2 Guests
Filters More Filters

Countries

Lapland

Ski Areas

Ski Resorts

No matches found

Region

Airport

No matches found

Samnaun Ski Holidays

At a glance

  • Switzerland’s only duty-free shopping
  • International ski area
  • Good for non-skiers

Great for

  • Shopping
  • Snow sure
  • Intermediates

Ski Holidays in Samnaun

Sharing one of Europe’s biggest and best ski areas with the legendary Austrian resort of Ischgl is one of Samnaun’s greatest attractions – and you’ve got a pretty Swiss village, excellent restaurants and duty-free shopping to boot.

  • Flight Time
  • 1.5 hours
  • From London
  • Nearest Airports
  • Geneva, Zurich
  • Time zone
  • GMT + 1 hour
  • Language
  • German, French, Italian, Romansh
  • Currency
  • Swiss Franc
  • Ski Season
  • Dec - April

Samnaun Stats

Top Altitude
2875m
Bottom Altitude
1400m
Resort Altitude
1400m
Total Piste
238km
Longest Run
11km
Slope Orientation
N S E W
Vertical Drop
1475m
Skiable Vertical
Night Skiing
No
Glacier Skiing
No

Samnaun belongs to the Engadin Valley, the very same that alpine legends like St Moritz call home. Rubbing up against the Austrian border and within a thirty-minute drive of Italy, the area’s famous for being a bootleg hotspot in days gone by. These days you can ski feely on the runs that smugglers once heaved their contraband up and down…

On and around the Alp Trida and Idalp peaks, the Silvretta Arena’s 238km of terrain makes up one of the biggest ski regions in the Alps - a two nation area shared with the Austrian resort of Ischgl. It’s a dream to ski or snowboard, with slopes that are high (almost all way above 2000m), face every direction and groomed meticulously.

Back at base you’ll find the characteristic Swiss mountain architecture that’s been here for donkey’s years… With some shiny new features that make Samnaun special. Take the duty free shopping centre (Europe’s highest, and Switzerland’s one and only) for example, or the Alpenquell spa (the nation’s highest).

The resort is split between Samnaun Dorf, Ravaisch, Compatsch, Laret and Plan. Dorf is the main hub of tourism - home to the tax free shops, restaurants and hotels. Ravaisch is a kilometre from Dorf, a romanesque settlement famed for its gourmet eateries, with connections to the ski area via the double decker tramway (a world first). Compatsch, the pretty political centre, is home to the spa, theatre and a 15th century Gothic church. Farming hamlet Laret is most likely where the cheeses you’ll feast on during the week come from, and has slope access via a blue run from Alp Trida. Tiny Samnaun Plan is big in history, feeling a bit like you’ve somehow stumbled into Victorian times.

But first you’ve got to get here, for which you’re best off flying into Innsbruck in Austria, which is an hour and forty minutes away. The transfer from Salzburg airports takes three and a quarter hours, while for the journey from Swiss airports like Zurich, Basel and Bern you’re looking at around 4-5 hours.

Winter Sports Ratings

Beginners

Intermediate

Advanced

Snowboarding

Samnaun Transfer Times

Innsbruck 1.5 hours
Zürich 3h10
Munich 3.5 hours

The nearest airport to Samnaun is Zürich at 235 km or about ? by car

What's the ski area like in Samnaun?

One of the joys of the Silvretta Arena is that it has pistes facing every direction, so you can chase or avoid the sunshine as you wish. Bear in mind that this is a two-country ski area, and though we haven’t had any trouble in the past, it’s always advised that you carry your passport with you in case customs want to check.

Which other ski resorts are near to Samnaun?

The nearest ski resorts to Samnaun include Ischgl.

Ski Area Facts

LocationEngadin, Switzerland
Established
Downhill238km
Lift Pass€240 (adult 6 day)

Beginner Slopes

48km20%

Intermediate Skiing

148km62%

Advance & Expert Terrain

28km freeride 14km18%

Snowboarding Trails

238km100%

What is Samnaun like for Beginner skiers?

