Visitor reviews for Scheffau Ski Resort

Scheffau Ratings

Overall: 3.8. Based on 7 votes and 13 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 4.3

(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) Scheffau is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Variety of pistes: 4.4

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Scheffau has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Off-piste: 2.2

(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.

Scenery: 4.3

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Access: 4.3

(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 Scheffau.

Public Transport: 3.4

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Scheffau, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Accommodation: 4.1

(1) No places to stay in/near Scheffau, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 3.9

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 3.3

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Scheffau.

Ski in/Ski out: 3.7

(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: 3.6

(1) There are no child care facilities at Scheffau, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowmaking: 4.6

(1) Scheffau relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 4.9

(1) There are no snow groomers at Scheffau, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Scheffau are groomed daily.

Shelter: 3.9

(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) Scheffau is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 3.0

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Scheffau, 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: 4.1

(1) Scheffau 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 Scheffau are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Scheffau are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 4.1

(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: 4.0

(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: 4.9

(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.

Beginners: 4.2

(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: 4.7

(1) No intermediate terrain at Scheffau, (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: 2.8

(1) Not even a kicker at Scheffau, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Cross-country: 3.3

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Scheffau, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 3.0

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Scheffau has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 4.3

(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: 3.3

(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: 2.7

(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: 2.4

(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: 1.7

(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: 3.4

(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: 4.1

(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): 4.1

(1) Overall, Scheffau 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): 4.4

(1) Overall, Scheffau 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.

