News from the Slopes
Introduction
Austria’s ski resorts are adding comfort, quality, and new experiences.
The new Kapellenbahn lift on the Schmittenhöhe takes skiers uphill faster and protected from the weather. Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is expanding its offerings for families and freestyle enthusiasts, while Nauders is adding six new freeride routes. At Diedamskopf, an avalanche warning system is in operation. The Nassfeld Challenge offers exciting prizes, while a new solar power plant at the glacier in Sölden is now up and running.
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Score goodies in the Nassfeld Challenge
Take part in the new Nassfeld Challenge and win prizes while skiing. Anyone who wants to take part can register on the Skiline website and collect badges. The selection ranges from the Nassfeld Gold Badge, awarded for completing 20,000 vertical metres in a single day, to the Selfie Star Badge and the Downhill Demon Badge, which is awarded for achieving a top-20 result on the Speedcheck photo course.
Each badge counts as one entry in the prize draw, increasing the chances of winning. Prizes include ski passes, vouchers for ski services, ski helmets, and caps.
New Kapellenbahn on the Schmittenhöhe
At the start of the 2026/27 winter season, a detachable 8-seater chairlift will replace the existing 4-seater Kapellenbahn on the Schmittenhöhe. The new lift will feature heated individual seats, weather protection bubbles, automatic safety bars, a conveyor-belt loading system, and an electronically monitored unloading area.
To improve access and the layout of the ski slopes, the bottom station will be relocated by 150 metres. Reforestation and protective measures for grouse and amphibians are also planned. The dismantled lift will be reused in Romania.
Solar power plant at the glacier in Sölden
A photovoltaic system has been under construction at the Tiefenbach Glacier near Sölden since 2023. The solution from system manufacturer Helioplant, being used in Austria for the first time, was specially designed to meet the demands of alpine terrain.
Following a successful testing phase, the entire system will be connected to the grid in October 2026. It consists of 800 Helioplant units and will help secure the energy supply on the mountain. The operators expect solar power to cover up to 100% of the cable cars’ own electricity needs during the summer.
New attractions in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
Families with children travelling to Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis can look forward to the newly redesigned play area in the Fiss ski depot and Murmli’s Family Run. This fun-filled route leads from the Gampen descent through the forest to the intermediate station of the Komperdellbahn, with Murmli and his friends accompanying children along the way.
The popular Sun Park in Fiss is also being expanded with a new Rail Line and a Funslope Line, bringing the total to four lines. This means even more action in the snow for both freestyle beginners and more experienced riders.
For photos with a wow factor, two new photo points await: one at Wonnealm and another at the mountain station of the Alpkopfbahn. At the Wonnealm photo point and several existing photo points in the ski area, visitors can also send their pictures directly as digital postcards.
New freeride routes in Nauders
In the 2026/27 winter season, freeriders in Nauders can look forward to six new routes: Gipfellinie (800 vertical metres), Cannonrun (790 vertical metres), Piengtraum (370 vertical metres), Bergkastelride (350 vertical metres), Almlinie (500 vertical metres), and the Valdafur variant (800 vertical metres).
Each route has its own distinctive character. The Cannonrun, for example, stands for wide-open terrain, freedom, and the feeling of having the mountain all to yourself for a moment. It starts at the highest point of the ski area, at 2,750 metres on the Gueser Kopf.
The Bergkastelride, meanwhile, combines different types of terrain into a varied line. It is ideal for anyone who enjoys reading the terrain and finding their own line.
There are now a total of ten freeride routes and one variant, further establishing Nauders as a top destination for powder enthusiasts.
Diedamskopf launches avalanche warning system
As the first ski resort in Austria, Diedamskopf in the Bregenzerwald region has been using the digital avalanche warning system “Avalanche Alerts” since the end of the 2025/26 winter season.
Winter sports enthusiasts automatically receive warning notifications as soon as they enter a high-risk zone. No separate app or registration is required. The alerts are tailored to the user’s location and can reach around 90% of smartphones in German-speaking countries.
Read more (Link in German)
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Skiing with the family at Nassfeld
© Nassfeld / Martin Lugger
Early bird skiing at Schmittenhöhe, Zell am See
© Zell am See-Kaprun Tourism
Solar power plant, glacier Sölden
© Bergbahnen Sölden
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis - Family in the snow
© Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis Marketing GmbH / Daniel Zangerl
Freeriding at Nauders/Tyrol
© TVB Tiroler Oberland - Erlebnisraum Nauders / Rudy Wyhlidal
Skiing at Diedamskopf - Bregenzerwald
© Bergbahnen Diedamskopf / Alex Kaiser