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A Two-Day Ski Adventure in SkiWelt, Austria

Nestled in the Austrian Alps, SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser–Brixental is one of the largest and most modern ski areas in the world. With 275 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes, 81 lifts, and breathtaking panoramic views, it’s a dream destination for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.

I recently was invited by the Austrian tourism board and the region of Tirol on a thrilling two-day ski trip to this alpine paradise, and it was an experience I’ll never forget.

In this blog post I recount my two day experience and give my reasons why this Austrian ski resort is must visit.

Getting to SkiWelt

Reaching SkiWelt was remarkably easy. I flew into Salzburg Airport, which is 90 minutes away by car.

Innsbruck (1 hour drive) and Munich (1 hour 45) airports are also viable options, with efficient train and bus connections to the resort.

I go to Austria every year as my wife’s parents own an apartment in Maria Alm. As we were there before the trip started, me and my wife simply hopped on hour long train to Hopfgarten im Brixental, one of the many villages that offer direct ski lift access to the slopes of SkiWelt.

The scenic train ride through the snow-covered Austrian countryside was incredibly picturesque and the perfect way to build anticipation for the adventure ahead.

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Day 1: Arrival, Snowboarding, and Sunset on the Slopes

We arrived at 10am and checked into Das Hohe Salve Sports resort, which was conveniently located right next to the gondola and a short walk from the station, making access to the mountains incredibly easy.

After settling in, we headed to Kurz rental shop to pick up my equipment.

My wife Ski’s and owns her own equipment, however despite learning to snowboard when I was 13 and having been over half a dozen times, I have never owned my own boots and board.

The rental shop is conveniently located beneath the lift which is opposite the hotel. The staff there were friendly and helped me accommodate my horribly wide feet.

Suited, booted, and boarded up, we headed straight up the mountain.

We had been provided lift passes by the Autrian tourism board however a SkiWelt lift pass will cost €66 for adults, €49 for teenagers, and €33 for children.

It had been two years since I last hit the slopes, however it was just like riding a bike—or in this case, a board. 

I was helped by SkiWelt’s wide, and impeccably groomed slopes meaning the the first few runs were pure magic. The slopes glistened under the afternoon sun, and I glided effortlessly down wide blue and red pistes, taking in the stunning views of the Wilder Kaiser mountain range

Another bonus was that the slopes were delightfully quiet. this was partly due to SkiWelt’s state-of-the-art lift system but also due to the time of year we visited.

We were visiting between the 5-7th January, by which the holidays were over and kids were back in School. Let’s be honest— a ski holiday is so much better when you’re not wasting time queuing for lifts all day.

Lunch up on the highest peak

After two hours with familiarising myself with the board and slopes, we stopped for lunch up at Gipfelrestaurant.

Located on top of the Hohe Salve mountain, which at 1,829 metres is the highest peak in the, the restaurants affords enjoy grandiose panoramic views of the Wilder Kaiser and towards the Kitzbühel alps.

Here we enjoyed some hearty food and the compulsory beer out on their revolving terrace. This circular seating area slowly rotates giving you a unique panoramic experience of more than 70 three-thousand-metre high peaks

Despite being in a premium location with breathtaking views, the prices were very reasonable. At under £5 a pint, it was hard to complain—especially when it came with panoramic views this good.

Sunset from Hohe Salve

The afternoon was more of the same: making the most of the top-quality pistes,  glorious weather, and SkiWelt’s majestic mountain views.

As we were familiar with the slopes and wanted to end the day on a high, we made sure we caught one of the last lifts back up to the highest peak. Arriving just in time for a breathtaking sunset, we were able to watch the Wilder Kaiser and peaks of the alps light up.

Afterwards, we cruised 5.5km down the empty slopes from the top of the resort all the way to the lift which was directly in front of our hotel.

Relaxing at the Hotel

Since we’re both on the other side of 30, and had a big day planned on the slopes the next day, we swapped the après-ski for wellness, taking full advantage of the incredible facilities at the Das Hohe Salve hotel. 

With two pools, one of which you extends both inside and outside the hotel, alongside four saunas, and a large relaxation area, it was exactly what we needed before indulging in a well-earned dinner.



Day 2: The Guided SkiWelt Tour

With our legs slightly sore but our excitement levels running high, we set out on the guided SkiWelt Tour.

This unique route is designed so that no piste or lift is ridden twice,(unless you want to) offering the ultimate way to experience the sheer vastness of SkiWelt’s terrain.

We caught the first lift up with our guide, Joanna, and were greeted by low clouds and falling snow.  While visibility wasn’t great, the fresh powder and again quiet slopes were an absolute dream to ride on.

