The Official 2012 Snow Calendar

Visitor reviews for Westendorf Ski Resort

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• December 05, 2011
  Colin from United Kingdom
  

  Looking forward to getting back to Westendorf, will be our fourth time, last time in 2005. Reading reports, the new connections to the main Ski-Welt have really opened things up, just hope it has not spoilt the cosy friendly feeling we always get at Westendorf. New snow cannons are reassuring as we were worried about lack of snow, we have normally been in Feb and not so early as this year ( new year). Cant wait.

• Westendorf Ratings

  Based on 5 votes. Vote

  Access: 4.2 (1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Westendorf.	Public Transport: 4.8 (1) There are no buses or taxis to Westendorf, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.
  Scenery: 4.2 (1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.	Accommodation: 5.0 (1) No places to stay in/near Westendorf, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.
  Cheap Rooms: 4.2 (1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.	Luxury Hotels: 3.4 (1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Westendorf.
  Ski in/Ski out: 4.6 (1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.	Childcare: 4.0 (1) There are no child care facilities at Westendorf, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.
  Snowsure: 3.6 (1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Westendorf is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.	Snowmaking: 4.6 (1) Westendorf relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.
  Snow Grooming: 5.0 (1) There are no snow groomers at Westendorf, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Westendorf are groomed daily.	Shelter: 4.8 (1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Westendorf is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.
  Nearby options: 4.0 (1) If snow conditions are poor at Westendorf, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.	Regional rating: 4.0 (1) Westendorf usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.
  Lift Staff: 4.6 (1) The staff at Westendorf are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Westendorf are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.	Crowds/Queues: 3.8 (1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.
  Ski Schools: 4.8 (1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.	Hire and Repairs: 5.0 (1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.
  Variety of pistes: 4.0 (1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Westendorf has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.	Beginners: 4.0 (1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.
  Intermediates: 4.8 (1) No intermediate terrain at Westendorf, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.	Advanced: 3.6 (1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.
  Snow Park: 4.2 (1) Not even a kicker at Westendorf, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.	Off-piste: 3.6 (1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.
  Cross-country: 3.4 (1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Westendorf, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.	Luge/Toboggan: 2.5 (1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Westendorf has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.
  Mountain Dining: 4.8 (1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.	Eating: 4.4 (1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.
  Apres-Ski: 4.0 (1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.	Other Sports: 3.4 (1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.
  Entertainment: 3.4 (1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.	Winter Walks: 3.8 (1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.
  Ski Pass Value: 4.2 (1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.	Value (National): 4.2 (1) Overall, Westendorf is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.
  Value (Global): 4.6 (1) Overall, Westendorf is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

  Based on 5 votes. Vote

• December 04, 2011
  John from United Kingdom
  

  This will be our 7th or 8th visit to Westie coming up in three weeks time. Reading the reviews it seems we are not the only ones to return year after year. We generally stay over new year, not to be missed, as Matt previously mentioned. (Matt we missed you last year so will catch up in a few weeks time).
  Westendorf, whilst not the perfect resort, does have a lot to offer. For a start the village is compact so little walking required. Also walk up to nursery slope is no more than 100m from most accommodation, unless you are down near the gondola station, in which case you can just use the gondola. From nursery slope you can ski across to main gondola so again no walking. Ski schools are very good. If you can get one of the more "senior" guys they really do know their stuff, even if you think you are an accomplished skier, plus they will take you to places which are not on the map.
  The ski area is massive, the Westendorf area alone will occupy you for a good couple of days, then you have the Ski welt which is huge and if you really are keen you can cover the Kitzbule slopes as well. Lift passes are available to cover all combinations depending on what you want to do.
  Westendorf has extensive snow making so as long as the temperature is low enough snow is almost certain. This is perhaps it's only weakness the low altitude, but there has been huge investment in snow making so not a huge problem, although quality of the snow can be an issue.
  Westendorf is a good resort to learn in, nursery slopes are right in the village. Progressing from there though can be tricky. There are no real easy runs to progress to but if you do learn here then you will be a more confident skier and should be able to cope with most resorts. The red runs in Westendorf are proper reds, no tweaking to get the percentages of blues. reds and black to balance.
  Anyway looking forward to getting back and skiing again, just hope the snow arrives in time. Staying in the Post Hotel, again, fantastic central location, not five star but very friendly and comfortable, so what more do you need.

