Vitalpina Escapists
Winter walks in South Tyrol
The lonely silence of the freshly snow-covered winter forest, the undisturbed snow and the satisfaction of reaching the destination on your own, without using the lifts – this is a special attraction of winter walks or snowshoe excursions. We, the hosts of the Vitalpina Hotels, will accompany you each week on South Tyrol’s finest winter hiking tours – the only way to explore the unspoilt winter wonders of South Tyrol, far away from the crowds.
Hiking maps, snowshoes from our partner Sportler and hiking poles are also available to borrow free of charge from the Vitalpina Hotels of South Tyrol, meaning there is nothing to stop you from enjoying a snowshoe excursion! As an example, if you spend a holiday at the Vitalpina Hotel Erica you can enjoy an outing to the Basilica of Maria Weissenstein, a place of pilgrimage; or there is the panoramic tour starting from our Vitalpina Hotel Magdalenahof that leads from hut to hut on the sunny side of the Gsieser Valley. The area around Ridnaun, starting from the Vitalpina Hotel Gassenhof is also well-suited to long winter walks, whether on winter trails or through unspoilt forests. Many paths also lead to the huts that are also open in winter to help strengthen you en route!
Three tips for winter walks:
Here are three tips to make sure that your winter hike does not literally end up on a slippery slope, and that you always keep warm and return to the hotel in good spirits:
1. Wrap up like an onion: always wear warm enough clothing in winter! The so-called “onion look” is the winter walking look for us South Tyroleans. This means putting on several layers, one on top of the other (technical underwear, fleece pullover, windstopper and down jacket), which can be removed if necessary. And don’t forget always to take a shirt to change into, as hiking in winter really gets you into a sweat! We particularly recommend the high-quality leisure and sportswear of our partner Salewa, all of which is produced sustainably and fairly.
2. Keep an eye on the time: it gets dark very early in winter. If you are not on one of our guided winter hikes but are instead out on your own, ask your Vitalpina Hotel how long it will stay light until – to make sure you don’t end up in the dark!
3. Beware of slipping! More and more hiking trails in South Tyrol are specially prepared for winter hikers and cleared of snow. There are nevertheless always places where ice can form, especially near watercourses. So be careful and always keep an eye on where you are putting your feet!
1. Wrap up like an onion: always wear warm enough clothing in winter! The so-called “onion look” is the winter walking look for us South Tyroleans. This means putting on several layers, one on top of the other (technical underwear, fleece pullover, windstopper and down jacket), which can be removed if necessary. And don’t forget always to take a shirt to change into, as hiking in winter really gets you into a sweat! We particularly recommend the high-quality leisure and sportswear of our partner Salewa, all of which is produced sustainably and fairly.
2. Keep an eye on the time: it gets dark very early in winter. If you are not on one of our guided winter hikes but are instead out on your own, ask your Vitalpina Hotel how long it will stay light until – to make sure you don’t end up in the dark!
3. Beware of slipping! More and more hiking trails in South Tyrol are specially prepared for winter hikers and cleared of snow. There are nevertheless always places where ice can form, especially near watercourses. So be careful and always keep an eye on where you are putting your feet!