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Ski resorts in High Montafon

High Montafon ski resort rests on the majestic Alpine slopes of the Silvretta Nova mountain range in the Montafon Valley. High Montafon encompasses a cluster of resort villages, cumulatively offering over 100kms of impressively groomed trails and an endless supply of challenging off-piste routes.

High Montafon’s several villages are located at various altitudes, the highest of which is Gargellen, at 1,430m. The villages are predominantly quiet and laid-back, with a relaxed night-time atmosphere - perfect for those seeking refuge from the social frenzy of larger ski resorts, although Gallenkirch and Gortipohl do have some vibrant bars and discos.

High Montafon has a vast collection of groomed pistes, covering more than 100kms in total. The ski resort is suitable for all ability levels, from beginner to expert, with an impressive ski school for the former, and challenging runs for the latter. The longest run is 11kms – more than adequate to satisfy most skiers. The slopes are connected by 33 lifts, comprising gondolas, chairlifts and T-bars.

In addition to its ski pistes, High Montafon offers a range of other winter activities and facilities. In their off-slope hours, visitors to the resort have the options of mountaineering (over 12kms of hiking trails), snowboarding, mono-skiing, snow trekking, sleigh riding, indoor swimming and sauna.

The ski season at High Montafon runs from early December to late April. There are various ways to reach the resort, the most convenient being to fly to Innsbruck’s provincial airport, followed by a Skibus transfer to High Montafon.

Skiing in High Montafon

On the slopes of the Silvretta Nova mountain range, deep in the Montafon Valley in Austria’s Vorarlberg province, a number of ski villages make up the attractive resort of High Montafon, boasting over 100kms of prime quality slopes designed for all levels of ability.

One of High Montafon’s greatest assets is its ability to provide skiing for all levels of experience, from novice to professional. The cluster of resorts that make up High Montafon offer over 100kms of ski slopes altogether, with 10 per cent of the slopes geared for beginners, 30 per cent for intermediates, 40 per cent for advanced skiers, and 20 per cent for experts.

There is a lengthy 11-kilometre run to give long-distance fans the chance to get the wind behind their skis, and an additional 30kms of groomed cross-country slopes in the valley and 15kms of high-altitude trails around the Silvretta dam. The pistes at High Montafon are accessible via a system of 33 lifts – gondolas, chair lifts and T-bars – with a capacity for 40,000 people per hour.

Skiing is offered at High Montafon from December to late April, but the best snow can be seen from February through to March. Special deals are available in January and near the end of the season. High Montafon can be reached by road, or a combination of rail and road, or air and road transportation.

Apres-ski in High Montafon

Après-ski activities are low-key, but High Montafon has several bars, ice bars, cafés and discos, with the liveliest venues located in Gallenkirch and Gortipohl. Accommodation is also centred in these two villages, with approximately 3,500 beds available in hotels, pensions and apartments. Children’s facilities include a nursery and ski instruction school.

Skiing is not the only activity available at High Montafon. Also on offer are snowboarding, mono-skiing, snow trekking, sleigh riding, indoor swimming and sauna. Additionally, there are more than 12kms of scenic, mountain hiking trails to be explored in the immediate surrounding area.

Nightlife is generally laid-back, but those looking for après-ski entertainment can find it in one of the several bars, ice bars, cafés and discos in the resort. Accommodation is provided in Gallenkirch and Gortipohl, with approximately 3,500 beds in a range of styles and price ranges, from top-end hotels, to pensions or self-catering apartments.

Ski resorts in the Montafon Valley are not restricted to High Montafon. Schruns and Tschagguns are two alternative ski venues, offering a wealth of beautiful slopes. Schruns also boasts a bubbly night-time scene and Montafon’s major shopping centre. For more peaceful alternatives, try visiting some of the numerous picturesque hamlets in the area.

Transportation to High Montafon

High Montafon is situated in Austria’s Vorarlberg province, deep in the beautiful Montafon Valley. It can be accessed by road, or by a combination of rail and road, or air and road transportation. The most convenient way to reach the resort is by taking a plane to Innsbuck’s provincial airport (accessible from Austrian and major European cities only) and then transferring by the Skibus to High Montafon.

Road travel from London involves taking a car ferry from the UK to Calais, and covering the remaining distance (approximately 1,000kms) via high quality motorways. The ski resort is situated approximately 165kms southeast of Zürich, and 625kms west of Vienna. It is also possible to hire a car from Zürich International Airport, then access High Montafon by taking the A-1 autobahn east, and the A-13/14 motorways to Bludenz. From Bludenz, the B-188 leads directly to High Montafon.

Rail transportation to the resort involves taking the Eurostar from Waterloo station to Paris’ gare de Lyon. From Paris, it is possible to take either an overnight train or a high-speed TGV train to Zürich. To reach High Montafon from Zürich, take a train to Bludenz, and then change to a Schruns-bound train. Regular buses and taxis run from Schruns to High Montafon.

There are two major options for air transportation to High Montafon. Innsbruck’s provincial airport can be accessed from Austrian and major European cities, and there is a Skibus that runs from the airport to the resort. Alternatively, you will first need to fly into Zürich’s international airport, then catch a connecting flight to Innsbruck, or take trains to Bludenz and then Schruns, from where buses and taxis provide transport to the resort. Munich’s FJ Strauss Airport is another option, with train and bus transfers available.

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