• March 01, 2011
  alec from United Kingdom
  

  Just back from Westendorf after 9th visit.
  Fantastic weather all week, hardly a cloud in the sky, have seen the area looking better snow wise, but all the runs were still open, best snow seemed to be over in Kitzbule, but generally ok. Over with two novices this year so joined a couple of groups, first two days with sepp and the rest of the week with godi, top instructors and a good craic with the Irish contingent.

  Hoping to return 19th march weather permitting, so any feedback would be great.
  This year we stayed over by the gondola station, nice and quiet, and a nice walk to the nursery slope in the morning.
  still a great place to ski, never tired of the place and the vast ski areas even in winters when snow is in short supply, great value for money fun resort with massive amounts of return customers year on year, try it!! You might just enjoy it!!

• February 16, 2011
  Joe from Ireland
  

  Just back from Westendorf and the snow is getting very scarce. Badly need a good snowfall. Bright, sunny and very warm days, early morning skiing was ok, afternoon was very slushy and sticky. Resort was quieter than previous years.

• January 23, 2011
  Matt from United Kingdom
  

  I'm now in Westendorf (23.1.11) for the week.
  Skiing today superb. Very cold and sunny day. Main pistes all in good condition - not icy, fluff on the top to work with.
  Looking forward to the rest of the week, and will write brief departing report on 29th.

• January 22, 2011
  Catherine from Ireland
  

  Looking forward to going back to Westendorf in a few weeks for about the 15th time. Can't wait, it has the best of everything to enjoy your ski holiday. My kids are going back for the 3rd time and it can't come soon enough.

• January 15, 2011
  Matt from United Kingdom
  

  This must be close to my 50th year in Westendorf. It's the most 'whole' ski experience. Great slopes to learn on, great instructors, lovely people (the Austrians are quite mad ...) and superb food.
  I usually spend Christmas and New Year there, as Christmas is wonderful, followed by the nuttiest New Year celebrations I have seen anywhere.
  Westendorf is off the main road on it's own plateau, so it 'traffic quiet'.
  This year, I'm about to go out with my family, and can't wait.
  I'd recommend Skisport Hausberger for ski-hire, Hotel Post for accomodation and Oberhauser Taxi for taxis.
  Evening food: Hotel Post and the Maierhof (which is up the mountain).
  Great thing to do: get up early and have breakfast in Frau. Schober's restaurant on the top of Choralpe - Westendorf's Mountain.
  Motto - Skiing and Cake.

• December 30, 2010
  helen from Ireland
  

  I went back to Westendorf in 2010 after a gap of 30 years( had originally been there in the 70s and loved the area). Went back because I heard the lift system had opened the whole area. It is wonderful and the possibilities are endless - a huge area is opened up, the run to Brixen is challenging but there is an easier way than the black run!! A nice easy pathway makes it possible for all. The connections are super and I was delighted to have gone back........will continue to ski in Westendorf.

• January 01, 2010
  Audrey from Ireland
  

  I agree that Westendorf is one of the best ski resorts anywhere. Plenty of Irish and Germans. It's a great place to learn and improve. The ski schools are fantastic. We've had Sep as our instructor a few times. He's adorable. The place is well worth a visit. This is our third year in a row. We just don't want to try anywhere else now. We are 10 years skiing and will be back to Westendorf again.

• December 23, 2009
  Christine from United Kingdom
  

  My husband has been to the village of Westendorf at least 20 years, myself at least 12 and my daughter at just 13 has been 9 years and each time we come away we look forward to our next visit to Westendorf. The people are friendly and we have made friends in the village from our numerous stays and wouldn't go to any other village for a skiing holiday. I too have been in the summer and the atmosphere and friendliness of the locals is the same. The skiing facilities are good and we are quite happy for our daughter to go off with the ski school and know she is safe and being looked after by some great ski teachers who we also know many of as they come back to the resort each year. We are all looking forward to our next holiday to Westendorf which is very soon.

