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The SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental is one of the largest and most modern ski areas in the world, with eight direct access points to more than 275km of perfect pistes and panoramic views of more than 70 peaks topping 3,000m. Served by 81 modern lifts, and with 3 fun parks, 3 floodlit toboggan runs and 80 family-run rustic mountain huts, this ski domain just one hour from airports at Salzburg, Innsbruck and Munich will satisfy every level of skier. Here’s how a week here might look:
Day 1: Arrival & Local Village Warm-Up
Whichever one of the area’s nine charming villages you’re based in, such as Ellmau, Söll, or Scheffau, all are centrally located within the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental ski area. Once you’ve settled in, let the fun begin with a gentle afternoon winter hike or a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snowy hamlets and forests. Then enjoy a quiet dinner at a local award-winning restaurant – Hotel Kaiserblick or Hotel Kaiserhof in Ellmau are both excellent choices.
Day 2: SkiWelt Exploration & Iconic Views
Time to get out there and start to explore. You’ll find plenty of terrain of all types, with 20 satisfying valley runs to try. Around 120 km of the total 275km of runs come with a blue rating – making them perfect for beginners. There are also special practice areas with flattish hills and magic carpets. For some of the best panoramic views, take the Hohe Salve cable car to the high point of the Söll sector - top features include the Gipfelalm revolving terrace restaurant – ideal for a lunch with a view.
After a day’s skiing, sample the après-ski. Every sector has its favourites, such as the KaiserLounge at the top of the Hartkaiserbahn gondola in Ellmau, for chill-out tunes and mountain vistas, Hexenalm in Söll or Sunnseithütte above Hopfgarten.
Day 3: Piste Highlights & Rustic Mountain Huts
Expand your horizons. Ski red and blue pistes around Scheffau and Ellmau, ski through forests, and try to spot lesser-known runs that weave off the main circuits. And stop at valley huts like the atmospheric Rübezahl-Alm. A real destination spot, this rustic gem, built in 1778, is famed for its cozy décor and hearty fare. Another great lunch spot is the Aualm in Scheffau – a slopeside family-run hut offering farm-fresh produce and scenic sun-terrace views.
Many huts provide authentic experiences with rustic charm, sun terraces, and classic Tyrolean fare, and range from casual, self-service spots to more upscale restaurants, providing a variety of atmospheres to suit different preferences. With so many to choose from, every guest is sure to make many favourites.
Day 4: Ski Touring & Off-Piste Challenges
Time for a challenge. From wherever you’re based, try the newly-signposted Ski Welt Tour. You can ski this exciting circuit clockwise (green route, 69km) or anti-clockwise (orange route, 84km). The great thing about either direction is that you won’t have to ski the same run twice! Whichever you decide, be aware that the SkiWelt Tour is very much a full-on, full-day activity. If you do indeed want to complete the full circuit in one day, it’s best not to include a long lunch break!
For a different kind of skiing workout, try ski-touring from Wochenbrunner Alm: for a challenging ascent: head to Ellmauer Gruttenkopf (1,887m) or for a classic, gentler tour: the Ellmauer Tor ascent offers panoramic scenery and a satisfying descent back to Wochenbrunner Alm for a mountain hut bite.
Day 5: Winter Hiking & Snowshoeing
You can, of course, carry on skiing, but for a change why not swap skis for snowshoes or hiking boots and choose from 140-170 km of groomed winter hiking trails through ghostly forests and alpine valleys. Popular routes include Kaiseralm (a moderately difficult 2.5hr round-trip), a scenic plateau hike from Ellmau to Biedringer Platte and the frozen lake views on a walk by Hintersteiner See.
Day 6: Tobogganing & Cultural Detours
As well as more time on skis, a toboggan ride is an essential part of the winter holiday experience for families. At the Wilder Kaiser, the gondolas in Söll and Going/Ellmau take you quickly and easily up to the start points of the winter toboggan runs. So, families can enjoy a thrilling 4.5km toboggan run down Astberg in Going, floodlit for evening sledging, with hut stops en route such as Treichlhof. It’s worth noting that although this is a ‘medium’ rated downhill run it is, nevertheless, suitable for families – the first, steeper, part can be bypassed via the Brenneralm. The overall descent takes about 20-25 minutes.
If you prefer an ‘easy’ rated run, try the floodlit Moon toboggan run in Söll. While it’s 4km long, the run, which is more than 8m wide, with only a few turns and curves, with plenty of room to overtake.
For something completely different, why not take a cultural break from the slopes, and visit Kufstein Fortress for history and spectacular views.
Day 7: Hidden Gems & Scenic Finale
Explore some of the more off-the-radar huts including Anton Karg Haus, tucked away in the quiet and scenic Kaisertal valley with dramatic limestone surroundings; Kaindl Hut on Steinbergalm a serene alpine meadow under the Wilder Kaiser peaks and Stöffl Hut at Walleralm – a historic 350-year-old farm hut, in peaceful and panoramic surroundings, near Hintersteiner See. Choose your mode – snowshoe, light hike, or taxi to reach and enjoy wicked views with fewer crowds.
Cap the day with a farewell plate of Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancakes) on the sun terrace of Jägerhütte on Hartkaiser, or a cozy meal in Going.
Perfect for families
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental is ranked among the most family- and child-friendly ski resorts. It really is an ideal ski area for families: wide, gentle groomed pistes, many blue slopes and valley runs and countless experiences for kids, including childcare services and 22 ski schools, each with their own children’s area. Three fun parks and the ‘Hans im Glück’ ski course in Söll, Ellmau and Westendorf offer exciting thrills, and teens will also want to try the fun SkiMovie giant slalom course in Scheffau, the SkiMovie ski cross in Söll & SkiMovie carving turn in Westendorf.
What else can families expect in the Wilder Kaiser?
Toboggan time!
The many natural, well-groomed toboggan runs have made the Wilder Kaiser region a popular destination for sledging fans and offer a hugely enjoyable way for families to enjoy the mountains together. Four family-friendly toboggan runs with a combined length of more than 12 km, and some artificially snow-covered sections will get you up to speed in no time.
The cable cars in Söll and Going take you quickly and comfortably up to the starting points. And even at dusk the fun is far from over: no fewer than four floodlit toboggan runs ensure lots of sledging fun at night. You can easily rent the right equipment at the many rental stations in Ellmau, Going, Scheffau and Söll.
Winter Wonderland
At the Winter Hexenwasser in Hochsöll, little snow witches and winter wizards will find an enchanted winter wonderland to enjoy with a natural ice skating rink, winter playground, fun magic carpet for first skiing experiences, and a sunny meadow. Meanwhile, in the heated gingerbread house, children can borrow sledging and play equipment free of charge. The witches will read fairy tales and light fires.
A winter hiking trail leads to the Stöcklalm. At the beginning of January, the area transforms into an impressive snow sculpture exhibition, where visitors can also marvel at the creation of the sculptures.
To find out more about winter holidays in the Ski Welt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental, go to wilderkaiser.info
