40 km
510 m - 2250 m
closed »
closed »
Test report Pizol
Skiresort.info Test of the ski resort Pizol
Total result: 3.7 out of 5 stars
Test Pizol
The review Pizol was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Further evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria for special interests
In detail: Test report for ski resort Pizol
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
The Pizol ski resort is one of the medium-sized ski resorts in Switzerland.
Runs/slopes
Additional runs
7 km Marked ski routes
Altitude difference
1740 m (Valley 510 m - Mountain 2250 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
11
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 5 ← 3
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 5 ← 3
Slopes of all difficulty levels can be found at Pizol and they are mainly located above the tree line. Between Furt and Maienberg, the slopes lead through forest aisles. The speed course and the permanent giant slalom course provide further variety.
Runs/slopes
Total 40 km
Easy
20 km
(50 %)Intermediate
16 km
(40 %)Difficult
4 km
(10 %)
Additional runs
Marked ski routes
7 km
Ski route to Wangs valley station when snow levels are sufficient
Longest run
9 km
Run location
above tree line, under tree line
Worth knowing
- Valley run available
- Speed measurement course offered
- Public race course with time measurement
Modern 8 person gondolas leads from the valley up to the Pizol ski resort. The slopes in the ski resort are connected with rapid, four person chair lifts. There are practice lifts in Furt and Pardiel for beginners. Additional t-bars connect interesting slopes. The connection on both sides (Wangs and Bad Ragaz) is via a j-bar lift.
Number of ski lifts
11
Total capacity
13276 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
15.1 km Total
Lifts and cable cars
3
3
5
Additional
2
The valley run to Wangs is almost never open, but a lack of snow is unheard of up in the ski resort. Snow cannons assist from Gaffia to Furt and due to the high altitude between Pardiel and Gaffia, sufficient snow can be counted on from November until April.
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
21 Snow canons
10 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is almost never open.
Season 2008/2009
122 Days open
43 Days when valley run open
43 Days when valley run open
Season 2009/2010
133 Days open
5 Days when valley run open
5 Days when valley run open
Season 2010/2011
115 Days open
Photos
The slope preparation is very good.
They place a high value on slope preparation and the slopes are usually in very good condition.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
Photos
Further evaluation criteria
You can access the ski resort in about 1 hour from Lindau (Germany), Zurich and St. Gallen. It can be accessed quickly (within 5 minutes) and comfortably from the expressway. Unfortunately, there is a fee for parking.
Access via Autobahn A3 Zürich-Sarganserland, Ausfahrt Sargans
- Wangs-Marienberg (Pizolbahn) (Wangs), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 2 km · approx. 4 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, without significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, for a fee
Access via Autobahn A13 St. Margrethen-Bellinzona, Ausfahrt Bad Ragaz
- Matells-Pardiel Ost (Pizolbahn) (Bad Ragaz), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 2 km · approx. 4 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, without significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, for a fee
Trail map and overview maps:
The trail map depicts the ski resort very well. The lifts, slopes, restaurants and other information are shown. More detailed information about the lifts and where the restaurants are located would be helpful.
The trail map depicts the ski resort very well. The lifts, slopes, restaurants and other information are shown. More detailed information about the lifts and where the restaurants are located would be helpful.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
It is easy to find your way in the ski resort. The lit-up information boards at the valley stations enable you to quickly see which facilities are opened or closed.
It is easy to find your way in the ski resort. The lit-up information boards at the valley stations enable you to quickly see which facilities are opened or closed.
Protection of the environment plays a large role in the ski resort and therefore, there are many flora and fauna protection zones. Snow is not made on the valley run and it is only opened when there is sufficient snow.
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- Train connection
Buses run from the Bad Ragaz and Sargans train stations to the ski resort (bus schedules under www.sbb.ch) - Small ski bus offering
- Scheduled busses
Photos
The employees are friendly and are happy to give out information, but they could be even more helpful to guests during lift entry.
There are rustic and modern restaurants located throughout the ski resort. Good food and drink can be found everywhere.
12 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Gastronomy tip
-
Panoramarestaurant Aurea
Right next to the mountain station of the Matells-Pardiel gondola lift
The Aurea kitchen spoils guests with regional ingredients that are fresh from the market. High value is placed on their international wine menu.