• February 12, 2009
  taffy joe` from United Kingdom
  

  Once again Westendorf delivers a great week's skiing with a great new run down to Brixen (watch out for the black section midway down, there is an option to avoid it if you wish). This year we travelled out to pass Thurn on the Kitz side and also did a large section of the Skiwelt, including a couple of runs down to Kitzbulhe. Went 24th to 31st Jan and snow conditions were perfect plus we had a fresh dump midweek. On the Friday (last day) the sun was out and the morning skiing was as good as it gets. Two new gondolas for this season, one from Brixen to the Choralpe and the other from near the bottom of the old 111 run (3rd of August 08 was when they started this project and it will be up and running by the end of Nov.) Westendorf is now slap bang in the middle of maybe one of the largest linked ski areas in Europe and you still only pay €3 for a pint of lager.
  Stayed in the middle of the village; great location, so convenient for all bars, shops, with a 1 min walk to the chairlift.
  Great week had by all, only negative is that Chriss and his mother have to close the village pub at the end of the season
  due to the lease being up which was a great shame.
  Roll on next year.

• January 01, 2009
  Slippery from United Kingdom
  

  New lifts this season really add to the resort of Westendorf and the connections are great to Brixen and the rest. Snow making is now very good providing it's cold enough, so you can ski forever considering the Kitz side too. New black runs have added extra spice for the better skiers.

  Rumour that the village pub will be closing at the end of the season will make next year interesting. Campbell's (under Hotel Jakobwirt) still one of the best kept secrets.

  I think the service and food in all the restaurants on the mountain is great and are much better value than other better known places. With the sorry state of sterling this is also important

  Westendorf is a special place with a high proportion of regulars whose loyalty is now being rewarded with the top class lifts

  Can't wait to get back!

• December 18, 2008
  keith gates from United Kingdom
  

  Having first visited Westendorf in 1981 and every year since, it has always been a hard village to get a bed in if you're not Dutch. But that for me is the best thing, away from the Brits and I am one. It has a good party feel to the resort, the ski links have got better year on year, and this year with the run and gondola up and running down to Brixe, opens up all new possibilities. Plus the new gondola to eliminate the bus run back to the village, on one of the nicest runs in Westendorf. Don't be put off by the negative comments by a couple of people, this is a special resort that once visited you will be back year after year. The ski schools are second to none, and Westendorf now finds itself right in the middle of the Ski Welt, so you have options to ski both ways and get back at the end of a days skiing. For snowboarders you have the fun park that is extensive and fun and not over run. This resort is played down in the UK brochures because they can't get the beds, they would rather take you to Soll, where all the Brits are.

• February 11, 2008
  Michelle from Ireland
  

  Just home (9th Feb) - with resurfaced freckles from the sun - from a superb week in Westendorf. This was our second visit and I cannot speak highly enough of this resort from a number of aspects - facilties, hotel (stayed in the Biclingerhof - non-residents come for the food - so it's good ! and the staff go the extra mile), proximity of everything from ski hire to ski school to ski runs, cafes (Cafe Elisabeth has the best desserts, cappucinos and omelettes in town - as well as great staff!), access to outer ski areas and - above all - it was, again, a dream for my 7 year old - the fun he had was immeasurable. Take the gondola just off the nursery slope to the middle or upper station and there is a maze of runs available for all levels. Fabulous snow, stunning scenery, wealth of eateries and ski areas that are not crowded or jammed with queues. The ski schools are well organised, instruction was confidently progressive, with encouraging pushes to get the adrenalin flowing. Can't wait to go back next year.

• January 30, 2008
  al from United Kingdom
  

  Just back from Westendorf on Sat after 4th visit.
  Great week's skiing, 5 days of sunshine and a good dump on the Tuesday to refresh the slopes.
  Although the town is starting to be overrun by the Dutch don't let this put you off. Still a great base for the Skiwelt and we also did the link to Kitz this year.
  Best bar for apres; the Brunchstall, just at the top of the nursery slope and owned and run by maybe the prettiest lady in Austria (Lisa).
  Plenty of other good bars and restaurants in town for a great night out.
  All in all, a good resort, 1 hr from Innsbruck and 1.5 from Salzburg. It is a fraction of the cost of top Austrian and French resorts.

