From the first descents on wooden skis to a world-famous winter sports paradise, South Tyrol has seen remarkable change over the last 150 years. If today you can enjoy so many experiences here, it is thanks to the pioneering spirit of local visionaries – among them Val Senales native Leo Gurschler. Let’s do a deep dive into the history of skiing in the Alps and South Tyrol!

19th century: the first skis are imported In the 1890s, tourists, mountaineers, and the military brought the very first skis to South Tyrol. Unlike Scandinavia, where skis were a practical means of transport, here they were used from the start purely for leisure. The first ski courses were held in Innsbruck in 1897. In South Tyrol, Val Gardena, Renon, and Dobbiaco were among the pioneers. In 1904, the first ski club was founded in Val Gardena. Après-ski in the Alps and the like, however, were still far in the future.

1930s: first ski lifts and competitions After World War I, when South Tyrol became part of Italy, Italian associations pushed the development of skiing. In the 1920s, the first races were organized in Val Gardena and on the Renon plateau. By the 1930s, the first lifts were built – mainly drag lifts and small cable cars. Val Gardena quickly grew into the heart of Dolomite skiing.

Post-war boom

After 1945, tourism in South Tyrol flourished, becoming a central economic pillar. Skiing, too, grew more important and professional. In the 1950s, the first large cable cars and chairlifts were built; new ski areas were developed (Val Gardena, Plan de Corones, Alta Badia, Alpe di Siusi), and infrastructure became increasingly modern and varied. In 1964, the Dolomiti Superski network was founded, and in the 1970s the famous Sellaronda ski circuit was established. A milestone came in 1970, when the Alpine Ski World Championships in Val Gardena secured South Tyrol’s spot on the global skiing scene.

Unlocking the Val Senales Glacier

Val Senales awoke from its “slumber” a little later. Until the 1970s, this rustic side valley of Val Venosta was still largely dependent on agriculture and livestock farming. But a handful of locals dreamed big – among them pioneer Leo Gurschler, the first president of the Schnalstaler Gletscherbahnen, the Val Senales glacier cable car. Against great technical odds, the first glacier cable car on the Grawand was completed and opened in 1975, followed by drag lifts on the glacier. This marked the birth of the Hochjochferner as a ski area. Over the following decades, more lifts and slopes, mountain huts, and even a combined heat and power plant were added. The once sleepy farming village of Maso Corto gradually transformed into a sports village with accommodation, sports shops and facilities, and a ski school. The most recent major project was the modernization of the glacier cable car, including new valley and mountain stations. Since Christmas 2023, the new cable car has been in operation, featuring not only an underground car park at the valley station but also the unique option of riding on the roof of the cabin in the open air during the summer season.

Where are we headed?

The history of skiing in the Alps and South Tyrol is far from over. Over the past 25 years, we have seen exciting developments:

• Most ski resorts, including the Alpin Arena Senales, have continued to expand and modernize their slopes and lifts. Safety, comfort, and capacity all keep improving.

• Almost all slopes can now be artificially snowed, ensuring reliable conditions even in mild winters or at lower elevations. Thanks to our altitude and the Val Senales Glacier, however, the Alpin Arena Senales still enjoys abundant natural snowfall.

• Sustainability is becoming ever more important. To protect our glacier, we stopped summer skiing years ago and now cover the ice with protective white sheets.

• Skiing today is more diverse than ever: at the Alpin Arena Senales, you can enjoy not only alpine skiing but also cross-country skiing on two trails – including the highest one in South Tyrol. Young skiers are well cared for in the Kinderland, while experienced carvers love the Leo Gurschler slalom slope. At our training centre, the best international professionals gather to prepare for the season.

• Surrounding services make the difference: a modern ski resort in South Tyrol is about much more than lifts and slopes. At the Alpin Arena Senales, you’ll find a ski rental, the Val Senales ski school, cozy mountain huts and quality restaurants in the valley, and accommodation options for every need. Regular events and Après-ski in the Alps provide the perfect balance of relaxation and entertainment, lasting well into the evening hours.

Visit the Alpin Arena Senales and become part of the history of skiing in the Alps. Everyone is welcome here – beginners, families, and professionals alike. Take advantage of our rental services and the Val Senales ski school, ride our brand-new glacier cable car, and round off your day in one of our rustic Après-ski spots in the Alps. What are you waiting for? Get your adventure!