Westendorf

This winter, ski Westendorf for a traditional Tyrolean experience in the 'Ski Welt' circuit. There are 45km of great slopes in this immediate resort area, with the larger Ski Welt and Kitzbühel just 15km away. Read our resort guide for all you need to know.

Where?

If you ski Westendorf, you are located about 15 kms from Kitzbühel in the heart of the Tirol in a wide sunny valley with gentle tree-lined mountain slopes. In 1998 Westendorf was named Europe's most beautiful village. You'll be staying in a traditional Tyrolean village with a good choice of restaurants and accommodation, and plenty of activities when you fancy a break from skiing. Access from airports includes Innsbruck, Salzburg and Munich all under 90 minutes.

On the Slopes

With the nursery slopes right in the village, ski Westendorf as a beginner and you will be spoilt with superb ski schools as well as lots of suitable slopes. As it is low altitude, there's other suitable beginner slopes at the top of the mountain that can be used. Intermediates can head up the mountain from the quad chair at the edge of the village and then ski/board across to the Alpenrose gondola which goes to the top of the mountain where there's a choice of more than a dozen blues and reds. These descend the wooded slopes of the Choralpe to the resort or Fleiding and Gampenkogel mountains behind Westendorf. There's only one expert run in the resort down the front of the Choralpe.

In 2005-6 the lift links to Kirchberg on the neighbouring Kitzbühel pass were completed thanks to the Ki-West gondola. This created an almost linked area of some 425km, one of the world's largest. For boarders the resort has an excellent terrain park above the village, including a half pipe, rails and jumps. There's also some great off piste throughout the resort. The resort also hosts the largest night skiing area in Austria with 11 km of slopes. So there's plenty going on all the time. Finally, the SkiWelt circuit - over 279km of pistes, check the ski area page below.

Ski Area

If you ski Westendorf you are also in the ski region of SkiWelt.

Off the Slopes

Almost untouched by development, there is a range of traditional accommodation to suit every taste and budget. For après ski there's a great selection of bars, cafés and restaurants including Gerry's Inn, the Village Pub, and live music at the Mesnerkeller. Lots of British here ensure it has a lively, but not rowdy, scene once the days close. Other activities to try include sleigh rides, ice-skating, bowling, and paragliding, while Kitzbühel and Salzburg are close enough for day trips.

Who's it Best For?

Great for beginners and intermediates. The short transfer also makes it popular with families.