Switzerland, Europe
Pizol Bad Ragaz
43.1km of piste from 509-2,250m. Two gondola bases 5min from motorway. Night skiing Fridays. Eastern Switzerland.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
7 Dec 2025
Closes
6 Apr 2026
Days open
120
Annual snow
4m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Pizol spans 1,741 vertical metres from 509 to 2,250 metres across the Heidiland region of eastern Switzerland, with 43.1 kilometres of marked piste served by 13 lifts. The terrain splits 43 per cent beginner, 43 per cent intermediate and 14 per cent advanced, with 6.4 kilometres of ski routes adding off-piste options. The Snowmaking 4.0 system equipped with 111 snow cannons covers 40 per cent of the ski area, ensuring reliable coverage on all main and connecting runs from December through April. The 2,844-metre Pizol massif rises above the ski area, providing views across the Eastern Swiss and Vorarlberg Alps to Lake Constance.
Two eight-person gondolas access the mountain from separate valley bases at Bad Ragaz and Wangs, each five minutes from motorway exits on the A13 and A3 respectively. The ski area sits predominantly above 1,400 metres, with beginner zones at Pardiel (1,633 metres on the Bad Ragaz side) and Furt (1,521 metres from Wangs). The descent from Pizolhütte at 2,227 metres to Wangs valley station covers 1,700 vertical metres, ranking amongst the longest continuous runs in eastern Switzerland. Wide blue runs circle Pardiel whilst red and black runs traverse the Pizol high plateau between Laufböden and Pizolhütte.
The Riderpark Pizol offers varied terrain park features alongside a funslope, speed measurement track and race course with timing. Night skiing operates Friday evenings on 3.5 kilometres of floodlit terrain from Furt to Maienberg, with Saturday evening gondola operations from Bad Ragaz including mountain restaurant dining programmes. The Kinderland at Pardiel features practice lifts and Heidi-themed runs, whilst the 3.5-kilometre toboggan run from Furt to Maienberg provides non-skiing options. Bad Ragaz's thermal spa facilities in the valley complement the on-mountain experience.
The resort operates independently without major pass affiliations, running from early December to early April each season. Proximity to Zurich (60 minutes) and St. Gallen (60 minutes) positions Pizol as accessible day-trip terrain. The manageable 50-kilometre ski area suits families, intermediates seeking varied cruising terrain and locals wanting consistent snow conditions above frequent valley fog. February delivers peak snowfall whilst March offers the sunniest conditions, averaging 72 sunny days per season across the resort's cloud-breaking elevation.
1741m
Vertical
0
Runs
43.1 km
Piste
4m
Annual snow
The Terrain
0 runs across 43.1 km of piste
It leans beginner at 43%.
Terrain split
0
runs
0 runs across 4 grades
Beginner0 runs · 43%
Intermediate0 runs · 43%
Advanced0 runs · 14%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Pizol Bad Ragaz
The 2025/26 season runs from 7 December 2025 to 6 April 2026, with partial weekend operations from Wangs starting 22-23 November 2025 when early snowfall permits. Full daily operations across all lifts commence 13 December 2025, continuing through Easter Monday 2026. The season typically spans 17 weeks, with operating hours from 08:15 to 16:45 for gondolas and marginally earlier closures for chairlifts. This positions Pizol amongst moderate-length Swiss seasons, dependent on spring snow retention at mid-mountain elevations.
Average annual snowfall reaches 4.3 metres, with the snowiest period occurring during week two of January when an average 33 centimetres falls across 2.8 snowy days. February ranks as the snowiest month overall, whilst the resort's elevation to 2,250 metres captures consistent natural accumulation. The Snowmaking 4.0 system equipped with 111 cannons supplements natural snow across 40 per cent of terrain, guaranteeing coverage on primary descents and connections even during lean cycles. High-elevation terrain between Pardiel and Gaffia (above 1,600 metres) holds natural snow from November through April.
January through March delivers the most consistent conditions, with the resort frequently operating above valley cloud inversions that blanket the St. Gallen Rhine Valley below 1,000 metres. March averages 20 sunny days, ranking Pizol amongst the three sunniest resorts in eastern Switzerland. Weekday skiing offers quieter slopes compared to Zurich-proximity resorts, whilst Christmas, New Year and February half-term bring peak visitor numbers. December and early April suit skiers prioritising value over guaranteed coverage, though main runs remain operational through shoulder periods.
Friday night skiing from Furt to Maienberg operates from late December through early March, with 3.5 kilometres illuminated from 18:00 to 22:30 via the Wangs gondola. Saturday evening operations run the Bad Ragaz gondola to Pardiel with similar hours, featuring dining programmes and fondue gondola experiences. The resort hosts no major competitive events but maintains public race tracks with electronic timing. Cross-country skiing spans 27 kilometres of trails including the four-kilometre Christa Jäger high-elevation route between Laufböden and Pizolhütte at 2,227 metres.
Season 2025 - 2026
7 Dec 2025
Opens
6 Apr 2026
Closes
120
Days open
4 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Pizol Bad Ragaz, and where to stay
Pizol occupies the northeastern slopes of the 2,844-metre Pizol massif in the Heidiland region of eastern Switzerland, bridging the municipalities of Bad Ragaz (elevation 509 metres) and Wangs in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley. The ski area sits at the confluence of three valleys - Taminatal, Weisstannental and Calfeisental - with base stations positioned 100 kilometres southeast of Zurich. The historic spa town of Bad Ragaz anchors the southern access whilst Wangs provides the primary northern entry, both villages serving as functional bases rather than alpine resort centres. Sargans lies three kilometres from Wangs, offering additional accommodation and services.
