Winter News 2025/26 In Tyrol: More Comfort And New Offers On And Off The Slopes

With the 2025/26 winter season, guests in Tyrol can expect new services, family-friendly offers, and exciting cultural and excursion experiences – from mobile ticket purchases and modernized lifts to winter adventures for all ages. An overview:

Comfort & Innovation in the Tyrolean ski areas

Alpbachtal, Wildschönau • Mobile ticket from winter 2025/26

At the SkiJuwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau, the ski pass will be introduced as a mobile ticket starting with the 2025/26 winter season. This will allow guests to purchase ski passes – initially hourly and day tickets – directly on their smartphone and use them contactlessly at the turnstile. This smart solution makes getting started on the slopes even more convenient and saves waiting times at the ticket counter.

Pillerseetal • Sustainable lift upgrade in Fieberbrunn

At the Maiskopf in Fieberbrunn, a 6-seater chairlift will replace the existing drag lift. The new lift, on the same route, will increase the transport capacity from 800 to approximately 1,800 passengers per hour, thus ensuring shorter waiting times. A special feature of the project is its sustainable construction: Key components such as the drive system, towers, and chairs from the former Sassgalun cable car in Ischgl will be reused and combined with new elements such as the cable, control system, and modern station buildings.

Pillerseetal • New Bäreckbahn with modern operating building

Starting in winter 2025/26, the Steinplatte Winklmoosalm ski area in the Pillersee Valley will feature several new features. The centerpiece is the new Bäreckbahn – a detachable 6-seater chairlift with a weather-protective hood, premium seats, heated seats, and a modern locking bar. The project in the Kitzbühel Alps will be complemented by a state-of-the-art operations building housing both a service station and a functional mountain rescue base.

Ötztal • News in the Sölden ski area

Starting in the 2025/26 winter season, a direct connection will be created between slopes 7 and 22 in the Sölden ski area. This new piste configuration will allow skiers to reach all four major valley points – Gaislachkogl Valley, Sölden Town Center, Postplatz Sölden, and Giggijoch Valley – directly by ski, thus reducing traffic within the resort. Furthermore, the 4-seater Silberbrünnl chairlift will be replaced by a modern 8-seater chairlift featuring AI technology for increased safety, weather protection hoods, and safety bars, increasing capacity and comfort. The new 8-seater "Einzeiger" chairlift will also enter operation at the start of the ski season. This lift improves the transition from the winter ski area to the slopes on the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers and is equipped with modern safety features.

Ötztal • Mobile ticket in the Hochgurgl-Obergurgl ski area

In the Obergurgl-Hochgurgl ski area, guests will soon be able to download their ski pass digitally onto their mobile phone and use it directly through the turnstiles, making access to the ski area even easier.

Paznaun-Ischgl • New, modernized cable cars

In Ischgl, three new 8-seater D-Line chairlifts – Höllbodenbahn C1, Sassgalunbahn C3, and Höllkarbahn C2 (from 2026) – will be built by the new winter season. They will feature heated seats, weather protection hoods, the innovative AURO system for automated entry and exit monitoring, and over 1,200 m² of photovoltaic modules. Older systems will be reused sustainably. In Kappl, the new, state-of-the-art Diasbahn (10-seater monocable gondola) will replace the 1987 system, offering barrier-free access, increased capacity, and thus shorter waiting times. In See, the 6-seater "Familienglück" chairlift will be completely overhauled and surrounded by a new family area with a magic carpet, beginner slopes, and a snow park.

Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis • New ski depot

A completely renovated, barrier-free area is being built at the valley station in Ladis, designed with comfort, quality, and family friendliness in mind. The highlight is the new ski depot, which will offer heated lockers, interactive experience stations, and beauty features starting in December 2025. Additionally, indoor and outdoor play areas, a ski school office, and a central ticket office with a souvenir shop ensure a thoroughly enjoyable winter experience.

Tiroler Zugspitz Arena • Renovation of the Obere Karbahn II

In the Berwang Ski Arena, the second section of the Obere Karbahn cable car will replace the Thanellerkar drag lift. The mountain station will be relocated 140 meters higher, extending the slopes; the existing mountain station will become the mid-station. Completion: December 2025.

Zell-Gerlos, Zillertal Arena • Modernization of the Rosenalmbahn

The Rosenalmbahn cable car in the Zillertal Arena is being modernized: Starting next season, new 8-seater cabins will be in operation, and some stations will be modernized. The barrier-free entry ("Level Walk-In") is particularly convenient, making access significantly easier for strollers and wheelchair users. Commissioning is planned for early December 2025.

Family-friendly (ski) offers

Reutte Nature Park Region • Playground for Kids

Since winter 2024/25, the Spieli children's land at the Hahnenkamm Mountain Worlds has been delighting young skiers with a 110-meter-long magic carpet. For the coming season, the offering will be expanded to include an additional platter lift for intermediate skiers, and tobogganing evenings will be increased to two per week.

Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis • Expansion of the Fun Slope & Berta's Familycross in Fiss

In Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, the Fun Slope and Berta's Family Cross are being expanded with new, lovingly designed elements. Highlights include the "Berta Policeman," who playfully keeps order on the slopes, and a snow house that offers additional playtime fun. These additions make the adventure areas even more diverse.