Keep your eyes peeled for giant flowers and you’ll find the Blumentraum Kinderland, where youngsters and learners have magic carpets, gentle slopes and a snow playground to introduce them to the slopes.

The general nature of pistes here is wide and groomed to perfection, providing good scope for beginners and improvers to practice turning at their own pace. Alp Trida is a hub of blue runs - including the long #60 back towards Samnaun Laret. There are some easy connections over to Idalp, where the Höllbodenbahn’s Skipiste 2 breaks off into two different routes back to the main station at 2320m. A favourite is the blue from Palinkopf, which tends to be one of the quieter slopes in the area.

What is Samnaun like for Intermediate skiers?

Red run skiers and snowboarders are best served in these parts, with a socking great 148km of pistes to roam. Don’t miss the seriously scenic #80 from Palinkopf down into Dorf (best skied first thing before the lunchtime / homerun crowds - look ahead for when skiers face straight down and follow suit to avoid too much polling). Head down into Ischgl via piste #1 from Idalp to experience skiing on the Austrian side, or while away the hours by Alp Bella on one side of Trida where all you’ll find a gaggle of red-only terrain.

What is Samnaun like for Advanced skiers?

There aren’t tonnes of black graded pistes here (and many of the ones you do find would probably be reds elsewhere), but that’s not to say Samnaun isn’t good for advanced skiers. The Gold, Silver and Bronze Smuggler’s Routes are expert territory, the longest a whopping 35.7km long, and the shortest still a thigh aching 19.8km. The tourist office usually provides a guide or app where you can track your progress. Mogul lovers will want to take the E2 Höllspitzbahn for fields of unrelenting bumps and powdery ski routes (we like the one from Palinkopf).

What is Samnaun like for snowboarding?

Access to one of the biggest snowparks on the continent is certainly a perk - Vita Ischgl Park is divided into three areas, the King Park for pro’s, Public Park for mere mortals and a beginner park to hook, line and sinker you into the freestyle scene. A bag jump, Tubespine, Proline and Funcrossline complete the set up. There’s also the Obstacle Park, which has practice features.

What is Samnaun like for off-piste skiing?

Off-piste wise, you’ll find runs from most of the lifts and a guide will be able to take you further afield to show you some of the region’s finest descents.

What is Samnaun like for cross country skiing?

There are two runs and a practice circuit, totalling about 4km

Samnaun Restaurants

One thing you won’t struggle to find in Samnaun is restaurants. The Schmuggleralm is a popular drinking and eating spot - try their Jagertee for an après ski tipple, or sit down for a fondue or pizza dinner. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, secure a table at Homann’s restaurant, which was awarded two Michelin stars in 2011 and seems to clock up more Gault&Millau points every time we return. Or, for a low key vibe try El Rico and feast on Tex Mex.

Samnaun Après Ski

We like the Why Not Bar in Samnaun Dorf for parties, fronted by DJ’s and live music acts. Over in Compatsch, there’s also the Sunshine Bar which hosts band nights. The meeting place at the Bündnerhof Samnaun has great atmospheric music, delicious wines and exquisite digestifs. You can also mix drinks or a sip of cool beer - you can enjoy all this at the Pinocchio. To toast with a drink to the beautiful holiday in Samnaun or for a rendezvous - the Pinocchio at the Bündnerhof Samnaun is the perfect place!

Samnaun Activites for Non-skiers

Shopping’s one of the main après ski activities here, with duty free stores selling Bulgari, Calvin Klein, Chanel et al. The Alpenquell spa is another attraction - the highest spa in the nation with all kinds of pool (adventure, multipurpose, paddling, whirlpool…), all kinds of sauna (Finnish, Pine, Infared…) and more. Sleigh rides are a wonderfully winter-wonderlandy way to explore, and there’s a natural floodlit ice rink in the Clis da Ravaisch sports arena.

