SkiWelt explained

SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental
Location:Tirol, Austria
Nearest City:Innsbruck
Liftsystem:90
Terrainparks:3

The SkiWelt is Austria's largest interconnected ski area. It has 90 Cable car lifts and Ski lifts, 280 Kilometers (173 Miles) of Ski Pistes, and 77 Ski Huts. The member villages are: Brixen im Thale, Ellmau, Going, Hopfgarten, Itter, Kelchsau, Scheffau, Söll and Westendorf.

Lifts

There are:

15 Cable cars

18 Detachable chairlifts

18 Chairlifts

19 Drag lifts

20 Practice lifts

As of 2018-19 season, these are all of the current ski lifts.

! Lift! Type! Length, m! Carrying capacity/hour! Manufacturer! Ski resort! Replaced lift
Hartkaiserbahn (YOC 2015)10pers. Gondola lift with seat heating (monocable circulating ropeway)2100 3200DoppelmayrEllmau120pers. Funicular
Choralmbahn (YOC 2008)8pers. Gondola lift (monocable circulating ropeway)2200 2400DoppelmayrWestendorf1pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)
Salvenbahn II (YOC 2008)8pers. Gondola lift (monocable circulating ropeway)1775 2400DoppelmayrHopfgarten1pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)
SkiWeltbahn (YOC 2008)8pers. Gondola lift (monocable circulating ropeway)3410 2400DoppelmayrBrixen im Thale
Ki-West Bahn (YOC 2005)8pers. Gondola lift (monocable circulating ropeway)3000 2400DoppelmayrWestendorf
Salvenbahn I (YOC 2004)8pers. Gondola lift (monocable circulating ropeway)2120 2400DoppelmayrHopfgarten2pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)
Brandstadl Sek. 1 (YOC 2002)8pers. Gondola lift (monocable circulating ropeway)2237 2800DoppelmayrScheffau2pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)
Brandstadl Sek. 2 (YOC 2002)8pers. Gondola lift (monocable circulating ropeway)1072 2800DoppelmayrScheffau2pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)
Hohe Salve (YOC 2000)8pers. Gondola lift (monocable circulating ropeway)1837 2400DoppelmayrSöll1pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)
Hochsöll8pers. Gondola lift (monocable circulating ropeway)1900 2800DoppelmayrSöll1pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)
Alpenrosenbahn I6pers. Gondola lift (monocable circulating ropeway)1500 2000DoppelmayrWestendorf
Alpenrosenbahn II6pers. Gondola lift (monocable circulating ropeway)1600 2000DoppelmayrWestendorf
Hochbrixen (YOC 1986)6pers. Gondola lift (monocable circulating ropeway)1800 2000DoppelmayrBrixen im Thale2pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)
Salvistabahn (YOC 1989)4pers. Gondola lift (monocable circulating ropeway)2200 1800DoppelmayrItter2pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)
Brandstadlbahn (YOC 1984)4pers. Gondola lift (monocable circulating ropeway)3300 1800DoppelmayrScheffau
Jochbahn (YOC 2015)8pers. High speed chairlift (detachable) with bubble and seat heating2000 3000DoppelmayrBrixen im Thale4pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)
Aualmbahn (YOC 2014)8pers. High speed chairlift (detachable) with bubble and seat heating1038 3700DoppelmayrScheffau4pers. High speed chairlift (detachable) with bubble
Osthangbahn (YOC 2010)8pers. High speed chairlift (detachable) with bubble and seat heating495 3400DoppelmayrScheffau4pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)
Foisching (YOC 2000)8pers. High speed chairlift (detachable)1416 3300DoppelmayrHopfgartenT-bar
Schernthannbahn (YOC 2015)6pers. High speed chairlift (detachable) with bubble and seat heating1273 2400LeitnerHopfgarten2pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)
Siller-Keat (YOC 2008)6pers. High speed chairlift (detachable) with bubble and seat heating873 2400DoppelmayrSöll3pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)
Hexen6er (YOC 2004)6pers. High speed chairlift (detachable) with bubble and seat heating1250 3000DoppelmayrSöllT-bar
Ellmi's 6er (YOC 2009)6pers. High speed chairlift (detachable) with seat heating1220 3000DoppelmayrEllmau
Tanzboden (YOC 2006)6pers. High speed chairlift (detachable) with seat heating710 2400DoppelmayrEllmau
Kummereralmbahn (YOC 2005)6pers. High speed chairlift (detachable)872 2600DoppelmayrScheffauT-bar
Filzboden (YOC 2002)6pers. High speed chairlift (detachable)1754 3000DoppelmayrBrixen im ThaleT-bar
Köglbahn (YOC 2000)6pers. High speed chairlift (detachable)965 2700DoppelmayrEllmauT-bar