Bad Ragaz developed as a thermal spa destination with the Tamina Therme complex predating ski tourism, creating a wellness-focused valley atmosphere distinct from purpose-built ski stations. Wangs and neighbouring Vilters, Valens and Pfäfers form a distributed settlement pattern in Sarganserland. The area inspired Johanna Spyri's Heidi novels, with the Bündner Herrschaft wine region extending south towards Maienfeld. Cultural heritage centres on spa traditions and pastoral Alpine farming rather than ski resort architecture, maintaining authentic village character across the operational area.
Motorway A13 (St. Margrethen-Bellinzona) serves Bad Ragaz via the Bad Ragaz Nord exit, two kilometres and four minutes from the gondola base station. The A3 (Zurich-Sarganserland) reaches Wangs through the Sargans exit, similarly two kilometres distant. Zurich lies 104 kilometres northwest (75 minutes), St. Gallen 60 minutes northeast and Lake Constance 45 minutes north. Parking costs six francs daily at both valley stations (45 minutes free), with over 700 spaces in Bad Ragaz and 500 in Wangs plus 350 overflow positions served by free shuttle buses.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) sits 104 kilometres away with 77-minute transfer times, whilst Friedrichshafen Airport (FDH) in Germany lies 103 kilometres distant (78 minutes). Bad Ragaz railway station on the Zurich-Chur main line offers hourly connections, with postbus line 456 running half-hourly to the gondola base (included in lift tickets during winter). Sargans station serves Wangs via bus routes 429 and 430, operating four times hourly on weekdays. The main Wangs base sits directly along the Zurich-Chur railway corridor, enabling car-free access. SBB general abonnement holders receive 50 per cent discounts on single gondola journeys year-round.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Pizol Bad Ragaz, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Spain Moves to Ban Smoking at Ski Resorts Under New Tobacco Law
Spain's government has approved a draft tobacco law that would ban smoking across a wide range of outdoor spaces, including sports venues - a category Spanish winter sports media expect to cover ski resorts, potentially extending to slopes and lifts themselves. The rules would also apply to e-cigarettes and vaping devices, even nicotine-free ones. The bill still has to clear the Spanish parliament before any ban, signage, or fines can take effect.
22 July 2026
South Tyrol Approves New 16-Person Ciampinoi Gondola in Val Gardena
South Tyrol has approved a full rebuild of the Ciampinoi cable car in Selva di Val Gardena, replacing the current 12-person gondola with a 16-person cabin and a new mountain-station restaurant. Capacity is capped at 3,200 people an hour rather than the 3,600 the operator wanted, and 250,000 euros must go toward compensatory measures. No construction or opening date has been set, though the upgrade is partly aimed at clearing bottlenecks before the 2031 Alpine Ski World Championships.
22 July 2026
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21 July 2026
La Thuile's New Cable Car Replaces Two Ageing Chairlifts
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21 July 2026
The Remarkables Adds Scarpa Bowl to Its Inbounds Terrain
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21 July 2026
Ski Portillo Cut Off After Storm Dumps More Than 4.5 Metres of Snow
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21 July 2026
Resort Spotlight: Lotte Arai - Japan's Corporate Ski Anomaly With 22 Metres of Annual Snowfall
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19 July 2026
Resort Spotlight: Banff Sunshine Village - Nine Metres of Snow and a Season That Runs Until May
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18 July 2026
Current conditions
Snow Report
Updated 12 Aug 2026
2250m
summit
+0cm
new snow · last 24 hours
Mainly Clear12°C / 18°C · NW 11km/h
Snowfall
24 hours
0cm
48 hours
0cm
7 days
0cm
Base depth
0cm
Season total
0cm
Total lifts13
Live open status isn’t available right now.
7 Dec 2025 - 6 Apr 2026
Hour by Hour
Next 47 hours· Updated Aug 12, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo
7-Day Outlook
2,250 mUpdated Aug 12, 2026 at 6:02 PMOpen-Meteo
Days 1–7
0.0cm
Days 8–14
0.0cm
Wed, Aug 12
Mainly Clear
Temp18° / 12°°C
Snow0.0cm(80%)
Wind11 km/h NW
Live snow from the resort feed; forecast from Open-Meteo, via Supabase.
Understanding the Pizol Bad Ragaz snow report
See what's happening on the mountain at Pizol Bad Ragaz right now — snowfall, snow depth, and weather data to help you plan your day in Switzerland.
Snow measurements
Our snow reports measure snowfall in centimeters over multiple time windows — last 24 hours, last 7 days, and the season total. Base depth reflects accumulation at the 509m base area, while summit depth captures conditions 1741m higher at 2250m, where snow typically stays colder and lingers longer. Imperial conversions are shown alongside for convenience.
Weather conditions
Wind and temperature swings matter as much as fresh snowfall. Cold, calm conditions hold snow quality well, while wind-loading or a warm-up can change things quickly — especially given the elevation spread between Pizol Bad Ragaz's base and summit.
Data sources
We pull Pizol Bad Ragaz's conditions from on-the-ground mountain reporting, then layer in forecast data so you get a fuller picture than either source alone. The mountain is served by 13 lifts, including 2 8-person chairlifts and 3 quad chairlifts.
When to check
The biggest swings usually happen right after a storm. Check Pizol Bad Ragaz's report in the morning for the freshest numbers, and again in the afternoon as conditions evolve.