Mountain Layout — Skiing

Here is a larger, more detailed trail map.

The altitude here ranges from approximately 1,000 meters in Neustift to 3,340 meters at the top of the glacier. That means the upper stations of the glacier are more than two miles high. Altitude sickness can be a consideration, be aware.

Another characteristic is the variation in the weather and conditions. When the wind is howling and blowing snow creates white-out conditions on the glacier, the trails down in Neustift, Mieders and Fulpmes may be serene and sunny. Crowds can vary dramatically between each of the resorts.

The smaller mountain, the Elfer, that is served by a gondola rising from Neustift is fun. Three additional lifts serve almost 3,250 feet of vertical. This would be a complete resort in the U.S.A. The trails are best suited for advanced and intermediate skiers. Beginner terrain here is limited.

The expansive skiing and riding is up on the glacier — all year long. This is wide-open, above treeline skiing. Some trails allow skiers and riders to cruise 14 km. down almost 2,400 feet of non-stop vertical. The lift takes skiers from the parking lot at 5,600 feet up 1,788 feet to a snowfield where four lifts fan out reaching different areas of the glaciers. There are groomed runs, but the mountain begs to be discovered.

Experts can find steep trails from Jochdohle and beneath Wildspitze and Daunkogle. The Wildspitzschuss and Eisnase are exciting. Then there is the ungroomed, open bowl skiing and riding down Wilde Grubn route that provides 10 km. of ungroomed adventure. You had better be in shape. A guide can take real experts to chutes and drops that will make them pucker up a bit.

The off-trail hut-to-hut experience here is excellent along the ring of peaks behind the glacier. There are hundreds of km. of trails that are a blast but require hiking.

Intermediates have excellent long cruising trails from every lift. With good weather, this area is a delight. Try to stick to the upper mountain. Dropping back to the middle station (the upper part of the cable car from the parking lot) finds longer lines.

Beginners have their own learning area at Gamsgarten. This is also where the children’s center is located. But there are easy trails from almost every point here, unless you end up off-piste.

The trails at Fulpmes are known as excellent sheltered learning slopes and those above Mieders are gentle and run through the woods.

Mountain rating
For beginners, this is an excellent place to learn to ski. If beginners stay down-valley in Fulpmes they can have a blast until they are a bit more confident and cantackle the glacier. Any way you look at it, this is spectacular, big mountain skiing accessible to beginners.

Intermediates will be inspired to sing if they hit the glacier in good weather. This area can be explored by a competent intermediate all day long.

Experts — real experts — as always, can find skiing to keep them busy. The off-trail drops from Wildspitz and Daunkogel take some hiking but are exciting. The long ungroomed Wilde Grubn is inspiring.