Travel Eye on Scheffau (Austria)

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Overview:

With only 1,000 inhabitants, Scheffau (or Scheffau am Wilder Kaiser, to give it its full name) is the smallest of the half-dozen villages that constitute Austria's largest interconnecting ski-network, its larger and more familiar neighbours include Soll, Ellmau and Westendorf.

On elevated S-facing meadows, ¾ ml off the main Innsbruck/Salzburg road, which separates the village and Brandstadl lift stations. Lake Hintersteiner, around 400 ft above and behind, is 2 mls by road.

The Siegelsberg drag-lift and Brandstadl chair-lift/cable car (across the main road, ¾ ml from the centre) link to the extensive "Ski-Welt" (Ski World) Wilder Kaiser network with its 93 lifts. Those with the Scheffau "guest card" can expect to queue-jump at the village's lift stations.

Accommodation is generally good (if unexceptional) 2-, 3- and 4-star hotels and pensions, with some apartments, and most family run. Majority of accommodation is in the centre, a few in the nearby hamlet of Blaiken (which is on the ski-lift side of the main road) or adjacent to the ski-stations.

Though the village is separated from the ski-facilities by a major roadway, skiers will find this inconvenience lessened by several pedestrian subways and regular buses. Good road links make it a popular touring base in summer.

The area is unsophisticated and quiet, attracting novice skiers and families. Popular with Germans, Dutch and British. Definitely not for the rowdy.

Locality:

Scheffau is located in the heart of the Tyrol, 15 mls S of the German border, 3 mls W of Ellmau, 4 mls NE of Soll and Itter. It is also just 70 mls SE of Munich (Germany) and its airport and 50 mls NE of Innsbruck and its airport.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Daytime is limited to downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing, swimming at the indoor pool centre in Soll. Nightlife is warm low-key apres-ski, confined to hotel bars which sometimes have live music. Not the place for dedicated nightclubbers. Wider choice in Soll and Ellmau

There is a limited choice of eating out in Scheffau. Most hotels have traditional-style menus as well as international cuisine, and fondues for that old 80's feeling. More choice is available in nearby Soll and Ellmau.