Almbahn (YOC 1999)6pers. High speed chairlift (detachable)1100 2700DoppelmayrEllmauT-bar
Südhangbahn (YOC 1999)6pers. High speed chairlift (detachable)760 2800DoppelmayrScheffauT-bar
Kälbersalve (YOC 1997)6pers. High speed chairlift (detachable)1470 3100DoppelmayrBrixen im ThaleT-bar
Keat (YOC 1995)4pers. High speed chairlift (detachable) with bubble and seat heating1200 2200DoppelmayrSöllT-bar
Astbergbahn (YOC 1991)4pers. High speed chairlift (detachable) with bubble1500 2000DoppelmayrGoing1pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)
Zinsberg (YOC 1987)4pers. High speed chairlift (detachable) with bubble1450 2000DoppelmayrBrixen im Thale
Sonnenlift (YOC 2004)4pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)846 2400DoppelmayrGoingT-bar
Schneeberg (YOC 2003)4pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)525 2000DoppelmayrWestendorfT-bar
Kaiserexpress (YOC 2002)4pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)590 2400DoppelmayrEllmau
Windauberg (YOC 2001)4pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)852 2400GaraventaWestendorfT-bar
Gampenkogel (YOC 2001)4pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)757 2400GaraventaWestendorfT-bar
Muldenbahn (YOC 1998)4pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)453 2400DoppelmayrScheffauT-bar
Rinner (YOC 1995)4pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)549 2000DoppelmayrSöllT-bar
Eiberg I (YOC 1990)4pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)530 2000DoppelmayrScheffauT-bar
Eiberg II (YOC 1990)4pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)530 2000DoppelmayrScheffauT-bar
Rigibahn (YOC 1988)4pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)900 2400DoppelmayrHopfgarten
Talkaser (YOC 1989)4pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)500 2000SSGWestendorfT-bar
Stöckl4pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)800 2000DoppelmayrSöllT-bar
Hohe Salve (YOC 1983)3pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)1100 2000GirakHopfgarten
Fleiding (YOC 1983)3pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)1100 1600GirakWestendorf
Hausbergbahn (YOC 1988)2pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip) with bubble1100 1500DoppelmayrEllmau
Hofstattbahn (YOC 1972)2pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)1400 1000DoppelmayrKelchsau
Kasbichl (YOC 1986)2pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)1200 1500DoppelmayrItter
Hans in Glück (YOC 2016)10 pers. Gondola lift (monocable circulating ropeway)500 1500DoppelmayrSöll2pers. Chairlift (fixed-grip)
HagermoosT-bar500 700DoppelmayrKelchsau
MittererwiesT-bar900 700 Itter
HagerjochT-bar1150 800DoppelmayrKelchsau
RanhartT-bar1100 700DoppelmayrEllmau
SchmiedalmT-bar1000 700DoppelmayrEllmau
SchusterbühelT-bar170 500DoppelmayrBrixen im Thale
KirchbichlT-bar430 1000 Ellmau
VötterstättT-bar700 700 Ellmau
HochalmT-bar400 1000DoppelmayrScheffau
MarcherT-bar800 1000 Ellmau
OstliftT-bar300 1000DoppelmayrScheffau
HochfeldliftT-bar556 720 Schwoich
Maxilift (YOC 2011)J-bar319 730DoppelmayrGoingT-bar
Würstelexpress (YOC 1997)J-bar162 800DoppelmayrBrixen im Thale
PoldangerJ-bar300 1000DoppelmayrBrixen im Thale
KnollnJ-bar500 700DoppelmayrSöll
Laubkogel (YOC 2018)J-bar300 700DoppelmayrWestendorfJ-bar
Babylift Itter (YOC 2014)Rope tow/beginner lift100 800SunKidItter
WagnerfeldRope tow/beginner lift300 700 Going
Babylift KelchsauRope tow/beginner lift90 500 Kelchsau
Übungslift BrandlfeldRope tow/beginner lift220 500 Going
Übungslift Söll (Tennfeld)Rope tow/beginner lift200 500 Söll
SonnenliftRope tow/beginner lift205 800SunKidBrixen im Thale
BärenliftRope tow/beginner lift300 700 Ellmau
Übungslift DorfRope tow/beginner lift200 500 Scheffau
Übungslift HochbrixenRope tow/beginner lift120 500 Brixen im Thale
Übungslift BergRope tow/beginner lift150 500 Scheffau
SammerRope tow/beginner lift270 500 Westendorf
Skischullift HochbrixenRope tow/beginner lift100 500 Brixen im Thale
Sternfeld IRope tow/beginner lift230 500 Ellmau
BabyliftRope tow/beginner lift100 500 Scheffau
Sternfeld IIRope tow/beginner lift230 500 Ellmau
Kaiser-ÜbungsliftRope tow/beginner lift100 500 Ellmau
Übungslift HochfeldRope tow/beginner lift125 500 Schwoich
HögerfeldRope tow/beginner lift100 500 Hopfgarten
SchmiedfeldRope tow/beginner lift100 500 Hopfgarten
HexenkinderlandRope tow/beginner lift100 500 Söll
SonnenbandRope tow/beginner lift40 600 Brixen im Thale

