Right after Kufstein, on the way up to Scheffau and Ellmau winter sports fans will encounter a true paradise. Just around 100 km from Munich's southern city limit the "Wilder Kaiser" mountains present a perfectly developed skiing and snowboard area with many kilometers of pistes: it is the largest connected skiing area in Austria and hence always worth a vacation or a day trip.
200 kilometers of pistes, 90 ascent supports and around 70 possible rest areas offer untroubled winter pleasure on a sunny day and during the peak season. Even winters with little snow can't do harm to this region: 180 kilometer of pistes are equipped with snow machines, 110 km even within 3 days! From the 7 towns in the valley the lifts lead up to 1.800 meters and the panorama reaches from Inntal over the Zillertaler Alps to Kitzbühel.
The powerful massif of the "Wilder Kaiser" is right before the eyes of the winter sports people. It is hiking and climbing paradise in the snow free months and is therefore mentioned in the Frederics Guide Munich. Back to the places from which you make your way up via gondola or cablecar. Coming from Kufstein Süd you can choose from the parkings in Söll and Scheffau. If they are already packed (which can happen on a sunny from 10 am) you can switch to Itter, Ellmau or Going. Two other possibilities are found in Hopfgarten and Brixen im Tale, which are best reached from the exit Wörgl. But be careful: from Kufstein Süd your car needs a vignette!
The open landscape in the whole area allows the sun to shine on almost all descents. Nearly everywhere beginners and non-experienced sportsmen feel at ease on their skis. For only a few descents require high skills and the broad pistes serve as a perfect training ground. Experts will love the south- and north descent of the Hohe Salve as well as the Choralpe in Westendorf and parts of the descent to the valley in Brixen. By the way, Westendorf lies shortly before Brixen and is reached by the same lift, it isn't directly connected to the area between Ellmau and Brixen though.
Getting a rest in the ski world Wilder Kaiser is easy: be it a cosy cabin, a large self-service restaurant or a mountain inn. There is options for every taste and some ski bar lures with groovy music and a schnaps or a so-called "Jagatee". Highlights among the cabins are the Brantlalm near Brixen and the Steingrube in Hopfgarten. The Rübezahl-Alm in Ellmau may sound familiar to TV fans since "Marianne und Michael", a famous folk music duo, host their program "Lustige Musikanten" there every now and then.
Ladies will certainly like Wednesdays for they only pay kids' lift fees. The ladies' ski day is quite popular and some men might actually love the presence of so many cuties on the piste.
by Dietmar Stanka
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