Charmingly vast.
275 kilometres of pistes, zero chance of boredom.
Automate
Modern lifts speed up the flow, keeping queues surprisingly short even on peak days.
Integrate
The SkiWelt Tour links all villages: green clockwise, orange anti-clockwise, always with a view of the Wilder Kaiser.
Innovate
100% green electricity since 2002 and GPS-guided piste groomers reduce artificial snow to what is truly needed.
Diversify
From night-skiing in Söll to an igloo village near Brixen; the region keeps adding fresh experiences.
Incidentally, SkiWelt feels a bit like a Swiss Army knife: compact yet packed with functionality..
Why everyone finds their place here.
Distances melt away.
With 81 lifts, a top altitude of 1,964 metres and valley runs to every village, you can ski from breakfast to après-ski without ever boarding a bus.
Food tastes better at altitude.
More than 80 timber huts serve Kaiserschmarrn as well as surprisingly Asian bowls – plenty of variety, in other words.
Families benefit from kids’ areas next to the village lifts
Adventurers tackle black run 112 with an 80% gradient
Epicureans plan a culinary SkiWelt Tour across five huts
Night owls party until 03:00 in Westendorf or Ellmau
Title and story intertwined? This is how..
Step 1: Touch down beneath the Wilder Kaiser..
Fly into Innsbruck or Munich, drive just under 90 minutes to Kufstein, buy your vignette there and let the anticipation build. The final 11 kilometres to the villages wind gently yet remain easily drivable under normal conditions.
Step 2: Choose the right basecamp..
Hopfgarten for a central location, Westendorf for après-ski, Ellmau for families. Each village has its own vibe and direct lift. Interesting to note: wrong choices are rare here; the SkiWelt Tour passes every village.
Step 3: Book equipment and lessons smartly..
Reserve rental skis online and they will be waiting in a heated depot. Lessons? Scheffau and Going offer Dutch-speaking instructors, while children from 16 months can already glide in KinderKaiserland.
Step 4: Plan the SkiWelt Tour..
Use the interactive map, tick the green or orange variant and download the route to your smartphone. Spartner tested both directions and found that going anti-clockwise (orange) is slightly quieter on sunny days.
Step 5: Extend the day by moonlight..
Brixen im Thale offers evening skiing on a broad run; Söll tops the charts with 11 illuminated kilometres. Fancy a change? Toboggan 4.5 km from the Astberg – adrenaline guaranteed.
Step 6: Enjoy sustainably..
Bring a refillable bottle. Six water stations supply fresh mountain water and you contribute to SkiWelt’s green-energy story.
A philosophical take on piste pleasure
Why sliding delivers such satisfaction
Skiing in SkiWelt feels as if you stretch time. Every turn is a micro decision, every lift a moment to breathe. One might say the mountains act as a mirror: dare to let go of speed and you will discover new lines.
Flow versus control
Where beginners seek stability on wide blue runs, experts push the limit on black 42 or 112. Interestingly, both groups experience the same endorphin kick; only their frames of reference differ.
Practical tips that pay off tomorrow
Efficiency, comfort and a touch of luxury
Link your ski pass to SkiLine. Afterwards you will see exactly how many vertical metres you clocked. Also, board the Hartkaiserbahn just before nine: the first gondola gives you an empty piste towards Ellmau.
Smart breaks
Avoid 12:00–13:00 in popular huts. Start lunch at 11:15 or 13:30 and you will walk straight in and linger longer without the noise.
A critical look at crowds and snow reliability
Not everything is rosy
Wintersport.nl labels SkiWelt as "busy"; at weekends and during holidays day-trippers from Munich stream in. And yes, the highest point is shy of 2,000 metres, which can lead to softer snow.
How we mitigate this
Choose valley runs before 10:30, then move to Zinsberg or Choralpe where the shade lingers longer. A rainy morning? Dive into Almabtrieb culture in the villages – surprisingly educational.

Get even more out of your SkiWelt trip.
Spartner helps organisations connect data, experience and logistics. So plan your incentive, content shoot or digital piste map with our team – we are happy to brainstorm, free of charge, about the opportunities this snow valley offers.
Is SkiWelt suitable for absolute beginners? 🤔
Yes. Every village has nursery slopes and blue connecting runs. Tip: start in Ellmau or Scheffau; the gradients are gentlest there.
How sustainable is the resort really? 🌱
Since 2002 all lifts have run on hydropower. GPS-guided groomers also monitor snow depth, reducing artificial snow by 20%.
Is it good for snowboarding? 🏂
Absolutely. Three fun parks, wide carving pistes and few flat links make it board-friendly. Only around Kelchsau will you find some flat paths, which you can avoid using the interactive map.
How much is a beer on the mountain? 🍺
Prices are slightly below the Tyrolean average. Budget four to five euros. Huts vary though; reading the menu prevents surprises.
Is night-skiing really worth it? 🌙
Yes, especially in Söll. Eleven illuminated kilometres, crisp snow and a completely different atmosphere. Dress extra warm; minus 15 is common.
How busy is the SkiWelt Tour? 🚦
Right after opening it is more relaxed. Many skiers set off around ten. Start at 08:45 and you will have the first two hours almost to yourself.
Where is the most convenient parking? 🚗
Hopfgarten has a large free car park next to the gondola. Arrive before 08:45 to avoid traffic.
Are there good vegetarian options in the huts? 🥗
More and more. Tanzbodenalm serves a lentil-pumpkin bowl, and at Gipfelalm you will find hearty Tyrolean Käsespätzle without bacon.
Can I get there by train? 🚆
Certainly. Travel via Kufstein or Wörgl and take the regional bus to your chosen village – convenient and chain-free.
What is “Kaiserwetter”? ☀️
A typical Tyrolean term for clear blue skies, fresh snow and zero wind. In SkiWelt it occurs on average eight days a month in January and February.