We visited Ifen on two occasions in season 25/26. Once in early January, and again toward the end of February. From our observations and experience, Ifen is far and away the best ski area in the Kleinwalsertal ski region.
That’s all quite positive, so what’s not too love? Well ...... Judging by the size of the car park, Ifen gets super busy on occasions. We observed it on particular Saturday, but that can be said of the entire Kleinwalsertal/Oberstdorf region, so we are not sure if it is a deal breaker or not. Weekends & peak holiday periods here are hectic and best spent in the backcountry rather than skiing the inbounds.
Aside from its clear popularity and overcrowding on some pistes (mainly the beginner pistes IF4, 5, & 6), the number of ski trails provides for all abilities but is at the same time limited in scope. Despite being around 25km in total length, they feel monotonous from a skier point of view. There are only really three top to bottom trails (with a few more variations above mid-mountain). Thankfully the length of each is at least 4 to 7km long.
The relative modernity of the ski lifts means that regardless of how busy a piste might seem, there is little to lift queuing, which is fantastic. However, it does seem like the upper gondola (Ifen II) often closes due to wind, avalanche danger and visibility issues; severely limiting the skiable terrain during storms. Looking at the amount of snow hanging off the ridge above the gondola top station, there are clearly serious avalanche mitigation considerations when running the gondola to the top.
Food & drink on the mountain are best at the upper gondola station on the top story. Beautiful surrounds, views and the option to download if you overindulge. Mid-mountain, a more traditional Austrian offering, Ifenhütte is worth a look just above the gondola mid-station. At the ski resort base, we found Auenhütte too busy and best avoided unless quaffing an après ski beverage outside.
Accommodation near the ski area is limited to the Auenhütte at its base. Otherwise a few options nearby are hidden from view but are skiable to Oberwäldele and Wäldele. Beyond that you are in with the masses at Riezlern, Hirschegg or beyond. Unless keen to stay near Ifen, if you have a rental car, we recommend staying in lively Oberstdorf. If you do not have a rental car, you are best staying on the Austrian side fo the border in Riezlern or up the valley toward Mittelberg and using the local bus free bus network to get around. Using the buses from Oberstdorf to ski in Kleinwalsertal it costs money (as you cross the border into Austria, takes alot of time, and requires a change of bus to get to Ifen.
A positive in relation to the car park location is that it is also connected to the ski lifts at the lamentable Heuberg via the free 'Pendelbus' and central to a whole lot of ski tours and freeride descent exits including down from the backside of the Walmendinger Horn summit into the popular Schwarzwassertal (Black Water Valley).
A little local knowledge here is very important to expand the terrain options away from the more obvious off-piste slopes to the skiers left & right of piste #IF2a. Heading out across the Gottesacker (Cemetery!) plateau toward Toreck opens up more possibilities with exits down toward Wäldele. And so it goes if you have the time or inclination to be adventurous.
On a sunny day or powder morning Ifen can be glorious for ripping multiple fast top to bottom runs on & off piste. The question is how long that maintains your interest…..
See our thoughts on the resort’s pros & cons via the Ifen overview page.