Where is Schnals in Schnals Valley?
Schnals village (Senales in Italian) lies in South Tirol/Italy near the Austrian border, its distance to Meran is 10 km. Schnals Valley is a side valley of lower Vinschgau and gained worldwide popularity after Ötzi the Iceman had been found there.
The distance of Schnals Valley – a side valley of Lower Vinschgau – and Meran is 10 km. A comfortable road passes idyllic mountain villages and nicely decorated farmhouses, finally leading to Kurzras (2011 m) at the valley end. The village is known as the only 4-season ski resort in South Tirol.
What's the weather like in Schnalstal?
In the winter the glacier attracts skiers and snowboarders, whereas in the summer it is a hikers' paradise. Check out our live webcams for the current weather situation, and forecast for today, tomorrow or the weekend and our 5-day forecast. Will there be snow today, tomorrow or at the weekend? Our live webcam informs you about snow condition and current snow depth.
Where to Ski at Schnals Valley Glacier?
Hochjochfern Glacier, which is situated at the border between Italy and Austria and covers an area of 185 ha, offers majestic sceneries and views of Ötztal Alps. Skiing at the glacier is a great experience for beginners, pros and families – especially the 8-km long ‘smuggler piste’ down to the valley.
Schnals Valley Cable Car is the highest cable car in South Tirol and offers breathtaking ski areas for the entire family. The cable car leads to Hochjochferner in the Ötztal Alps, it starts at Kurzras (2011 masl) and ends at the mountain station (3212 masl) directly beneath Grawand. It takes only 6 minutes to get to the top.
Leo Guschler Piste is a special attraction for thrill seekers. The black piste was opened in October 2015. Winter sports athletes use it as demanding training run for slalom and giant slalom. Training units at the Schnals Valley Glacier start as early as autumn. The technical characteristics of the 550-m long piste allow best training conditions for winter sports competitors. It was named after the pioneer and visionary Leo Gurschler, who realised the only glacier ski resort of South Tirol at Hochjochferner 40 years ago.
What goes on in Schnals?
The Schnalstal is located in the Texel Group Nature Park and is one of the most fascinating valleys in the Alps. Within just a few kilometers the landscape changes from Mediterranean-type vineyards and orchards at 500 m to 3,200 m glacier regions.
Hikers and mountain climbers can enjoy over 300 km of well-marked hiking trails of varying levels of difficulty right up to the three-thousand meter mountains in the Ötztal Alps. Climbing here in the Alps with such impressive distant views is quite unforgettable.
In this the only glacier area of South Tyrol there are 35 km of well-groomed ski slopes – from wide carving pistes to challenging downhill runs. The Schnalstal is the insider’s choice for skiers and snowboarders. Enjoy your winter sports in the clear mountain air of South Tyrol and be enchanted by the magic of the mountains!
Where to stay in Schnals Valley?
Glacier Hotel Grawand is located at the cable car mountain station at 3,212 m above sea level, which makes it the highest alpine hotel in Europe. Visitors enjoy the splendid view of 3000-m peaks such as Weißkugel, Wildspitze and Similaun. Down at the valley there are also plenty of hotels and apartments for every budget.
