Free travel by train from the South Tyrolean border!
Maranza in Winter
Vacation idyll in front of a high alpine mountain panorama
From the breakfast table into your ski boots and off to the slopes – the Pension Sonnenhof is in the immediate vicinity of the valley station of the ski and alpine region Gitschberg Val Giovo. The first ski slope is only 100 m away and the free ski bus stops 50 m from our house – in only 2 minutes it takes you to the valley station of the ski area Gitschberg.
Maranza lies on an alpine plateau above the Pusteria Valley and welcomes you in winter with a snow-covered fairytale landscape. On the mountain slopes, the snow glitters in the bright sunlight and the snow-covered mountain peaks form a fantastic contrast to the dark blue of the winter sky. In winter, Maranza offers pure romance as well as nature experiences. Cleared winter hiking trails lead across the alpine plateau and invite you to take a walk through snow-covered forests. An extraordinary experience is a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow-covered landscape. Wrapped in warm blankets, you can breathe deeply in the clear mountain air and enjoy the view of the mighty two-thousand-meter peaks.
„Hotel Skipass Service”
…and the ski pass is waiting in your room!
You like to move fast … and we at Dolomiti Superski do too! Again this year your ski pass will be easy and simple to buy – thanks to the HOTEL SKIPASS SERVICE. Ordering online you can buy your ski pass from your own home and it will be there waiting for you to collect when you arrive in your holiday hotel.
The procedure required is really simple. All you need to do is connect to the internet at DOLOMITISUPERSKI.com, choose the duration of the ski pass you want and then pay for it by credit card without any extra costs being applied…Your hotel will collect the ski pass on your behalf, and then it will be there waiting for you in your bedroom when you
arrive. Plenty of slopes and thrills await you so don’t lose precious time, time which can be dedicated to the real joys of holidays. The hotels and establishments in general which are offering this service can be seen on the relevant picture–programme.
An enormous range of winter leisure activities means you won't get bored during your holiday in Maranza. The ski and alpine region Gitschberg Val Giovo is a wonderful winter sports area with 44 kilometres of slopes, virtually on the doorstep of the Pension Sonnenhof. After about 100 meters you have reached the first ski slope, which takes you along a tow path to the valley station. Tobogganing, snowshoe hiking and ski tours provide variety and great nature experiences, while cross-country skiing enthusiasts may look forward to fantastic panoramic trails and varied circuits in the ski and alpine region Gitschberg Val Giovo. There are ice skating rinks in Maranza, Valles as well as Fundres, and a real adrenaline rush awaits you when you go snow kiting in Val Giovo.
A romantic atmosphere prevails in the pre-Christmas period in the towns and villages in the Isarco and Pusteria valleys. Traditional Christmas markets await you in Bressanone, Bolzano and Brunico, where the seductive scent of roasted chestnuts and sweet almonds wafts through the streets of the city centres. The stalls sell South Tyrolean handicrafts and traditional Christmas tree decorations, and after dark the Christmas lights create an incredibly special ambience. After your return to Maranza, the Finnish sauna at the Pension Sonnenhof tempts you with a visit and in the evening, you can review the day in a relaxed atmosphere with a delicious 3-course meal.
Ski & Alpine Region
Skiing away from mass tourism
In the holiday region Maranza/Gitschberg, the family-friendly ski area Gitschberg-Val Giovo awaits you: a sun-kissed winter sports area with 44 kilometres of slopes. It is located virtually right on the doorstep of the Pension Sonnenhof in Maranza and offers young and old plenty of downhill fun on excellently groomed slopes. The ski area extends at an altitude of between 1,400 and 2,500 meters and modern snow systems ensure unlimited skiing pleasure from the beginning of December until Easter. You can start your winter sports adventure right in Maranza, where two small local ski lifts offer beginners the opportunity to refine their technique.
In the ski and alpine region Gitschberg Val Giovo you will enjoy hours of skiing fun away from mass tourism. Although the winter sports area is the largest ski resort in the Isarco Valley, there are hardly any significant waiting times at the lifts even in high season. With 19 kilometres of blue slopes, 21 kilometres of red slopes and four kilometres of black slopes, the terrain offers ideal conditions for both beginners and professionals. Except for one rather narrow forest run, the slopes are wide and have excellent visibility. The cable car Nesselalm takes you to Mount Gitschberg in a quarter of an hour. The 4-seater chairlift takes you to the highest point of the mountain, where you can enjoy a fantastic view of 500 alpine peaks below the summit cross at an altitude of around 2,500 metres.
