Schnalstal Glacier offers 45 kilometres of high-altitude skiing across South Tyrol's Ötztal Alps, with elevations from 2,000 to 3,212 metres creating one of Italy's highest ski areas. The resort combines extensive intermediate terrain with challenging expert pistes, including technical World Cup runs that regularly host elite competitions. Modern snowmaking systems complement natural snowfall and glacier ice, ensuring reliable conditions across an exceptionally long season that typically spans from September through May. Beyond groomed slopes, the area provides outstanding freeride opportunities, particularly in the Grawand sector where skiable glacial terrain opens vast off-piste possibilities for adventurous skiers with appropriate avalanche safety equipment.
Total Runs
20
Total Area
42km
26.1 miles
The Schnalstal lift system comprises 12 modern installations efficiently serving high-alpine terrain that remains consistently above 2,000 metres elevation. The network's centrepiece is the Schnalstal Glacier Express gondola, which climbs from Kurzras village to the glacier at 3,212 metres in just 8 minutes, offering immediate access to high-altitude snow conditions. Recent infrastructure investments have introduced weather protection bubbles on chairlifts, expanded uphill capacity by 35%, and implemented advanced safety features throughout the system. The intelligent design maintains excellent circulation across the glacier plateau and connecting valleys, with strategic lift placements that maximise skiing opportunities in this rarified high-alpine environment.
Total Lifts
11
Lift Types
6
Situated 70 kilometres northwest of Bolzano in South Tyrol's remote Schnalstal Valley, the glacier resort operates above the village of Kurzras, which sits at an elevation of 2,011 metres. This high-mountain setting creates an exceptional snow-sure environment while maintaining relatively straightforward access via the efficient glacier gondola. The surrounding valley features remarkable archaeological significance as the discovery site of Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old mummy whose preservation in glacial ice connects visitors directly to the region's ancient history. The broader area combines Italian sophistication with Austrian precision, reflecting South Tyrol's distinctive cultural heritage, while the resort's strategic position enables skiing in three countries within a single day via nearby connections to Austria and Switzerland.
