Good—or rather, excellent news for winter sports enthusiasts. Here, snow arrives before winter: we find ourselves in Val Senales where the ski season is already ready to restart. On Saturday, September 19, Alpin Arena Senales reopens the first tracks on the glacier, thereby kicking off one of the longest snow seasons in the Alpine arc of South Tyrol.
Among training sessions of champions, high-altitude slopes and forests illuminated by the colors of the foliage, autumn here wears a decidedly unusual face.
The Snow Season Reopens in Val Senales
While autumn at the valley floor begins to tint the woods yellow and orange, on the slopes of the Alpin Arena Senales it’s already time to ski. On September 19, the first high-altitude tracks on the glacier in South Tyrol reopen, and in the early weeks of the season it again becomes a reference destination for athletes’ preparation.
Snow conditions and piste preparation therefore attract national teams, federations and professional skiers in view of the start of the competition season. From the following months, the offering also broadens for those who want to experience the snowy mountains without being an athlete: the ski area gradually reopens new pistes, with the aim of the opening of the entire area on November 28.
Among the season’s novelties is the full coverage of artificial snowmaking for the pistes in the Hintereis area and for those at Teufelsegg, designed to guarantee greater continuity in the skiing experience. The autumn period also offers one of Val Senales’ most striking landscapes: descend a bit in elevation to move from the snow-covered slopes to forests immersed in foliage.
What to Do in Val Senales Beyond Skiing
And for those who aren’t on skis? No panic, there are many other activities to keep you entertained at high altitude. The start of the season will also be accompanied by a weekend of events dedicated to snow enthusiasts. From November 19 to 21, at Maso Corto, musical events and après-ski parties are planned: starting November 19 at Platzl Bar with DJ Toro, while November 20 will feature ABBA Stars, a Czech tribute band bringing to the square the great hits of the Swedish group.
On November 21, the appointment moves to the heights, to the Hotel Grawand, at 3,212 meters, for a Après-Ski Party from 3:00 PM until sunset, with a return to the valley by cable car. For those who prefer a bit of relaxation after the descent, there is also a combined ticket with the Naturno Thermal Baths, which allows pairing a day on the snow with a few hours among pools, warm waters and saunas.
And after the sport comes the tastiest part of the journey: in the huts and restaurants of Val Senales you can sample specialties of the South Tyrolean tradition, with local products and panoramic terraces overlooking the mountains. A way to turn a day on the slopes into a true autumn getaway high in the mountains.
