Slope highlights in the Paznaun valley
Three ski areas, 372 kilometres of pistes and plenty of variety: Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun, Silvapark Galtür and the Kappl & See ski area each have their own distinct character. From demanding descents to gentle beginners’ slopes, the Paznaun valley offers exciting skiing experiences for all skill levels.
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around 372 km of pistes across the Paznaun valley
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largest ski area: Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun, with 239 km of pistes across Austria and Switzerland
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longest ski circuit in the valley: the Smugglers’ Circuit, with its Bronze, Silver and Gold routes
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steepest run: HARDigatti in Silvapark Galtür, with a gradient of up to 85%
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longest run: Fear of Heights in See, covering 13 km with a vertical drop of 1,530 m
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other long runs: Eleven in Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun (11 km) and Lattenabfahrt in Kappl (8 km)
The largest ski area in the Paznaun valley: Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun
With 239 kilometres of pistes, Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun offers the widest range of skiing in the Paznaun valley. One of its defining features is its cross-border location: You can ski from Ischgl in Austria all the way to Samnaun in Switzerland.
The ski area is also home to the valley’s longest ski circuit. The Smugglers’ Circuit offers a choice of three routes – Bronze, Silver and Gold – and takes its name from the region’s long history of smuggling across the Austrian-Swiss border.
Slope highlights at a glance
Sometimes it’s the gradient, sometimes the length or simply the thrill of the descent that makes a ski run memorable. Steep runs put your technique to the test, long descents require stamina, and adventure runs add variety to a day on the slopes. Wide pistes offer plenty of room for carving, while gentle slopes are ideal for beginners. With these qualities in mind, we’ve selected the highlights from the Paznaun valley’s three ski areas.
01 / GRADIENT
The steepest ski run in the Paznaun valley
Silvapark Galtür is home to the steepest run in the Paznaun valley: the black HARDigatti piste, with a gradient of up to 85 per cent. This puts it among Austria’s steepest groomed runs. Piste no. 14a in the cross-border Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun is another demanding descent, with gradients of up to 70 per cent.
Good to know: Both pistes are graded black and are best suited to confident, experienced skiers.
02 / DISTANCE
The region’s longest ski run
At 13 kilometres long and with a vertical drop of 1,530 metres, the Fear of Heights in See is the Paznaun’s longest ski run. No other run in the valley covers a greater vertical drop.
Other long descents include Eleven in Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun, an 11-kilometre run from the Greitspitze summit to the centre of Ischgl. In Kappl, the Lattenabfahrt stretches for 8 kilometres from the Alblittkopf summit all the way down into the valley.
03 / ADVENTURE
Adventure runs with an extra thrill
Some ski runs in the Paznaun valley offer more than just a descent. In the Kappl & See ski area, the Fear of Heights in See and the Lattenabfahrt in Kappl are two standout examples. Both combine long, flowing turns with challenging sections and sweeping views across the Paznaun valley.
Fun fact: The two runs are part of a joint challenge. Complete either one five times to earn a Silver Badge, or ski both five times each to unlock the Gold Badge.
For another kind of adventure, try the Silvretta Skisafari. A ski bus and snowcat help you explore scenic runs in the Silvretta mountains, travelling from Galtür into the neighbouring Montafon valley.
04 / CARVING
The best slopes for carving
Carving is at its best on wide, well-groomed pistes with a consistent gradient. These runs offer plenty of room for long, flowing turns:
ISCHGL / SAMNAUN
Silvretta Arena
Blue piste no. 11
A wide run with plenty of room for long, flowing carving turns.
GALTÜR
Silvapark
Piste no. 8
Kopsseeabfahrt
Piste no. 10
Breitspitzabfahrt with views of the Kops reservoir
45 km of groomed pistes in Silvapark
KAPPL & SEE
Kappl & See ski area
Lattenabfahrt
The sporty descent in Kappl offers plenty of opportunities for long carving turns.
05 / FAMILY FUN
The best slopes for beginners and families
Gentle, wide pistes with good visibility are ideal for those taking their first turns on skis. Families will also find plenty to enjoy on runs with child-friendly attractions and dedicated kids’ areas. These slopes and areas are particularly well suited:
ISCHGL / SAMNAUN
Silvretta Arena
Blue piste no. 8
The run in the Idalp area offers ideal conditions for relaxed turns and first experiences on the slopes.
GALTÜR
Silvapark
Piste no. 3
Family run in the Abenteuerland area, featuring a fairy-tale forest and a witch’s cottage.
Blue piste no. 18
Erlebnisabfahrt Bärental – a fun and varied descent for families.
KAPPL & SEE
Kappl & See ski area
Kappl · Piste no. 5
The run leads directly to the kids’ area with magic carpets – ideal for young ski enthusiasts.
See · Medrigjoch
Beginner slope at the Medrigjochbahn mountain station, equipped with magic carpets and a drag lift.
Frequently asked questions about the Paznaun valley’s slope highlights
How many kilometres of pistes are there in the Paznaun valley?
The Paznaun valley offers around 372 kilometres of pistes in total: 239 km in the Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun, 88 km in the Kappl & See ski area and 45 km in Silvapark Galtür.
What is the Kappl & See ski area?
The Kappl & See ski area brings together Kappl and See, offering 88 kilometres of pistes and 20 lifts. A single ski pass gives you access to both areas.
How challenging are the Lattenabfahrt and Fear of Heights runs?
Both runs in the Kappl & See ski area are mostly graded red and are best suited to confident skiers with good stamina. Depending on your skiing style, the Lattenabfahrt in Kappl takes around 10 to 20 minutes to complete. The Fear of Heights in See features several technical sections that are extra demanding.
How does the Lattenabfahrt and Fear of Heights Challenge work?
You can track both runs using the SummitLynx app by scanning QR codes at three checkpoints along each route. You can complete either run five times to earn a Silver Badge or ski both the Lattenabfahrt and the Fear of Heights five times each to unlock the Gold Badge for the Kappl & See ski area.