History

1946 Establishment of the Westendorf Ski Lifts, the oldest company in the SkiWelt. They experienced serious difficulties in the postwar years concerning the construction costs and the amount of materials determined by the authorities

1947 Establishment of the Hopfgarten Ski Lifts. The longest chairlift in Europe (2,830m) was built in 1954, however the top station and two supports were destroyed by an avalanche.

1948 Construction of the "Alpenrosenlift" - then Austria's biggest ski lift (2,205m long) In the winter of 1948/49, a total of 22,289 winter sports enthusiasts were transported

1950-1960

1952 Establishment of a ski school in Westendorf

1954 Installation of the "Stricklift" drag lift in Westendorf

1959 Establishment of the Söll Ski Lifts and construction of the "Angeralm" drag lift

1960-1970

1960 The "Stricklift" drag lift was converted into a double T-bar

1961 Construction of the "Zieplhöfe" drag lift in Westendorf

1962 Establishment of the Scheffau ski lift company (Schilift Scheffau am Wilden Kaiser GesmbH) by 66 citizens of Scheffau.

1964 Construction of the "Kandleralm" drag lift in Brixen

1965 Construction of the Söll-Hochsöll single chairlift and the Hochsöll drag lift

1966 Hopfgarten buys its first "Ratrak" snow groomerConstruction of the "Salvenmoos" drag lift in Hopfgarten

1967 Construction of the "Knolln" drag lift

1968 Transportation of the 2,000,000th passenger on the Hohe Salve liftConstruction of the "Stöckl" drag lift in Söll

1969 Construction of the "Taklaser" drag lift and the "Alpenrose II" single chair lift in WestendorfChairlift at SkiWelt HopfgartenChairlift at SkiWelt Hopfgarten

1970-1980

1970 Establishment of the development company "Erschließungsgesellschaft Ellmau GmbH", Construction of the "Sonnberg" lifts in BrixenConstruction of the single chair lift on the Hohe Salve in Söll

1971 Construction of the "Hartkaiserbahn" funicular in EllmauEstablishment of the Scheffau Lift Company (Bergbahn Scheffau am Wilder Kaiser GesmbH)Westendorf Lift Company holds a third of the company.

