Skiing in Ellmau
The SkiWelt boasts 275km of pistes and is a haven for beginner and intermediate skiers. While there are relatively few black runs – 33km in total – there is enough easy ungroomed terrain between the pistes to entertain the more advanced skiers in a group.
Ellmau & Ski Welt Ski Area Overview
Officially43% of pistes are blue (easy) and 45% are red (intermediate) pistes, though the piste grading does not always accurately reflect the degree of difficulty. A confident intermediate will find some of the blues quite challenging, and a confident beginner will be able to ski most of the red pistes.
The Ski Welt has over 1,700 snow cannons covering around 229km of the pistes and they work hard at overcoming the challenges of being lower than some of the other major ski regions. Our snowsure rating for Ellmau and the SkiWelt is based on natural snow rather than artificial snow. The snow canons will, however, ensure that Ellmau remains open until late in the season.
One of the recent features introduced to the SkiWelt is night skiing. This is available on the slopes above Sőll, Westendorf and Brixen.
Beginner Skiing in Ellmau
The Ellmau beginner slopes are in the heart of the village barely 5 minutes walk in boots from the village centre. There is a wide range of activities for kids and the more mature beginner will not be embarrassed by cutting their ski teeth on these slopes.
Novices can learn to ski on the beginner slopes before heading up the mountain. Some beginner slopes (blue runs) higher up are either a little steep or narrow, which can be difficult especially when the slopes are busy. Also, the routes back to Ellmau involve skiing red pistes so discretion might dictate riding the funicular down at the end of the day.
Ski schools at Elmau offer excellent tuition for novices and beginners. As well as improving your skiing, your ski instructor’s knowledge and experience will help you navigate the ski area (270km) and the best mountain restaurants.
Ski Schools & Ski Lessons in Ellmau
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Intermediate Skiing in Ellmau
Most ski runs in Ellmau and SkiWelt are blue or red, hence it’s ideal for intermediate skiers. There are three defined ski circuits which can all be skied clockwise or anticlockwise.
There is enough skiing in the ski area immediately above Ellmau for one day and it would be challenging to ski all 275 km of pistes across SkiWelt in one week.
To ski across from Ellmau to Westendorf and Brixen on the opposite side of SkiWelt, takes about one hour, which allows plenty of time to explore the Westendorf-Brixen circuit before a leisurely return to Ellmau with perhaps a stop for a spot of Gluwein on the way.
The longest runs, red runs 20 and 21, from the top of Hohe Salve offer 7 km of non-stop cruising; keep your eyes open for signposts though as it is easy to take a wrong turn.
Some of the nicest intermediate skiing is arguably around the 87, 97 & 98 lifts off the back of the Hartkaiser.
Advanced Skiing in Ellmau
Only 12% SkiWelt slopes are designated black runs or ski routes for advanced skiers. To be fair this is just the pisted element, but there is not much off-piste skiing available.
The locals head up the 11 lift to the Choralp above Brixten and find themselves fantastic powder when snow conditions allow.
Boarding & Freestyle in Ellmau
There are three terrain parks in the SkiWelt – The Intersport Kaiserpark above Ellmau (lift 99), the Snowpark and Funslope Area above Soll (lifts 46 & 47) and the Boarders Playground above Westendorf (lift 119).
Experienced snowboarders can navigate the SkiWelt’s terrain with ease. The wide-open terrain includes opportunities for boarding in deeper snow between the marked runs. The flat sections near some lifts can be challenging for beginners.
Ellmau Mountain Restaurants
There are 80 mountain restaurants in the SkiWelt. That’s roughly one restaurant every 3.4 km of piste, including many charming traditional huts offering excellent Tirolean cuisine and hospitality.