35 km
2011 m - 3212 m
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Test report Schnalstal
Skiresort.info Test of the ski resort Schnalstal
Total result: 3.8 out of 5 stars
Test Schnalstal
The review Schnalstal was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
Test result: 3.8 out of 5 stars
Skiresort.info Test Winner 2011:
Test Winner: Environmentally Friendly Ski Operation >>
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 Schnalstal
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
The glacier ski resort offers up to 8 km of slopes in the summer. In the winter, you can ski on 35 km of runs with an altitude difference of 1258m.
Runs/slopes
Altitude difference
1201 m (Valley 2011 m - Mountain 3212 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
12
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 2 ← 2
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 2 ← 2
Photos
The ski resort at the end of the Schnaltal has runs of all difficulty levels. The runs on the glacier range mainly from easy to intermediate. The slopes on the Teufelsegg and the valley run are difficult.
Runs/slopes
Total 35 km
Easy
7 km
(20 %)Intermediate
15 km
(43 %)Difficult
13 km
(37 %)
Longest run
8 km
Run location
Glacier, above tree line
Worth knowing
- Valley run available
There is a cable car leading from the valley up to the glacier. Up on the glacier, there are fixed-grip chair lifts and two long j-bar lifts. In the winter season, additionally two modern four person chair lifts with covers lead up to the Teufelsegg, located at 3034m altitude.
Number of ski lifts
12
Total capacity
15008 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
13.8 km Total
Lifts and cable cars
1
7
4
Additional
1
Photos
The Schnalstal Glacier is one of the few ski resorts where winter sports can be enjoyed almost the entire year.
Worth knowing
- Glacier ski resort
- Artificial snow-making
70 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is open most of the time.
Season 2008/2009
320 Days open
175 Days when valley run open
175 Days when valley run open
Season 2009/2010
325 Days open
170 Days when valley run open
170 Days when valley run open
Season 2010/2011
328 Days open
165 Days when valley run open
165 Days when valley run open
Photos
The slope preparation is very good.
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 park for free in the winter. In the summer, you must pay 4 EUR for parking.
Access via Tangenziale Ovest, Auffahrt Meran/Algund
- Schnalstaler Gletscherbahn (Schnals), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 37 km · approx. 39 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot,
Trail map and overview maps:
The trail map depicts the entire Schnalstal ski resort very well. All facilities are described in detail.
The trail map depicts the entire Schnalstal ski resort very well. All facilities are described in detail.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
The slopes are indicated with abbreviations and numbers, as they are on the trail map. It is easy to find your way. It would be helpful to have more trail maps in the ski resort.
The slopes are indicated with abbreviations and numbers, as they are on the trail map. It is easy to find your way. It would be helpful to have more trail maps in the ski resort.
Protection of the environment is a high priority for the Schnalstaler Gletscherbahnen (Glacier Lift Company). They have been making investments, adjusting processes and their daily business in coordination with the goal of protecting their unique location in the middle of Alpine nature since years. The company has participated in the European Union-wide system for Environmental Management and Environmental Operation Audits and even received the EMAS Öko-Audit Zertifikat (Eco Audit Certificate) last year.
Awards:
pro natura - pro ski AWARD 2011
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- No direct train connection
- Ski busses
- Scheduled busses
The employees are friendly and even help guests boarding the j-bar lifts.
The Berghaus Grawand, the Oetzi-Gletscherbar, the Schutzhaus Schoene Aussicht, the Teufelsegg Huette and the Lazaunhueütte are the restaurants available in the ski resort. They place a high value on serving regional dishes and specialties. You can also dine in the hotels in the village of Kurzras at the valley station.
5 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Mountain hut tip
-
Schutzhaus Schöne Aussicht
at 2842m on the Hochjoch next to the Hintereis run
Highest outdoor whirlpool in the Alps, including sauna and typical South Tyrolean specialties
-
Lazaun Hütte
At the mountain station of the Lazaun double chair lift - also accessible for non-skiers - at 2430m altitude
Ideal for gaining your strength before the toboggan run
Photos
It is usually more quiet in the summer in Schnalstal. Numerous sun terraces invite guests to enjoy the end of the ski day. In the winter, you can enjoy the Après Ski in Kurzras.
-
Après Ski Bussl
At the valley station of the Gletscher lift
The Après Ski Bar in Schnalstal in the winter. There's always a fun atmosphere here and it's a great place to party.
In the ski resort, you can stay at the Hotel Grawand, the highest hotel in Italy (3213m). The Schoene Aussicht Huette also offers additional accommodations in the ski resort. At the valley station in Kurzras, all hotels have direct access to the slopes. Other accommodations are located in the Schnalstal.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are many accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Towns/villages
- Schnals
Distance to ski resort 10-20 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 practice slope in the valley is the ideal meeting point for all champions and those that wish to become one. The kids learn to ski in a playful manner in the Ski School Schnals (as of 4 years old). The magic carpet, Indian tent and snow cave make a special learning environment for the kids. The Gletscherwelten (Glacier Worlds) exhibition at the mountain station of the Gletscher lift is also interesting for the whole family. In the summer, the Oetzi Express provides a ride to the edge of the glacier and a view into the ice of the Schnalstal Glacier.
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Merry-go-round
- Wave ride for children
- Adventure course
- People mover
- Children's lifts
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Ski kindergarten
- Ski school for children
- Child care
- Playground / park
- Mascot (ÖtziLino)
Special tips for children
-
Children's Club OetziLino
In the Children's Club OetziLino, the little ones are well cared for the whole day.
The glacier runs and the slopes in the valley at the Glockner lifts are well-suited for beginners. There is no easy valley run from the glacier to the valley.
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Wide slopes
- Beginner's area
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Separate lift ticket for beginners / point ticket
Ski schools on-site
Photos
Experts won't get as much for their money in the summer. In the winter, the difficult slopes on the Teufelsegg and the valley run are very interesting. It is easily possible to ski off-piste in the deep snow on the Hintereis run on the Teufelsegg.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- many freeride / deep snow areas
- few mogul slopes
Slope offering advanced skiers
Runs/slopes
Total 35 km
Difficult
13 km
(37 %)Most difficult run
-
Teufelsegg · Length 2 km · Altitude difference 590 m
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
The Gentlemenriders Nitro Snowpark is located on the glacier. It stretches all the way down to the valley in the winter months. A natural halfpipe is located in the valley at the Glockner lifts during the winter. The "Fiat Freestyle Team" has become a new partner of the "Gentlemeriders Nitro Park"
Information for Snowboarders
- few cat tracks
- no runs with ascent
- many freeride / deep snow areas
Snow parks
- Gentlemenriders Nitro Snowpark Schnalstal
The Gentlemenriders Nitro Snowpark is a highlight on the Schnalstal Glacier. The rails stretch down almost all the way to the Finail lifts.
Offering snow parks
- Snow park/ Fun park
- No halfpipe
- Kicker (Jump/ Ramp)
- Rails/ Slides
- Boxes
- Wallride
- Corner / Hip
- Waverides
- Pro Line
- Medium Line
- Beginner/ Easy Line
- Chill area with music
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 7 km
There are two different tracks in the Schnalstal. One track is located on the glacier at 3050m and another track with snow-making is located in Lazaun at 2450m. The tracks are therefore very snow-reliable and are open almost the whole year.
Photos
Conclusion
Good information regarding weather and snow at the valley station, quick ascent (6 min.) to the glacier, when the resort is full, the Gletscher lift runs without interruption
4 EUR parking fee in the summer, no chair lifts with covers on the glacier
Test Report issued on 2011-06-25
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Highlights
Highlights
