Skigebiet Schnalstal

The Via Monachorum, also referred to as “Silentium“ (Path of tranquillity) connects the villages of Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau and Monte S. Caterina/Katharinaberg with Certosa/Karthaus. There was a historic monastery there, founded by the Carthusian monks in the 14th century.  Dressed in their white robes, the monks lived in silence. Some large parts of the monastery walls have been preserved, as are the Gothic cloister and the former monastery kitchen. There are a number of plaques along this themed trail with philosophical quotations relating to tranquillity and silence. The trail is signposted using life-sized figures of monks.

The chairlift brings skiers and pedestrians in only six minutes directly to the Teufelsegghütte mountain hut at 2.453m. a.s.l.

The valley descent starts at the glacial lakes and consists of two challenging slopes. Skiers reach the valley station of the glacier cable car at Maso Corto/Kurzras.

The ski tour to Langgrubjoch is still relatively popular. It is relatively easy and not as challenging as the tours on the high neighbouring peaks. However, it does rise to over 3,000 m and offers a good insight into the mountain world of Schnalstal Valley.

The circular route starts and ends in Katharinaberg. It runs over meadows, through forests and along a section of the road, but promises a pleasant walk with wonderful views.

In the newly designed Kinderland, kids can enjoy their first experiences on skis. Equipped with an Indian “teepee” tent, two magic carpets, and a ski carousel, the playground in the snow provides an ideal area for kids to romp around on.

This chairlift gives you access to the most demanding but panoramic ski runs of the whole area. Passing by the Teufelsegghütte mountain hut you reach, always on black ski runs, the village Maso Corto/Kurzras.

On the high plateau at around 2,450 meters a.s.l. is located the Lazaun mountain hut. From there two red ski-runs with a medium level of difficulty start and bring skiers directly in the village center of Maso Corto/Kurzras.

The in 2017 newly built cable car on the left side of the valley leads to the high plateau Lazaun (2,430m).The new cable car traverses a change in altitude of 430 metres (1,400 feet) and can transport up to 1,980 passengers per hour. The 27 closed gondolas conveniently take skiers, tobogganers and winter hikers up to the Lazaun mountain station in just under four minutes. The mountain station lies at 2,430 metres (7,970 feet) above sea level and is the starting point of two ski slopes of intermediate difficulty covering a total distance of around 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles) as well as a toboggan track of 3.3 kilometres (2 miles) in length.

Refreshment: The Lazaun  mountain hut offers a giant sunny terrace.

This tour, that can be done from early spring to late autumn, depending on the weather, takes us along the highest grain farm in Europe. Grain was cultivated at this altitude right up to the second half of the last century, when the construction of the dam and reservoir also changed the climate of the Schnalstal Valley. There are archaic structures along this trail that have only changed slightly during the development of mountain farming over thousands of years.

The ski lift is situated in the valley, next to the valley station of the cable car. It brings you up to two easy ski runs (blue) - ideal for beginners.

The Teufelsegg slopes offer challenging ski-runs with spectacular views. At theirs end the Teufelsegg mountain hut invites to a culinary break.

Starting point: Certosa/Karthaus (1,327 m a.s.l.)
Ascent: 1,474 m elevation gain, 4 hours
Best time: winter and early spring

Uphill and downhill possible with skis from  to Certosa/Karthaus if the snow conditions are good. Referred to as Gamseck on some maps. The ascent is from Certosa/Karthaus along the road to Farmstead Sennhof and then on the forest path to malga del convento, above Certosa/Karthaus, from there continue southwards to the highest and rather steep ascent to the secondary summit of the Trumserspitze.

Descent A: The same as the ascent route and the road to Certosa/Karthaus.

Descent B: Northwards to malga del convento and along the forest path as far as the viewing point for Certosa/Karthaus and then directly downhill to Certosa/Karthaus through the forest aisle.

For practised skiers

The Glocken slopes in Maso Corto/Kurzras village are 350 meters long and due to the low slope inclination ideal for beginners. Next to them there are located both the Tiroli's Kinderland and the Val Senales Funpark.

The ski lift is situated in the valley, next to the valley station of the cable car. It brings you up to two easy ski runs (blue) - ideal for beginners.

