They say the Ski Welt Wilder Kaiser area is unique. Certainly it is probably the largest "linked" ski region in Europe with a total of 94 lifts. Yet, standing out from the superb area is the village of Westendorf in the Brixental with its own excellent self-contained lifts on the slopes below Fleiding, Gampen and Choralpe.
Of course Westendorf can rightly claim to be part of the Ski Welt area and within a "stone's throw" of the vast expanse of lifts commencing from Brixen i. Thale. But if you do not want to stray far, then Westendorf can cater from your every need from the ski slopes to the night life of the resort. There are 9 villages in the whole of the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental region. These are:
Brixen im Thale; Ellmau; Going; Scheffau; Soll; Itter; Hopfgarten; Kelchsau; Westendorf.
SKIWELT VOTED TOP
RESORT 2009
The
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental has been awarded the best winter ski resort in
the world by ‘Ski Resort Service International’. Recognising the continous
improvements and modernisations both to the ski runs and lift infrastructure the
SkiWelt came top over 70 resorts in 8 countries above Val Gardena in Italy , Val
D’Isere in France and Mammoth in the USA. Last season alone three new
eight-seater gondola lifts and a new six-seater lift with hoods were brought
into service and Westendorf has now been fully integrated into SkiWelt
There are numerous red and blue pistes linking out from the modern gondola which rises from the resort up to Talkaser (1760m). From here you can ski across to Fleidalm and take the chair to the top station at 892m and ski right down to Burghof where a bus waits to take you back, either to the village, or to the gondola. Your next ski run could be from the top of the gondola to the chair which takes you to Choralpe (1820m) from where there is a testing black piste for the really good skier or a nice challenging red across to Talkaser and downwards to the gondola base station.
Novice skiers need not be put off for Westendorf has plenty of blue runs both near the village and at the top. There is also a gentle blue run from the middle station (1320m) back to the resort.
Westendorf is said to be "the prettiest village in Europe" and is also full of life from attractive village streets with numerous shops to bars, restaurants, and disco.
The journey from Calais is one of the easiest with NO tolls. Yes, you are allowed to cross into Austria at Kufstein and provided you take the first motorway exit (marked Ski Welt) you do not require a vignette (motorway tax disc). Chains should be carried in the car but will only be needed if there is a sudden heavy fall of snow. The main road leads towards Kitzbuhel and is usually kept clear throughout the winter. There are no steep hills en route.
Alternatively, you can fly into Innsbruck with Austrian airlines with a transfer of about one hour or fly to Salzburg and the transfer taken between 90 minutes and two hours.