Starting from Hopfgarten, we followed our guide through the interconnected ski areas, weaving through Brixen, Westendorf, and Ellmau. The ever-changing landscapes kept things exciting—some runs were gentle and scenic, while others were steep and exhilarating.

the Witches of Söll

After a solid two hours of crowd free runs, we took a unique break to visit the Witches of Söll, a fun and mystical theme woven into the ski resort experience.

Inspired by local folklore, the "Hexen" (witches) add a touch of magic and playfulness to the ski area, especially around the Hexenwasser (Witch's Water) attraction, which is a family-friendly adventure area in the summer.

In winter, the Hexen-Kinderland provides an enchanting experience for young skiers, while some mountain huts embrace the witch theme with playful decorations, mystical storytelling, and themed events. Occasionally, the 5 costumed "witches" can be spotted on the slopes, entertaining skiers with tricks and surprises.

On this occasion they treated us to popcorn and a potion brewed over an open fire— which was definitely a highlight of the day.

An afternoon back on the Slopes

Back on the slopes, we enjoyed another hour of quiet, well-groomed pistes before stopping for a traditional Austrian lunch. 

Again the food was not only delicious, but well priced. I had Tiroler Gröstl, paired with the obligatory Radler— this Austrian mountain juice was the perfect fuel to keep me going.

By the afternoon, the skies began to clear, revealing stunning mountain vistas that had been hiding all morning. One of my favourite sections was the descent into Scheffau, where the panoramic views of the Wilder Kaiser were nothing short of breathtaking.

Sunset from the Hohe Salve

As we ventured back over towards Hopfgarten, we once again made one final pit stop at the highest hut on the mountain.

Here we indulged in Kaiserschmarrn and coffee while soaking up an epic panoramic view, this time from inside the Gipfelrestaurant restaurant .

The day on the slopes ended with another breathtaking descent on empty slopes as the sun set—another unforgettable way to end the day. In total, we covered 50 kilometres, riding 23 different runs across the expansive SkiWelt region.

Once again, we capped off the day with some much-needed rest and relaxation in the huge wellness area at Das Hohe Salve Sports resort .

Other Winter Adventures in SkiWelt

While skiing is the main attraction, and we definitely got a our fill, It’s worth mentioning that SkiWelt offers a range of other exciting winter activities which unfortunately we didn’t have the time to try:

  • Night Skiing Under the Stars: SkiWelt boasts Austria’s largest night skiing area, with perfectly groomed illuminated slopes in Söll. Enjoy a total of 11 kilometres of floodlit slopes and ski all the way down into the valley below. Open facilities include the Hochsöll, Hexen6er and Hans im Glück lifts.

  • Tobogganing Fun: For an adrenaline rush beyond skiing, consider taking on the Astberg toboggan run in Ellmau. I the 4.5 km track weaves through snowy forests and open fields, and is great adventure filled evening activity

  • Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing: For those who prefer a slower pace or a change of activity, SkiWelt has over 40 km of marked winter hiking trails from which you can enjoying the regions serene alpine beauty.

  • Après-Ski and Relaxation: No ski trip is complete without a bit of après-ski. If youre looking for the most lively area then I recommend heading over to the Moonlight Bar in the village of Söll.

Family-Friendly Infrastructure

Its also worth noting that SkiWelt is a fantastic destination for families, offering excellent ski schools, child-friendly slopes, and dedicated facilities to ensure a fun and safe experience for younger skiers. Highlights include;

  • 21 ski schools and multiple children's learning areas, meaning beginners can start with confidence.

  • Themed Adventure Slopes: Fun zones like Hexen-Kinderland (Söll), Ellmi’s Winter World (Ellmau), and Funny Bird Slope (Brixen) make learning exciting.

  • Childcare & Ski Kindergartens: Parents can enjoy the slopes while little ones are entertained at facilities like Mini Club (Ellmau) and Kiko (Söll).

  • Family Lift Passes: Affordable pricing and special offers for children make skiing more accessible for families.

Final Thoughts: The Magic of SkiWelt

My two-day adventure in SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser–Brixental was everything I had hoped for and more. From exhilarating skiing on diverse terrains to breathtaking alpine views and cosy mountain huts, every moment was pure magic.

Whether you’re a seasoned skier or a beginner looking for an unforgettable winter escape, SkiWelt offers something for everyone and is a region I definitely would recommend, especially if you are new to the sport or have a a family.

Staying at Das Hohe Salve Sports Resort made the experience even more special, with its perfect location and top-notch wellness facilities its a place i would definitely recommend if you are looking for luxury and incredible facilities.


There we have it, my guide two adventure in SkiWelt Austria. I hope you found it useful, let me know in the comments if you did, or if you have any questions.

If you are looking for more Austria inspiration then check out my guide to Kitzbühel, which is conveniently located 25 minutes on the train from Hopfgarten.

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