Skigebiet Schnalstal

Starting point: Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau (1,508 m a.s.l)
Ascent: 1,472 m elevation gain, 4.5 hours
Best time: December to May

Together with the Kleinen Wigenspitze that is slightly northwards, the Hohe Wiegenspitze rises between the Mastauntal and the Penaudtal valleys. Climb from Unser Frau through the Mastauntal valley, passing by the beautifully situated Mountain pasture Mastaun  (1,810 m a.s.l). At the end of the valley, once you have negotiated the steep slope you will be on flat ground again. The trail continues, taking a sharp left, over the hollows of a wide valley and finally rising sharply over the western ridge to the summit. Descend by the same route.

For good skiers with Alpine experience

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

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.

Starting point: Certosa/Karthaus (1,327 m a.s.l)
Ascent: 1,602 m elevation gain, 4.5-5 hours
Best time: December to May

Also orographically speaking to the right of the Penaudtal Valley and more southerly towards Vinschgau Valley. The ascent is also from Certosa/Karthaus into the Penaudtal Valley, as with the ski tour to the Grubenspitze, but to Mountain pasture Penaud; continue up the Penaudtal Valley, take a left at altitude 2,500 and climb the lateral valley in a south-easterly direction. It is possible to reach the summit on skis. Descend by the same route.

For good skiers.

Alpine hike to the one-time highest grain farm in Europe the Finailhof farm (1,973 m).

An easy but fascinating archaeological trail from Monte Santa Caterina/Katharinaberg up to Obermairalm Mountain Hut, along an almost level trail to Dickeralm Mountain Hut, through a beautiful larch forest to the Linthof farm and from there to the gondola lift that takes us down to Naturno/Naturns in a few minutes.

Starting point: Maso Corto/Kurzras, car park (2,011 m a.s.l)
Ascent: 1,445 m elevation gain, 5 hours
Best time: December to May

The Schwemserspitze is south of the Weißkugel with which it creates a massif between the Schnalstal valley and Matschertal valley. The ascent is from Maso Corto/Kurzras  across along Sommerweg (summer path) as far as the bridge, then in each case turning left into the Langgrubtal Valley. Then turn towards the north and climb the steep slopes as far as the Schwemser Ferner glacier. The easiest way to climb the glacier is by the south-west ridge. You can descend along the same route.

For good skiers with Alpine experience

Easy and magnificent path from the mountain hut Vorderkas/ inn Jägerrast to the mountain pasture Eishof, also suitable for children and elderly people. In the further course more and more surefootedness is required. 
Tips: the informational boards along the Alpine Pasture Experience Trail (Almerlebnisweg) are interesting. Not far from mountain pasture Rableid, there is a lime kiln, in which the limestone from the Hohe Weiße mountain was fired to make building lime, which was also presumably used to construct the monastery in Certosa/Karthaus.

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.

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.

Archaeological trail A5 begins in the village of Certosa/Karthaus where you can visit the cloister of the former Carthusian monastery. It then leads into the Penaud valley as far as the area known as “Karl Sumperer”. From here, you can view virtually the entire valley, with a panoramic view to the summits of the Similaun group of mountains. Arriving at Niederjöchl shortly after, you will have a magnificent view of Vinschgau valley, of the ice-capped peaks of the Cevedale and of the Martelltal valley. This is followed by the long descent to Sankt Martin am Kofel and its pilgrimage church. From here, it’s only a few minutes by cable car to Laces/Latsch.

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.

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.

Hiking trail through the untouched Lagauntal high valley to the former Heilbronner refuge lodge

This unglaciated peak on the southern edge of the Ötztal Alps is on the border between Italy and Austria and is one of the easiest 3000 m-peaks to climb in the mountain range. It offers a wonderful panorama view towards the southern Schnalstal Valley and the Weißkugel (3,739 m a.s.l.).

