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Ski area Schnalstal Glacier
Information about the ski area
| Highest point: | 3,212 m | Gondola lift: | 2 |
| Lowest point: | 2,011 m | Pistes in total: | 42 km |
| Altitude ski resort: | 2,011 m |
Pistes:
|
10 km |
| Lifts in total: | 13 |
Pistes:
|
18 km |
| Tow lifts: | 6 |
Pistes:
|
14 km |
| Chair lifts: | 5 | ||
Ski area Schnalstal Glacier
The glacier ski area in Val Senales offers winter sports enthusiasts a choice of 42 kilometres of pistes and 13 lifts. The cable cars boast short waiting times and the ski area, which is situated at an altitude of 3,212 metres, offers guaranteed snow. The Schnalstal glacier lift, which was completely renovated in December 2023, and chairlifts take you directly from Maso Corto to the ski area. The kilometres of pistes are evenly divided between blue, red and black runs, so there is something for everyone here.
Leisure skiers will feel especially at home on the glacier pistes with their easy to medium levels of difficulty. The slopes at the Hintereis chair lift receive quite a lot of sunshine whereby the diverse red pistes at the Lazaun hut gracefully weave themselves through the forest. Experts will find a real challenge on the black pistes found on the lower half of the glacier lake lift. In comparison, little skiers will be happy to test their skills in "Tiroli's Kinderland" near the valley station of the glacier lift, of which provides children with a magic carpet conveyor belt and ski carousel. For night skiing, two floodlight pistes are also available to choose from.
A highlight and the real cherry on top of your day of skiing is surely the 8 km long valley run, of which leads back down into Maso Corto. For those of you who stand out from the crowd, you'll find plenty of open areas to check out. What's more is that you can even learn how to take on freeriding, as Maso Corto offers freeride courses for the curious and adventurous.
The glacier is also a popular training area for the country's international ski and cross-country team. The conditions for effective, intensive training are ideal here and therefore, the Grawand piste is transformed into a circuit starting from September, of which is spotted with blue and red gates. On the training areal, around 40 different runs are offered and since 2015, there is even a rental service available for the gates and the drilling machines needed to install them.
An excursion tip for ski tour-goers is the Ötzi Glacier Tour. The high alpine glacier tour starts at the mountain station of the Schnalstal glacier lift and heads over the Hochjochferner (Schnalstal glacier) until Tisenjoch at an altitude of 3,200 m where the famous mummy, Ötzi, was discovered. There is even a memorial stone for the "Uomo del Similaun". The 7 to 8 hour circuit is an especially attractive route for hikers starting in the spring.
Leisure skiers will feel especially at home on the glacier pistes with their easy to medium levels of difficulty. The slopes at the Hintereis chair lift receive quite a lot of sunshine whereby the diverse red pistes at the Lazaun hut gracefully weave themselves through the forest. Experts will find a real challenge on the black pistes found on the lower half of the glacier lake lift. In comparison, little skiers will be happy to test their skills in "Tiroli's Kinderland" near the valley station of the glacier lift, of which provides children with a magic carpet conveyor belt and ski carousel. For night skiing, two floodlight pistes are also available to choose from.
A highlight and the real cherry on top of your day of skiing is surely the 8 km long valley run, of which leads back down into Maso Corto. For those of you who stand out from the crowd, you'll find plenty of open areas to check out. What's more is that you can even learn how to take on freeriding, as Maso Corto offers freeride courses for the curious and adventurous.
The glacier is also a popular training area for the country's international ski and cross-country team. The conditions for effective, intensive training are ideal here and therefore, the Grawand piste is transformed into a circuit starting from September, of which is spotted with blue and red gates. On the training areal, around 40 different runs are offered and since 2015, there is even a rental service available for the gates and the drilling machines needed to install them.
An excursion tip for ski tour-goers is the Ötzi Glacier Tour. The high alpine glacier tour starts at the mountain station of the Schnalstal glacier lift and heads over the Hochjochferner (Schnalstal glacier) until Tisenjoch at an altitude of 3,200 m where the famous mummy, Ötzi, was discovered. There is even a memorial stone for the "Uomo del Similaun". The 7 to 8 hour circuit is an especially attractive route for hikers starting in the spring.