1971/72 First billing for travel between Hopfgarten and Söll. No adjustment payments madeConstruction of the "Rinner" drag lift in Söll

1972 Opening of the "Hartkaiserbahn" funicular in EllmauConstruction of the "Alpenrose 1B" chairlift in WestendorfConstruction of the double chairlift "Scheffau – Brandstadl" section I and section II, Construction of the temporary mountain restaurant, construction of the "Ostlift", construction of the "Eiberglift"

1972/73 Weekly ticket valid between Scheffau and Ellmau

1973 Construction of the "Laubkogel" drag lift in WestendorfConstruction of the "Aualmlift" in Scheffau

1973/74 Tickets valid between Scheffau and Brixen – individual tickets paid in cash, with account settlement

1974 Introduction of a 7-day greater-area ski pass valid at Brixen im Thale, Ellmau, Going, Hopfgarten, Itter, Scheffau and Söll, no offsetting

1975 Construction of the "Fleiding" chairlift in WestendorfConstruction of the Söll-Hochsoll double chairliftConstruction of the "Südlift", Construction of the "Weissachlift", Construction of the building at the chairlift bottom station in Scheffau1977 Amalgamation to create the greater ski area "Wilder Kaiser - Brixental", and first sales of all tickets, from single to season tickets, for the greater ski area, without offsettingConstruction of the new "Brandstadl" mountain restaurant in Scheffau1978 Seal of approval for slope quality is awardedConstruction of the "Grundried" drag lift

1980-1990

1980 Construction of the "Ostlift II", Construction of the "Eiberglift II" in Scheffau

1982 Construction of the "Windauberg" and "Gampenkogel" drag lifts in WestendorfConstruction of the "Muldenlift" in Scheffau

1984 Construction of the "Brandstadlbahn" gondola in Scheffau

1985 Conclusion of a pooling agreement with ride offsetting between the villages of Brixen im Thale, Hopfgarten, Itter, Söll, Scheffau, Ellmau, Going and Westendorf (had just joined the greater ski area). 10% share agreed on.Installation of readers and ticket counters for SkiWelt billing in ScheffauConstruction of the "Pendelbahn" lift and "Silleralm" three-seater chairlift in SöllWith the construction of the Silleralm hut, the installation of the "Filzboden" drag lift provided a direct connection from Söll to Scheffau via Brixen

1986 Construction of the Hochbrixen gondola in BrixenOperation of the "Itter – Kraftalm" double chair lift and the "Kasbichl" double chair lift in ItterDue to a lack of snow in the winters of the 1980s, SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental acquired its first snowmaking equipment

1987 Installation of the first snowmaking system in BrixenConstruction of the first "bubble" - the four-seater chairlift on the Zinsberg in BrixenConstruction of the "Alpenrosenbahn", a 6-seater monocable gondola in two sections in WestendorfConstruction of the "Hochalmlift" in Scheffau

1988 Construction of the "Söll-Hochsöll" gondola, the "Stöckl" 4-seater chairlift and the "Salvenmoos" double chair in SöllConstruction of the "Aualmbahn" lift, Construction of the "Osthangbahn" lift, Construction of the new "Ostlift" in Scheffau

1989 Installation of the snowmaking system on the valley run in EllmauConstruction of the "Taklaser" 4-seater chairlift (replacing the drag lift) in WestendorfInstallation of the snowmaking system in Hochsöll and purchase of the first diesel snow cannonInauguration of the "Salvista gondola" in Itter and 40th anniversary celebration of the Hohe Salve Lift Company.

1990-2000

1990 Name of the greater ski area changed from Wilder Kaiser-Brixental to SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-BrixentalFirst snowmaking system at Stöckl – Salvenmoos – Rinner, supplied by the Stampfangerbach stream and purchase of 6 Crystal snow cannons in Hopfgarten

1991 Construction of the "Eibergbahn I + II" lift in Scheffau

1991/95 Installation of the snowmaking system in Westendorf

1992 Construction of the reservoir and installation of the snowmaking system in Scheffau

1993 Construction of the mid boarding point for the "Fleiding" three-seater lift in Westendorf

1994/95 The Scheffau Lift Company acquires an interest in the Brixen-im-Thale Lift Company

