In the north of South Tyrol, a true paradise for winter sports enthusiasts awaits. After all, on the slopes above Vipiteno, varied runs meet the spectacular mountain scenery south of the Brenner Pass, the ‘dolce vita’ in the mountain huts and hundreds of days of sunshine. However, it’s not just the skiing experience that’s impressive here; there’s also plenty to enjoy away from the slopes around the historic old town: from kilometres of cross-country trails and action-packed tobogganing to exquisite culinary and wellness experiences in charming restaurants and modern hotels. SnowTrex knows exactly what the 10 good reasons for skiing in Vipiteno are and presents them here.
1. Directly from the town centre to the Rosskopf ski area
- Winter sports enthusiasts can take a cable car in modern 10-seater gondolas from the historic old town – just a few minutes’ walk away – straight up to the Rosskopf ski area.
The Rosskopf cable car is an absolute must for winter sports enthusiasts who want to enjoy skiing in Vipiteno with virtually no interruptions. That’s because the modern 10-seater gondolas take them almost directly from the town centre to the Rosskopf ski resort. The valley station is just a few minutes’ walk from the historic old town. In the afternoon in particular, it is precisely this proximity that makes it possible to combine sporting activities on the mountain with relaxation in the valley almost seamlessly. After the last run of the day, the historic old town, for example, invites you to linger and enjoy the atmosphere.
It’s particularly lovely in December, when Vipiteno glows in the warm radiance of the Christmas market beneath the Zwölferturm. Here, the scent of cinnamon, mulled wine and freshly baked South Tyrolean specialities wafts through the medieval pedestrian zone. Meanwhile, winter sports enthusiasts, many other visitors and locals stroll leisurely through the festively decorated streets, rounding off a cosy winter’s day.
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2. Skiing with city views and a magnificent mountain panorama
- When skiing in Vipiteno, winter sports enthusiasts are treated to a sweeping panorama from the slopes, stretching from the Dolomites in the south to the Alps in the north.
- Some runs end right on the outskirts of the town, allowing skiers and snowboarders to enjoy the view of South Tyrol’s Wipptal.
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Skiing in Vipiteno captivates with its fascinating contrasts in mountain scenery. Winter sports enthusiasts can look forward to unobstructed views from the slopes of the Rosskopf (2,189 m): on one side, a view of the medieval Alpine town; on the other, a sweeping panorama stretching from the Dolomites in the south to the Alps in the north. It is precisely this combination of high Alpine mountains and town life that is rather rare in the Alps. Consequently, some runs lead right back to the outskirts of Vipiteno.
3. 20 kilometres of varied slopes on the Rosskopf
- With 20 kilometres of slopes, the Rosskopf ski resort is wonderfully compact and lies at altitudes ranging from 948 m to 2,120 m.
- The high likelihood of snow on the main Alpine ridge, combined with modern snow-making facilities, guarantees optimal slope conditions in Vipiteno throughout the winter.
The Rosskopf ski resort boasts 20 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes at altitudes ranging from 948 to 2,120 metres. There, all winter sports enthusiasts will find easy, intermediate and challenging runs to suit all ability levels. The fact that these are ‘skiable’ for almost the entire winter is down to the Wipptal’s reliable snow conditions. This is due, on the one hand, to its favourable location directly on the main Alpine ridge and, on the other, to a network of state-of-the-art and sustainably operated snow-making systems. The wide slopes offer plenty of space for enjoyable carving turns or safe gliding, and the manageable size of the ski area ensures that all skiers and snowboarders can find their way around effortlessly and enjoy their day on the slopes from start to finish.
4. 5.5 km-long valley run down to Vipiteno
- The longest run at Rosskopf is the popular 5.5 km-long valley run, which leads from the sunny plateau at an altitude of 2,100 m directly to the outskirts of the town.
- The ‘architectural highlight’ of the valley run is the passage beneath the massive pillars of the legendary Brenner Motorway.
The longest run in the Rosskopf ski area stretches for 5.5 km and takes skiers and snowboarders from a sunny mountain plateau at just under 2,100 m through varied terrain straight to the outskirts of Vipiteno. The varied route demands a fair bit of stamina as skiers and snowboarders carve their way through safe, shady forest sections. The most remarkable section of the run down to the valley is undoubtedly the one that passes beneath the massive concrete pillars of the legendary Brenner motorway. It is an extremely popular photo spot before the comfortable journey continues to the valley station of the Rosskopf cable car, where skiers can prepare for the next ascent.
