The opening of the new 10-person gondola leading up onto the Hartkaiser mountain signalled the start of a new era in Ellmau at the foot of the Wilder Kaiser. This state-of-the-art cable car with wireless internet and an extra-long entrance platform replaces the old lift which had been operating for several decades. It has made access to the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, one of the largest wintersports networks in Austria, even easier. And, last but not least, the new bottom station of the cable car now offers a sports shop, ski storage depot and underground parking.
Skiers and snowbarders accessing the SkiWelt from Ellmau can be forgiven for having a few orientation problems when they first arrive, such is the enormous scale of this interconnected world of pistes and lifts stretching across the Wilder Kaiser Mountains. With its 90 lifts, 70 huts and countless pistes catering for all abilities, it is a true eldorado for wintersports enthusiasts. Beginners will enjoy the easy slopes in Ellmau and the neighbouring village of Going, where there are also several ski schools. More experienced skiers should head for the Hartkaiser mountain with its many sunny pistes, including plenty of blue (easy) and red (intermediate) ones. The fearsome Black East piste on the eastern slopes of the mountain is for experts only. South of the summit there is good freeriding at the White Kög“, an unprepared piste near the Köglbahn lift. Snowboarders can work on their tricks and flips in the Kaiserpark next to the Tanzbodenbahn lift. All the north-facing slopes have fabulous views of the craggy Wilder Kaiser Mountains.
Children will also find plenty to keep them entertained in the SkiWelt in Ellmau. Highlights include the "Ellmauer Kinderland" next to the Kirchbichllift, where children can also be looked after by professional childcare experts, as well as the "Bobo Kinderland" with its own funpark run by the 1. Ellmauer Ski- und Snowboardschule. A recent addition is the "Erlebniseldorado Hartkaiser“ at the bottom of the resort, which features a children's restaurant and an adventure ski school.
