Ellmau Ski Resort

Ellmau is a very attractive, traditional resort, set against the splendour of the Wilder Kaiser (Wild Emperor) mountains.

The resort is one of the larger villages on the Skiwelt, Austria's largest ski area with almost 280km (174 miles) of lift-linked terrain. The area is further connected to Kitzbühel's skiing by the Ki-West gondola to create one of the world's biggest ski areas.

Unfortunately in these days of climate-change concerns, it is also one of the lowest major ski areas in the Alps, but it does boast Austria's largest snowmaking arsenal in a bid to counter this and doesn't seem to have suffered much from its altitude in most seasons.

The base of the ski area, served by Austria's longest funicular railway (although it's fast too, taking just four minutes to make the ascent), is right on the edge of town, so a ski bus is usually needed to start your day, unless you opt to stay out of the resort centre in one of the slopeside hotels.