http://www.meranerland.com RSS-Feed regarding activities in Merano and environs. en-EN http://www.meranerland.com Meraner Land 2009 http://www.meranerland.com/img/en/logo.gif http://www.meranerland.com On Sunday, 18th July 2010, the 12th edition of the popular Salewa Cup will take place in Pfelders/Plan in Val Passiria. The extreme mountain run is designed for those who seek a real challenge, as its plane of elevation rises 1,255m (780 miles) in altitude over a course that is only 10.5 km (6.46 miles) in length. http://www.meranerland.com/en/activities/highlights/salewa-cup/ www.meranerland.com-1306 All of the five winter sport areas in the holiday region of Merano and its surroundings offer their guests cross-country skiing trails: Val d'Ultimo: cross-country skiing trails leading through a landscape of forests, fields and meadows - with a breathtaking panoramic view of the whole valley. With its 7.5 and 15.5 miles (12 & 25 km) trails and a gentle 300m altitude difference, we also recommend that you take a look at the picturesque villages of Santa Geltrude, San Nicolò e Santa Valburga. Plan/Val Passiria: The cross-country slope called Innerhütt is a 3.1 mile trail and is perfect for beginners as well as for the more experienced. You have the option between two distances: There is an easy going 1.8 mile (3km) slope and also a moderate difficult slope of 3.1 miles (5km). A special tip is the night skiing under floodlights that takes place twice a week. The romantic trail from Plan to the valley of Lazinser Tal takes you through a narrow valley between majestic mountains and silver-green spruce trees. Here you have the option between three distances: An easy going trail of 4.3 miles (7km) and two moderately difficult slopes of 3.4 miles and 7.4 miles (5.5km & 12km). Because of its moderate altitude change this slope is perfect for beginners and children. Other cross-country skiing trails can be found in the area of Walten (1.8 miles or 3km) and on the high mountain pass of Monte Giovo (3.7 miles or 6km). http://www.meranerland.com/en/activities/winter/cross-country-skiing/ www.meranerland.com-71 The first edition of Icefight, held last year in the small mountain village of Corvara in Val Passiria, was an incredible success. Thousands of spectators came to watch the worldwide elite of the sport participate, including Urs Odermatt from Switzerland and the local heroine and reigning women's world champion Angelika Rainer, to witness them climbing on sheer walls of ice and ascending various inclined ice formations. The athletes themselves were also highly satisfied with the event. The Austrian ice climber and men's world champion, Markus Bendler said: „This facility is one of the best of its kind ever. In my eyes it is made for hosting the world championships.“ Icefight 2010 The second edition of the ice climbing event „Icefight“ in Corvara in Val Passiria will take place on the 30th and 31st of January, 2010. Once again, the worldwide elite of competitive ice climbers will meet at the „Ice Tower“ and demonstrate spectacular ascents at this beautiful but demanding ice climbing facility. Climbing on ice walls and ascending inclined ice formations, the champions of the sport will compete in male and female categories, and also in the spectacular speed climbing competitions. The Ice Tower The Ice Tower of Corvara in Passiria is one of the biggest and most sophisticated artificial ice climbing facilities of its kind in Europe. The entire structure comprises a vertical tower 25 m in height, an ice cylinder of 14 m in height and 5 m diameter, and an ice wall of 15 m in height. These facilities are completed by horizontal climbing features, as well as crossing passages and numerous challenging ice ledges. http://www.meranerland.com/en/activities/highlights/icefight/ www.meranerland.com-1276 Tobogganing is very traditional sport in South Tyrol. Armin Zöggeler, the multiple world champion and Olympic winner is the most well known toboggan driver of the country and descends form the little village of Foiana, which is close to the city of Merano. All of the five winter sport areas in the holiday region of Merano and its surroundings make it their priority to take special care of their toboggan tracks, which is highly praised by all of our guests of all ages. In the ski resort of Merano 2000 one has got the choice between a classic