Show all 35 ratings

May 04, 2015
Richard B from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
The first time I went to Scheffau was March 2014. The snow wasn't great but the pisters had done a fantastic job. Having had a great holiday I went back for a weekend break in January and a family trip in March. Thankfully, the snow was much better this year! Scheffau is perfect for skiing the SkiWelt area as it's in the middle of the ski area. If you're travelling with children then this place is great, if it's their first time I would suggest the KinderKaiserland ski school as it's located at the top of the gondola and it's easy to come back during the day to see how they are getting on. If they have been before I would recommend ski School Ingrid Salvenmoser as it seemed quieter than the others and the groups are smaller. Having skied in France lots over the last 15-20 years it was refreshing coming back to Austria, so much cheaper than France and cleaner with picture postcard alpine buildings. Everytime I have stayed at the hotel kaiser in Tirol, I love this place, kids club in the evenings, fantastic food with free drink and it has everything you could wish for in a hotel. I've already booked up to go back next January and March!!
January 06, 2014
Graham W from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Stayed at the Land Alpin which continues to serve up excellent food and is conveniently located. With the relatively mild weather over Christmas the rooms were far too hot though and even with the windows open and the radiator off it was too hot in the room at night. Snow not brilliant this year and we could not ski down to the gondola but with buses every 15 minutes, from outside the hotel, (except over lunch time) you never need to wait long for a bus. The gondola takes you up high and the snow up there was good up to about 2pm when it became slushy each day.
February 08, 2010
Matt Evans from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
What a place. Just got back from Sheffau on Saturday and have to say it was the best ski holiday ever. Stopped at the Pension Aloisia just opposite the lift. Food was fantastic and the never ending slopes were more than you could ever ask for. If this one comes up as an option, jump at it for the piste. Sheffau is very, very quiet with only 1 decent pub in the village so if it is nightlife you are after head for Soll (next resort) which also shares the same runs. Family involved? Then this is you place.
January 06, 2008
Paul O from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Back to Scheffau again this Christmas at Hotel Alpin with Ski Esprit-see last year's comments. Snow superb this year with lots of wide open well maintained pistes. Virtually unbroken sunshine with some clouding over at midday on a couple of days but cleared again. Lots of mountain restaurants; cheap compared to France. Hotel Alpin as good as ever with good breakfasts and enormous quality buffet in evening - ideal if you have ravenous teenagers like us(as well as free snacks; cakes, teas etc when you return from slopes). Possible to ski from hotel to lifts this year but you need to bus back; not much of a problem. Ski hire shop below hotel is very convenient with good staff and equipment; all of us got new skis. Kufstein is worth a visit by taxi if you fancy a break from skiing. Esprit were good again especially staff in resort. Flight timings/delays were a bit of a downer-they need to sort this out as even without delays arrival time in resort was too late in day; add a couple of hours delay and it's very tiring esp for families with young kids who are Esprits main market.
February 12, 2007
Adrian Garside from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I've just returned from Scheffau on 11th Feb. The runs up at the top were generally fine and almost all open, although they were getting a bit hard packed & icy on the mornings of the last few days, excellent at lunchtime and getting soft at the end of the days. The run down to the resort was open all the way, but it was suffering too the last few days. Most pistes are open, but many are narrower than in snowy years. I gather there are more runs closed in the Ellmau part of the SkiWelt. Some of us went over to Westendorf and the runs down to Brixen were bad enough for them to catch the gondola down. However Westendorf apparently is awesome and in very good condition and worth the bus/taxi journey.
January 29, 2007
David King from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
We have just returned from Scheffau where we stayed in the Hotel Alpin. It is our third visit to Scheffau which suggests how much we like this place. This year the snow was not as good as in previous years. When we arrived the fields around the hotel were green and runs to the gondola base stopped before the bottom. That having been said, the number of runs open at the top of the mountain is testamony to the snow-making ability in the Ski Welt. During the week we had loads of snow and by the time we left on 28th the village was the Winter Wonderland we remembered. It is truly beautiful. We chose Esprit as the operator as they are simply superb when it comes to skiing with families. We have two children (3 & 6) who could not have been looked after better. The Kinder Kaiserland at the top of the Scheffau gondola is the best area I have seen for young children learning to ski with the focus on skiing as fun! The Hotel Alpin is small-scale but has excellent facilities, the swimming pool was a real winner after a day on the slopes. The evening meals are buffet style with a superb choice and wine / beer included. Having already been to this resort and hotel three times I can give no higher recommendation than to say I will happily return again next year!
January 24, 2007
JK from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Went to Scheffau from 7 Jan to 14 Jan 2007 and stayed at Hotel Alpin with Esprit. Best winter holiday we've had. It was a thin time for snow across the Alps this year but they are brilliant at maintaining snow at Scheffau and we had a great time. There's variety to ski on for intermediates and plenty of places to stop and eat/drink. The piste-map is incomprehensible so pay E2.50 for a 3d version at the lift station instead. The ski down to the bottom at the end of the day is beautiful and worthwhile if you're not too tired. Also the little run from opposite the Alpin down to the road near the lift station is a nice little warm up rather than taking the ski-bus in the morning. If you've got kids this is the perfect resort. Esprit are second to none and we had a totally worry-free holiday. 6-yr old was in improvers and went on all manner of slopes, 3-yr old tried skiing in Spritelets and also played in snow etc in Snow Club. Basically we couldn't fault the child-care as they had plenty of staff so any idiosincracies with particular children etc just isn't a problem. The Alpin accommodation is clean and spacious (Esprit get the superior rooms in the block above the Pizzeria/reception) and the food is fantastic. Lots of choice of what to eat and the wine etc is included. Only negative to the hotel is that outside the restaurant is a bar area where some of the guests who came with another operator (who does more than just families) would smoke, but then we only pass through that area I guess. The pool is great (if a bit cold) and the staff helpful. Ski-hire is under the hotel and the first day isn't stressful as the Esprit staff just wait in the shop until you've got all your hire sorted out and then escort the kids up when ready, so no pressure to have them ready too promptly on the first day! Ski-school is good for kids and adults. Don't bother with the metal ceremony though - it's chaos. Just book a free sleigh ride instead for that night. Ski lifts were good, not too much waiting around, and the gondola from Scheffau is fast. Its nice to vary where you go on holiday, but this is a resort where one really could come back to time after time.
January 13, 2007
Paul O from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
We went to Scheffau over Christmas and had glorious sunshine all week . The skiing was good with most runs open considering the previous high temps and limited Snow fall-snow making facilities are excellent in this area. Scheffau had excellent access to Skiwelt area with lots of intermediate runs and phenomenal no of restaurants serving good lunchtime food. We stayed at Hotel Alpin- still brilliant food and excellent accommodation/ health centre -see earlier comments. Good ski-hire shop attached and convenient ski-bus to base station (fast gondola up). Ski-school -had a couple of private lessons with excellent instructor. Little lift queuing except of last couple of days when main return lift to gondola down was very busy at end of day. Went with Ski esprit who were good -check their website for last minute family bargains
March 14, 2006
jc from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Scheffau is great when there is plenty of snow as there has been for the past couple of years. It is ideal for beginners less good for those looking for challenging skiing. It is easy to get to from Munich whether by car or train. If you are there for a week then it is probably best to get a Kitzbüheler Alpen pass so you can take trips to ski in Kitzbühel, St Johann etc. It can get busy at weekends especially Sundays but there has been a lot of investment in new lifts so queues usually aren't too bad.
January 20, 2006
Graeme from Ski Germany Germany
As a Brit living near Munich, Scheffau and the entire Skiwelt area is our closest large resort. And it is large, with over 250 kms of mostly easy cruising blues and reds. Its size and proximity to Munich mean that it is very popular for a day trip and can get very crowded at the base first thing in the morning. However the area is so large that it can cope with a huge volume of skiers. It is also littered with mountain huts and bars. Only when the weather closes in does it get tought to find a lunch spot. One of the biggest problems for the Skiwelt area is its lack of altitude. Whilst this year has seen mostly sub-zero temperatures and masses of snow, it's not typical and you can end up skiing through almost a foot of slush at the bottom at the end of the day in mid-season if the weather isn't as wintery as it should be. However, it has an enormous amount of snow making (if the temperatures are cold enough) and has invested every year in more and more 4/6/8 seater chairlifts. If you're a family or a group of beginners/intermediates this area is perfect for you. Heck, it keeps the locals like us happy and we ski an awful lot!