Galtur is the highest of three ski resorts located in Austria’s Paznauntal Valley. The resort is known for its heavy snowfalls and thermal hot springs, while the uncrowded, unhurried atmosphere makes it popular with families.
Galtur has a wide range of quality traditional accommodation, as well as several excellent restaurants. Things to see around the village include the old church and new Alpinarium, and there are plenty of shops in which to spend time during bad weather hours. There is a kindergarten (ages three years and up, open six days a week and serving lunch), as well as an excellent kids’ ski school (open six days a week for four hours per day, ages four and up).
Skiers have three chairlifts and seven draglifts to access 40kms of groomed slopes (most of which are intermediate level) and a lot of off-piste terrain. The vertical drop is 700m, with a top elevation of 2,300m, while the lift capacity is 15,000 skiers per hour. The longest run is just over one kilometre.
Snowboarders have a terrain park on site, with plenty of off-piste options to choose from. Nordic skiers can enjoy the 45kms of prepared tracks, as well as an equal number of winter walking paths. The Alpine skiers and snowboarders can hop a bus for a short ride back down to Ischgl to enjoy the many trails and numerous lifts of the international ski circus.
The après-ski options are not as numerous or lively as Ischgl; however, there is a decent selection of bars, discos and cafés. Other outdoor activities include parasailing, hang-gliding, ice-skating, tobogganing, curling and sledding, while indoors there is swimming, tennis, and, of course, saunas and all the trimmings of a spa.
Galtur’s ski season runs from mid-December to mid-April. Peak times are Christmas/New Year, February and March, with bargains to be had at either end of the season and mid to late January. Innsbruck and Munich are the two main gateways for visitors arriving by air, while Landeck is the closest railway station. There are regular bus connections from Landeck to Galtur ski resort.