Rules of conduct on ski pistes in Italy
To ensure safety on the ski slopes in Italy, stricter safety regulations have been in force since 2022. In order to use the ski areas, everyone must have liability insurance that covers damage to third parties. It will also be possible to take out this insurance on site for individual days. Drunken skiing is prohibited and punishable by heavy fines, with a maximum of 0.5 mg of alcohol per litre of blood. To reduce the risk of injury, helmets are also compulsory for all minors when skiing, snowboarding or tobogganing.
Après ski Maso Corto
Maso Corto and Val Senales offer the perfect surroundings for a diverse holiday. That also applies to apres ski here. You can end the day with mulled wine at the glacier bar. In the evenings you can venture on to "Leo's Pub" or to the "Platzl-Bar", for instance. Or you can just end the day in one of the cosy restaurants with their South Tyrol specialities or a nice Italian pizza.
If you rather seek more activity, you can explore the surrounding Val Senales with it's quaint villages on 4 winter hiking trails or on a snowshoe tour. Go for a walk through the village Karthaus and follow the trails of the former monastery Allerengelberg. In the sport zone "Texel" you can practice your ice skating skills on the natural ice rink illuminated by flood lights.
If you rather want a bit more relaxation you can wind down in the Olympic indoor pool of Maso Corto. Besides a large sports pool and sauna area there is also a steam bath and massage area. Other pool complexes can easily be reached by car in the Val Senales: e.g. the activity pools Naturns, or the AquaForum Latsch or even the thermal baths in Meran.
Cultural input during your holiday here is also possible: the Val Senales offers quite a rich cultural selection. In the "ArcheoPark Schnals" you can follow the ice man Ötzi's trails. This ice mummy was found in September 1991 by German couple hiking in close proximity to the Val Senales ski area. An exhibition on this particular find can be seen at the mountain station of the glacier lift. If you would like to see Ötzi personally you can also take a trip to the approx. 70 km distant Bolzano where the "man from the ice" can be seen in the local archaeological museum.
If you rather seek more activity, you can explore the surrounding Val Senales with it's quaint villages on 4 winter hiking trails or on a snowshoe tour. Go for a walk through the village Karthaus and follow the trails of the former monastery Allerengelberg. In the sport zone "Texel" you can practice your ice skating skills on the natural ice rink illuminated by flood lights.
If you rather want a bit more relaxation you can wind down in the Olympic indoor pool of Maso Corto. Besides a large sports pool and sauna area there is also a steam bath and massage area. Other pool complexes can easily be reached by car in the Val Senales: e.g. the activity pools Naturns, or the AquaForum Latsch or even the thermal baths in Meran.
Cultural input during your holiday here is also possible: the Val Senales offers quite a rich cultural selection. In the "ArcheoPark Schnals" you can follow the ice man Ötzi's trails. This ice mummy was found in September 1991 by German couple hiking in close proximity to the Val Senales ski area. An exhibition on this particular find can be seen at the mountain station of the glacier lift. If you would like to see Ötzi personally you can also take a trip to the approx. 70 km distant Bolzano where the "man from the ice" can be seen in the local archaeological museum.
Snowpark: Snowpark Maso Corto
Located not far from the valley station of the Schalstaler Gletscher lift, and directly next to the Glocken lift lies the Funpark Val Senales. The snowpark was designed mostly for beginner freestylers, offering children and beginners a perfect introduction to the freestyle scene. The park offers a easy line specially designed for freestyle and snowboard beginners. On a total length of approx. 360 m, there are various boxes, including rainbow, wave and down boxes, as well as two other boxes, which all together form a diverse set-up. Further, there are 6 kickers with up 2 m high tables, which enable jumps of up to 3 m.
Is the Schnalstal Glacier ski area not right for you? Then have a look here instead: Ski areas Italy
