The review Sillian/Thurntaler (Skizentrum Hochpustertal Sillian) was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
The Sillian ski resort is the 2nd largest ski resort in East Tyrol and offers an impressive altitude difference of more than 1300 metres.
Altitude difference
1304 m (Valley 1103 m - Mountain 2407 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
7
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 3 ← 2
Slope offering, variety of runs
The Sillian ski resort shines with many beautiful and wide slopes. The focus is on intermediate and easy runs. However, there are some difficult slopes there as well, so that skiers and snowboarders will be pleased with the variety. The panorama view from the slopes is gorgeous.
Run location
above tree line, under tree line
The 6 person gondola lift takes skiers up to the ski resort. The new 6 person Thurntaler chair lift (with bubbles and seat heaters) that was introduced in the 2010/2011 season, two 4 person chair lifts (one of which is quick), a t-bar lift and a practice lift are waiting up there for skiers and snowboarders.
Total capacity
10480 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
9.0 km Total
Due to its geographical location and altitude, the ski resort is very snow secure. Comprehensive snow-making all the way down to the valley guarantees very good conditions.
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
80 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is open most of the time.
Season 2008/2009
130 Days open
120 Days when valley run open
Season 2009/2010
118 Days open
96 Days when valley run open
The slope preparation is excellent.
Even in the afternoon, you can look forward to optimally prepared slopes.
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.
The free parking lots are located right next to the valley station. The next expressway is 72 km away.
Access via Brenner-Autobahn, Ausfahrt Brixen-Pustertal
Thurntalerbahn I (Sillian), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 72 km · approx. 63 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, well-developed, without significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available,
Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot,
free of charge
Access via A10 Tauernautobahn, Ausfahrt Knoten Spittal-Millstätter See
Thurntalerbahn I (Sillian), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 97 km · approx. 86 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Side road, well-developed
Parking spaces: enough available,
Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot,
free of charge
Access via A12 Inntal-Autobahn, Ausfahrt Kufstein Süd
Thurntalerbahn I (Sillian), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 151 km · approx. 136 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Mountain pass road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available,
Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot,
free of charge
Orientation (trail map, information boards, sign-postings)
Trail map and overview maps:
The trail map is very clear and detailed. Altitudes and detailed information about the slopes could be added.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
Many informative signs make orientation easy.
In general, the ski resort is clean and well-maintained. However, the restrooms at the valley station could be a bit cleaner.
Environmentally friendly ski operation
The market village of Sillian encourages guests to switch to climate friendly mobility with their "Sillian Mobil" programme. A pocket-sized local schedule is available at the Information desk in the town hall.
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- Train connection
The Sillian train station is 1.5 km away from the valley station of the gondola lift.
- Ski busses
- Scheduled busses
- Free ski buses to and from Sillian, Arnbach, Innervillgraten, Außervillgraten, Anras, Abfaltersbach, Geselhaus, Strassen, Tassenbach and Heinfesls
The personnel is very friendly, greets the guests and is pleased to give out information.
Mountain restaurants, ski huts, gastronomy
There is a self-service restaurant located directly at the mountain station of the gondola lift. The self-service ski restaurant, Thurntaler Rast at the valley station of the 6 person Thurntaler chair lift entices guests with an open fireplace. The small Pistentreff mountain restaurant at the valley station of the Ausservillgraten chair lift rounds off the offering.
3 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
You can let your ski day come to an enjoyable end at the umbrella bars at the mountain and valley stations of the gondola lift.
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Schirmbar Fun SillianAt the valley station of the gondola liftThe umbrella bar located directly at the valley station welcomes guests to Après-Ski. There is a good atmosphere and fun, even long after the last gondola has been taken inside for the night.
Accommodation offering directly on the slopes and lifts
The Sporthotel Sillian **** is located directly at the valley station of the gondola lift. Other accommodations of different categories are located near the valley station.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There is only one accommodation with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Towns/villages
- Sillian
Distance to ski resort fewer than 1 km
Guest beds 1350
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.
While the children learn to ski right next to the mountain station of the gondola lift or are cared for in the ski kindergarten (as of 4 years old), the parents can enjoy their ski day and also visit the kids regularly.
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
Special tips for children
There is a separate, freely accessible practice area with a rope tow at the mountain station of the gondola lift. Above the mountain station, there are easy slopes which can be accessed with a chair lift and a t-bar lift. The valley run to the middle station is easy, but after this point, intermediate.
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
Ski schools on-site
Advanced skiers, freeriders
There are some short difficult runs. When there is new snow, freeriders can find some freeriding areas.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- some freeride / deep snow areas
Slope offering advanced skiers
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
The ski resort offers an excellent snowpark
Information for Snowboarders
- some freeride / deep snow areas
Snow parks
yellowsnow Park (Snowpark Hochpustertal)At 2130 metres, Austria's most southern snowpark is based on the snow secure, sunny, southeastern side of the mountain. The snowpark is located directly at the mountain station of the gondola lift and also has its own park lift. The park offers obstacles that are shaped freshly every day and are perfect for beginners and pros. They are sure to make the hearts of all freestylers beat faster.
Offering snow parks
Cross-country skiing and trails
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 120 km
The tracks which go all the way into Italy as well as into the neighbouring Obertilliach with its Cross-country centre that will make the hearts of cross-country fans beat faster.
Conclusion
Wide runs, slope preparation, valley run to Sillian, snowpark, cross-country tracks, good for families and beginners
72 km to the next expressway
Test Report issued on 2012-02-23
Highlights
Slope offering, run variety