Tiroler Zugspitz Arena • Digital adventure trails also in winter

In the Tyrolean Zugspitz Arena, the digital adventure trails invite you to explore even in winter: Three of the six routes – Cora, Finn, and Mia – are accessible year-round, are approximately four to five kilometers long, and require one to two hours of walking time. Adventurers of all ages can explore the trails interactively – peppered with educational audio guides, videos, mini-games, and puzzles.

Wilder Kaiser • New attractions in the SkiWelt Söll

Numerous new attractions await families at SkiWelt Söll: The Witches' Meadow at the valley station has been expanded, including an additional magic carpet and a tubing slide through the "bewitched lock." The highlight is the magical witches' sound show. A newly designed, elevated sun terrace also invites you to linger. For film fans, the "Witchery" show courtyard on the red Keat run No. 43 hosts Austria's first ski-in cinema – available Monday to Thursday, including popcorn and witches' water.

Cross-country skiing

Seefeld region – Tyrol’s high plateau • New high-altitude trail

The new Leutasch-Wildmoos high-altitude trail brings a piece of 1976 Olympic history back to life. The 7.5-kilometer trail between the Katzenkopf mountain station and the A3 Torfstich trail/Wildmoosalm is considered a true natural gem and is aimed at experienced cross-country skiers. It is accessible via the extensive cross-country trail network throughout the region. A special highlight: When the trail is open, the ride up the Katzenkopf lift in Leutasch is free for cross-country skiers (with equipment). Public transport is also included in all cross-country ski tickets from Telfs and the entire region.

Paznaun-Ischgl • Early season start in Galtür

In Galtür, the cross-country skiing season starts as early as mid-November, thanks to a professional snow farming system that reliably grooms approximately four kilometers of trails. This allows cross-country skiers to start the season early and enjoy optimal snow conditions.

Pitztal • Snowfarming trail in Mandarfen

In the Pitztal Valley, a snow-farming trail will open on the valley floor in Mandarfen (1,700 meters above sea level) starting in fall 2025. The approximately 1.5-kilometer-long track for skating and classic skiing will allow for a particularly early start to the season and optimal training conditions. Professional teams can also reserve exclusive training slots to take advantage of the offering.

Winter hiking

Fügen-Kaltenbach holiday region • Hochzillertal winter hiking trail

A new winter hiking trail is being built in Hochzillertal, in the Fügen-Kaltenbach holiday region. Along the route, guests will experience the winter landscape in a particularly natural way. The approximately three-kilometer circular trail leads from the Hochzillertal mountain station via the Firnhütte to the Hubertus Chapel, offering several refreshment stops along the way.

Tyrolean Oberland • New, cross-border winter hike

Starting in winter 2025/26, the approximately 11.4-kilometer Plamort winter hike will be accessible to guests during the cold season for the first time. The diverse route leads from the Bergkastel mountain station via the Stieralm to the striking viewing rock at Plamort. With a walking time of approximately three to four hours and a 150-meter ascent and 550-meter descent, the tour is considered easy to moderately difficult. Hikers are rewarded with unique panoramic views across the tri-border region all the way to Lake Reschen. A special highlight is the detour to the source of the Adige River in Reschen. www.nauders.com/winterwandern

Wilder Kaiser • New winter hiking trail Hartkaiser-Tanzbodensee

In the Wilder Kaiser region, the Hartkaiser-Tanzbodensee Winter Loop is a new 6.6-kilometer winter hiking trail, ideal for families and leisurely hikers. The tour begins with a gondola ride up the Hartkaiser and leads through the forest to the lake. The return trip is a comfortable one, taking the gondola. The Bergkaiser panoramic restaurant offers a refreshment stop.

Culture & Excursions

Kufsteinerland • New multimedia guide puzzle rally

Kufstein Fortress will feature an innovative multimedia guide starting in winter 2025/26. Guests can experience the castle's history through an interactive puzzle rally and a multimedia journey through time – presented as an exciting "digital competition for Kufstein Fortress." This will add a contemporary attraction to the historic landmark. Furthermore, the fortress is now one of the "Austria Leading Sights," underscoring its importance as one of Austria's leading cultural destinations.

Seefeld Region – Tyrol's High Plateau • 100,000 Lights Trail

The 100,000 Lights Trail in Seefeld is an atmospheric winter walk that uniquely combines nature, contemplation, and artistic light installations. Especially in the evenings, the gently shimmering lights bathe the snowy landscape in a magical atmosphere. The 1.7-kilometer circular trail leads from the village center to the Pfarrhügel hill and via the Seekirchl church back to Seefeld.

Tyrolean Oberland • 3D archery course “Gangeles Plain”

The "Gangeles Ebene" 3D archery course, located at a new location in the Tyrolean Oberland, invites both experienced archers and beginners to a unique outdoor experience. Under the guidance of a guide, participants can master wintery course challenges and let their arrows fly with precision. Mulled wine and punch provide atmospheric breaks.