55 km
820 m - 2150 m
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Test report Wildkogel-Arena
Skiresort.info Test of the ski resort Wildkogel-Arena
Total result: 4.1 out of 5 stars
Test Wildkogel-Arena
The review Wildkogel-Arena was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Further evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria for special interests
In detail: Test report for ski resort Wildkogel-Arena
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
The ski resort on the Wildkogel is considered a medium-sized resort in Austria with its 55 km of slopes.
Runs/slopes
Additional runs
25 km Marked ski routes
Altitude difference
1330 m (Valley 820 m - Mountain 2150 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
15
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 3 ← 2
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 3 ← 2
Photos
The Wildkogel ski resort has runs of all difficulty levels. A large part of the ski resort lies above the treeline, so there are also many possibilities to explore the deep snow.
Runs/slopes
Total 55 km
Easy
25 km
(45 %)Intermediate
22 km
(40 %)Difficult
8 km
(15 %)
Additional runs
Marked ski routes
25 km
Longest run
14 km
Run location
just above tree line, under tree line
Worth knowing
- Valley run available
- Public race course with time measurement
From Neukirchen and Bramberg, modern gondola lifts take guests up to the ski resort on the Wildkogel. As of the winter season 2010/2011, the Smaragd lift will be the new feeder lift from Bramberg. Within the ski resort itself, most of the slopes are accessed via detachable chair lifts. J-bars and t-bars are available for beginners. As of the winter season 2012/2013, the Fruehmesser lift will be replaced with a modern 6 person chair lift with orange weather protectors.
Number of ski lifts
15
Total capacity
23298 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
15.1 km Total
Lifts and cable cars
4
4
5
2
Additional
5
The valley runs and the main slopes have snow-making capabilities. Due to the location of the ski resort (bowl), the snow reliability is guaranteed until the spring.
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
330 Snow canons
50 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is often open.
Season 2009/2010
140 Days open
140 Days when valley run open
140 Days when valley run open
Season 2010/2011
142 Days open
96 Days when valley run open
96 Days when valley run open
Photos
The slope preparation is excellent.
The slopes are prepared daily with care and diligence.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
Photos
Further evaluation criteria
The Wildkogel ski resort is relatively far away from the Inntal expressway (64 km) and from the Tauern expressway (84 km). There are 1200 free parking spaces directly at the lifts in Neukirchen and Bramberg. There is also a parking garage (with fee) at the valley station of the Smaragd lift in Bramberg.
Access via A12 Inntal-Autobahn, Exit Achensee-Zillertal
- Wildkogelbahn (Neukirchen am Großvenediger), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 64 km · approx. 64 Minutes driving time
Roads: Mountain road, Mountain pass road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot, free of charge
- Smaragdbahn Wildkogel (Bramberg am Wildkogel), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 75 km · approx. 68 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, Mountain pass road, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Parking garage, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge
Access via A12 Inntal-Autobahn, Ausfahrt Kufstein Süd
- Smaragdbahn Wildkogel (Bramberg am Wildkogel), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 75 km · approx. 72 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Mountain road, Mountain pass road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Parking garage, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge - Wildkogelbahn (Neukirchen am Großvenediger), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 76 km · approx. 79 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Mountain road, Mountain pass road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot, free of charge
Access via A10 Tauernautobahn, Ausfahrt Knoten Pongau
- Smaragdbahn Wildkogel (Bramberg am Wildkogel), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 84 km · approx. 78 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, well-developed
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Parking garage, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge - Wildkogelbahn (Neukirchen am Großvenediger), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 89 km · approx. 84 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Mountain road, well-developed
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot, free of charge
Trail map and overview maps:
The trail map depicts the ski resort well. All lifts, restaurants and most of the slopes are indicated. There is a lot of information about the ski resort in the trail map. It would be nice if even more altitude indications were included for the mountain and middle stations of the lifts.
The trail map depicts the ski resort well. All lifts, restaurants and most of the slopes are indicated. There is a lot of information about the ski resort in the trail map. It would be nice if even more altitude indications were included for the mountain and middle stations of the lifts.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
There are slope and information boards at the valley station. In the valley station of the Smaragd lift and the middle and mountain stations of the Wildkogel lift, there are digital information boards indicating the open and closed ski lifts and slopes. There is also an information point in the valley station of the Smaragd lift. Even more detailed signs could be added at some of the intersections.
