The review Steinach at the Brenner/Bergeralm was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
The Bergeralm is the largest ski resort in the Wipptal and is considered to be a medium-sized ski resort.
Altitude difference
1092 m (Valley 1048 m - Mountain 2140 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
5
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 3 ← 1
Slope offering, variety of runs
There are runs of all difficulty levels, and the distribution in pretty much equal. The Manni Pranger slope is the steepest slope in Austria (was not open in 2011/2012). It runs underneath the gondola down to the valley.
Run location
above tree line, under tree line
Worth knowing
- Public race course with time measurement
The modern 8 person Bergeralm gondola lift takes guests from the valley to the middle station. In the upper part of the resort, two chair lifts, a t-bar lift and a j-bar lift provide access to the resort.
Total capacity
7500 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
5.4 km Total
Most of the runs have snow-making capabilities and due to the high altitude, the Bergeralm ski resort is pretty snow reliable.
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
146 Snow canons
90 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is practically always open.
The slope preparation is excellent.
The slopes are groomed every day with care and attention to detail.
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 ski resort is only a few minutes away from the Brenner expressway. The free parking lots are located directly at the valley station of the Bergeralm lift. Unfortunately, you must pay a toll on the Brenner until the Steinach exit.
Access via Brenner-Autobahn, Ausfahrt Matrei-Steinach
Bergeralmbahn (Steinach am Brenner), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 4 km · approx. 4 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Side road, well-developed
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 contains all important information about the ski resort including the prices. It would be helpful if the altitudes were indicated.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
It is easy to find your way in the ski resort. All important information about the resort operation is shown at the valley station.
The ski resort makes a well-maintained and clean impression.
Environmentally friendly ski operation
There is a sophisticated, free ski bus system with its own pocket-sized schedule. You can explore the Wipptal and the side valleys with the ski buses. They serve many local products in the restaurants.
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- Train connection
Steinach in Tyrol
- Ski busses
- Scheduled busses
The staff is friendly and helpful at the ski lifts.
Mountain restaurants, ski huts, gastronomy
There are three restaurants in the ski resort that are distributed near the middle station. The Baerenfalle Restaurant offers wait service, the Panoramarestaurant is self-service and the Bergeralm Huette is the most rustic hut in the ski resort.
3 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Gastronomy tip
-
Restaurant BärenfalleNext to the reservoir, above the middle stationThe rustic, traditional construction exudes typical Tyrolean coziness. There is a large bar in the middle, a fireplace as well as 4 separate dining rooms with wait service. There is also a large sun terrace.
Mountain hut tip
-
Bergeralm HütteAbout 200m below the BergeralmThe most traditional hut in the entire region. Small, rustic and cozy. Many people like to stop in here for a "Jagatee" (rum tea). The food is typical Tyrolean fare.
There is an umbrella bar at the middle station that you can stop at before heading down to the valley. The sun terraces of the restaurants also invite you for a cozy Après-Ski. The Hennensteige and the Vogelnest are waiting at the valley station.
Accommodation offering directly on the slopes and lifts
There are holiday apartments at the middle station and the JUFA Jugend- und Familiengästehaus (youth and family guesthouse) across from the valley station. Additional accommodations are found in the village of Steinach.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are only a few accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Towns/villages
- Steinach am Brenner
Distance to ski resort fewer than 1 km
Guest beds 900
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.
Children and families will feel comfortable around the middle station. There is Noah's Children's Area with magic carpet and the 3 person practice lift. The Ski School Bergeralm offers free ski courses for visiting children at specific times. Childcare is offered daily in the Panoramarestaurant (except on Saturdays) until 4 pm.
There is also a 5km long toboggan run from the middle station down to the valley.
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
-
Noah's Children's Area BergeralmNoah's Children's Area is located right next to the middle station and features a magic carpet, ski carousel and childcare for the little ones.
There is a large practice area right next to the middle station with a people mover and practice lift. The Steinboden lift also provides access to an easy run. The valley run is not suitable for beginners.
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
Difficult runs lead from almost the peak down to the valley. The Manni Pranger slope is found in the lower area and is the steepest slope in Austria. You can also explore the deep snow near the Hochsonn lift.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- few freeride/ deep snow areas
Slope offering advanced skiers
Most difficult run
-
Manni Pranger slope · Length 1 km · Altitude difference 520 m
The Manni Pranger slope is the steepest in Austria
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Information for Snowboarders
- few freeride/ deep snow areas
Snow parks
Noah's Children's FunparkNear the middle station at the Steinboden quad chair lift. The funpark is prepared when there is sufficient snow.
Offering snow parks
Cross-country skiing and trails
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 107 km
There are 10 km of high altitude tracks on the Bergeralm and a total of 107 km in Wipptal. The Wipptal is well-known for its well-prepared tracks through the romantic side valleys.
Trail tip(s)
-
High altitude track Noesslachhuette
The high altitude track leads directly from the mountain station of the Bergeralm to the Noesslachhuette. There is also a hiking path.
Length: 10.0 km ▪
Altitude: 1600 m - 1657 m
Difficulty level: intermediate
Track: double track
Cross-country skiing style: classic, skating
fee: no
Conclusion
Beautiful panorama view, only 4 km from the Brenner expressway, Steinach exit
No easy valley run, toll on the Brenner expressway
Test Report issued on 2011-12-29