5. Modern and comfortable cable cars on the Rosskopf
- At Rosskopf, a high-capacity 10-seater gondola lift and an innovative Panorama Telemix ensure comfortable journeys up the mountain.
- This means there are hardly any waiting times, and the lifts – operating at altitudes of up to 2,120 metres – can be utilised to their full capacity thanks to the rapid ascent up the mountain.
Modern and comfortable lifts at the Rosskopf ensure fast and, depending on the weather, wind-protected ‘transport’ of skiers up to an altitude of 2,120 metres. Thanks to this high-performance cable car infrastructure, smooth operation between the valley and mountain stations is guaranteed when skiing in Vipiteno. Minimal waiting times ultimately mean more valuable time on the slopes. A special feature is the Panorama Telemix, which takes skiers and snowboarders to the highest point of the ski area. There, they can choose between an enclosed gondola and a chairlift. In both cases, winter sports enthusiasts glide high above the snow-covered treetops and can enjoy the view over the Wipptal from here.
6. Family-friendly ski resort with an exciting FunSlope
- The manageable size of the Rosskopf ski resort and a practice area featuring a FunSlope ensure that families in Vipiteno can enjoy relaxing days in the snow.
When it comes to skiing in Vipiteno, family-friendliness is a top priority. The Rosskopf ski resort has its own children’s area, magic carpets and a ski school. All of these provide the ideal conditions for children and beginners to take their first turns on skis. Another advantage of the ski resort for parents with children is that all the slopes converge at the cable car’s mountain station. This means families are unlikely to lose sight of one another. The highlight for fun on the slopes is the FunSlope for young – and sometimes even older – skiers. The specially designed run features undulating sections, steep bends and small tunnels, which lend a playful dynamic to the day’s skiing.
7. Enjoy the sunrise whilst ‘Early Bird’ skiing
- Exclusive ‘Early Bird’ skiing is offered on selected Fridays from 7 am on freshly groomed slopes in absolute silence.
- After the first runs, a traditional South Tyrolean breakfast in a rustic mountain hut rounds off the perfect start to the day’s skiing.
During the exclusive “Early Bird” skiing in the Rosskopf ski area, winter sports enthusiasts can hit the slopes at sunrise from 7 am on selected Fridays from late December to late February. At this early hour, the runs are still in an almost completely untouched condition, whilst the first rays of sunshine bathe the surrounding mountains – including several 3,000-metre peaks in the Stubai, Zillertal and Sarntal Alps in all directions. Anyone wishing to enjoy this scenery and the freshly groomed slopes will need to fortify themselves before a long day’s skiing. On the mountain above Winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy the sunrise over the Wipptal whilst “Early Bird” skiing high above Vipiteno., the best place to do this is on the sun-drenched terraces of rustic mountain huts. There, a hearty South Tyrolean breakfast featuring regional specialities and Italian coffee is served. A ‘dash’ of Dolce Vita in the Alps, so to speak.
8. Tobogganing fun on Italy’s longest floodlit and snow-covered toboggan run
- With a length of 10 km and a vertical drop of around 900 m, the toboggan run on the Rosskopf is the longest snow-covered toboggan run in Italy.
- The atmospheric night tobogganing on Tuesdays and Fridays under floodlights is an unforgettable experience for groups and families.
Italy’s longest snow-covered and floodlit toboggan run awaits you at the Rosskopf! The route, which is almost 10 km long, offers action-packed outdoor fun for winter sports enthusiasts away from the slopes. On the way down into the valley, you’ll descend over 900 metres in altitude. The journey takes 30 to 45 minutes. Thanks to the continuous artificial snow cover on the toboggan run, tobogganing fun is virtually guaranteed throughout the entire winter.
This also makes the absolute highlight of the run – night tobogganing – even more special. Here, the entire toboggan run is floodlit until midnight on Tuesdays and Fridays. And for anyone who doesn’t have their sledge, there’s an easily accessible toboggan hire service right at the valley station. This makes a winter outing very convenient for families and groups.
9. Winter variety in the South Tyrolean Wipptal holiday region
- In the immediate vicinity of Vipiteno, the Ladurns and Ratschings-Jaufen ski areas offer a further 46 kilometres of slopes.
- As well as skiing, winter sports enthusiasts can also make use of over 60 km of cross-country trails, go freeriding or enjoy winter hiking.
