Samnaun ski resort guide & reviews Ski area, apres-ski, things to see & do in Samnaun
Overview
Samnaun ski rersort - not many people have heard of this tiny resort tucked away in the Eastern Alps on the Austrian border but it is a hidden gem waiting to be explored.
The village is a dutyfree zone which attracts many day skiers from the lift linked and high temp ski resort of Ischgl in Austria - famous for its lively apres-ski.
Apres Ski
Traditional and very welcoming is how we would describe the apres-ski scene in Samnaun. There are ample cafes, bars and restaurants to choose from serving up local Ticino dishes.
| Key information (whole area) | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 1846m |
| Top lift | 2900m |
| Family | |
| Beginner | |
| Intermediate | |
| Expert | |
| Piste (km) | 238 |
| Longest run | 11 km |
| Off piste | |
| Cross country | 4 km |
| Season | Dec - Early May |
| Snowboard parks | 2 |
| Heli Skiing | ✘ |
| Summer skiing | ✘ |
| Glacier skiing | ✔ |
| Babysitting | ✘ |
| Creche | ✘ |
| Apres ski | Relaxed |
Samnaun ski area guide
Blessed with an average of over 300 days of sun a year, Samnaun is part of the largest ski carousel in the Eastern Alps - the Silvretta Arena, which gives a hudge 238kms of lift-linked pistes to explore around Samnaun and Ischgl. In total, there are 48km red, 27km black and 48km of blue slopes but bursery areas for complete beginners. The village also boats having the world's largest double-decker cable car! It carries up to 180 people from 1400m to 2900m in just a few minutes. Ski touring around the Silvretta Alps is also very popular with some classic routes around the 3,000m peaks and countless glaciers. As always, venturing off-piste is best and safer with a local guide.
Beginners
Around 20% of the ski area is geared for beginners and early intermediates which is actually quite a lot given the number of pistes. The main beginner area is at the base of the cable car.
Intermediate
The ski areas are tailor made for intermediate skiers and boarders with over 60 red pistes to explore.
Advanced
Samnaun has mostly north-facing and consequently home to the best snow and the most technically challenging pistes in the valley. The trail under the Greitspitz chair is one that is fairly narrow and steep and tends to have good snow conditions whilst the steep and very challenging run under the cable car back to the village will test your technical expertise to the limit - but should only be done with a guide.
Snow boarding
For intermediates and advanced boarders, there is almost too much choice with so much off-piste for surfing. There is also a halfpipe and boardercross at Boarder's Paradise, one of the largest fun parks in Europe.
Other ski holiday activities
- Tobogganing
- Snow kite-surfing
- Bobsleigh
- Sleigh riding
- Snow shoeing
- Paragliding
Cross Country
There are 4kms of classical cross-country and skating trails for all levels that wind around the village. The valley trail of Clis da Ravaisch to Laret is especially beautiful or skate from Montague to Samnaun-Laret along the creek.
Our view on Samnaun
A beautiful traditional Ticino village, Celerina offers everything you could wish for on a family ski holiday without breaking the bank.
With easy access to one of the largest ski areas in Switzerland, Samnaun is a good value alternatives to the chic and cosmopolitan resort of St Moritz.
Similar resorts to Samnaun include Bettmeralp on the Aletsch Glacier and Vercorin in Valais.
