There’s something uniquely charming about a European ski getaway. The combination of glorious mountain scenery, crisp snow, and an elegant and sophisticated approach to apres-ski makes choosing one of the great ski resorts of Europe for your next ski vacation a no-brainer. And while there are plenty of spots in France, Italy, and Switzerland that are somewhat overcrowded during winter months, there are also plenty of wonderful hidden gems that arguably offer a better experience than Zermatt, Courchevel, or Chamonix.
One of the best of these is Westendorf, a small resort in Austria. Tucked away in the Tyrolean Alps, near the Kitzbühel and SkiWelt regions, Westendorf is sometimes overlooked in favor of the bigger names in Italy, France, and Switzerland, but it’s one of the best places to find early snow and exceptionally fluffy powder. It’s a beautiful village in its own right, with gorgeous views across the Brixenthal Valley, and offers a family-friendly experience at one of the most budget-friendly ski resorts in Europe.
Westendorf is located in west Austria, close to the border with Bavaria in Germany. It’s around 50 miles from the mountain town of Innsbruck, which can be reached by car in just over an hour or by public transport in about an hour and a half. It’s within easy reach of three international airports: Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Munich, all of which are reachable in under two hours by car.
Read more: 50 Of The Most Mesmerizing Places On Earth
Astonishing powder and stunning ski slopes
Skiers on pristine ski slopes near Westendorf – JustinGr/Shutterstock
In November 2025, Westendorf was named “Best Destination for Powder Snow in the World”, an accolade bestowed by Inghams Ski in collaboration with a senior meteorologist from British Weather Services. The pristine, fluffy snow at Westendorf has been a favorite with Austrian and Bavarian powder-hounds for years, and is now primed for a wider, international popularity. Westendorf is right next to the exceptional SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser — Brixental and the KitzSki regions, two of Austria’s best ski areas. Skiing can be accessed directly from the village, and there’s a huge variety of runs to choose from, with wide practice slopes in the valley, a range of ski schools, as well as terrain parks and black diamond runs for the most advanced skiers.
The Gampenkogel lift nearby offers access to one of the largest fun parks in the region, with amazing opportunities for snowboarding and freestyle skiing, and for the most adventurous explorers, there are around seven miles of carefully managed yet unspoiled cross-country ski trails to allow skiers to get away from the pistes and enjoy mountain landscapes in peace and solitude.
Even if you aren’t sold on spending the whole vacation on the slopes, Westendorf is a great destination. The village itself is picturesque Tyrolean charm personified, and there are some exceptional marked winter hiking trails, including an excellent route up to the delightful Alpenrosenhütte, as well as easy routes across the plateau that are perfect for families.
A year-round mountain destination
Picturesque mountain village of Westendorf, buildings, trees, and church tower – Jan Van Der Wolf/Getty Images
While the biggest draw of Westendorf is its epic powder and impressive slopes, it has a lot to offer beyond the piste, and is an exceptional place to visit year-round as well. As the cold weather slowly passes and the snow retreats, a wealth of spring-to-autumn hiking trails open up, with routes up to the glittering Kreuzjöchlsee lake or through the spectacular Windau Valley. Mountain bikers will also find plenty to entertain them, with amazing, adrenaline-pumping routes including the Choralpen tour or the Kinzlingalm tour.
One of the things making Westendorf such a kid-friendly ski town is Alpinolino Adventure World. This is a delightful spot for families with young kids, and makes a fabulous introduction to the world of mountain adventure.
With puzzles, games, a magnificent marble run, and panoramic views, it’s sure to spark a love of alpine exploration in your little ones. Adults looking for similar enjoyment might want to try their hand at a few rounds of golf at the 18-hole Kitzbüheler Alpen Westendorf course, located right next to Westendorf village.
Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter for access to the world’s best-kept travel secrets. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google.
Read the original article on Explore.