Gitschberg-Jochtal Rio Pusteria

The ski area offers 55 km of alpine ski runs, ranging from 1,307 metres in the Valles area to the 2,510-metre summit of Gitschberg. The slopes are served by around 15 lifts and are divided between two sectors with different but complementary characteristics: Gitschberg above Maranza and Jochtal above Valles.

The connection between the two mountains is provided by the Gaisjoch and Schilling lifts, allowing skiers to cross the entire ski area without using a car or ski bus. The main access points are the Gitschberg-Nesselbahn gondola from Maranza and the Jochtal gondola from Valles. Overall, the lifts are modern, fast and well distributed, with a predominance of gondolas and detachable chairlifts.

The Gitschberg sector is the highest and most panoramic. In the upper section, the runs cross open, sunny slopes, with views that embrace hundreds of peaks on clear days. The descents are mostly wide and of intermediate difficulty, ideal for those who enjoy carving broad turns, although there are also steeper sections and more challenging variants. Descending towards Maranza, skiers encounter forest runs and more sheltered trails for days with poor visibility.

Jochtal has a more compact layout, with slopes converging towards Valles’ main gondola. Here too, red runs predominate, alternating with easy trails and several more technical descents. The sector is particularly popular with families, but also offers interesting terrain for experienced skiers, especially on the steeper slopes and the variants used for training.

Overall, Gitschberg Jochtal is particularly suitable for families and intermediate-level skiers. Beginners can rely on the ski schools in Maranza and Valles, magic carpets and numerous wide, progressively graded runs. Children have access to the Kinderland, Kinderwelt, Gimmy Fun Ride and several snow play areas. More advanced skiers will find some demanding trails, although genuinely difficult slopes account for only a small part of the offering.

One of the ski area’s strengths is the opportunity to follow a genuine itinerary between the two sides, combining long descents, panoramic views and stops at the numerous mountain huts. With 25 runs and 55 km in total, the resort does not match the size of the largest Dolomite destinations, but offers enough variety for several days of skiing and a generally relaxed atmosphere. Gitschberg Jochtal is also part of the Dolomiti Superski circuit.

The winter offering also includes four toboggan runs, hiking and snowshoeing routes, and three areas dedicated to cross-country skiing. The trails at Valles, Terento and the Rodengo and Luson Alpine Pastures allow Nordic skiing in very different settings, from valley floors to panoramic high-altitude expanses.

In summer, the lifts in Maranza and Valles become starting points for hikes, mountain-bike routes and walks among the area’s numerous mountain pastures. Among the best-known destinations are the Altafossa Valley, the alpine village of Fane Alm, the Rodengo and Luson Alpine Pastures, and the panoramic platforms on Gitschberg and Steinermandl. The Sun Park and Jochtal Adventure Park round out a summer offering that is particularly well suited to families.