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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: | 1,700 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 especially will feel right at home on the wide glacier pistes with their easy to medium levels of difficulty. The glacier slopes near the Hintereis chair lift are drenched in plenty of sunshine whereby the red pistes near the Lazaunhütte are quite diverse, leading you through idyllic wintry forests. Experts will definitely find the challenge they're looking for on the black pistes near the lower part of the Gletschersee lift. Littler skiers will find their paradise at the Tiroli's Kinderland near the valley station of the glacier lift with magic carpet and ski carousel to gently encourage a great skiing experience for the entire family. Two illuminated pistes are also available to enjoy well into the evening. A highlight, or rather the real cherry on top of a day of skiing, is the 8 km long valley run down into Maso Corto. On the other hand, those who prefer something a little different than a classic ride down will find plenty of open areas to choose from. Coincidentally, freeride courses are also offered in Maso Corto. Not far away from the valley station of the glacier lift is the newly designed Val Senales Funpark. Specifically constructed for freestyle beginners, the park impresses with a diverse set-up of boxes and kickers.
The glacier is also a favourite training area amongst international ski and cross-country national teams. The conditions for effective altitude training here are simply ideal, so much so that the Grawand piste is transformed into a circuit as early as September, sprinkled with red and blue gates. At the training grounds, about 40 diverse track layouts are provided and since 2015, there is even a rental service available for gate poles and drills.
A day trip suggestion for ski tourers is the Ötzi Glacier Tour. This high-alpine glacier tour begins at the mountain station of the Schnalstaler glacier lift and runs up over the Hochjochferner (i.e. the Schnalstal Glacier) until you reach the Tisenjoch at 3,212 m altitude, where the well-known Ötzi mummy was found. There's even a memorial stone here for the "Uomo del Similaun." The 7 to 8 hour circular hike is an attractive route for hikers starting in spring.
Leisure skiers especially will feel right at home on the wide glacier pistes with their easy to medium levels of difficulty. The glacier slopes near the Hintereis chair lift are drenched in plenty of sunshine whereby the red pistes near the Lazaunhütte are quite diverse, leading you through idyllic wintry forests. Experts will definitely find the challenge they're looking for on the black pistes near the lower part of the Gletschersee lift. Littler skiers will find their paradise at the Tiroli's Kinderland near the valley station of the glacier lift with magic carpet and ski carousel to gently encourage a great skiing experience for the entire family. Two illuminated pistes are also available to enjoy well into the evening. A highlight, or rather the real cherry on top of a day of skiing, is the 8 km long valley run down into Maso Corto. On the other hand, those who prefer something a little different than a classic ride down will find plenty of open areas to choose from. Coincidentally, freeride courses are also offered in Maso Corto. Not far away from the valley station of the glacier lift is the newly designed Val Senales Funpark. Specifically constructed for freestyle beginners, the park impresses with a diverse set-up of boxes and kickers.
The glacier is also a favourite training area amongst international ski and cross-country national teams. The conditions for effective altitude training here are simply ideal, so much so that the Grawand piste is transformed into a circuit as early as September, sprinkled with red and blue gates. At the training grounds, about 40 diverse track layouts are provided and since 2015, there is even a rental service available for gate poles and drills.
A day trip suggestion for ski tourers is the Ötzi Glacier Tour. This high-alpine glacier tour begins at the mountain station of the Schnalstaler glacier lift and runs up over the Hochjochferner (i.e. the Schnalstal Glacier) until you reach the Tisenjoch at 3,212 m altitude, where the well-known Ötzi mummy was found. There's even a memorial stone here for the "Uomo del Similaun." The 7 to 8 hour circular hike is an attractive route for hikers starting in 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 Vernago
Vernago and the Schnalstal offer you the perfect environment for a richly diverse holiday. You can round off you day of skiing with some great food in one of the many restaurants found in the resort. An extensive après ski programme can be found in the neighbouring Maso Corto - like in the "Glacier Bar". Evenings can be spent meeting up there for another drink in "Leo's Pub" or in the "Platzl-Bar."
For those who prefer a more active leisure programme, the Schnalstal is just waiting to be discovered with its rustic little villages along four winter hiking trails, or during a snowshoe hike. You could alternatively take a stroll through the monastery village Karthaus and visit the ruins of the old Allerengelberg Monastery. In the "Texol" sports zone, ice skaters can be seen twirling about on the natural ice rink, illuminated by flood lights. On the other hand, a more relaxing alternative would be to round off the day in the Olympia indoor pool in Maso Corto. Besides the sporting pool, there is also a sauna area, steam bath and a massage area. Larger bathing landscapes can be quickly reached by car when heading out of Schnalstal: the Activity Bath Naturns, the AquaForm Latsch or the Meran Thermal Bath.
A more cultural experience can be found just as easily in the Schnalstal. In the ArcheoParc Schnals, you can find out more interesting facts about Ötzi, the world-famous mummy who was discovered in 1991 not too far away from the Schalstal glacier. An exhibition of all things Ötzi as well as glaciers can also be found in the mountain station of the glacier lift. Those who wish to go a step further and meet Ötzi "face to face" can of course take a day trip to the approx. 62 km distant city of Bolzano, where the "the man from the ice" resides in the Archaeology Museum.
For those who prefer a more active leisure programme, the Schnalstal is just waiting to be discovered with its rustic little villages along four winter hiking trails, or during a snowshoe hike. You could alternatively take a stroll through the monastery village Karthaus and visit the ruins of the old Allerengelberg Monastery. In the "Texol" sports zone, ice skaters can be seen twirling about on the natural ice rink, illuminated by flood lights. On the other hand, a more relaxing alternative would be to round off the day in the Olympia indoor pool in Maso Corto. Besides the sporting pool, there is also a sauna area, steam bath and a massage area. Larger bathing landscapes can be quickly reached by car when heading out of Schnalstal: the Activity Bath Naturns, the AquaForm Latsch or the Meran Thermal Bath.
A more cultural experience can be found just as easily in the Schnalstal. In the ArcheoParc Schnals, you can find out more interesting facts about Ötzi, the world-famous mummy who was discovered in 1991 not too far away from the Schalstal glacier. An exhibition of all things Ötzi as well as glaciers can also be found in the mountain station of the glacier lift. Those who wish to go a step further and meet Ötzi "face to face" can of course take a day trip to the approx. 62 km distant city of Bolzano, where the "the man from the ice" resides in the Archaeology Museum.
Is the Schnalstal Glacier ski area not right for you? Then have a look here instead: Ski areas Italy
