Many people understandably come for the famous (and fabulous) skiing at SkiWelt Ski Resort. But to only go skiing would be a shame. There are so many other fun winter adventures.
This is a two-part post. This post covers the winter adventures you can do in Wilder Kaiser. I'll be returning again in summer to compare the landscapes and adventures. I can't wait. Be sure to watch for it.
But first,
Wilder Kaiser is conveniently located in the Tirolean Alps of Austria between Innsbruck, Munich, and Salzburg.
These witches ski of course so you may also run into them on the slopes.
Night Skiing at SkiWelt
You can also go night skiing at SkiWelt. You have a choice of SkiWelt Brixen, Westendorf or Söll, the largest with 10 km of illuminated slopes. Check the SkiWelt site for exact times and days.
Ladies and Men's Day at SkiWelt
If you're looking to save some money, consider skiing on Ladies Day, every Wednesday from 08.01. - 13.03.2020. The normal fare during high season is €53.50 but on ladies day you'll only pay €40.00. The fare, of course only applies to women.
But men don't worry, you get your day too. The same deal applies to men every Tuesday from 07.01. - 13.03.2020.
Visit the ALPENIGLU - Igloo Village
Stop by for a drink, take a tour of the village or if you like to keep things cool, spend the night in the igloo hotel.
The SkiWelt Ski Season
The peak season is 21.12.2019 - 13.03.2020 but it's also open pre-season: 07.12. - 20.12.2019 and post-season: 14.03. - 13.04.2020. Check the SkiWelt site for the most up-to date information.
Snowshoeing in Wilder Kaiser
One of my favourite winter activities is snowshoeing and it's exceptionally beautiful in Wilder Kaiser. Not only is it beautiful, but you can also do a unique snowshoe - to the aforementioned "Bergdoctor" house Köpfing.
I did this with a group of Germans who were very excited to see the house and the landscapes that they'd only seen on TV. Even if you're not familiar with the TV show (I've heard of it but admittedly haven't watched it) it's worth doing.
It's a fun adventure. You get a different perspective of the winter landscape than you get when you're skiing.
You'll work up an appetite which you can satisfy with local Tirolean food at an alm. When I was there in Febraurary it was surprisingly warm enough to sit outside so we got to enjoy the alps even more.
I went with local guide Georg Treichl. He speaks English. You can contact him at: [email protected]. You'll find more info here: https://www.wilderkaiser.info/en/soell/info/tiroler-bergwanderfuehrer-treichl-georg.html.
Enjoy the Stunning Winter Landscapes of Wilder Kaiser
One of the most famous landscapes in Wilder Kaiser is the Hintersteinsee (Hinterstein Lake). It was voted The Most Beautiful Place in Tirol in 2018.
It's quiet and peaceful in winter. However, there aren't any winter hikes or snowshoe trails by the snow-covered lake. The road to reach it can also be treacherous in winter. For those reasons, I recommend going once the snow has melted a bit so you can see the lake.
I can't wait to come back here in summer when in it's in its full glory. There's also a hiker's shuttle that can take you there in summer (not available in winter).
Evening Winter Activities in Wilder Kaiser
The adventures don't stop in Wilder Kaiser when the sun goes down. Besides night skiing, you can also:
Enjoy Après-Ski Fun at the Ski Show
On selected Monday evenings in Ellmau, you'll find music mulled wine stands and a festive après-ski atmosphere. Then, at 8:30 local skiers will demonstrate their skills. You can expect synchronized skiing to music and nostalgia skiing. The night ends up with a bang that lights up the night sky with a flurry of fireworks.
This event is especially popular with families.
You can start the fun even earlier with a torchlight hike. Meet at the Ellmau Tourist Information Office at 7:45 p.m.
Further details here: https://www.wilderkaiser.info/en/destination-tyrol/region-villages/ellmau-skinight.html
Moonlight Tobogganing at Söll
While in North America we tend to think of tobogganing or sledding as something that's just for kids. Not so in the Alps! in Söll there's a 4 km long toboggan run. It's open during the day, but I recommend doing it at night when it's illuminated for a unique adventure.
I didn't get the chance to do it in Söll but you can read about my daytime experience on the longest toboggan run in Germany. I love it so much that I do it at least once every winter.
Wilder Kaiser: Go or No Go?
Definitely go! I loved my time here, I just wish I had more of it. There's so much to do. I could have easily spent a week here and still not done everything I wanted to.
It will become my go-to destination when I need a weekend getaway from Munich.
You'll enjoy visiting Wilder Kaiser if you love the idea of active relaxation. I always come back more rejuvenated than ever after engaging in winter activities with fresh mountain air.
There are activities for every fitness level so it's suitable for everyone.
It's a great destination for both couples, solo travellers or families. I visited by myself and found the locals to be very friendly - especially after living in Germany :).
Know Before You Go to Wilder Kaiser
- Plan to spend at least a few days to a week to experience all the winter activities.
- Don't just go skiing one day at SkiWelt. There's SO much more to do in Wilder Kaiser.
- Ski at SkiWelt but also get off the slopes to try snowshoeing, winter hiking, and toboganning.
- Plan some evening adventures as well for a unique and beautiful experience. The night sky illuminated from snow is breathtaking.
- Plan your activities first, so you can see whether you should stay in Ellmau, Going, Scheffau or Söll.
- You can get to Wilder Kaiser from Kufstein with a shuttle. The cost is €15 each way. Details here: https://www.tirol-taxi.at/en-train-station-transfers.
- There are also shuttles to the ski lifts.
- If you plan to visit multiple villages and don't have a car, you can have the option of either public transport (https://www.wilderkaiser.info/en/travel-planning/bus-timetables-stops/mobile-wilder-kaiser.html) or taking a taxi.
If you love winter activities like skiing, snowshoeing and winter hiking, you'll love Wilder Kaiser!
Note: Thank you to Wilder Kaiser Tourism and iAmbassador for making my visit possible. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.
