Westendorf Ski Resort Guide & Reviews Ski Area, Apres-Ski, Things to See & Do in Westendorf
Overview
Westendorf ski resort is a compact village within the SkiWelt carousel, the second largest lift-linked ski area in Austria.
The village sits at 800m on a sunny plateau in the middle of the Brixen valley covered in pine forest and surround by the peaks of the Kaiser mountains. Its very pretty and a typical Austrian alpine ski resort thats very popular with mountain enthusiasts who appreciate traditional ski resorts.
Après-ski
Westendorf offers a full range of restaurants which are largely housed in the local hotels. The après-ski typically kicks off in the mountain huts at the bottom of the slopes before heading back into the village. Popular bars include Gerry's Inn at the bottom of the village nursery slopes and Karat which has DJs playing music until the early hours.
| Key information (whole area) | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 800m |
| Top lift | 2444m |
| Family | |
| Beginner | |
| Intermediate | |
| Expert | |
| Piste (km) | 284 |
| Longest run | 7 km |
| Off piste | |
| Cross country | 70 km |
| Season | Dec - April |
| Snowboard parks | 5 |
| Heli Skiing | ✘ |
| Summer skiing | ✘ |
| Glacier skiing | ✘ |
| Babysitting | ✘ |
| Creche | ✔ |
| Apres ski | Relaxed |
Westendorf Ski Area Guide
The ski area is the second largest in Austria with 284kms of lift-linked pistes and caters for all levels of skier and snowboarder. Westendorf offers connections to the opposite side of the Brixen Valley and the vast SkiWelt carousel via the Kandler run and also to the Kirchberg-Kitzbühel ski area via the Ki-West descent (and a short bus rider).
The ski season normally starts early December and runs to early April. The snow can be hit and miss though and due to the resorts low level, can be an issue early and late season. If the weather comes in from Russia, the snow conditions can be some of the best in the Alps. Unfortunately, this doesnt happen that often. Thankfully, there are lots of snowcannons that cover 80% of the pistes so you can be confident that most of the pistes will be open.
Beginners
Westendorf offers many beginner slopes for with gentle slopes for easy learning. A practise area for beginners and children is located right in the centre of the village and provides an easy gateway to the SkiWelt area. Pistes 111 and 113 are ideal valley runs for beginners that wind through the trees.
Intermediate
Westendorf is an intermediates paradise with a good blend of local blues and reds especially around Fleiding. Heading out of Westendorf and on to the SkiWelt carousel, you can follow sign-posted routes such as The Salven, which are largely a mix of blues and reds.
Advanced
There are a 13 black pistes in the SkiWelt carousel such as the trail from Brandstadl down to Scheffau on Westendorf’s pistes. However, the highlight has to be “Piste 112”, on the western side of the Choralpe. This is the steepest run in the whole of the SkiWelt with an 80 percent gradient and is not for the faint-hearted.
Ski touring is also very popular in the Windautal valley which branches off from Westendorf - hire a local guide to get the very best of this incredible valley.
Cross-country
In Westendorf and through the Brixental valley is a network of cross-country trails catering for skating and classic cross-country. The Brixental cross-country ski trail connects the villages of Brixen, Kirchberg and Westendorf. Its just short of 18km long with a vertical elevation of 227m and takes around 3 1/2 hours to complete.
Snowboard
The Boarders Playground Funpark in Westendorf is suitable for beginners to pros. The park is constantly being redesigned, built and shaped offering new challenges throughout the season.
There is also a mini Funpark for beginners and younger riders. It has an easy line with mini jump line and mini rail line providing endless fun with slightly smaller obstacles than those at the Boarders Playground.
Other ski holiday activities
- Tobogganing
- Snow shoeing
- Indoor swimming pool
- Segway tours
- Sleigh rides
- Ski touring
- Ten pin bowling
- Outdoor ice skating
Children
Westendorf does not have a bespoke kid's club but the ski schools offer kindergarten for children aged 3 to 5 years. One major advantage for families skiing around the SkiWelt is that children under 7 receive a free lift pass. For the evenings, babysitters can be booked through the Tourist Office.
Featured Ski Chalets
Westendorf Accommodation
The accommodation in Westendorf is plentiful with most of it in and around the centre of the village. This has the convenience of the local shops, bars and restaurants but also for the main nursery slopes which flow into the village centre.
Our view on Westendorf
Westendorf is a popular ski resort with extensive skiing around the SkiWelt carousel with options for skiing in nearby Kitzbuhel. With a relaxed apres-ski scene, short transfers from Innsbruck and excellent beginner and family facilities, Westendorf is a good choice for a family ski holiday.