1995 Construction of the "Keat" detachable 4-seater chairlift and "Rinner" 4-seater chairlift in Söll"Keat - Grundried" snowmaking system and purchase of 15 fully automatic snow cannons in SöllConstruction of the "Jochbahn" lift in Brixen

1996 Valley run snowmaking up to the mountain in Scheffau

1997 Introduction of a Kitzbühel Alps 6-day pass with offsetting for approx. 260 lifts Merger of "Goinger und Ellmauer GmbH" into "Sportcenter Ellmau-Going GmbH"Installation of the snowmaking system for Silleralm – Antlasseealm – Angeralm valley run in SöllConstruction of the Lechen and Inner-Keat reservoirs in SöllConstruction of the "Muldenbahn" lift in ScheffauConstruction of the "Kälbersalvbahn" lift in Brixen

1998 Construction of the "Kreuzjöchl" reservoir in Westendorf and expansion of the snowmaking systemConstruction of the "Südhangbahn" lift, snowmaking on remaining valley run. Construction of the Kaiserland building in Scheffau

1999 First reservoir on the Hartkaiser with pumping station for the snowmaking systems in EllmauFounding of the tourist board "Wilder Kaiser-Brixental Tourismus GmbH" by the tourist associations and ski lift companies of the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental. The tourist board (Tourismus GmbH) looks after the marketing agendas of its shareholders.

2000 - 2010

2000 Construction of the Hohe Salve gondola in SöllInstallation of the "Grundried – Hohe Salve – Rigi" snowmaking system in SöllConstruction of the "Köglbahn" 6-seater chairlift in EllmauConstruction of the "Foisching" 8-seater chairlift in HopfgartenRenovation of the Free Flow mountain restaurant and raising of the reservoir in Scheffau

2001 Replacement of the "Windauberg" and "Gampenkogel" drag lifts with modern 4-seater chairlifts in Westendorf

2002 Construction of the "Brandstadl" 8-seater monocable gondola, bottom lift station and parking deck (buffet conversion, Sternbar) in ScheffauConstruction of the Filzalmsee reservoir in Brixen

2003 Replacement of the "Schneeberg I + II" drag lifts with a 4-seater chairlift with child safety bars in WestendorfConstruction of the "Kaiserexpress" 4-seater chairlift in EllmauConstruction of the "Filzbodenbahn" lift in Brixen

2004 Construction of the "Hexen6er" detachable 6-seater chairlift in EllmauConstruction of the "KaiserWelt" play area (playground at the Brandstadl mountain restaurant and in the forest) in Scheffau

2005 Construction of the "KiWest" 8-seater monocable gondola and a ski run with snowmaking to Aschau, connection to the Kitzbühel ski areaConstruction of the "Kummereralmbahn" 6-person detachable chairlift and snowmaking on the slope in Scheffau

2006 Construction of the "Tanzboden" 6-seater chairlift in Ellmau and opening of the Mountain Theme Park "Ellmi's Zauberwelt".Opening of the Kaiser shop on the Brandstadl, village snowmaking system (cross country track) in Scheffau

2007 Construction of the Salvensee reservoir in HopfgartenInstallation go the snowmaking system for the "Hexenritt" toboggan run in Söll

2008 Construction of the "Choralmbahn" 8-seater monocable gondola in WestendorfConstruction of the "SkiWeltbahn" 8-seater monocable gondola in WestendorfConstruction of the "Salvenbahn II" 8-seater monocable gondola in HopfgartenConstruction of the "Siller – Keat" 6-seater chairlift in SöllModification of the "Hartkaiserbahn" lift in Ellmau (controls)Summer expansion of the Jochstube reservoir from 70,000 m3 to 180,000 m3 in ScheffauConstruction of the "Skiweltbahn" lift with snowmaking above the Kandleralm in Brixen

2009 Construction of the 6-seater chairlift, "Ellmi's 6er", and the Tanzboden reservoir with pumping station in EllmauConstruction of the Choralmbahn at SkiWelt WestendorfConstruction of the Choralmbahn at SkiWelt WestendorfConstruction of the Salvenbahn II at SkiWelt HopfgartenConstruction of the Salvenbahn II at SkiWelt Hopfgarten

2010-2011

2010 Construction of the "Osthangbahn" – detachable 8-seater chairlift with child safety bars, heated seats and lifting platform in Scheffau.