There are slope and information boards at the valley station. In the valley station of the Smaragd lift and the middle and mountain stations of the Wildkogel lift, there are digital information boards indicating the open and closed ski lifts and slopes. There is also an information point in the valley station of the Smaragd lift. Even more detailed signs could be added at some of the intersections.
The ski resort places a high value on cleanliness and hygiene. The sanitary facilities are always in top condition and they make sure that the ski resort, at the ticket desks and in the parking lots are kept clean.
In 2010, the ski resort Wildkogel installed a new photovoltaic facility at 2100 metres above sea level. 75 percent of the total power required by the Wildkogel lifts are covered by the highest solar power facility in Europe. The Wildkogel Arena is a member of the "Alpinen Perlen", which promise to offer environmentally friendly holidays. "Soft mobility (car-free tourism) in the winter" with a stress-free arrival and departure via bus or train are available for guests: Free ski bus connections within the entire Wildkogel Arena, city buses and train connections, free "Ski Train" with the local train for guests with a valid ski pass, additional commuter trains and use of local personnel (short commute).
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- Train connection
The Pinzgau railway leaves hourly from Zell am See to Neukirchen and Bramberg. Buses bring guests from there to the valley stations. - Comprehensive ski bus network
- Scheduled busses
Photos
The friendliest ski resort in Austria! You are greeted in the morning at the valley station and your skis are placed in the gondola. The personnel up in the ski resort are more friendly than average.
The Wildkogel Arena offers a varied gastronomy with over 2000 seats indoors within the ski resort. There is a mixture of self-service and service restaurants, rustic huts and cultivated restaurants. Everyone will find their place here - whether they are looking for typical skier's fare or local specialties.
14 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Gastronomy tip
-
Aussichts-Bergrestaurant Wildkogel
Directly at the Wildkogel lift mountain station
The Bergrestaurant was renovated and expanded in the summer of 2011 (600 indoor seats, chill area and experience bar). The area with service is new where you can enjoy delicacies and good cooking. There is also a self-service section and a large sun terrace with a wonderful view of the Hohe Tauern.
-
S Lounge
In the valley station of the Smaragd lift in Bramberg
A restaurant with a good menu and specialties as well as a bar. Also ideal for ending your ski day.
Mountain hut tip
-
Geisl Hochalm
On slope Nr. 5 at 1904m
One of the most rustic and cozy alm restaurants in the Wildkogel Arena. True to the motto: "Don't be dumm, go right to Sepp."
-
Wildkogelalm
Directly at the Smaragd lift mountain station
Newly opened in the winter of 2010/11 with separate restaurant and Après ski area. Decorated in typical Austrian style with nice panorama terrace.
-
Vierlauchenhütte
At the middle station of the Smaragd lift
Rustic ski hut with sun terrace and local specialties. Newly opened in the 2011/2012 season.
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Skihütte Rettenstein
At the 6 person Pfeifferkoepfl chair lift.
Enjoy the homemade and lovingly prepared treats from the local region. Cozy bar and sun terrace complete the offering.
-
Thürnerstube
At the valley run to Neukirchen
Cozy hut with sun terrace and local specialties. The Kasnockn (cheese dumplings) are to be recommended.
Photos
You can begin enjoying Après-Ski in the Wildkogel Arena ski resort and make your way downhill. At the valley stations, there are umbrella bars and the absolute highlight, "Zwischnzeit".
-
Zwischnzeit
Adventure Après alm on the toboggan run and ski run to Bramberg.
The highlight in Pinzgau! The Zwischenzeit offers some great gags such as a moving table, Jägermeister lift and Schnaps gondola (floats through the bar and provides guests with drinks). The atmosphere is great at the bar as well as outside. You can really celebrate here before going down to the valley.
-
Ramba Zambar
At the mountain station of the Wildkogel lift.
Before you go down to the valley, you can start your Après Ski up in the ski resort.
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Scheifei Schirmbar
At the end of the valley run in Neukirchen
The last stop before the valley station. Located in the village of Neukirchen at the end of the valley run, you can begin your Après Ski here.
