The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Sulden am Ortler delivers 44 kilometres of high-altitude skiing beneath the Ortler massif, with elevations spanning 1,900 to 3,250 metres creating one of Italy's most snow-reliable resorts. The 1,350-metre vertical drop includes terrain across three distinct sectors - Schöntaufspitze, Kanzel, and Langenstein - with the longest descent stretching 11 kilometres from summit to base. Set within the Stelvio National Park in South Tyrol's Venosta Valley, the resort operates at the foot of King Ortler, at 3,905 metres the highest peak in the Eastern Alps outside the Bernina Range. Snowmaking covers 100% of marked runs, complementing natural snowfall that maintains reliable conditions from late October through early May.
The terrain divides into 17 kilometres of blue runs, 13 kilometres of intermediate reds, and 14 kilometres of challenging black pistes, offering a balanced spread for all abilities. Beginners find dedicated learning areas at the valley station with practice lifts and the Sonnenhang slope, whilst the slopes at Kanzel and Langenstein deliver steeper pitches for experienced skiers. The Madritsch sector provides wide-open high-alpine bowls ideal for confident intermediates seeking consistent grooming, and a funpark with halfpipe and boardercross sits adjacent to the Madritsch mountain hut. Three ungroomed ski routes - Hochleiten, Schaubachweg, and Marlet - extend options for freeriders seeking off-piste lines beneath the glaciated peaks.
The village of Sulden maintains authentic Alpine character at 1,900 metres, with traditional South Tyrolean architecture reflecting the region's trilingual German, Italian, and Ladin heritage. Crowd pressure remains light compared to larger Italian resorts, with multiple base access points distributing skiers efficiently across the mountain. The Messner Mountain Museum Ortles, an underground museum designed by architect Arnold Gapp, houses the world's largest collection of Ortler paintings alongside exhibits on ice climbing and polar exploration. On-mountain facilities include several rifugios and the renovated K2 Langenstein restaurant, whilst the village offers diverse accommodation from ski-in ski-out hotels to traditional guesthouses.
Sulden forms part of the Ortler Skiarena region, with multi-day passes providing access to neighbouring resorts including Trafoi and Watles across 123 kilometres of combined terrain. The Skiarena Due Paesi pass extends coverage further, linking six ski areas between Austrian Tyrol and South Tyrol totalling 211 kilometres of slopes. The resort suits families seeking reliable snow and uncrowded slopes, intermediate skiers appreciating long sustained descents, and freeriders attracted to the extensive off-piste terrain beneath 14 surrounding peaks exceeding 3,000 metres. Free ski buses connect all parts of the village to the lift stations throughout the winter season.
1350m
Vertical
20
Runs
44 km
Piste
4m
Annual snow
The Terrain
20 runs across 44 km of piste
Sulden am Ortler spreads 20 runs across 44 km of piste of terrain. It leans beginner at 39%, with 8 beginner runs to find your feet and 6 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
20
runs
20 runs across 4 grades
Beginner8 runs · 39%
Intermediate6 runs · 30%
Advanced6 runs · 31%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Sulden am Ortler
Sulden am Ortler operates an extended winter season running from 25 October 2025 through 3 May 2026, offering over six months of skiing thanks to its exceptional high-altitude location. The cable car typically commences limited operations in late October before the full network activates by mid-November, with all 11 lifts running through to the season close in early May. The Rosim gondola, Kanzel gondola, Langenstein chairlift, and Madritsch chairlifts open daily at 8:30am and close at 4pm, whilst the main Sulden cable car operates from 8:45am to 4:30pm. Operating dates and times may vary depending on snow and weather conditions.
The resort's elevation profile - base at 1,900 metres rising to 3,250 metres - delivers exceptional snow preservation throughout winter, with temperatures regularly remaining below freezing even during sunny periods. Average snow depths range from 50 to 200 centimetres during peak season, with annual snowfall averaging around 3.5 metres at resort level and significantly higher accumulations on upper slopes. Snowmaking equipment covers 100% of marked runs, ensuring consistent coverage across all terrain regardless of natural precipitation patterns. The combination of high altitude and full snowmaking capability provides guaranteed snow conditions that few Italian resorts can match.
January and February deliver peak powder opportunities, particularly on north-facing slopes in the Madritsch sector that receive minimal direct sunlight and preserve fresh snow for extended periods. Early season skiing from late October through December sees operations concentrated around the Madritsch and Schöntaufspitze areas before expanding across the entire network. Spring skiing from March through May offers excellent corn snow conditions as daytime warming and overnight freezing create consistent surfaces, with ski mountaineering enthusiasts finding ideal conditions for glacier tours during this period. The quietest periods fall in January and early December, whilst February half-term and Easter see peak visitor numbers.