2011 New Moon toboggan run in Söll – open nights only – length 3.5 kmExpansion of the Astberg reservoir in Going and new platter lift on the nursery slopeExpansion of the Hopfgarten valley run (no. 20)SkiMovie route on the Südhang slope in ScheffauFree WiFi on SkiWelt mountainsConstruction of the "Osthangbahn" at SkiWelt Brixen47.514°N 12.2092°W

2012-2022

2021 SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental and KitzSki will be offering the toughest skiers a new challenge from this winter: the longest ski circuit (85 km.) in the world will connect the SkiWelt with the KitzSki ski area.[1]

Ski Resorts

Brixen im Thale

The Sonnberg Chairlift was extended up to found the Sonnberg area of the resort in 1970. In 1986, a new Gondola lift was built as a replacement for this chairlift. In 1995, the company was transformed into a stock company. The main shareholders are: Bergbahnnen Sheffau GmbH & Co. (85.28%) and the Schilifte (ski lift operators). They have 60 employees in the winter season.

Ellmau-Going

The roots of the Ellmau area of this resort can be traced back to the setting up of the one-seater chairlift, Sessellift Postbauer, which had 4 ski runs and a toboggan run attached to it. Then, in 1970, Bergbahnnen Ellmau mbH was founded to pursue winter sports facilities in the town. They constructed the Hartkaiser cable railway. This has since been replaced with a 10-seater gondola. They joined the Wilder Kaiser-Brixental ski area in 1985.

In 1998, Bergbahnnen Ellmau mbH merged with Bergbahnnen Going mbH, and renamed themselves Bergbahnnen Ellmau-Going GmbH & Co. Hartkaiserbahn KG.

Hochsöll

A GmbH was first established in 1959, and they built a drag lift. Today, 2 gondolas stretch from Söll to the Hohe Salve. The Hochsöll area also has the Skiwelt's largest night-skiing area, fully floodlit skiing can occur after 5pm.

Hopfgarten - Itter - Kelchsau

In 1946 a Ges.mbH was registered in Hopfgarten to build a chairlift. They succeeded in 1949, building the third, and longest ropeway in Tirol.

In 1985, Bergbahnnen Hopfgarten merged with Schilifte Itter by the ratio 72:28, reflecting the pistes and lifts owned. In 1991, the company acquired Schilifte Kelchsau, and then, in 1997 declared bankruptcy. In 2008, they went into the red again, only to be saved by 200 shareholders. This was indirectly linked to the development of the Salvenbahn II gondola lift that stretched up to the Hohe Salve.

Kelchsau is only connected by skibus to the rest of the SkiWelt.

Scheffau

Bergbahnnen Scheffau GmbH & Co. KG was founded in 1962. They operate mostly as a link between the Ellmau-Going area in the east, and Brixental or Hochsöll in the west. They have an annual turnover of somewhere in the region of EUR 11 million. A lot of the major Skiwelt constructions have happened in the Scheffau area, or to connect the Scheffau area up with the rest of the Skiwelt. Some examples include: The new Alumbahn (Scheffau) - an 8-seater, heated and covered chairlift, The new Jochbahn (Brixental) - another 8 seater, heated and covered chairlift and the Siller-KEAT (Hochsöll) - A 6-seater covered chairlift.

In the summer season, there is a themed adventure park for kids situated between the exit to the Brandstadlbahn and the Gasthof Brandstadl.

Westendorf

The ski lift company was founded in 1946. Their first chairlift ran from the valley, near the village to the "Alpenrosenhütte on the Choralpe" on Mt. Nachtsöllberg. At over 2 km long, it was the longest chairlift in Austria at the time. A second (3 seater) chairlift was built 1969, with a middle-station.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: TopSkiResort. www.topskiresort.com. 2021-11-16.