Scheffau | Ski Resort Review

Picturesque Scheffau is the smallest, and one of the prettiest of the resort villages in the SkiWelt region and sits in a truly stunning location at the foot of the spectacular Wilder Kaiser range.

The village is just big enough for an enjoyable stroll but compact enough to have everything within easy reach, except for the slopes, unfortunately, which are around a kilometre away on the far side of the valley (accessible by ski bus).

The immediate surroundings and the ambiance of the resort is tranquil – this isn't the place to come if you're seeking the full-on lively Austrian apres-ski experience. The location, well away from the busy valley through-road, and the peaceful nature of the village itself makes this a great destination for families with young children, and very suitable for more discerning and/or more mature visitors who prefer to experience a more traditional and authentically Austrian winter-sports holiday.

Scheffau - Ski Map & Pistes:

The upper slopes of the Scheffau sector of the SkiWelt cover the most central area of this expansive linked domain, making this perhaps the best resort choice for keen intermediates intent on racking up the piste mileage around this wonderful ski area.

Uplift from the valley is provided by two parallel-running gondolas from the base-area hamlet of Blaiken, which is situated around one kilometre away from the centre of Scheffau village, linked by ski bus and by footpath; when snow conditions are at their best it's also possible to ski down to the lifts base from the village, via the pisted route of the footpath (classified as a blue run).

Given favourable conditions, there's also a separate compact beginners' area on the meadows close to the village, although the main beginners' slopes are situated in the Brandstadl area at the top of the gondolas.

The wide and gentle snowbowl beyond Brandstadl is perfect for progressing novices, and provides easy onward links for more experienced visitors to head towards the steeper terrain on the nearby central Eiberg and Zinsberg peaks at the core of the SkiWelt, from where all other sectors are then accessible.

There's a choice of two good long home runs down to Scheffau's base area at Blaiken, one blue and one red; there are also a couple of additional ungroomed 'ski routes' too, suitable for more advanced skiers and snowboarders, superb just after fresh snowfalls.

For intermediates especially, the wider Ski Welt stats are impressive. The 275km of perfectly groomed pistes at over 1,800m – with 230km covered by snowmaking – are served by 83 modern lifts and surrounded by more than 70 peaks rising above 3,000m. Everywhere you go in the SkiWelt, you can find wide, lovingly-groomed slopes, including rolling blue runs and long valley descents. Enjoy 114km of blue slopes, 120km of red, 26km of ski routes and 10km of black runs, plus 3 fun park.The area is also home to the longest ski circuit on the planet. The new KitzSkiWelt Tour connects the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental with the KitzSki ski area. You need never go on the same lift twice on this 88km ski tour.

And when you do need a pit stop, you can sample Tyrolean cuisine, such as schnitzel, Germknödel and the delicious Kaiserschmarrn shredded pancakes at one of its 80 mountain huts.

Scheffau - Off-Piste, Backcountry & Ski Touring:

The area is not renowned for its freeride – most of the off-piste is the bits between the pistes. But there are a couple of satisfyingly testy black runs in the nearby Söll sector – the ultra-demanding 'Black Eagle' piste from the summit of the Hohe Salve mountain, plunges breathtakingly steeply down the north side towards Hochsöll. And those who enjoy skiing off-piste will be delighted with the 'Black Pipe', a ski route from the Hohe Salve to Hochsöll with more than 80% gradient.

Scheffau - Restaurants, Bars & The Town:

Scheffau's principal off-slope attractions are its picturesque setting and its sleepy rural atmosphere, there’s not really much else to do here other than ski or snowboard during the day and then relax with a couple of quiet drinks before and after an unhurried dinner.

There's a bit of apres-ski jolliness to be had at the lively Sternbar by the base terminals of the gondolas for an hour or two around the time the lifts close, but the village itself has only a few laid-back bars and hotel lounge bars, including the aptly named Village Pub.

Alternative activity ideas include the floodlit toboggan runs at the neighbouring resorts of Ellmau to the east and Söll to the west, both just a quick taxi or bus journey away; both these villages also have excellent aqua-leisure centres too. If you're into winter walks you'll find some lovely trails in the countryside surrounding Scheffau. Guided candlelit walks are held regularly.

Scheffau - Ski Hire:

For ski hire, you can try Waldhof Sports Skiverleih, Sport Rainer and Hansi's Skiverleih & Sportgeschäft Scheffau, where you can also store skis.

Scheffau - Ski School:

A word here for an excellent kids ski school. KinderKaiserland® is the perfect ski school to get your kids started. Set at 1,650m directly at the mountain station of the gondola lift in Scheffau it introduces children from as young as two years to skiing in a playful way and using a method specially developed by the Scheffau ski school. With a snow castle, grotto railway, magic carpet, mini lift, dwarf express and children's alpine hut for warming up, this is indisputably one of the most beautiful and professional children's ski parks in Austria. There is also the "pizza snowplough course", where the snowplough can be learned even faster. Ski courses are offered in several languages.