The looped trail around the lake is well worth the effort because a pastoral pathway runs directly along the waterfront and is, of course, particularly beautiful from about mid-July when the reservoir is full. In the winter, water is released from the reservoir to generate electricity and, depending on the water level, the tower of the immersed church may be visible. There are some photos on display in the chapel in Vernagt of the flooded plain and farms.

The Teufelsegg slopes offer challenging ski-runs with spectacular views. At theirs end the Teufelsegg mountain hut invites to a culinary break.

The valley descent starts at the glacial lakes and consists of two challenging slopes. Skiers reach the valley station of the glacier cable car at Maso Corto/Kurzras.

Starting point: Maso Corto/Kurzras, Masi Kofel/Koflhöfe (1,938 m a.s.l.)
Ascent: 949 m elevation gain, 3 hours
Best time: December to April

A pleasant tour and not too difficult; only the part through the woods, along the narrow Sommerweg is somewhat difficult, especially when descending. The ascent starts at Koflhof farm (0.7 km before Maso Corto/Kurzras), moving southwards through the Lagauntal Valley. Before the valley basin, go to the right up the slope north-westwards, arriving at Stotz, north of the Saldurkamm mountains. You can descend either by the same route or by going north via Lazaun Mountain hut to Maso Corto/Kurzras.

Also suitable for intermediate-level skiers.

 

A lovely gentle meditation or pilgrimage path which takes you through the fragrant larch woods of Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau to a sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary. There are a number of quiet, shady resting places with carvings and statues by local artists and craftsmen.

The ski slope starts below the Teufelsegg hut with a transversal passage, offers a wonderful view of Kurzras and ends at the valley station of the cable car. „Transhumanz“: the slope is named after the tradition of long-distance grazing; thousands of sheep have been moving across the glacier every spring and autumn in the immediate vicinity for more than 600 years. The „Transhumanz“ slope is 1,562 metres long, 28 metres wide on average; it has a maximum gradient of 42 percent and a height difference of 303 metres.

The Teufelsegg slopes offer challenging ski-runs with spectacular views. At theirs end the Teufelsegg mountain hut invites to a culinary break.

The valley descent starts at the glacial lakes and consists of two black, challenging slopes. Passing the Teufelsegg mountain hut, skiers reach the valley station of the glacier cable car at Maso Corto/Kurzras.

A hike with amazing views of probably the oldest meadows in South Tyrol

Section of the Archaeological Trail A 7 - The Archaeological Hiking Map with additional information is available free of charge at the archeoParc Schnalstal or at the Tourism Office Schnalstal Valley

The Glocken slopes in Maso Corto/Kurzras village are 350 meters long and due to the low slope inclination ideal for beginners. Next to them there are located both the Tiroli's Kinderland and the Val Senales Funpark.

On the high plateau at around 2,450 meters a.s.l. is located the Lazaun mountain hut. From there two red ski-runs with a medium level of difficulty start and bring skiers directly in the village center of Maso Corto/Kurzras.

The „Hasen-Abfahrt“, which means rabbit descent and takes its name from the Hasen-Kofel locality (rabbit hill), branches off from the „Transhumanz“ slope and leads skiers through a larch forest and along the hotels to the valley station of the Lazaun cable car. The Hasen-Abfahrt ski run is 920 metres long, 6 metres wide on average, with a maximum gradient of 29.7% and an altitude difference of 127 metres.

Walking along snowy meadows, through romantic larch forests in winter silence - all you can hear is the crunching of your feet. Follow the well-marked and traced path and discover the beauty of the rear Schnalstal Valley. Depending on the snow situation, snowshoes are recommended.

The majestic Hochjochferner glacier lies along the border between Austria and Italy. The glacier cable car overcomes more than a thousand metres in altitude in six minutes and takes guests from Maso Corto up to 3,212 metres. Every year from September to May, winter sports enthusiasts hit the slopes at this world class 185-acre natural park. The glacier is equally suited to beginners and experienced skiers, as well as families. The real crowd pleaser is especially the 8 km long Schmuggler downhill slope leading into the valley. 

 

Many pathways of tranquillity lead to Certosa/Karthaus, the former Carthusian monastery where the monks took a vow of silence and which still succeeds in emanating a sense of infinite tranquillity today. This themed trail, with some interesting philosophical quotations about tranquillity along the way, has excellent signage that uses life-sized figures of monks. It traces the paths that the monks treaded in silence back in the day.