Sonnenskilauf in Gurgl. Foto: Ötztal Tourismus/Roman Huber
While some people are already planning their first bike tour in the countryside, many skiers set off for their best snow experiences in spring. There are plenty of reasons for this: soft firn snow makes the descent a real treat, the snack tastes twice as good on the sun terrace and flirting at the snow bar is also more relaxed under the warming rays of the sun. In the high-altitude ski resorts of Austria, South Tyrol and Switzerland, it’s “snow yay” until the beginning of May.
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl is at the top of the hit list for spring skiers. The reason is clear: in Austria’s highest church village, winter sports fun begins where it ends elsewhere – at 1800 meters above sea level. The lifts at Festkogl, Hoher Mut and Wurmkogl are buzzing until the beginning of May. The second big plus on the Innerötztal slopes are the refreshment stops. The numerous three-thousand-metre peaks are close enough to touch from almost every sun terrace – not to mention the culinary delights. Hotel tip with charging station: Hotel Edelweiß
Schneemangel ist ein Fremdwort und Langeweile sowieso – Frühlingsskifahrer mit Lust auf Party und Remmidemmi pilgern jedes Jahr zum Ausklang des Pistenwinters nach Ischgl. Fast 90 Prozent aller Pisten in der Silvretta Arena liegen über 2000 Meter Höhe. Eine Party jagt die nächste, die Superstars geben sich die Klinke bei den legendären “Top of the Mountain”-Konzerten in die Hand. Diesen Winter lassen die US-Hip-Hopper Black Eyed Peas am 30. April mit einem rauschenden Abschlusskonzert den Schnee schmelzen. Grandiose Weitblicke und so manchen tiefen Blick in die Augen verspricht das Bergrestaurants Pardorama am Pardatschgrat. Hoteltipp mit Ladestation: Enjoy Ischgl
A lack of snow is a foreign concept and boredom is a thing of the past – spring skiers with a taste for partying and remmidemmi make the pilgrimage to Ischgl every year at the end of the piste winter. Almost 90 percent of all slopes in the Silvretta Arena are above 2000 meters above sea level. One party follows the next, and superstars are the stars of the legendary “Top of the Mountain” concerts. This winter, US hip-hoppers Black Eyed Peas will melt the snow with a roaring final concert on April 30. The Pardorama mountain restaurant on the Pardatschgrat promises grandiose views and many a deep look into the eyes. Hotel tip with charging station: Enjoy Ischgl
The ski season in Obertauern in Salzburger Land also lasts a record-breaking amount of time – almost half a year. Few ski resorts in Austria are as snow-sure as the slopes to the right and left of the Radstätter Tauern Pass. No wonder: the valley stations start at an altitude of over 1700 meters, and the clouds accumulate on the main Alpine ridge, depositing precious white until the beginning of May. The “Tauern circuit” on skis or snowboard is as obligatory as a stop at the Gamsmilchbar at the mountain station of the Zehnerkar gondola lift. After all, this is where the much-vaunted Gamsmilch is served, the secret of which is certainly a good portion of rum. Hotel tip with charging station: Hotel Steiner Superior
In South Tyrol, it might be the glass of red that crowns the spring skiing day. Because you can also hit the slopes south of the main Alpine ridge until the beginning of May. Sulden am Ortler is one of the high-altitude ski resorts with guaranteed snow. The high peaks around King Ortler guarantee pleasure skiing and Pofi’s skiing fun right into May. In addition to sun, firn and downhill fun, South Tyrolean hospitality and delicacies are right at the top of the hit list. The Rifugio Madriccio is a place for connoisseurs: a wonderful sun terrace, panoramic views and chatting with relaxed Italians about the slopes or – even better – raving about the good food and excellent espresso. Hotel tip with charging station: Hotel Gertraud
Ambitioniert geht es auf den Pisten in Andermatt zu. Ort des skifahrerischen Geschehens für Könner ist der Gemsstock mit seinen nordseitigen langen und knackigen Abfahrten. Auf den nordseitigen langen und knackigen Abfahrten des Gemstock treffen sich die Könner. Das Highlight ist die Bernhard Russi-Abfahrt, benannt nach dem Andermatter Olympiasieger und Weltmeister. Daneben laden aber jede Menge Tiefschneehänge Freerider zum Powdern ein. Zu anspruchsvoll? Dank dem Zusammenschluss der Skigebiete am Oberalppass sind die Skigebiete Gemsstock, Nätschen-Gütsch und Sedrun-Oberalppass zur Skiarena Andermatt-Sedrun und bieten jede Menge Traumpisten für Skifreaks, Genussfahrer und Einsteiger. Skizwerge finden in Matti Kids Arena am Nätschen und im Snowpark Valtgeva in Sedrun ihr Paradies. Hoteltipp mit Ladestation: Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen Andermatt
The slopes in Andermatt are ambitious. The place to be for experts is the Gemsstock with its long and challenging runs on the north side. The north-facing, long and crisp runs of the Gemstock are where the experts meet. The highlight is the Bernhard Russi run, named after the Andermatt Olympic and world champion. In addition, there are plenty of deep snow slopes for freeriders to powder down. Too challenging? Thanks to the merger of the ski areas on the Oberalp Pass, the Gemsstock, Nätschen-Gütsch and Sedrun-Oberalppass ski areas have become the Andermatt-Sedrun ski arena and offer plenty of dream slopes for ski freaks, pleasure skiers and beginners. Little skiers will find their paradise in the Matti Kids Arena on the Nätschen and in the Snowpark Valtgeva in Sedrun. Hotel tip with charging station: Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen Andermatt
Sun skiing and duty-free shopping – this wonderful mix is possible in Livigno, which invites you to enjoy the slopes and duty-free shopping at an altitude of 1800 meters. The snowy, sunny region between Engadin and Veltlin guarantees white slopes when the cyclamen are already in bloom elsewhere. That’s why Livigno is at the top of the hit list for freeriders who love the deep powder snow on Monte della Neve. Is it the food, the panorama, the firn descent or just the name of the hut that makes you dizzy with happiness? Everything is possible at the Carosello 3000 mountain restaurant. Hotel tip with charging station: Hotel Larice
