New in Tyrolean winter 2026/27: More comfort on the slopes and family-friendly offers
09/October/2026
The 2026/27 winter season in Tyrol brings numerous innovations: New mountain lifts and modernized infrastructure meet additional offers for families and new opportunities off the slopes. From ski resorts and ice skating rinks to winter trails and new excursion destinations – an overview of selected news from Tyrol.
Comfort and innovation in the ski resorts
New gondola lift to the Harschbichl · Kitzbühel Alps – St. Johann in Tirol
In St. Johann in Tirol, a new 10-person gondola lift will replace the existing 2-person chairlift to the Harschbichl starting in the 2026/27 winter season. The new Jodlalm lift will take passengers directly to an altitude of 1,603 meters and increase the transport capacity to up to 2,400 people per hour. This will make access to the mountain more comfortable and efficient. It is scheduled to open for the start of the season on December 6, 2026.
New Venet Cable Car · TirolWest Holiday Region
From December 19, 2026, a modernized 44-person gondola lift will once again comfortably transport winter sports enthusiasts to the mountain in Zams near Landeck. The completely renovated and barrier-free valley station will feature a large waiting area and an INTERSPORT store with over 1,000 m² of retail space. The new lift offers not only greater comfort but also increased capacity, transporting up to 300 people per hour.
More comfort and quality in the Ötztal Valley:
In Sölden, further investments in infrastructure are being made for the 2026/27 winter season. The centerpiece is the new Gratl 6-seater chairlift, which opens up one of the most challenging slopes and reduces travel time from approximately 8 to 4.2 minutes. At the same time, the snowmaking system on the Gaislachkogl, including a new pumping station, as well as the snowmaking facilities on the Schwarzkogl and Wasserkar slopes, are being expanded. Improvements to the slopes on the Wasserkar and Gratl slopes will provide more space and comfort. Additionally, the Mutkogl T-bar lift on the Tiefenbach Glacier is being rebuilt.
Modernization continues in Paznaun-Ischgl.
In Ischgl, the new Höllkarbahn C2 chairlift represents another step in the comprehensive modernization program . The detachable 8-seater chairlift offers features such as weather protection hoods, heated seats, and modern boarding and disembarking monitoring. The chair design also draws inspiration from the history of the Silvretta cable car. In Galtür, the new Kopsseebahn replaces two existing drag lifts. The detachable 6-seater chairlift with weather protection hoods provides more comfortable access to the ski area. Winter sports offerings are also expanding in Kappl: Two new ski routes extend the area to a total of 45.5 kilometers of slopes. In addition, a new snow park with various features for beginners and advanced skiers has been added.
New Plansegg chairlift and freestyle lines · Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
In Serfaus, the new Plansegg chairlift will replace the existing lift starting in winter 2026/27. The 8-seater chairlift increases capacity to up to 4,000 people per hour and comfortably transports winter sports enthusiasts to the mountain with weather protection hoods and heated seats. A new panoramic bar at the valley station will provide additional dining options. The offerings for freestyle enthusiasts will also be expanded: The Sun Park will gain additional lines for different skill levels. The existing areas will be combined to create a more diverse range of four lines – from beginner lines to rail and funslope lines.
New Schartenkogel lift at Glungezer · Hall-Wattens region
From winter 2026/27, a heated 6-seater chairlift with weather protection hoods will replace the existing Schartenkogel lift at Glungezer. The new lift will take passengers to the summit of the Schartenkogel and reduce travel time to approximately seven minutes. With this new lift, the ski area will expand to a total of 24 kilometers of slopes.
New gondola lift at the Hintertux Glacier · Tux-Finkenberg From the end of October 2026, a new 10-person gondola lift will replace the more than 40-year-old 4-person gondola lift to the Tuxer Fernerhaus at the Hintertux Glacier . The new lift runs from Sommerberg to the Tuxer Fernerhaus and offers more space, comfort, and views on the way to the glacier.
More freedom for freeriders: Tyrolean Oberland – Nauders Adventure Area
Nauders is expanding its freeride offerings with six additional routes. With options like Valdafur, Gipfellinie, Cannonrun, Piengtraum, Bergkastelride, and Almlinie, a total of ten selected freeride routes are now available. Diverse terrain offers opportunities for winter sports enthusiasts who want to venture off-piste.
