Ski resorts in the Ortler Skiarena

The Schöneben - Haideralm ski area is the largest ski area in the province’s west and invites to experience winter’s many facets. The slopes of the Haideralm ski area can be accessed directly from the village of San Valentino/St. Valentin leading up to 2,200 m above sea level. Ways to get moving are equally as diverse: switch to a paraglider or take advantage of the reliable conditions at the Haidersee and Reschensee lakes where the famous ‘Vinschgau wind’ reliably powers ice sailors and kiters. On the wide slopes of the Schöneben ski area, featuring views of the Reschensee lake, families and leisure-minded skiers can carve their tracks. At the same time, freestylers practice at the ‘Butter Boxes’ and Funslopes of the award-winning snow park. The mythical atmosphere at the Reschensee lake with its sunken church tower also attracts many hikers in winter. Cross-country skiers can take advantage of an attractive network of trails around the ski area. The 'Dreiländerloipe (three-country cross-country skiing trail)' is particularly popular. You can also explore the three-country region of South Tyrol, Tyrol and Engadine on a snowshoe hike.

Trafoi is located at the foot of the 'King Ortler', the highest mountain in South Tyrol. Starting directly from the tranquil village centre of Trafoi, the lift transports guests up to the slopes on which skiing legend Gustav Thöni once perfected his technique. At the kindergarten of the 'Gustav Thöni' ski school on the 'Kirchhang' slope, children can practice for a skiing career, while adults make tracks on the sportier slopes of the small but fine Trafoi ski area. The best view of the Ortler range is from the Furkelhütte mountain hut at 2,250 m above sea level. This area is actually an important historical site: from here daredevil and chamois hunter 'Pseyrer Josele' was the first to successfully ascend the Ortler in 1804. Snowshoe hikers will find plenty of peace, quiet and untouched nature in the middle of the Stilfserjoch National Park, while adventurers can glide through fresh powder snow in the Ortles region all the way to spring.

At the glacier skiing area in the rustic Schnalstal valley, slopes start at up to 3,200 m elevation. From September to May, the long ski season is also popular with international skiing and cross-country skiing professionals for high-altitude training. In just minutes, the highest-climbing cable car in South Tyrol takes visitors from the village of Maso Corto/Kurzras to the snow-secure slopes, where there are pistes for all skill levels. Almost half of these are black! The "Teufelsegg", for instance, is notorious, while the new slalom training course "Leo Gurschler" with a gradient of up to 60% and the "Schmuggler" ski run into the valley are both challenging. Schnalstal valley is also known as a fantastic ski touring region: Many of the surrounding 3000-m peaks can be reached without long climbs. Finally, the demanding "Ötzi Glacier Tour" takes visitors to the Tisenjoch, the discovery site of the famous iceman, or you can start the "Ötztaler Runde" circuit.

On the slopes of Schwemmalm in the Ultental valley, leisure-minded skiers and beginners can rub elbows with professional skiers training for the next World Cup. In addition to 25 km of variety-rich slopes, rustic mountain huts with regional delicacies provide an attractive combination of sporty and culinary enjoyment. Freestylers love the Schwemmalm ski area for its powder snow slopes. For ski touring enthusiasts, there are countless routes in the Ultental valley at various levels of difficulty with more challenging options at the glacier at the end of the valley. The most personal way to experience the pristine Ultental valley is along the cross-country skiing trails or countless winter hiking trails that lead past centuries-old farms with traditional shingle roofs. Or you can hike to the starting point of the 'Moscha' natural toboggan run and speed down the slope on two runners.

The sunny ski area in the authentic Sarntal valley near Bolzano/Bozen is ideal for families: the ski lifts transport you up to 2,400 m above sea level, where varied, partly even FIS European Cup-tested slopes await you. At the same time, leisure-minded skiers prefer to carve tracks on the 'Pichlberg-Plankenhorn' slope and experts test their courage on the 'Joch slope' with up to 58 % incline. Elsewhere, snowboarders practice jumps at the 'Sunpark' and cross-country skiers glide through the idyllic landscape beneath the foot of the Sarntal Alps to the scent of mountain pine thickets. With a little luck, you might be able to sample the traditional 'Sarner Striezl' bread filled with Speck smoked ham at the valley station. The Reinswald ski area is also famous for its toboggan runs. Sledging fans from all over South Tyrol gather in Reinswald on full moon nights: While romantics sledge along the 4.5-km 'Reinswalder Wiesen' track, speed-demons zip down the short but quick 'Sunnalm' toboggan run.

Families feel particularly at home in the Pflerschtal valley ski area between the Brenner/Brennero border and the medieval town of Sterzing/Vipiteno. Kids from age 2 can have a blast at 'Fichti's Kinderwelt, a 5,000 m² children's winter park. At the ski school, which has received several gold awards, the ski instructors know exactly how beginners best learn to take their first turns. Experienced skiers can carve over the slopes of the forest valley ski run or enjoy the panoramic trail with a view of the Tribulaun and the Weißwandspitze peaks. The nearly 7-km toboggan run from the Ladurner Alm Alpine pasture is fun for young and old. Alternatively, the idyllic landscape in the Ridnauntal, Pfitschtal and Pflerschtal valleys boasts countless winter hiking routes and an exquisite network of cross-country skiing trails. Experienced ski tourers can climb up to the Stubai Glacier or the Zillertal Alps.

