The confectionery Weithaler is already run as a family-owned enterprise since the year 1979. Family Weithaler guarantees the highest quality and a professional processing and uses only fresh and best ingredients! The assortment contains a big pallet of home-made specialties: Apfelstrudels, cakes, wedding gâteaus, pastries and much more.
The Oberniederhof farm with its 700 years is a historical heritage in Schnalstal Valley (1,500 m a.s.l.). There is more to Oberniederhof than just a vacation in a Tyrolean farm: The Tappeiner family offers its guests a wide range of organic farm products.
The Tappeiner family has specialised in breeding and keeping old breeds of farm animals that are worthy of protection or threatened with extinction. The Oberniederhof is a recognised Ark Farm and a member of the G.E.H. (Society for the Preservation of Domestic and Farm Animal Breeds Worth Protecting). At the same time, they provide insight into the history of these breeds and their current situation through vivid farm tours. Meats from special breeds give extra-tasty smoked salami and speck. In the farm shop you also find herbal teas and herbal salt produced with herbs growing on the farm.
Products: cheese, ricotta, butter, yoghurt, salami, speck, herbal teas, herbal salt
Farm visits: The Tappeiner family offers farm tours with product tastings on Wednesday and on request from Dezember to late March (€ 8,50 per person). For booking and further questions see contact information below.
The Teufelsegg slopes offer challenging ski-runs with spectacular views. At theirs end the Teufelsegg mountain hut invites to a culinary break.
The new black-labeled run is a training track for slalom and giant slalom specialists, offering the international elite in Alpine skiing the possibility to complete challenging workouts at the Senales Valley glacier skiing area in early autumn. But watch out: with a drop of 200 meters and an inclination of almost 60%, the Leo Gurschler ski slope is for experts only! It is in fact named after the local pioneer and visionary Leo Gurschler, who built the only glacier skiing area in South Tyrol, here in Senales Valley, 40 years ago.
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.
Both the delightful Baroque-style pilgrimage church, built in 1304 and expanded in 1765, and the nearby cemetery with its artistic graveyard crosses made of copper and bronze by local artists are well worth a visit. The village of Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau celebrated its 700th anniversary as a place of pilgrimage in the year 2004. It is, in fact, one of the oldest pilgrimage centres in the entire Tyrol region.
Skiing area at the Schnalstal Glacier
Easily reachable by the cable car, the glacier of Val Senales at 3,212 m a.s.l is the ideal starting point for varied runs (42 km of slopes) across all levels. From wide slopes for carving to the challenging 8 km long valley run for athletic skiers, the ski area also offers two cross country slopes and a toboggan run through the winter forest. Numerous huts and sun terraces invite for enjoying the traditional dishes of the South Tyrolean cuisine. Alreday in mid-September the international ski trainers are here for their training lessons. The winter season begins on mid-September and ends at the beginning of may.
Hiking area at the Schnalstal Glacier
In summertime the Schnalstal Glacier Cable Car, the Roter Kofel lift and also the Lazaun Cable Car are open.
The Hochjochferner Glacier in Schnalstal Valley is a popular destination for high Alpine hiking in South Tyrol. Demanding tours lead up to the Weisskugel and Finailspitze mountains, as well as to the spectacular Similaun peak near Oetzi’s discovery place.
With the new Lazaun cable car you can reach the Lazaun mountain station comfortably and safely in about 4 minutes. Up here you will find a very special alpine flora and fauna, as the Lazaun plateau is characterized by the power of the glaciers and an upland moor. If you are looking for more entertainment, you can rent mountaincarts, which will ensure an actionpacked descent. The via ferrata Larix also promises an unforgettable day.
Visiting the town of Certosa/Karthaus is like a journey into the past. The town was built inside the walls of the Cloister of Certosa degli Angeli, founded in 1326 and reopened in 1782. The Via Crucis of the ancient cloister is especially interesting.
The Merano High Mountain Trail climbs upwards along a forest slope overlooking the mountain village of Monte S. Caterina/Katharinaberg and is accessible by car and bus. The bus stop is in the village itself and there is also an unattended car park that is free of charge. From there, follow the trail signposts until you reach the Merano High Mountain Trail. Continue upwards along the road as far as Montferthof farm (1,471 m a.s.l). Just after the farm, staying on the trail, cross the steep arid slopes with their unassuming flora. Passing through meadows, meandering up and down along the trail, you soon reach the distinctive turn into Pfossental valley. The trail drops slightly along an extended forest slope. Care should be taken in the tunnel valley due to falling rocks - even without rain or the like! After passing Infanglhof farm you will reach the road, stay to the right of it and the trail continues upwards to the next inn. Gasthof Inn Jägerrast (1,693 m a.s.l), at the end of the public road, is a very popular spot with hikers. A wide trail continues on through a sparse forest into Pfossental valley. If you are watching closely, you might spot the chamois on the opposite side of the valley or a golden eagle that is casually flying through the canyon, as their nests are in the valley cliffs. Having passed a wayside shrine, after a distinctive right turn in the trail, you will see the Mountain pasture Mitterkas (1954 m a.s.l) and further along the Mountain pasture Rableid (2,004 m a.s.l). After these two possible stops, the trail continues through a Larch forest. Further on, you come to the Mountain pasture Eishof (2,071 m a.s.l). Rising up from here, you will see the striking Hohe Weiße (3,278 m a.s.l), its name taken from the bright limestone, and to the left of the valley, the Hohe Wilde (3,480 m a.s.l) with its dark rock.