The resort hosts an international snowboarding festival at the end of each season in early May, whilst the Yeti Club ski kindergarten runs daily programmes throughout winter for young children. Night skiing operates three times weekly on the two-kilometre illuminated toboggan run connecting Pulpito to the cable car, offering after-dark activities beyond traditional skiing. The Sulden Ski School, established over 75 years ago, holds Gold Seal accreditation from the South Tyrolean Ski Schools association and offers specialised courses alongside children's programmes. Winter hiking trails, snowshoe routes, and ice climbing at the frozen waterfalls below the middle station provide alternatives for non-skiers.
Season 2025 - 2026
15 Nov 2025
Opens
1 May 2026
Closes
167
Days open
4 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Sulden am Ortler, and where to stay
Sulden am Ortler occupies an extraordinary high-valley position at 1,900 metres elevation in the Suldental, a tributary valley branching south from the Venosta Valley in the western reaches of South Tyrol. The village sits within the Stelvio National Park, surrounded by 14 peaks exceeding 3,000 metres including the imposing Ortler at 3,905 metres, Königspitze at 3,859 metres, and Monte Cevedale at 3,769 metres. This dramatic setting approximately 100 kilometres northwest of Bolzano places skiers beneath the highest mountains in the Eastern Alps, with glaciated terrain visible from virtually every run. The traditional mountain village maintains authentic Alpine architecture reflecting centuries of farming heritage and strong cultural connections to the region's unique trilingual community.
The nearest settlements include Gomagoi at 9 kilometres, Stilfs at 12 kilometres, and Trafoi at 13 kilometres, with the market town of Prad am Stilfserjoch located 16 kilometres down-valley. Merano, South Tyrol's second largest city, lies approximately 64 kilometres southeast and serves as the regional centre for services and facilities. The Stelvio Pass, one of the highest paved mountain passes in the Alps at 2,758 metres, connects to Bormio in Lombardy during summer months but remains closed throughout the winter ski season for safety reasons. During winter, all access routes approach Sulden exclusively via the Venosta Valley.
Driving access from the Brenner Motorway requires exiting at Bolzano Sud and following the Bolzano-Merano highway west, then continuing via the Venosta Valley state road to Spondinig, turning onto the SS38 Stelvio Pass road to Gomagoi, and finally taking the SS622 to Sulden - a journey of approximately 92 kilometres taking around 90 minutes. From the Austrian A12 Inntal Autobahn, exit at Reschen and drive south through the Vinschgau for approximately 98 kilometres requiring 95 minutes. Free parking is available at all base stations, with particularly generous capacity at the main cable car and the Rosim lift at the valley end. A free ski bus circulates between the villages of Lichtenberg, Agums, Prad, Stilfs Dorf, Gomagoi, Trafoi, and Sulden throughout the season.
Bolzano Airport sits approximately 99 kilometres from the resort, requiring around one hour and 40 minutes driving time, though this small regional airport offers limited commercial flights. Innsbruck Airport in Austria provides better international connections at 165 kilometres distance and approximately two hours 15 minutes driving time. Verona and Bergamo airports serve as alternatives for those flying from further afield, both requiring around three hours transfer time. Train access involves travelling to Spondinig station via Bolzano and Merano, then connecting via bus line 271 which reaches Sulden in approximately 30 minutes with stops directly at the cable car valley station.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Sulden am Ortler, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
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Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
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Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
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1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
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31 Aug 2026
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
28 Aug 2026
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
27 Aug 2026
Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.
26 Aug 2026
Sulden am Ortler Webcams
3 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Sulden am Ortler's live webcams
Check live conditions across Sulden am Ortler with 3 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Sulden - Madritsch2891m
- This Sulden am Ortler cam at Sulden - Madritsch provides sweeping views of the surrounding slopes.
- Sulden - Madritsch Sessellift2606m
- Sulden - Madritsch Sessellift is home to this Sulden am Ortler webcam, showing a high-altitude perspective of the terrain.
- Sulden - Übungshang Cevedale / Talstation1910m
- Sulden - Übungshang Cevedale / Talstation is home to this Sulden am Ortler webcam, showing popular trails and lift operations.
Sulden am Ortler snow cams FAQ
How often do Sulden am Ortler snow cams update?
All Sulden am Ortler snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Sulden am Ortler.
Which Sulden am Ortler webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Sulden - Madritsch webcam at 2,891m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Sulden am Ortler webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Sulden am Ortler lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Sulden am Ortler snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Sulden am Ortler snow cams?
Check Sulden am Ortler webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Sulden am Ortler lift tickets?
Use our Sulden am Ortler webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Sulden am Ortler webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Sulden am Ortler snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Sulden am Ortler intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.