The review Sulden at the Ortler was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
The ski resort is spread across three slopes surrounding the small village of Sulden at the Ortler. Most of the runs are located on the slopes beneath the 3324 m high Schoentaufspitze. There are two lifts each on the neighbouring Langenstein and opposing Kanzel mountains that expand the ski resort with some nice runs.
Altitude difference
1350 m (Valley 1900 m - Mountain 3250 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
11
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 3 ← 2
Slope offering, variety of runs
The ski resort offers a wide spectrum of varied alpine ski runs on its three slopes. Wide carving slopes, long forest runs, easy slopes and multiple ski routes will motivate winter athletes of all levels. The three sections of the ski resort on the Langenstein, the Kanzel and the Schoentaufspitze, are connected to each other via a ski path in the valley.
Run location
above tree line, under tree line
Worth knowing
- Speed measurement course offered
Comfortable lifts transport winter athletes in the Sulden ski resort. In the ski resort surrounding the Schoentaufspitze, the newest facilities are found. Two aerial tramways and three chair lifts (two with weather protectors) connect the area. On the Kanzel, there is a chair lift and a short t-bar lift. On the Langenstein, two older chair lifts transport the skiers up to the slopes. The two practice runs in the valley are accessed by t-bar lifts.
Total capacity
14498 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
10.6 km Total
Thanks to its altitude level of up to 3250 m and comprehensive snow-making capabilities, Sulden is especially snow reliable.
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
100 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is practically always open.
Season 2008/2009
220 Days open
150 Days when valley run open
The slope preparation is excellent.
Even when the snow is hard, the runs are very well prepared, without bumps or tracks, all the way down to the valley.
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.
Sulden is accessible from the Inntal or the Brenner expressway within an hour and a half. The lift stations in the village are clearly sign-posted. There is free parking available at all valley stations. Many spaces are provided at the gondola lift.
Access via A12 Inntal-Autobahn, Ausfahrt Reschen
Seilbahn Sulden (Sulden), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 98 km · approx. 95 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available,
Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot,
free of charge
Access via Brenner-Autobahn, Ausfahrt Bozen Süd
Seilbahn Sulden (Sulden), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 92 km · approx. 87 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually 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 easy to read and contains information about restaurants and other important topics. The names of the slopes and facilities are unfortunately not indicated directly in the map, but must be deciphered using a legend.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
An information board at the valley station of the gondola lift informs about the open and closed lifts and runs. There are very few sign-postings in the ski resort, but it is easy to maintain an overview of the area even without signs, so it is not difficult to find your way. At some spots, signs would be helpful though.
They pay a lot of attention to cleanliness in the ski resort.
Environmentally friendly ski operation
The Sulden ski resort is located directly in the Stilfserjoch National Park and the environment is protected accordingly. Skiers can access Sulden from the surrounding train stations in Italy and Austria via regional buses. In the village itself, ski buses circulate between the accommodations and the lift stations. Children can learn about the wildlife in the national park in a new obstacle course on the Kanzel.
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- No direct train connection
From the Landeck train station, Sulden is accessible with the bus via Prad and Stilfs. There are also buses and regional trains to Sulden via Spondigna from the Meran train station.
- Ski busses
- Scheduled busses
- Ski buses are free during the entire season in the village of Sulden. Scheduled buses circulate between Sulden and Spondigna.
The staff at Sulden is helpful and friendly.
Mountain restaurants, ski huts, gastronomy
The ski huts in Sulden primarily offer guests regional dishes at fair prices. All of them offer large sun terraces and a great view of the Vinschgau. The restaurant menus are very similar, but every one has its specialty.
5 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Mountain hut tip
-
Madritschhütte
At the valley station of the Schoentauf lifts
The most beautiful and rustic hut in the Sulden ski resort with a gorgeous view of the mountain panorama. The seating can be a bit limited during the lunch hour.
-
K2-Langenstein-Restaurant
At the mountain station of the Langenstein chair lift
Regional Tyrolean specialties, homemade desserts, grilled entrecote and pasta - in the K2, all of this is served in good quality and at fair prices. In addition, the Langenstein is located away from the crowds. The great view from the terrace can be enjoyed in peace.
At many huts in the ski resort, you can let the ski day come to an end with music and a good atmosphere. There is a large Sternbar (star bar) and a glass igloo bar on the terrace of the Madritschhuette. There are also cozy restaurants, cafés and bars in the village of Sulden that welcome guests in the evening. A real party mile is not to be found here. The village has more of a small and friendly atmosphere.
-
Iglu
At the Madritschhuette
The Iglu Bar at the Schoentauf lifts is an attraction in any weather: when the weather is bad, it provides protection, and when the weather is good, it offers a great view of the ski resort and the surrounding mountains. You can let the ski day come to an end between palm trees and snow covered mountains.
Accommodation offering directly on the slopes and lifts
There are numerous family-friendly bed and breakfasts and holiday apartments in the village of Sulden, located directly at the ski resort. For those who wish for more comfort, there are many high-quality hotels with wellness offerings. Many of the accommodations are located directly at the lift stations or are accessible via the ski path in the valley.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are some accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Towns/villages
- Sulden
Distance to ski resort 1-2 km
Guest beds 2500
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.
Families with children will find the best conditions for a relaxed family vacation. Children can practice their first curves on the two practice slopes in the valley under the supervision of their parents or ski instructors. The local ski school offers courses and daycare programmes. Children up to 14 years old receive a free 6 day ski pass when accompanied by parents.
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
- Mascot (Yeti, ein kleiner Eisbär)
Special tips for children
-
Children's area of the Ski School SuldenThe Ski School Sulden offers ski courses followed by daycare for children as of 3 years old. Children can take their first steps in the snow in the ski school's own practice area at the valley station of the cable car lift. There are magic carpets and a small area with characters and gates there. For those who are ready to take the next step, the Cevedale t-bar lift is right next door. The ski school has set up an obstacle course at the Sulden lift where children can learn about the wildlife in the Stilfserjoch National Park.
Sulden offers optimal conditions for the first steps in the snow. There are practice lifts available in the valley, for which an inexpensive ski pass is also available. Friendly personnel assists at the practice lifts. Even in the upper areas, there are many wide open easy slopes. There are especially many blue runs located in quiet areas on the Kanzel. The valley runs from the Langenstein and from the Schoentauf area are not recommended for beginners.
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
Ski schools on-site
- Ski School Sulden
The only ski school in the village offers courses for adults and children. They also offer trick ski courses, snowboard instruction and racing training.
Advanced skiers, freeriders
Sulden offers advanced skiers many black runs, some long, unprepared ski routes and easily accessible freerider terrain. The somewhat less crowded runs on the Kanzel are especially good carving slopes.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- some freeride / deep snow areas
Slope offering advanced skiers
Most difficult run
-
Gran Zebru · Length 1.8 km · Altitude difference 200 m
The black panorama run, Gran Zebru, is located on the left of the Schoentauf II chair lift and branches off from the red run of the same name.
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
The Snowpark Sulden is located below the Madritsch chair lift
Information for Snowboarders
- some freeride / deep snow areas
Snow parks
Offering snow parks
Cross-country skiing and trails
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 7 km
The FIS standard trail at the bottom of the valley surrounding the village of Sulden is especially snow reliable and offers a great panorama view.
Conclusion
Very snow reliable due to elevation of up to 3250 m, great landscape, cozy accommodations
The parts of the ski resort are only connected via the ski path in the valley
Test Report issued on 2012-04-01
Top ski regions • Tips for the ski holiday