On the wide Grawand glacier slopes you find a light and two medium-difficult ski-runs. Ideal to start your ski day on a length of 850 meters. At the end of the Grawand slopes it is a must to stop for a bite to eat at the Ötzi Biwak with its generous sun terraces.
The starting point of the sun-drenched slopes is located at 3,115 meters above sea level. The medium-heavy red slopes bring skiers to the Bella Vista mountain hut and lead into the valley descent to Maso Corto/Kurzras.
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.
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 Teufelsegg slopes offer challenging ski-runs with spectacular views. At theirs end the Teufelsegg mountain hut invites to a culinary break.
The Texelgruppe Nature Park, which encompasses more than 30,000 hectares, is the largest nature park in South Tyrol. It is situated between the Etschtal, Vinschgau, Schnalstal and Passeiertal valleys and the main chain of the Alps.
Some of the most beautiful hiking routes around Meran/Merano are located within this unique protected area. Examples include the Merano High Mountain Trail, which loops around the Texel Group over the course of several days, or the hike to the Spronser Seen lakes, one of the largest lake districts in Europe. The diverse geography and nature of the Texelgruppe Nature Park boasts deciduous and larch forests, high moors, blooming Alpine pastures, rugged rock faces, roaring streams, crystal-clear mountain lakes and panoramic peaks.
The Texelgruppe range boasts attractions beyond its diverse flora and fauna: the remains of prehistoric settlements, fortifications and places of worship demonstrate that mankind has long been attracted to this fantastic area. Neolithic engraved stones, "Ötzi the Iceman,” as well as the old ‘path of the dead’ from Pfelders/Plan to Dorf Tirol/Tirolo underscore the early presence of man in the Texelgruppe range area. In the late Middle Ages, due to the increase in population, farmsteads were operated year round up to an altitude of 2,000 metres.
The Texelgruppe Nature Park is shared by the municipalities of Schnals/Senales, Naturns/Naturo, Partschins/Parcines, Algund/Lagundo, Dorf Tirol, Riffian/Rifiano, St. Martin in Passeier/San Martino in Passiria and Moos in Passeier/Moso in Passiria.
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.
Myth of the Mountain The museum in Juval Castle in Val Venosta is dedicated to the Magic of the Mountain and houses several fine art collections: a Tibetica collection, a gallery of paintings of the world’s holy mountains, a collection of masks from five continents, a unique Gesar of Ling exhibition, a Tantra Room and the Expedition Cellar. Trained guides are available to explain all the exhibits. There is also a small mountain zoo, home-grown produce at the Schlosswirt tavern, excellent wines in Unterortl and, at the foot of the hill, a farmhouse shop. Juval Castle always makes a big impression in so many ways.
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 Farmstead Finailhof is one of the oldest farms in Schnalstal Valley, first records date back to the 11th century. It is known for its rare visit in 1416. Those days the farmers harbored Duke Frederick IV by employing him as a shepherd. Until 1967, the farm was highest one in Europe which cultivated cereals. To preserve the rural culture and architecture the entire farm became a listed building in 1981. Today the family Gurschler lives with four generations on the farm and welcomes guests in their „Stube“ and a huge sunny terrace with a great view over the lake Vernago/Vernagt.
In the Supermarket of Certosa/Karthaus you will find everything for your daily needs. From food as well as fresh vegetables and fruit to souvenirs and decorative articles. We also offer fresh bread and pastries from our bakery.
Thanks to its diverse and distinctive natural and cultural landscape, the Schnalstal Valley is one of the most fascinating valleys in the entire Alps. The discovery of Ötzi, the glacier mummy, and the annual driving of sheep – the transhumance - over the main ridge of the Alps, are proof that hunters and shepherds have been travelling through the Schnalstal Valley for thousands of years. The wool in these slippers (potsch) comes only from Schnals mountain sheep, which are perfectly suited to life in this Alpine region. The felt is made in one of the most prestigious loden and felt factories in South Tyrol. The wool in these felt slippers has proven itself, for example, through optimum thermal balance and tremendous durability. The ipotsch product are warranted for hand made, ecologic and etic production. The slippers "ipotsch" are available in the tourism office a Certosa/Karthaus.
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.
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.
The Ötzi shop ist something quite special: a treasure trove for things which give pleasure. Dropping in is worthwhile, they take her small piece Schnalstal along! The Ötzi shop is led since 1997 as a family-owned enterprise. The business lies directly in the center of Maso Corto/Kurzras and is open throughout also on Sundays and bank holidays.
On the wide Grawand glacier slopes you find a light and two medium-difficult ski-runs. Ideal to start your ski day on a length of 850 meters. At the end of the Grawand slopes it is a must to stop for a bite to eat at the Ötzi Biwak with its generous sun terraces.
After the tight canyon at the entrance to the valley, the valley widens and you will see the chapel of the village of Monte S. Caterina/Katharinaberg on your right. The chapel is like a signpost for the village. Once upon a time, this rocky hill was crowned with the castle of the „Lords of Schnals“, which gave the valley its name. Not only the inhabitants, but also our guests enjoy life in the village: the mild climate, lots of sun, stillness, wonderful hiking routes with direct access to the Merano High Mountain Trail in the Texelgruppe Nature Park, as well as some picturesque views into the valley and over the mountains.
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.
