Westendorf, SkiWelt Area , Austria

The Ski Welt area is one of the largest in Austria, with a total of 250km of pistes. However, its component parts make the territory rather similar, as it's basically made up of a number of smaller, lift- or bus-linked resorts. Westendorf (40km of runs) was voted the most beautiful village in Europe in 1998 and, considering the competition, that's a very high accolade indeed. It is generally considered to be a family resort - good value and with excellent skiing for beginners and early intermediates. While Westendorf has the best snow of the Ski Welt resorts and half of its runs have snowmaking facilities, the nursery slopes are low and can be poorly covered. Also, it is the only one of the resorts that requires a bus to access its own pistes and the other ski areas. To make the Ski Welt connection, you have to go to Brixen, a little further up the valley. Boarders have a park and a half-pipe, while 'langlaufers' have 30km of trails. Alternatively, you can buy the 'Kitzbuheler Alpen' pass, for nearly 700km of road-linked skiing and boarding for all abilities.

Westendorf has a good selection of mountain restaurants, while village eateries are mostly found in the hotels. There is alternative accommodation in apartments. Après-ski is nothing special and there isn't a great deal for non-skiers to do. Overall, Westendorf is friendly and very pretty, largely a family venue, but with inconvenient slope access.

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