
Belpiano (Schöneben)
Belpiano Schöneben: 65km slopes, famous Lake Resia bell tower views, 1,460-2,390m elevation. Two-country ski arena near Austria.
Belpiano (Schöneben) offers 40 kilometres of pristine skiing across sunny plateaus and north-facing slopes in South Tyrol's upper Vinschgau Valley, with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,900 metres. The resort combines family-friendly zones with challenging expert terrain, highlighted by the Erschbaum black run featuring sustained 65% gradients.
Modern snowmaking systems cover 95% of all marked runs, ensuring reliable conditions throughout winter despite the area's southern position. The resort's panoramic location delivers extraordinary views across the Ortler mountain range and into Switzerland, with distinctive Alpine scenery complementing the skiing experience.
Belpiano, known in German as Schöneben, is a sunny family ski area in the upper Vinschgau, above Resia near the Reschen Pass. Sanity lists 12 runs across 65 kilometres, with a vertical of 930 metres from 1,460 to 2,390 metres. The grading is almost evenly divided between easy and moderate: 45% beginner, 46% intermediate and 9% advanced, with nothing expert. The terrain is broad and open, with wide pistes rather than tight, technical descents, and a modern fleet of gondolas and six-seat chairs moves skiers efficiently around the mountain.
Belpiano is linked with the neighbouring Haideralm area, and the wider Reschenpass ski region also reaches across to Nauders in Austria, so confident skiers can extend a day well beyond one mountain. The upper slopes open up towards views of the Ortler range. A small number of steeper runs give advanced skiers a taste, but there is no real freeride terrain. This is a good choice for families, beginners progressing to blues and reds, and relaxed intermediates who prefer quiet, sunny slopes and plenty of space to ski.
The Belpiano winter season typically runs from early December through mid-April, with optimal conditions from January through March. The area benefits from a remarkable microclimate, receiving over 300 sunny days annually while maintaining excellent snow preservation on north-facing slopes.
The resort's high elevation and comprehensive snowmaking capabilities ensure reliable skiing from opening day, with operations typically beginning on upper mountain sectors before expanding across the entire network by Christmas week. March brings classic spring conditions with firm morning snow and increasingly longer daylight hours, complemented by spectacular Alpine panoramas.
Situated in South Tyrol's upper Vinschgau Valley, Belpiano sits 80 kilometres northwest of Bolzano and 70 kilometres east of St. Moritz, Switzerland. The resort operates above several traditional villages including Mals and Burgeis, which maintain authentic Alpine architecture and strong cultural connections to both Italian and Austrian heritage.
The surrounding region features remarkable biodiversity within the Stelvio National Park, with extensive protected forests accessible via winter hiking trails. The area's strategic location places it within South Tyrol's Ortler Skiarena network, providing connection opportunities to neighbouring Watles and Trafoi resorts through a unified lift pass.
Hotels and lodges near Belpiano (Schöneben), powered by Stay22.

The Alps are about to swap mild, sunny October weather for something far more wintry. A cold front arrives Tuesday, and SnowStash forecasts have Monterosa Ski out in front with 64 cm over 14 days, ahead of Blatten Belalp (55 cm) and Verbier (43 cm). The snow line should fall below 2000 metres by Wednesday night, and glaciers across Switzerland, Italy and Austria are in line for the best of it. The wind will have a say too.

A large avalanche struck near Laguna del Inca adjacent to Ski Portillo on Saturday afternoon, killing four people and injuring four others. The group were day visitors mountaineering in the backcountry after reportedly being warned about elevated avalanche risk by resort staff.

Europe’s ski season is open, technically. After a record-warm summer, glaciers in Austria, Switzerland and Italy are running a few pistes apiece, Sölden, Stubai and Kitzsteinhorn started late, Titlis has pushed back to 24 October, and Zermatt reopens a few lifts on 14 October after more than two months shut. Finland’s Levi and Ruka are skiing on stored snow. Here is what is open, and what you actually get at each.

Zermatt is having another crack at a World Cup downhill, and this time nobody has to cross a border. Around 13 million Swiss francs is going into rebuilding the Gornergrat piste, including a jump fed by a roughly 300-metre in-run across the roof of the Gornergrat Railway gallery, with the Matterhorn lined up behind it for the TV cameras. First men’s race is pencilled in for March 2028, pending FIS homologation.

Lake Tahoe’s highest base elevation is paying off early: Mt. Rose has started making snow for 2026-27 after the first flurries and a cold snap. The Nevada resort is backing it with nearly US$2 million in upgrades, including a replacement snowmaking main line, a new PistenBully groomer and restraint bars on every lift. Opening day is yet to be confirmed, though Heavenly and Northstar are already eyeing 20 November.

Utah is still building flat out. For 2026-27, Powder Mountain opens a steep new Skytrac chair into more than 1,000 acres of advanced terrain, Deer Valley adds 200 acres on Hail Peak, Sundance gets a new quad and Park City adds a gondola from its new parking structure. Snowmaking is expanding almost everywhere, Eagle Point stays closed after the Cottonwood Fire, and the 2034 Games are setting the pace. Here’s what’s new, resort by resort.

Mt Hutt is getting busier, and its base lodge is about to catch up. NZ$12 million goes into a heated sun deck roughly three times the current size (430 m² to 1,300 m²), plus a new toilet block, heated steps down to snow level, extra storage and a new food and beverage outlet. Building starts after the 2026 season, with everything due for winter 2027.

Vermont's season is slow to take shape. Stratton is tentatively targeting 18 November and Sugarbush 21 November, while Pico has Friday 11 December on the calendar. Killington never sets a date and opens when the snowmaking allows, and Vail Resorts has yet to name days for Stowe, Okemo and Mount Snow. The forecasts disagree about snow, and the main El Niño worry for the Green Mountains is warmth.
Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Dec 5, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Belpiano (Schöneben) typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.
Day passes start from €38, with peak rates up to €66.
Full day skiing at Belpiano Schöneben with 65km of slopes and stunning Lake Resia views. Two-country ski arena with 14 lifts including 10-seater Höllental cable car.
Buy passJunior daily ticket for Belpiano skiing with Lake Resia panorama. Youth pricing for ages 8-17 with access to wide family-friendly slopes and modern lift system.
Buy passFree skiing for children under 8 at Belpiano Schöneben. Kids ski free when accompanied by paying adult with spectacular Lake Resia and Ortler mountain views.
Buy passSenior discount lift ticket for Belpiano skiing. Reduced rates for skiers 65+ with access to 65km of two-country ski arena slopes and Lake Resia views.
Buy passAccess to expanded Ortler Skiarena including Belpiano, Haideralm, and Watles. Two-country ski experience with Austria and Italy skiing from single pass.
Buy passHalf day skiing at Belpiano starting at 12:30pm. Afternoon access to Lake Resia slopes with Ortler panorama and family-friendly terrain across 65km of pistes.
Buy passThree-day lift ticket for Belpiano with savings over daily rates. Extended skiing in tri-border region Italy-Austria-Switzerland with Lake Resia backdrop.
Buy passFamily season pass for Belpiano with Ortler Skiarena benefits. Unlimited access to Lake Resia skiing with partner resort privileges and children's ski school discounts.
Buy passMore Belpiano (Schöneben) intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.