Mountain hut tip
-
Pizolhütte
At the highest point in the ski resort, located at the mountain station of the Gaffia-Pizolhuette chair lift at 2227m.
Beautiful panorama view from the sun terrace.
Photos
It is a bit quieter at Pizol. You can enjoy yourself on the mountain sun terraces until the last valley run or go down to Chico's Aprés-Ski Bar at the valley station in Bad Ragaz.
-
Chico's Aprés-Ski Bar
At the valley station of the gondola lift in Bad Ragaz
There are some accommodations directly in the ski resort in Furt, Maienberg, Gaffia and Pardiel. Otherwise, there are other options in Bad Ragaz and Wangs.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are some accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Towns/villages
- Bad Ragaz
Distance to ski resort 1-2 km - Wangs
Distance to ski resort fewer than 1 km
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
Photos
Evaluation criteria for special interests
The ski resort is well suited for families and children. In Pardiel and Furt, there are children's areas and at Pardiel, free childcare is offered. Practice lifts at the mountain stations of the gondola lifts complete the offering.
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Wave ride for children
- People mover
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
- Ski kindergarten
- Ski school for children
- Child care
Special tips for children
-
Bad Ragaz/Pardiel children's area of the Ski School Pizol
Large and well-equipped children's area with magic carpet and tow rope. It is located at the mountain station of the Bad Ragaz/Mattells-Pardiel gondola lift. Advanced children can practice on the neighbouring Prodkopf practice lift with their ski instructors.
-
Wangs/Furt children's area of the Ski School Pizol
Well-equipped children's area with magic carpet located at the mountain station of the Wangs-Gaffia gondola lift. Advanced children in the ski school can practice on the neighbouring Furt practice lift.
-
Heidi's Spielzimmer (playroom)
Free childcare on Pardiel at 1,633m (Bad Ragaz) for children from 3-6 years old. The children can play in this lovingly decorated playroom while being cared for. The opening times are Saturday and Sunday as well as every day during the holidays/main season. The exact opening times can be found at www.pizol.com.
-
Furt-Wangs toboggan run
The toboggan run begins at the mountain station of the Wangs-Maienberg-Furt gondola lift. The run stretches over 3.5 km down to the middle station of the gondola. When snow conditions are good, you can toboggan an additional 3.5 km down to the valley station in Wangs. Toboggan rentals available.
There are practice lifts located directly at both mountain stations of the gondola lifts. In principle, the upper part of the ski resort can be skied on blue slopes, but after this, a bit more skill is required.
Information for beginners
- Wide slopes
- Beginner's area
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
Ski schools on-site
Photos
Advanced skiers love the numerous freerider and deep snow areas at Pizol. When there is enough snow, it is possible to ski over 1700 metres in altitude in one run.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- many freeride / deep snow areas
- few mogul slopes
Slope offering advanced skiers
Runs/slopes
Total 40 km
Difficult
4 km
(10 %)Additional runs
Marked ski routes
7 km
Ski route to Wangs valley station when snow levels are sufficient
Most difficult run
-
Gartinis · Length 1.5 km · Altitude difference 400 m
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Photos
The Riderpark Pizol, which is managed by Q Parks, and the freerider possibilities also lure snowboarders and freestylers to Pizol.
Information for Snowboarders
- no cat tracks
- no runs with ascent
- many freeride / deep snow areas
Snow parks
- Riderpark Pizol
The Riderpark Pizol is located near the Gaffia station. It is well groomed and offers boxes, jumps, jibs and rails for beginners and professionals.
Offering snow parks
- Snow park/ Fun park
- No halfpipe
- Kicker (Jump/ Ramp)
- Rails/ Slides
- Boxes
- Wallride
- Medium Line
- Beginner/ Easy Line
- Chill area with music
Conclusion
Freerider area, view of the Rhein Valley, quick ascent from the valley with the gondolas, easy access from the expressway.
No valley run to Bad Ragas, ski route to Wangs only seldom open, parking fees at the valley stations.
Test Report issued on 2012-01-18
Feedback for the Skiresort.info Team? Please use this form »
Highlights