Family-friendly winter offers
Murmli's Children's Alpine Pasture and New Family Slope · Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
The existing children's snow pasture in Serfaus is being further developed into Murmli's Children's Alpine Pasture. The long-established practice area will be equipped with themed magic carpets, creating a playful environment for first turns on skis. Also new is Murmli's Family Slope: Along the run, Murmli and his friends Fiona, Ingo, and Bruno accompany young skiers on their way from the Gampen run towards the Komperdellbahn intermediate station. A photo point awaits at the end of the run.
New play area in SkiWelt Söll · Wilder Kaiser:
A new indoor themed playground for the youngest guests is being built in the "Blue Wonder" self-catering area of SkiWelt Söll . The centerpiece is the wooden egg track from Hexenwasser, already a popular attraction in summer, which will now also be used in winter. The play area is supervised on weekends and offers families an additional option for a break from skiing.
New IcePark Umhausen · Ötztal
Even away from the slopes, the Ötztal valley offers new attractions: The IcePark Umhausen, a new ice world, has opened at the natural bathing lake in Umhausen. An ice rink approximately 330 meters long, two additional ice surfaces, snow sculptures, food service, and skate rentals invite visitors to enjoy ice skating and winter walks. Thanks to a refrigeration system, the ice rink can be used regardless of temperature or precipitation.
Ice Magic – Ice Skating in the Heart of the City · Innsbruck Region
From November 12, 2026, to February 21, 2027, Ice Magic will create a new ice skating world at Landhausplatz and Bozner Platz in the heart of Innsbruck. Instead of a traditional ice rink, the "Skate-Way" concept features winding ice paths connecting different areas. Illuminated paths, light installations, and facade mapping create a special atmosphere, especially in the evenings. Planned events include ice disco nights, DJ sets, and themed events. Bozner Platz will be integrated with an additional ice rink and curling facilities.
Ice skating at Rangger Köpfl · Innsbruck Region The winter offerings at Rangger Köpfl
are also being expanded: An ice skating rink will be built at the Stiglreith mountain station starting in the 2026/27 winter season. Skate rentals, a renovated refreshment stand, and evening use make it an attractive winter activity away from the ski slopes.
Winter experiences and excursion destinations
Light Park at Lake Kampl, Stubai ·
Starting on the first Sunday of Advent, Lake Kampl in Neustift transforms into the new Stubai Light Park . Seven stations with light installations lead visitors through the winter landscape around the lake. Among the animals depicted are a fox, a deer, a stag, an owl, a hare, a marmot, and an ibex. QR codes also provide information about the Seven Summits of Stubai. The Light Park is open daily from dusk until 10 p.m. from the end of November 2026 to the end of February 2027; admission is free.
Austria's first certified year-round hiking trail · Alpbachtal
The approximately nine-kilometer-long Middle High Trail in Alpbach is Austria's first certified year-round hiking trail. The Austrian Hiking Seal of Approval confirms the route's suitability for all four seasons. The circular trail leads along the sunny side of Alpbach through winter meadows and forests, past traditional farms and hamlets, and repeatedly offers views of the mountain village and the surrounding landscape.
Via Ferrata as a Winter Adventure · Fügen-Kaltenbach Holiday Region
In Hochfügen, the Pfaffenbichl via ferrata offers a unique mountain experience away from the ski slopes, even in winter. The 260-meter-long via ferrata leads directly from the Waidoffenbahn cable car at an altitude of 2,431 meters, ascending approximately 115 meters in altitude, and has a maximum difficulty rating of B. The necessary equipment can be rented on site; the descent is via a hiking trail. The via ferrata is accessible year-round.
New indoor swimming pool in Ehrwald · Tiroler Zugspitz Arena The comprehensively modernized indoor swimming pool
in Ehrwald will open in November 2026. The focus is on energy efficiency, accessibility, and family-friendliness. The children's area will feature a new slide, among other things; the facilities will also include a fitness center and a bistro. This will provide an additional opportunity for relaxation and family time away from the slopes during the winter.
More information about winter holidays in Tyrol can be found at www.tirol.at/winterurlaub .