Silvretta Arena

Silvretta Arena is an Austrian-Swiss ski resort linking Ischgl in Tyrol with Samnaun in Switzerland. The runs cross the national border, so in a single day skiers can glide from Austria into Switzerland and back. It is one of the larger ski areas in the Alps, located at roughly 46.98 N, 10.34 E.

Where is Silvretta Arena?

The resort sits in the Rhaetian Alps, on the border between Tyrol and the Swiss canton of Graubünden. The Austrian base is Ischgl, in the Paznaun valley, while the Swiss side is the village of Samnaun, in a separate valley near the frontier. A network of cable cars and lifts connects the two, and they are sold together as one ski area on a shared lift pass.

How big is the ski area?

Ski-resort databases list about 239 km of marked pistes, plus additional ski routes of around fifteen kilometres. Figures vary slightly between sources and seasons. Roughly a fifth of the pistes are easy, most are intermediate, and a smaller share is graded difficult. Dozens of gondolas, chairlifts and drag lifts serve the terrain. The highest point, near the Greitspitze, is about 2,872 m above sea level, and the valley stations lie a little above 1,300 m. Most slopes have snowmaking, which improves the odds of good conditions across the season.

What is the Dutyfree-Run?

One of the resort's signature descents leads down to Samnaun. The village has duty-free status, so goods such as alcohol, perfume and sports equipment are often cheaper there than in neighbouring countries. The run ends in the village, and a flat trail then leads to the aerial cableway that carries skiers back up to the slopes. For many visitors this descent is a highlight of the day.

Who is it for?

• Beginners: easy runs are concentrated around the mid-mountain stations.
• Intermediate skiers: the wide network of blue and red runs allows many kilometres without repeating a descent.
• Advanced skiers and freeriders: steep descents and off-piste terrain demand a sound assessment of avalanche risk.
• Après-ski fans: Ischgl is known for its lively social scene after the lifts close.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a passport in Silvretta Arena? The runs cross the Austrian-Swiss border, so it is wise to carry identification, and Swiss customs rules apply in Samnaun.

Which country is the resort in? Two: Austria (Ischgl, Tyrol) and Switzerland (Samnaun, Graubünden).

What are its coordinates? Approximately 46.98 N, 10.34 E.

Does one pass cover both sides of the border? Yes, the resort operates as a single area with a shared pass system, though details and prices are best checked with the operator before you travel.

When is the best time to go? The season runs through winter, and extensive snowmaking allows skiing from late autumn into spring depending on the year and conditions.

Silvretta Arena suits anyone who wants a large resort, descents through two countries and a stop in a Swiss duty-free village in one trip. Plan the day so you are back on the Ischgl side before the lifts close, because the last lifts from Samnaun run at set times and depend on the weather.