In two kids' parks, trained ski instructors and supervisors lovingly look after the well-being of our youngest guests. In the kids' park "Zwergele Winterwelt" in Maranza, the youngest skiers are looked after for a few hours during the day and can learn to ski safely in a playful way. The Snow White Park in Valles welcomes you with similar offers. Snowboarders and freestylers may look forward to a Fun Park in Valles, where they can put their skills to the test a variety of jump elements. An eventful day of skiing on Mount Gitschberg is perfectly rounded off with a convivial après-ski party in Maranza. The tavern "Schlupfe" is located right next to the valley station, where you can end the day with mulled wine and party music.
Info ski resort & ski instructor Robby
Ski area Gitschberg Jochtal (Video)
Our top ski instructor Robby!
The right technique from the very beginning: a sure way to success.
Our ski instructor Robby will help you learn the correct skiing technique. Especially if you are skiing for the first time, professional support from a ski instructor is essential. His years of experience and training are designed to teach you the elementary movement sequences correctly right from the start.
New "Ski Express" lift system
Piste map Gitschberg Jochtal (PDF)
Dowload Map [PDF]
Keyfacts Winter Gitschberg Jochtal
Over 55 kilometres of pistes offering ideal snow conditions at altitudes between 1,300 and 2,500 metres at the sunny south of the Pfunderer Mountains
- Easy: 18,5 KM
- Medium: 27,2 KM
- Hard: 9,3 KM
- 15 modern lift systems for comfortable skiing days
- 2 certified ski schools bearing the “child-friendly” seal
- 3 kids’ parks with full day-care offers: The Gitschberg Jochtal skiing resort is listed as one of Italy’s best skiing areas for children
- 2 tobbogan runs which are accessible with ropeways
- 1 Fun Ride with different small kickers, boxes, steep banks, ecc.
- A modern snow-making system guarantees a full season
- The viewing platforms Gitschberg, Stoanermandl and Astjoch with breath-taking panorama views of over 500 summits and mountains
- Numerous accommodation options for each taste
- Traditional mountain lodges with culinary specialities and traditional delicacies
Toboggan holidays in South Tyrol
Toboggan fun for young and old
From the beginning of December, snow-covered forests and white slopes will make the hearts of tobogganing fans beat faster on Mount Gitschberg. Maranza welcomes you with perfectly prepared natural toboggan runs, and even when there is not enough natural snow, you do not have to miss out on a fun tobogganing adventure. Then there is the artificial ice toboggan run by the tennis hall, which is often used by international athletes for training purposes. The track is 300 metres long and fast-paced guest races take place weekly in winter. Several natural toboggan runs await you on Mount Gitschberg, where you may enjoy nature on the kilometres-long slopes in the snow-covered winter world of South Tyrol.
In the ski and alpine region Gitschberg Val Giovo, you may look forward to nine groomed natural toboggan runs that lead through breathtaking landscapes during your tobogganing holiday in South Tyrol. A wonderful toboggan run starts in Maranza at the lodge Moserhütte. You should plan on about one hour for the climb. On the way you will enjoy the wonderful view of snow-capped mountain peaks. The long and fun run into the valley is a worthy compensation for the arduous climb. Not far from Maranza in Valles there is another toboggan run offering an action-packed experience. It takes you three kilometres from the Valles High Valley to the Fane Alm. Once a week, the toboggan run is illuminated with floodlights in the evening, offering tobogganing fun even at night. There is also a short toboggan run for children at Kiener Alm.
AlmencardPlus
Free of charge for our guests with a variety of options...
Snowshoe hiking in Maranza/South Tyrol
is an extraordinary experience
Glittering snow fields, snow-covered forests, and alpine huts with mighty snow caps – snowshoe hiking is a winter pastime that is very popular with young and old. The alpine plateau of Maranza at the entrance to the Pusteria Valley offers a variety of fabulous hiking routes that lead you through magical natural landscapes. No previous experience is required for this type of activity. Equipped with a hiking backpack, ski poles and wide snowshoes, you set off on an exciting tour of the South Tyrolean mountains. On foot you will conquer the snow-covered expanses of Mount Gitschberg, the Val Giovo and the Alp di Rodengo. Snowshoe hiking in Maranza/Gitschberg is suitable for all ages.
Various routes in the area around Maranza lead through beautiful landscapes. A snowshoe hike in the Altafossa Valley is suitable for young and old due to the comparatively easy route profile. On the hike you will climb around 300 metres in altitude and walk across glittering snowfields and snow-covered forests. A more demanding tour is the ascent to the peak Cima Lasta. The starting point is the Zumis car park on the Alpe di Rodengo. During this snowshoe hike you will walk along the forest road all the way to the summit at an altitude of 2,164 metres. Once you reach the top, you will enjoy a fantastic view of the snow-capped peaks of the Dolomites and the Pusteria Valley. Several mountain inns, which invite you to taste their hearty South Tyrolean specialties, await you along the way.
