As soon as the days start drawing in and the nights get longer, keen skiers are longing to see the winter bringing out the best in South Tyrol. And now – at last – the snow has arrived! It took its time coming this year, but now skiers can take to the pistes again! Only – which one?

Spoilt for choice

For some, this is the best time of year, when the mountains are covered in their cloaks of white and skis can be dusted off. There's definitely no shortage of ski slopes in South Tyrol. In fact, there are so many that it's hard to choose. First of all, there are the large ski resorts featuring over 100 km of fun on the slopes. Very impressive. But the small but beautiful ski areas should not be forgotten. They have a lot going for them, and are not just for beginners...

Small but packing a punch

South Tyrol's smaller ski areas are not to be underestimated, as their have their advantages! They have all you need for a great day's skiing: excellently prepared pistes and views to take your breath away. And, of course, the rustic mountain huts that promise the necessary reinforcement. Fewer slopes means that skiers and snowboarders will instantly feel at home. And you don't have to fork out too much for a day's ski pass. In some places prices are just half those of larger ski resorts. On the practical side, the day is still just as long. Small ski areas are especially suitable for families: they are usually a bit quieter and it's not so easy to get lost. You're less likely to meet reckless skiers, too!

Our top tips

Ski areas which, with under 15 kilometres of piste, belong to the smaller ones may be found all over the area. In Vinschgau, Trafoi am Ortler will delight snow fans, while in Meraner Land there's Vigiljoch and Pfelders, at the heart of South Tyrol the Rittner Horn, Reinswald in Sarntal valley and Jochgrimm are always worth a trip. Anyone looking for leisurely skiing fun in Eisacktal valley will find Ladurns ski area just the ticket and in Pustertal valley there are Prags and Toblach.

Try them for yourself! You're bound to find suitable accommodation near the pistes staying at accommodation run by South Tyrol Private Landlords and Landladies.

You'll find a map with all ski areas in South Tyrol here with even the individual ski lifts on the village slopes that can be just what beginners need.

Below a list of the ski areas with less than 25 kilometres of slopes and at least 3 lifts: Ratschings-Jaufen Kalcheralm (25km/8 lifts)
Schwemmalm (25/6)
Haider Alm – St. Valentin auf der Haide (20/5)
Watles – Mals (18/3)
Rosskopf – Sterzing (17.4/3)
Ladurns (15/3)
Rittner Horn – Ritten (15/3)
Pfelders (Moos in Passeier) (14.5/4)
Pichlberg – Reinswald (Sarntal) (14/4)
Tarscher Alm – Latsch (11/4)
Furkel – Trafoi (Stilfs) (10/3)
Stilfserjoch (9/6)
Haunold (8.3/5)
Maseben – Langtaufers (6/2)
Rein in Taufers (Ahrntal) (4/2)
Rienz – Toblach (3.9/3)
Vigiljoch – Lana (3.4/4)
Prags (3,1/2)
Marinzen – Kastelruth (3/3)