Wilder Kaiser and the Kitzbühel Alps. There are cosy mountain huts nearby to meet the skiers. Mulit-Day Hiking pass available.
Sledding – Daytime & Nighttime – Three daily groomed sledding runs offer exciting daytime and nighttime adventures for the whole family.
Day Trips – Salzburg, Innsbruck, Munich & Kitzbühel – Explore Salzburg, Innsbruck, Munich, or Kitzbühel, all within approximately 1-2 hours for culture, shopping, sightseeing, and the European old city charm.
Start with the first gondola in the morning and enjoy the freedom, peace, vastness, and panorama of the Wilder Kaiser, along with numerous peaks above 9,800 feet. Be the first to carve down the perfectly groomed slopes.
Anita Baumgartner, local ski enthusiast
5 top ski huts
Enjoy après-ski fun in the numerous ski huts in every village, whether you're looking for lively or quieter spots, there's something for everyone. Here are some of the local’s favourites:
Moonlightbar – A popular spot for après-ski in the valley with DJ sets and a fun atmosphere in Söll.
Rübezahl Alm – Cosy vibe with stunning mountain views on the mountain next to the slope in Ellmau.
Brixner Stadl – Known for its lively après-ski scene and great drinks in the heart of Brixen im Thale.
Sunnseithütte – A charming hut with a welcoming atmosphere right next to the slope in Hopfgarten.
Sonnalm – A perfect spot to unwind after a day on the slopes by an open fire in Westendorf.
5 culinary tips
Here, regional cuisine and Alpine hut culture shine through the 80 authentic huts and inns. Local cuisine is around every corner, with ample space, sunny terraces, traditional and modern dishes, true Tirolean hospitality, and stunning views. Here are some of the locals' favourite spots:
Gipfelalm Hohe Salve – Austria's highest rotating restaurant with stunning views near Austria's highest pilgrimage church.
Aualm Scheffau – A cosy, 400-year-old hut in Scheffau, offering traditional dishes made with its own farm products, in a warm atmosphere.
Rübezahl Ellmau – A charming spot in Ellmau offering a unique blend of rustic charm and modern comfort.
Sonnalm Westendorf – A hut in Westendorf, famous for its sunny terrace and delicious Tirolean cuisine with scenic views.
Kraftalm Itter – Known for its welcoming ambience, hearty local dishes, as well as lovingly run boutique hotel next to the slope in Itter.
The SkiWelt tour allows you to explore different routes independently each day without repeating a piste twice. Stop at a mountain hut to sample our local delicacies and savour the authentic taste of Austria!
Anita Baumgartner, local ski enthusiast
6 hotel & chalet tips
You’ll find a great variety of accommodations, ranging from cosy farmhouses and apartments to luxurious 5-star superior hotels – and most of them family-run! All options include an online 24/7 availability check. Here are some of the local's recommendations:
Kaiserhof Ellmau*****s – A family-run award-winning gem directly at the slopes with gourmet cuisine and stunning views.
Biohotel Stanglwirt***** – A 400-year-old world-renowned luxury spa resort and working organic farm in Going, with its own ski school, a kids farm, and a 129,000 ft² wellness area.
Beim Hochfilzer****s – Charming luxury chalets and hotel accommodations with special experiences like a tree house chalet and a sky sauna.
Kaiserlodge**** & Das Kaiser**** – Two connected hotels in Scheffau offering distinct concepts with ski-out access and separate adult and family spas.
Sportresort Hohe Salve**** – Directly at the base of the Hopfgarten cable car, known for its elaborate sports concept developed with Austrian ski jumping legend Toni Innauer.
Landhotel Schermer**** – A charming family-run hotel located in the village of Westendorf with direct access to the slopes.
Top-notch mountain innovations
When it comes to infrastructure, SkiWelt has invested in its energy supply and snowmaking technology and its continuous optimization. Here is what that looks like in practice:
Electricity pioneer:
SkiWelt has operated with 100% green electricity from Tirolean hydropower for over 20 years, while photovoltaic systems at lift stations and buildings allow the resort to generate part of its own energy. The 8-seater chairlift in Scheffau, opened in 2024, produces up to 50% of its own energy needs, while the small hydropower plant in Söll supplies around 25% of the annual energy demand — and 100% during summer.
Since summer 2025, SkiWelt’s mountain railway companies have been part of regional energy communities, allowing locally generated electricity to be shared directly with partners within the region. This keeps renewable energy close to where it is produced and used, helping create a more efficient and sustainable local energy cycle.
SkiWelt also makes use of heat generated by its mountain railway systems to warm mountain restaurants and garages, further reducing energy consumption.
Water: Thanks to state-of-the-art snow-measuring systems and GPS-fitted snow groomers, 20% of snow-making resources (electricity and water) are saved annually. They have always used water of drinking quality for snowmaking, and as the snow melts, the water is returned to nature.
Skiresort Test Winner: Sustainability:
Skiresort.com, the world's largest ski resort test portal, named SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental its Test Winner 2026 in the category "Sustainability". In the 2025/2026 season test, SkiWelt again received five out of five stars for environmentally friendly ski operations.
The SkiWelt "Ski Guarantee"
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental commits to skiing every day from early December to the end of March. Behind that promise: a favourable position on the northern rim of the Alps, north-facing pistes across open alpine pasture terrain, more than 1,800 snow guns, over 80 modern lifts, and more than 500 snow specialists on the mountain every day.
SkiWelt is part of the INDY Pass
As part of the Indy Pass, SkiWelt offers North American skiers and snowboarders access to one of Austria’s largest and most charming ski areas.
Top tip for families: The Family SkiWeeks Children up to the age of 15 can ski for free!
How to get to and around the SkiWelt Area
Closest airports
Here are the closest airports to the SkiWelt Area:
Innsbruck (approx. 49 miles)
Salzburg (approx. 49 miles)
Munich (approx. 85 miles)
Arriving by train
The closest train stations to the SkiWelt are Kufstein and Wörgl. From there, transfers are available for overnight guests. Direct connections are available from:
Innsbruck (approx. 30min)
Salzburg (approx. 1h 10min)
Munich (approx. 1h 10min)
Vienna (approx. 4h)
Zurich (approx. 4h)
Many of the SkiWelt villages have their own train stations and are connected via Kufstein or Wörgl (approx. 30 min – 1h).
Getting around
In the SkiWelt region, there's no need for a car!
The entire SkiWelt Area is interconnected for skiing, plus a connection to the Kitzbühel ski area.
In the Brixental Valley (Hopfgarten, Itter, Westendorf, Brixen im Thale), trains and buses are included with the guest card.
In Ellmau, Going, Scheffau, and Söll, ski buses are included and run frequently every day.
For airport transfers, we recommend Four Seasons Travel.
Explore Europe from the SkiWelt Area
Austria's central location makes it easy to extend your trip to other European destinations. Here are 8 destinations reachable from the SkiWelt Area in less than 8 hours by train:
Munich, Germany (approx. 1h)
Innsbruck, Austria (approx. 30 min)
Salzburg, Austria (approx. 1h)
Vienna, Austria (approx. 4h)
Zurich, Switzerland (approx. 4h)
Milan, Italy (approx. 5h 30min)
Venice, Italy (approx. 6h)
Paris, France (approx. 7h)
Tip to plan your visit:
Use the 360° SkiWelt Panorama Tour and the Interactive Piste Map to explore the region virtually!
FAQ
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental
Dorf 84
6303 Söll
Phone: +43 0 5333 400