In summer, the Fane Alm is one of the most popular destinations in the ski and alpine region Gitschberg Val Giovo, while in winter it is the destination of a delightful snowshoe hike. The historic alpine village with its gnarled huts and a small chapel lies at a snow-sure altitude of more than 1,700 metres. You start at the car park at the end of the valley and then tackle the climb. You will overcome more than 800 meters in altitude on this challenging snowshoe hike and fit hikers will need around 5.5 hours for the ascent and descent.
Cross-Country skiing at its best
all around Maranza
Cross-country skiing is becoming ever more popular. The almost meditative gliding through the untouched winter landscape is an excellent counterbalance to the hustle and bustle of the ski slopes and allows you to merge with nature in a unique way. All around Maranza you will find optimal conditions for cross-country skiing. Our ski area Gitschberg Val Giovo offers perfectly groomed trails for every demand and level of difficulty. Experienced cross-country skiers will get their money's worth, as will beginners, families or connoisseurs who prefer to take it easy and for whom the enjoyment of nature is paramount. Cross-country skiing will improve your overall fitness, is good for your circulation, helps you find inner balance and enjoy the beauty of our region.
Various routes in the area around Maranza lead through beautiful landscapes. A snowshoe hike in the Altafossa Valley is suitable for adults and children thanks to the comparatively easy route profile. On the hike you will climb around 300 metres in altitude and walk across glittering snowfields and snow-covered forests. A more demanding tour is the ascent to the peak Cima Lasta. The starting point is the Zumis car park on the Alpe di Rodengo. During this snowshoe hike you will walk along the forest road all the way to the summit at an altitude of 2,164 metres. Once you reach the top, you will enjoy a fantastic view of the snow-capped peaks of the Dolomites and the Pusteria Valley. Several mountain inns, which invite you to taste their hearty South Tyrolean specialties, await you along the way.
Do you prefer classic cross-country or skating? Do you like the open landscapes, high altitude experiences or a leisurely trip from hut to hut? You can fulfil all these wishes on our cross-country ski trails. And once you have explored the ski and alpine region Gitschberg Val Giovo, you will find another 240 kilometres of cross-country ski trails throughout the Isarco Valley for explorers, athletes, and connoisseurs – a unique variety of options that awaits you in the proximity of our guesthouse.
Christmas in South Tyrol
Festive & romantic holidays
White splendour, winter sports and atmospheric evenings – when our alpine region is covered in deep snow, an incomparable magic of romance, contemplation and grandeur blows over the alpine plateau of Maranza. But the secret of our mountain winter will be revealed to you most beautifully during the festive season. Visit us in South Tyrol at Christmas and soak up the festive spirit for which we are famous throughout the holiday season. The largest and most popular Christmas markets in South Tyrol are not far from our hotel and invite you to many excursions during your winter vacation, which you can wonderfully combine with a city tour. Steaming cups of mulled wine, the scent of roasted almonds wafting through the old town streets, children's eyes lighting up and festive music - experience South Tyrol from a particularly charming and unforgettable side.
From Maranza you can reach Bressanone in around 20 minutes, Brunico or Vipiteno in 30 minutes, and Bolzano in 40 minutes. These towns are widely known for their picturesque Christmas markets, each with its own charming character. Bressanone certainly hosts the most glamorous Christmas market in South Tyrol. On the baroque cathedral square, dozens of exhibitors present handicrafts such as pottery, carvings, glass balls and, of course, nativity figures. The marvellous setting with the cathedral, the parish church of Bressanone and the town hall offers a magnificent backdrop to marvel at and enjoy. There are many events for children, choirs and music groups perform and coachmen wait for festive passengers.
South Tyrolean customs, delicious Christmas cookies and cultural-historical highlights characterize the Christmas market on the fairground in Vipiteno. The old mining and Fugger town looks very pretty and inviting even in winter. In Brunico you will experience the special flair of the Pusteria Valley and enjoy regional delicacies. Also, a visit to the Christmas market in Bolzano is a must during Christmas in South Tyrol. It is the largest of its kind in all of Italy! The medieval arcades and squares of Bolzano shimmer with Christmas decorations, making it a joy just to walk through them. Of course, you will also find many other Christmas markets in the Isarco Valley and around Maranza, which may not be as big as the most famous ones but are definitely worth discovering on your Christmas holidays. If you are looking for an original Christmas gift or souvenir for your loved ones at home – you will definitely find it at the Christmas markets in South Tyrol or in one of the many shops selling traditional handicrafts!