toboggan track of nearly 1.8 miles (3km) and the Alpine Bob, a rail bobsled track that is a challenge even for the most courageous amongst us. On Fridays the transportation railway is open until 10pm and the tracks are also well illuminated with floodlights. In the ski resort of the Senales Glacier, one can toboggan from the Lauzaun's ski lifts over 2.2 miles (3.5km) to the locality Maso Corto. The toboggan track in the ski resort of Monte San Vigilio will a great experience for anybody who rides its 1.2 mile (2km) track. With its steep turns and arduous descents, this track is exactly what makes tobogganing so exciting. In the valley of Val Passiria, one has got the choice between six toboggan tracks of various lengths and difficulty levels. The most well known of all toboggan tracks is in the ski resort of Plan and 1.5 miles (2.5km) in length. The toboggan track in the ski resort of Schwemmalm in the Val d'Ultimo can be reached after a twenty minute's hike through the beautiful winter forest. The track is 1.476 feet (450m) in length and is renowned for numerous contests. Wednesday is toboggan-afternoon and after 7pm one can toboggan in the moonshine. Apart from the toboggan run at Schwemmalm, all other tracks mentioned can be reached by using cable cars or chair lifts and toboggan rental is possible at all mentioned resorts. Further information can be obtained at the local tourist Information offices and at ski resort cashier desks. http://www.meranerland.com/en/activities/winter/tobogganing/ www.meranerland.com-73 In the holiday region of Merano and environs snowshoe trekkers have got the option between basic excursions through side valleys, circling courses on high plateaus high above the tree line and even very challenging summit treks up to 12.140 feet (3.700m). An ideal starting point is the ski resort Merano 2000 situated directly above the city and also the high plateau of Monte San Vigilio above the village of Lana. Both resorts can be reached comfortably by using a cable car. The three valleys around Merano, Val d'Ultimo, Val Senales and Val Passiria, offer the snowshoe trekking enthusiasts a wide range of trekking trails. Useful links: Mountaineering school MeranAlpin Mountain guide's association Passiria http://www.meranerland.com/en/activities/winter/snowshoe-trekking/ www.meranerland.com-91 With its amazing alpine range of variety, Merano is a picturesque place where one can drink a cappuccino outside for up to nine months of the year and on the other hand, just above the city one can also be back country skiing for nine months of the years too. It's the contrast between this characteristic Mediterranean city and the high alpine plateaus of the majestic mountains, which make this region so attractive. The best areas for back country skiing are the three valleys situated around Merano, Val d'Ultimo, Val Senales and Val Passiria. These routes are between 5.600 feet (1.200m) to 12.140 feet (3.700m) above sea level, were as the best conditions are between January and end of April. If you would like to plan a back country skiing holiday, there is a vast assortment of back country guide books and travel literature available. The regional mountain and ski guides would be pleased to welcome you, advise and show you this breathtaking region. http://www.meranerland.com/en/activities/winter/ski-touring/ www.meranerland.com-72 In the neighbourhood of Merano five skiing areas are located, all of them exceptionally family-friendly and unique - with snow guaranteed. The „Val Senales glacier“ skiing area in Val Senales Skiers appreciate the wide and all-year-round accessible glacier slopes at an altitude of 3212m. The descent to the valley is 8 km long in winter, and the ropeway brings you back onto the glacier in no more than 6 minutes. You will also find a generous snow park for freestylers, that is well prepared every day. The 3,3 km long toboggan run, the children's ski-land (Kinderskiland) called ÖtziLino with free child-care for the whole day, make this area especially family-friendly. Not to mention the children's ski school. Back country skiers can expect numerous summits up to 3700 m altitude, cosy shacks and snow until the end of May. Panorama map of skiing area Val Senales Skiing Area Merano 2000, above the city of Merano Above the enchanting city of Merano with its captive "Belle-Époque-Flair“ lies, in