• January 27, 2008
  emer from Ireland
  

  I have just returned from a fantastic ski holiday in Westendorf. It is a lovely small town with everything you need in close proximity. I don't really know what Paul from the UK is talking about (I think some people are very hard to please, maybe, Paul, you got a bad week but that is like blaming a country for having rain when you were planning a sun holiday!!) There was plenty of snow and sunshine while we were there and the views from on top are just amazing, also the queues for the lifts are not half as bad as other resorts. There is plenty of nightlife too for those looking for some fun apres-ski. Will definitely be back.

• December 19, 2007
  Neil Porter from United Kingdom
  

  I have been to Westendorf 24 times during the summer and winter mainly. Last years snow situation was the first time I have ever seen it like that! The resort is friendly, cosy and truly Austrian I am heading back again soon, I understand the snow is fantastic, there is loads of skiing to be had, plenty of bars, huts and winter walking to be had as well.
  Give it a try or miss out. The Skiwelt area is excellent with stacks of skiing opportunities on the door step.

• March 04, 2007
  Graham Gibson from United Kingdom
  

  Well, what can I say, just returned from Westendorf, what a BIG disappointment.
  Once voted the prettiest village in Europe, who else was in contention, Chernobyl? Seriously though, the village is nowhere near as pretty as some other Austrian and also other European resorts. Full of closed cafes and a few bars. The cafes that we're open felt like it was a real effort to serve (maybe they are all fed up with the bad snow this year?) Even the sports shops seemed to be half cooked compared to other Austrian resorts. Stayed at the hotel Schermer. Lovely hotel with very friendly staff and excellent facilities. However, the food selection was not up to some other Austrian hotels.
  No snow upon arrival. I felt like a right fool unloading skis and ski boots on a June day (well thats what it felt like temp wise). Fairly good snow at the top of the Talkaser towards Fleiding and Gampen, also great snow over at Brixen im Thale, but after about 11 am it was very slushy. A lot of the runs were down to the mud. No wonder they call them the chocolate runs. Unbelievable number of runs if the snow was around but I cannot see me returning unless we get back to the old style winters with snow a plenty.

• January 22, 2007
  paul from United Kingdom
  

  13/1/2007 just returned from Westendorf. Snow conditions in the whole of the Ski Welt area are non existant. Having hired a car and driven to every ski resort in the Ski Welt area; Soll, Brixen im Thale, Kitzbuhl etc, I have learn't my lesson when booking at low altitude resorts! Don't forget to pack golf clubs, you wont be needing skis this year!

• December 08, 2006
  PAUL AND FIONA MAYOR from United Kingdom
  

  LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR EIGHTH VISIT BACK TO WESTENDORF, FANTASTIC FIND IN THE SKIWELT AREA, TRY THE HOTEL GLOCKENSTUHL WE HAVE STAYED AT THIS HOTEL ON MOST VISITS AND TRIED WALKING IN THE SUMMER AS WELL AS ANNUAL SKI VISIT, YOU WILL BE HARD PUSHED TO FIND A BETTER VILLAGE, VISIT DIETERS FOR ANY CLOTHING EQUIPMENT HE'S THE MAN!!!

• November 22, 2005
  Simon Shirley from United Kingdom
  

  We came down to Austria in the last week of March 2005 and stayed in Ellmau. The conditions there were pretty ropey and after trying several parts of the SkiWorld Wilder Kaiser/Brixental area, we found that Westendorf had the best conditions on offer: good snow until mid-day, no queues and plenty of room on the slopes. It's the best bit of the ski area, so don't just stick to the nearest lift to your hotel.

• October 05, 2004
  Rachel Cronin from Ireland
  

  Westendorf is a fantastic resort.The skiing is brilliant for all levels.The instructors are all very nice.I stayed in hotel Post and found it excellent as the location was great and the food was very good.The bars are great craic.If you go you must go to the Wunder bar and also to the Moskito bar.Very enjoyable.A holiday that wil never be forgotten!!!!