Photos
You can stay the night in the ski resort at the following huts: Geislhochalm, Wildkogelhaus, Rettensteinalm, Wolkenstein and in the Panorama-Aussichtsrestaurant. The new "Wildkogelresort", the new "Smaragdresort" and the nature resort, Senningerhof are located directly at the Smaragd lift. There are many private bed and breakfasts right near the slopes. Additional accommodations are expected to open at the valley station in the summer of 2012. There are currently 770 guest beds available in the ski resort or directly on the slopes.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are many accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Towns/villages
- Bramberg am Wildkogel
Distance to ski resort fewer than 0.5 km
Guest beds 1900 - Neukirchen am Großvenediger
Distance to ski resort fewer than 1 km
Guest beds 3000
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
Evaluation criteria for special interests
The Wildkogel ski resort is well-suited for families and children. There is a new children's area from the Schneesportschule (Snow Sport School) Wildkogel at the Smaragd lift mountain station and a new children's area from the Ski School Bramberg near the middle station in addition to the annually expanded Kogel-Mogel children's area at the Wildkogel lift mountain station. Both ski schools have a guest kindergarten and various offerings for the children. The children's areas are located directly in the ski resort, so parents can stop by anytime. There are also practice lifts and slopes in Neukirchen and in Bramberg on the "Wennser Glacier". A highlight is the Kogel-Mogel children's area and the longest lit toboggan run in the world.
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Merry-go-round
- Wave ride for children
- Adventure course
- People mover
- Children's lifts
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
- Child friendly access to lifts
- Ski kindergarten
- Ski school for children
- Child care
- Playground / park
- Mascot (Kogel-Mogel)
Special tips for children
-
Kogel-Mogel children's area
Located directly at the mountain station of the Wildkogel lift, magic carpets, a carousel and lots of playing, fun and action are waiting for the children.
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Kids' Arena
The new Kids' Arena from the Snow Sport School Wildkogel is located directly at the mountain station of the Smaragd lift. The children learn to ski in a playful way here.
Photos
Nice ski resort for beginners and those who are beginning again because there is a large offering of easy slopes and beginner's lifts up in the ski resort. You can practice your curves using the longest people mover in Austria (201m magic carpet) and the Ganeralm and Wolkenstein j-bars. The valley run to Bramberg is not recommended for beginners.
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Wide slopes
- Beginner's area
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
- Separate lift ticket for beginners / point ticket
Ski schools on-site
Photos
The valley runs to Bramberg and Neukirchen are recommended for advanced skiers due to their length and difficulty level. There are special slopes for freeriders near the Fruehmesser lift (deep snow slope) and near the Pfeifferkoepfl lift (mogul run and deep snow slope). The whole bowl on the Wildkogel can be explored by freeriders.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- many freeride / deep snow areas
- few mogul slopes
Slope offering advanced skiers
Runs/slopes
Total 55 km
Difficult
8 km
(15 %)Additional runs
Marked ski routes
25 km
Most difficult run
-
Run Nr. 16 · Length 1 km · Altitude difference 340 m
The run leads from directly below the Pfeifferkoepfl lift to the valley.
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Photos
There is a small funpark as of the 2011/12 winter season near Gasthof Wolkenstein
Information for Snowboarders
- few cat tracks
- no runs with ascent
- many freeride / deep snow areas
Offering snow parks
- Snow park/ Fun park
- No halfpipe
- Kicker (Jump/ Ramp)
- Rails/ Slides
- Boxes
- Chill area
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 45 km
45 km of tracks are located in Bramberg and Neukirchen. Direct access to the "Pinga-Loipe" (over 200km long) is possible.
Trail tip(s)
-
Lit circular tracks
There is a circular track in Bramberg and in Neukirchen
Length: 2.0 km ▪ Altitude: 820 m - 860 m
Difficulty level: easy
Track: double track
Cross-country skiing style: classic, skating
fee: no
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Pinzga-Loipe
The track is over 200km long and leads from Krimml to Zell am See. There are no large ascents.
Length: 200.0 km ▪ Altitude: 700 m - 900 m
Difficulty level: easy
Track: double track
Cross-country skiing style: classic, skating
fee: no
Conclusion
Very family and children friendly, many nice ski huts, friendly personnel, environmentally friendly ski operation
The valley run in Neukirchen does not lead directly to the valley station, you must travel a short distance with the ski bus
Test Report issued on 2011-12-27
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Highlights
Highlights
Hotel - Landhaus Rohregger 
****
Familie Rohregger
5741 Neukirchen am Großvenediger
500 m to ski resort Details »
Familie Rohregger
5741 Neukirchen am Großvenediger
500 m to ski resort Details »