The South Tyrolean Wipptal holiday region captivates visitors in winter with an extraordinary variety of activities. The centrepiece is, of course, the Rosskopf ski resort with 20 kilometres of slopes high above Vipiteno. Just a few minutes’ drive away, two further ski resorts – Ratschings-Jaufen and Ladurns – await visitors. Together, the three ski resorts in the Wipptal offer a total of 66 km of varied slopes and 19 rustic mountain huts where you can stop for refreshments.
The Ladurns ski area in the Pflerschtal attracts visitors with 18 kilometres of varied slopes at altitudes of up to 2,023 metres, whilst the challenging Ratschings-Jaufen ski resort delights visitors with 29 km of slopes reaching altitudes of up to 2,100 m. Those seeking unspoilt deep-snow slopes away from the groomed runs will find first-class conditions for freeriding in the fine powder snow of the Wipptal. In the Ridnaun and Pfitschtal, outdoor enthusiasts can also explore 60 km of groomed trails for cross-country skiers and winter walkers.
10. Indulgence and relaxation, from mountain huts to wellness experiences
- After a day’s skiing in the mountains, enjoyed with traditional South Tyrolean hut cuisine, the experience continues down in the valley with a first-class wellness programme at the Balneum Vipiteno.
- This delightful combination of hearty meals, relaxing sauna sessions and historic town charm ensures excellent recuperation.
In the Wipptal, traditional South Tyrolean mountain hut cuisine meets first-class wellness facilities, such as those at the Balneum Vipiteno. A combination that is a real dream for winter sports enthusiasts after a long day’s skiing. In the ski area, they can first enjoy typical South Tyrolean dishes such as Knödeltris, Schlutzkrapfen or Kaiserschmarrn in several traditional ski huts. Paired with a cool drink on one of the popular sun terraces, the fantastic view of the surrounding mountains is the icing on the cake.
Afterwards, you can unwind at the Balneum Vipiteno sports and wellness centre, which features a Finnish sauna and a herbal steam bath. It’s the ideal place for some soothing relaxation. If you’re still looking for suitable accommodation for skiing in Vipiteno, you’ll find an exceptional selection of welcoming hotels in the region, some of which are right next to the cable car. The best way to book an unforgettable winter sports holiday is directly here via SnowTrex.
FAQs on skiing in Vipiteno
How many kilometres of slopes does the Rosskopf ski area in Vipiteno offer?
The Rosskopf ski area above Vipiteno offers winter sports enthusiasts a total of 20 km of perfectly groomed slopes for all ability levels. These are spread across easy, intermediate and difficult runs at altitudes ranging from 948 m to 2,120 m. Skiers can also enjoy a scenic, approximately 5.5 km-long run down into the valley, which leads directly to the outskirts of Vipiteno.
When does Early Bird skiing take place at Rosskopf?
The exclusive Early Bird skiing is available on selected Fridays from late December to late February, starting as early as 7 am. At this early hour, winter sports enthusiasts can experience freshly groomed, empty slopes in a particularly peaceful morning atmosphere at sunrise. After their first few turns, the cosy mountain huts beckon with a hearty South Tyrolean breakfast.
How long is the toboggan run at Rosskopf in Vipiteno?
With a total length of 10 km, the toboggan run at Rosskopf is the longest snow-covered and floodlit toboggan run in the whole of Italy. It descends a height difference of around 900 m back down into the valley, and the journey takes 30 to 45 minutes. During night tobogganing on Tuesdays and Fridays, the fully snow-covered run remains lit until midnight.
What special offers are available for families in the Rosskopf ski area?
It offers a very manageable and compact area with a practice slope, modern magic carpets, a FunSlope and a professional ski school. On the playfully designed FunSlope, featuring waves and steep bends, children learn to ski safely with ease and have lots of fun.
How far is the Rosskopf cable car from the centre of Vipiteno?
The valley station of the Rosskopf cable car is in the immediate vicinity of the town centre and is just a few minutes’ walk from the historic old town. This exceptional location offers the perfect combination of exhilarating ski runs, cosy stops for refreshments and a stroll through the town. In December in particular, a visit to the Vipiteno ski resort can be perfectly combined with a trip to the atmospheric Christmas market.
What other ski resorts are there in the Vipiteno holiday region?
The two first-class ski resorts of Ladurns and Ratschings-Jaufen are in the immediate vicinity. Together, the three ski resorts in South Tyrol’s Wipptal offer a total of 66 km of varied slopes and 19 rustic mountain huts where you can stop for a bite to eat. All resorts are characterised by reliable snow conditions and state-of-the-art lift facilities.