Starting point: Pfossental Valley, car park Gasthof Jägerrast inn (1,693 m a.s.l)
Ascent: 1,625 m elevation gain, 5-6 hours
Best time: March to mid-June

The Texelspitze is not only well known for its Nature Park but is also very popular because of the wonderful ski touring run. However, the tour is somewhat difficult due to the long climb through the Pfossental valley. After travelling along the forest path on the bottom of the valley for about 5 km you’ll arrive at Maso Gelato/Eishof farm at 2,069 m a.s.l. Take a right here over the stream and southwards, firstly on a sleep slope and then across splendid ridges to arrive at the Texelferner glacier. Cross the glacier, the trail rising in a southerly direction as far as the south-west side of the summit. The final steps to the summit can be taken once you’ve removed your skis. The best descent is by the same route.

For good skiers with Alpine experience

The mountain pasture Lafetz lies on 2,015 m a.s.l in the middle of a magnificent natural landscape. There you will be rewarded with an exclusive view of the Similaun, the Ötztal Alps and the place of discovery Ötzi.

A beautiful winter hiking tour on the Lauzaun plateau (2,430 m. a.s.l). Here you are rewarded with a fantastic view of several 3,000 m peaks.

A great tour from Maso Corto/Kurzras up to a splendid summit with a glorious view.

The untouched Lagauntal Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in South Tyrol. The trail up to the former Heilbronn hut and the Tascheljöchl provide a breathtaking long-distance view of numerous 3000m-peaks. On the way to Berglalm Mountain Hut, we pass through idyllic high mountain terrain with expansive larch forests.

The chairlift brings you from the glacial lake back to the glacier and the Ötzi Biwak. There you can choose between the easy, blue ski run S1 or the Leo Gurschler steep. Here you can find also connection to the Grawand chairlift and following to the Schnalstal Glacier Cable Car which brings you back to valley.

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.

Archaeological trail A10 is a particularly beautiful hike but somewhat longer and at times at higher altitudes.

Ski lift at the border of the glacier with access to the easy, sunny and flat Finail ski run (blue).

Starting point: Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau (1,508 m a.s.l)
Ascent: 1,586 m elevation gain, 5 hours
Best time: March to May

A double summit (western summit 3,083 m a.s.l, eastern summit 3,094 m a.s.l) to the west of the Mastaun summit and the Mastaunjoch pass. Take the trail upwards from Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau through the Mastauntal Valley, as with Tours 9, until you reach flat ground having negotiated the steep slope. Then, take a right in a north-westerly direction until you come to the Mastaunjoch pass (2,927 m a.s.l) and the quite difficult climb up to the western summit. You can also turn off towards the north beneath the Mastaunjoch pass and climb to the eastern summit, which is the easier one. The descent is similar to the ascent.

For practised skiers with Alpine experience

This high-Alpine trail presents the hiker with dramatic views and scenic highlights.

Starting point: Mountain station Grawand (3,212 m a.s.l) or Refuge Bella Vista (2,842 m a.s.l)
Best time: March to May
Degree of difficulty: for good skiers with Alpine experience

Day 1 ascent: 600 m elevation gain, 4 hours
The same ascent route as ski tour to the Ötzi discovery site; the trail then takes you downhill on the Niederhochferner glacier and briefly uphill to the Refuge Similaun (3,019 ma.s.l).

Day 2 ascent: 600 m elevation gain, 2 hours
The ascent goes from the Similaun lodge to Similaun in a south-easterly direction over the Niederjochferner glacier, rising only slightly to begin with but becoming steeper, up to a narrow and often monitored summit ridge.

Descent A: descend back along the ascent route.

Descent B: eastwards to the Similaunjoch pass and then northwards over the Marzellferner glacier to the Mountain hut Martin-Busch and on to Vent (A)

Descent C: eastwards to the Similaunjoch pass and then southwards over the Grafferner glacier and Graftal Valley to Inn Jägerrast  (Vorderkaser) in the Pfossental Valley.

Of the 3 options, descent C (down into the Pfossental Valley) is highly recommended but only in good conditions.

The Lazaun high plateau is marked by the power of the glacier, for example, by an active block glacier and a high moor. You will find very distinctive Alpine flora here, including the dwarf willow (Salix herbacea), the smallest tree in the world. With any luck, the attentive observer will also be treated to rare sightings of local fauna. Numerous marmots live up here in addition to rock partridge and snow grouse.

The sunny Finail ski runs are about one kilometer long and classified as blue runs. Therefore they are also suitable for beginners. Tip: unfasten skis at the mountain station, hike up to the level, and then enjoy the view to the south.