a magnificently sunny corner, the ski resort Merano 2000, with its elegant verve not only on the slope, but also on the stylish promenades. Here, distinguished restaurants, Italian bars and hotels offer a real treat. Avelengo, the homeland of the lovely Haflinger horses, is the starting point for adventurous rides through the snow. The toboggan run, always in perfect condition, is also very popular. Panorama map Merano 2000 Skiing Area of Plan in the Val Passiria Guests at the skiing resort Plan, have to walk no more than three minutes from their accommodation to the ski lift. The slopes range from ambitious to moderate, each member of the family can find their own favourite "sunny hillside". If you crave a new winter experience take a ride through the snowy landscape on a horse, or go for ice skating on natural ice, cross-country skiing through wild forests or toboggan on natural toboggan runs. Panorama map Plan Skiing Area „Schwemmalm“ in the Val d'Ultimo The Val d'Ultimo is a calm place - and as a skiing area is what could be called „an insider tip“. Here you meet locals who like to share their place with everyone in front of tiled stoves of quaint taverns. Here, sociability and togetherness are especially cherished. The landscape offers back country skiers and free-riders numerous challenges. Schwemmalm panorama map Skiing Area Monte S. Vigilio above Lana This small ski resort offers great fun in a compact area - especially for those who love design and style: Here you will find the Vigilius Mountain Resort, designed by the architect Matteo Thun. It fits harmonically into the surrounding area - despite or exactly because of its modern architectural style. With its four ski lifts and five kilometres of slopes, the ski resort presents a nostalgic and yet authentic image. Panorama map of Monte S. Vigilio http://www.meranerland.com/en/activities/winter/ski-areas/ www.meranerland.com-3 The city of Merano and its surroundings are free of snow virtually all winter. That's why many of the summer hiking trails are also accessible in the winter months. Especially the southward slopes are primarily free of snow and ice, but we do advise our guests to use hiking poles and trekking boots. A great tip for hiking is the Tappeinerweg just above Merano. This 1.8 mile (3km) hiking trail is a short walk from the city and offers a picturesque view of Merano and the surrounding mountains. For those who would like to hike on snow-cleared trails, the holiday region of Merano and its surroundings has got five ski areas with numerous possibilities. All huts and inns at the ski resort Merano 2000 are in a comfortable walking distance and the high-plateau of San Vigilio offers a spectacular view of the Dolomites. At the end of the Val Passiria valley there is also a family ski resort and a village called Plan. This is an area where pure romance can truly unfold. With its snow-cleared hiking track which passes historical farmyards and ends at the foot of the „Hohe Wilde“, a mighty 3000m high mountain that marks the border between North- and South-Tyrol and was even used as a smugglers-trail up until 50 years ago. Information about the winter hiking ways can be acquired at the local tourist offices in the holiday region of Merano and its surroundings. http://www.meranerland.com/en/activities/winter/winter-hiking/ www.meranerland.com-7 From the town hall of Lagundo, walk on the Strada secondaria in an easterly direction. Turn left at the graveyard, cross the Grabbach and walk along the Mühlbach to Quarazze. Ascend from an exit left of the Valserstrasse to the beautiful Tappeinerweg with its Mediterranean flora. You can walk along the Küchelberg to Merano using the Gilfschlucht (canyon) to the Summer- or Winter promenade, then take the Passirio promenade to Theaterplatz (theatre square). From the town centre at Corso Libertà you can take the bus lines 11 or 13, or you can chose the Vellau bus to go back to Lagundo. http://www.meranerland.com/en/activities/summer/walking/tappeinerweg/ www.meranerland.com-298 The world's best mountain climbers will be coming together for a unique summit meeting in Brixen, South Tyrol, from November 2nd to 7th, 2010. Great legends of the mountains have accepted the invitation to the International Mountain Summit® 2010. http://www.meranerland.com/en/activities/highlights/mountain-summit/ www.meranerland.com-1271