Winters on the Vigiljoch mountain have a certain nostalgia factor. In particular, arriving via Europe's second oldest ropeway (built in 1912) is a real experience. In the past, Lana's local mountain was a popular destination for spa guests from Meran/Merano and there were even international ski races held here in winter. These days on the Vigiljoch mountain, you will find untouched nature and quiet places of energy in addition to modern aspects like the 'Vigilius Mountain Resort' wellness hotel by star architect Matteo Thun, which blends harmoniously into the landscape. One way to reach the family-friendly ski slopes is via the historic chairlift. The panorama of the surrounding mountains and the romantic winter landscape of the car-free high plateau can be discovered particularly well on a winter or snowshoe hike. A lively atmosphere prevails on the toboggan run and during ice skating on the legendary 'Schwarze Lacke' mountain lake in the middle of the forest.

The Sulden glacier ski area is situated between 1,900 to 3,250 m above sea level and is considered to be South Tyrol's most snow-secure ski area - here you can ski for six whole months! Beginners can enjoy easy descents in an impressive location on the 'Kanzel' amidst 14 three-thousand-metre peaks and the Stilfserjoch National Park. There are more challenging slopes in the 'Schöntauf' area, especially on the 'Gran Zebru' slope, and those who love powder snow descents will find their bliss here. Or perhaps you’re keen to embark on a ski tour to one of the many peaks? Skiers will need good stamina for the 'König Ortler Circuit', which extends over all three mountains of the ski area, as well as for the eleven-kilometre-long valley ski run. At the 'Yeti Club', children will receive first-class supervision. Guests can also meet real yaks from mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner next to the 'Messner Mountain Museum Ortles'.

Few cities are so close to the slopes: From the picturesque shopping streets of the former Fugger town of Sterzing/Vipiteno, it’s just a five minutes to the valley station of the Rosskopf cable car, which quickly transports guests up to 1,860 m above sea level. On Sterzing's local mountain, also known as the 'Sterzing sun terrace,' the panorama over the entire Wipptal valley is quite impressive and the Dolomites of the southern Odle mountains reach for the sky. The quickest way back into the valley is via the spacious slopes. Alternatively, discover the idyllic winter landscape of the family-friendly skiing area by snowshoes. The toboggan run is winter fun for young and old at its most popular. With a distance of 10 km, it’s the longest track with artificial snow cover in Italy.

The Rittner Horn mountain above Bolzano/Bozen is also known as the 'Dolomite Lodge' for good reason. Here you can enjoy a 360° panorama in the heart of the South Tyrolean mountains as you enjoy fantastic views of the striking Dolomites then turn north to spot the main chain of the Alps. Families and nature lovers in particular will love the relaxed atmosphere in the easy-to-navigate Rittner Horn ski area. Elsewhere, cross-country skiers are busy discovering the wide Alpine pastures via the high-altitude trail from the Schwarzseespitze mountain station and sledging fans speed down the many curves on two runners. Comfortable winter hiking trails, some of which are even suitable for prams, lead across the entire high plateau. Journey from Bolzano with the cable car to Soprabolzano/Oberbozen then continue with the romantic narrow-gauge railway to Collalbo/Klobenstein. Ice skaters and ice skating professionals can make use of the 400-m speed skating rink, which is one of the fastest open-air skating rinks in the world thanks to its altitude.

Watles in the Obervinschgau valley is one of the sunniest ski areas in the province’s west and features wide, mostly moderately difficult slopes especially suitable for families. Little ones can play in the 'Bubo' ski kindergarten while freeriders carve new tracks on the new Skicross slope. Then there’s the legendary valley ski run, which leads through the spruce forest, and the picturesque, floodlit natural toboggan track. Both are considered can’t-miss highlights! Due to the ski area’s location in the middle of the Sesvenna mountain chain, snowshoe hikers and ski tourers can undertake challenging high-Alpine tours into the mountains. Alternatively, a separate ski touring slope leads from the valley station up to the Watlesspitze at 2,550 m above sea level. In the Nordic Ski Sports Centre Schlinig, international professionals and cross-country skiing fans meet for classic cross-country skiing or skating up to the Schliniger Alm Alpine pasture.

The word "hectic" simply does not exist in the vocabulary of Plan/Pfelders. Here, amidst the fairytale winter landscape of the pristine Passeiertal valley, nature lovers and families in particular can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Plan is one of the "Alpine Pearls©", a group of mountain villages dedicated to sustainability. During your skiing holiday in Plan, you won’t need your car because it takes a maximum of 3 minutes from the accommodation to the lift in this traffic-calmed village. The Pfelders ski area features slopes for all levels of ability as well as cosy mountain huts. With snowshoes or cross-country skis, you can discover the untouched landscape of the Texelgruppe Nature Park on your own. Elsewhere, romantics lace up their skates at the natural ice rink.  If, on the other hand, you are looking for an adrenaline rush, Corvara/Rabenstein has one of the largest ice climbing facilities in Europe.

From the lively spa town of Meran or the picturesque village of Hafling/Avelengo, the cable car and the gondola Falzeben transports guests up to the high plateau, which is also known as the "Sun Terrace of Meran". At the Kinderland playground Outdoor Kids Camp, little snow bunnies can romp and frolic while freestylers and snowboarders jump and slide in the snow park. The slopes, most of which are easy to moderately difficult, are spread over the St. Oswald, Kesselberg and Mittager ski mountains. At the latter, sporty skiers play daredevil at the eponymous black slope. The wide range of offers for all ages and levels of ability has already earned the Meran 2000 ski area several awards for its family friendliness. In addition to leisurely winter hikes with mountain hut stops and romantic horse-drawn sleigh rides, the ski area is also a good starting point for demanding ski tours. The year-round mountain roller coaster provides a thrill: the Alpine coaster whizzes along the tracks at speeds of up to 40 km/h!