The Unterberg is located on the outskirts of Kössen and has, despite its low name,

a majestic appearance. It towers up like a white cone; near the summit, the lifts draw a slight crest into the otherwise immaculate landscape. As a ski mountain, the Unterberg has been in again for some time, but as a panoramic mountain it is unsurpassed. From its summit, you can see into the royal Bavarian Chiemgau mountains and, after a 95-degree turn, the jagged crown of the Wilder Kaiser. Elsewhere there may be more concentrated ski centers, but such a massing of aristocratic mountain prominence can only be found here at the most beautiful junction between Bavaria and Tyrol.

Kössen is the lively prelude to the Kaiserwinkl when you travel from Reit im Winkl or Schleching in Bavaria to Tyrol. The village's alleyways are full of colorful skiers, who during the day mainly frequent the Unterberg slopes, which reach up to 1,700 meters above sea level. Sporty cross-country skiers are also abundantly represented here, making their rounds on 140 km of trails in the Kaiserwinkl region.

A few kilometers further and at the foot of the Wilder Kaiser lies the village of Schwendt. It is the nostalgic treasure chest of the Kaiserwinkl and a real contrast to the villages on the valley floor. Apart from the milk transports of the farmers, there is hardly a means of transport to be seen on the paths, there is no hotel, no lift and no ski circus here. You stay in friendly inns, where you can still hang out with the locals in the evenings. The big cross-country skiing loop to Kössen and to Walchsee passes the outskirts of the village, the Unterberg lifts are 5 km away. If you want to enjoy a piece of imperial winter with a feeling of nature at a particularly reasonable price, the quiet Schwendt is the place to be.

Third place in the imperial winter alliance is Walchsee, located directly on the glittering shore of the lake of the same name. Here guests have a 4-seater chairlift at their disposal and two snow-making facilities ensure skiing pleasure on the Amberg and the Zahmen Kaiser. In addition to numerous excellent hotels with all comforts, there is a rich accommodation choice here in all price ranges. The snow-sure skiing areas can be reached by car in barely 15 minutes, and all the top cross-country skiing trails of the Kaiserwinkl region, which, by the way, have been awarded the "Tyrolean Cross-Country Skiing Seal of Quality", begin and end here.

Peace and quiet and pure relaxation can be experienced away from the slopes in the small village of Rettenschöss. The through road passes deep down in the valley, so that the village is spared from car traffic and noise.