10 things that make winter extraordinary in Silvretta Montafon
It’s not only the numbers that are impressive in the Silvretta Montafon ski area: with 35 lifts, 140 kilometres of slopes and 70 freeride routes. Emotions are key here: with mountain experiences and events being a particular forte of the ski resort in the far west of Austria.
Classic skiers, snowboarders, freeriders, nature lovers and connoisseurs all feel at home here. The Silvretta Montafon has not only enjoyed an excellent reputation for many years as the sportiest ski area on and off the slopes. Top events and a wide range of bookable mountain experiences with and without skis, during the day, or on cold winter evenings complete the offering and make winter in the Silvretta Montafon the perfect place to suit every taste.
Here are the Top Ten most popular mountain experiences and top events for the coming winter 2019/2020 season:
#1: Savour the sunrise on empty, freshly groomed slopes
Mountain experiences in amongst the spectacular Montafon peaks are a trademark of the ski resort. They are the absolute highlights, the unforgettable moments of happiness that make your holiday unique. For example the sunrise events "HochjochTotale", "Nova Exklusiv" and "Ländle Früah Sport". Head up to over 2,000 metres with your guide at dawn. After a hot cup of tea and a little wait at the top, enjoy the dreamy sunrise descents on empty, freshly groomed slopes. A day on the mountain can't start any better than this.
#2: Endless powder on the Freeride Adventure Day
Outstanding skiing can also be had on the "Freeride Adventure Day" with experienced, local guides who know exactly where to find the best descents with the finest powder. The adventure days start every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 08.30 a.m. at the bottom station of the Valisera cable car in
St. Gallenkirch. Guiding and safety equipment are included. For good skiers who are not afraid of a longer ascent.
#3: Driving a PistenBully
An unforgettable test drive: Sitting at the wheel of a snow groomer and steering the vehicle, which weighs tons, across the terrain. Of course, an experienced driver will be sitting next to you, giving instructions and help if necessary. But just the feeling of how sensitively you can steer the PistenBully makes the outing more than worthwhile. The experience lasts about 45 minutes on a course near the Grasjoch lift. Bookable from Tuesday to Saturday.
#4: Glamping and starry igloo nights at 2,300 meters
Moments of happiness can also be had with a night in the igloo village at 2,300 metres. It starts off with a ride up in the Valisera cable car, dinner in the Valisera Hüsli and a torch lit hike to the igloos. Thick sleeping bags and rugs provide cosy warmth in the igloo. And to warm you up before, there’s mulled wine in the communal igloo too. The new luxurious version: igloo glamping, where guests can sleep in a wooden covered igloo with window, double bed and bed linen. For the first time this winter, as a special highlight, guests will be able to enjoy a sauna up the mountain.
#5: VINNOVA: a highlight for wine connoisseurs
Enjoy life high above everyday life. In the ski area Silvretta Montafon - no problem. With wine tasting in VINNOVA, the highest wine tavern in Vorarlberg, in the Nova Stoba mountain restaurant. Every Thursday from 2.30 p.m. the sommeliers prepare special wines and "Alpine Tapas" for you, served with tasty local cheese and ham, and rounded off with fine coffee specialities and fruit brandy.
#6: Ski Opening with the Saint City Orchestra, 7 December
Celebrate the ski opening with Irish Rock on 7 December. The Saint City Orchestra will create a great atmosphere on the panorama terrace of the Kapellrestaurant at Hochjoch from 1 p.m. Admission to the concert is free and, as with all mountain events, all you need is a valid lift pass or ticket.
#7: AUDI FIS Ski Cross World Cup and FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup, 11-14 December
At the first sporting highlight of the season, not only the world's best ski and snowboard crossers will be providing spectacular racing. Top-class concerts with SILBERMOND and LEMO on Saturday evening at the bottom station of the Hochjoch lift promise to get your pulse racing too.
#8: Freeride contest Open Faces Silvretta Montafon****, 15 February
For freeride professionals, this is all about qualifying for the Freeride World Tour 2021. At this 4-star contest, spectators can experience the daring freerider lines and cliff drops on the high flank of the Kleine Heimspitze (2,685m) from the comfort of the terrace of the Nova Stoba mountain restaurant.
#9: DJ Ötzi back to the roots, 21 March
On his summit tour, DJ Ötzi promises to get the mountain shaking and moving. He’ll be back on the road with his DJ set just like in the “old days” and will be starring at Nova Stoba, the mountain restaurant from 1.30 p.m. on 21 March. A real cult classic, with many of his own hits and international party songs.
#10: Season finale with Revolverheld, 4 April
The lifts will be running until 19 April, according to plans, but the season finale will be held on 4 April. The cult band Revolverheld, from Hamburg, is headlining the finale at the mountain station of the Valisera cable car in St. Gallenkirch. Together with the American band, High South, who will be the supporting act, the three guitarists from High South will get the crowd warmed up. Cool sounds, firn descents and just chilling out on the sun terrace promise to be a great way to end the season.
The Silvretta Montafon region is famous for its top-class slopes and refreshment stops. For perfect après-ski, the bars, restaurants and Versettla lift in Gaschurn are open longer every Saturday from 8 February to 18 April, where the party carries on until 6 p.m. After this DJs and drinks are waiting for you in the party location “Alte Talstation”. Getting to Silvretta Montafon for the mountain adventures and events is really easy, stress-free, and there are no Alpine passes to cross. It’s so easy to get here from Stuttgart and Munich now, that even a day trip is possible.