Clothing Food & Souvenir Shops

Best Time to Visit Samnaun

With high altitude pistes facing each and every direction, plus 1100 snow cannons to top things up - this ski area ticks almost every box for excellent snow conditions. It doesn’t have a glacier, but the ski season tends to run until May anyway, so you could say it doesn’t really need one. Stick to the south facing slopes at the beginning of the ski season, where you can enjoy the snow in glorious sunshine. Or if you’re here in the springtime, the north facing pistes will hold the snow best.

What's Samnaun like at Christmas?

As the place known for hosting the “Santa Claus World Championships”, Christmas in Samnaun is bound to be one to remember. Many hotels host gala dinners and balls, and there are duty free stores galore for last minute Christmas shopping.

What's Samnaun like in the New Year?

On previous years, you’ve been able to hike up to a mountain hut, watch fireworks from the mountainside then toboggan back to the village to see in the New Year in Samnaun.

What's Samnaun like in Half-Term?

Spend Half Term in Samnaun skiing two countries, feasting on fondues and exploring a traditional Swiss village.

What's Samnaun like at Easter?

Being one of the most snow sure ski areas in the Alps (and the promise of Swiss chocolate) helps make Easter in Samnaun an excellent choice.

Samnaun Snow Conditions

Snow Report, History & Forecast

View our detailed Samnaun snow report to see skiing confitions now. Our Samnaun snow history shows you what snow depths have been in recent years month-by-month. If you're visiting soon, use the Samnaun snow forecast to see predicted snowfall over the coming days.

  • Partly cloudy skies Today
  • Partly cloudy skies Sunday
  • Sunny skies Monday
  • Cloudy skies Tuesday
  • Moderate snow Wednesday
  • Current snow depth at top
    90 cm
  • Alternate Text
  • Current snow depth at base
    60 cm

Families who’ve already spent a few weeks on the slopes will love Samnaun. Of course there are facilities for beginners too - like the all singing, all dancing Blumentraum Kinderland - but where this area really comes into its own is for clans who ski or snowboard at intermediate level. Cross the border into Austria to explore further afield, or set off on one of the Smuggler’s routes and teach them about the area’s history as a booming bootleg centre. Better yet - last time we checked, under 8’s could ski for free.

As a quieter base than après ski legend Ischgl, this can be a good option for groups who want to focus on the skiing. Meet up in mountain restaurants and hotel bars to relay stories of the day, whether you’ve been skiing over to Austria, testing out the snowparks, shopping or sampling the Alpenquell wellness facilities.

Samnaun
Reviews
no Reviews yet
be the First to
Write a Review

Ski Extras

How much is a ski pass in Samnaun

Maximum and minimum adult Samnaun lift pass prices ranged from CHF256 to CHF285 for 6 days access to the Samnaun ski lift system at the start of the 2025 winter season. Our lift passes are part of a packaged Samnaun holiday with accommodation, so prices vary depending on chalet or hotel suppliers. Confirm price for the lift ticket before booking your holiday.

Lift Tickets Child Adult Senior
1 Day Price CHF36 - CHF36 CHF57 - CHF57 CHF57 - CHF57
6 Day Price CHF171 - CHF171 CHF256 - CHF285 CHF256 - CHF256
Age Range 8 - 16 17 - 59 60+

Getting to Samnaun

Most of our ski holidays to Samnaun packaged with flights include airport transfers. We can also arrange private transfers to Samnaun from nearby airports

How long does it take to fly to Samnaun from the UK?

Flights from London take about 1.5 hours to Geneva, Zurich. This table shows approximate transfer times to Samnaun from the nearest airports, smaller airports can be more prone to delays.

Airport Distance Transfer Time
Zürich 235 km ?
Innsbruck 120 km ?
Samedan 100 km ?

How long does it take to drive to Samnaun from the UK?

Browse our self-drive ski holidays which include your car channel crossing, or go choose accom-only and book your car ferry or tunnel later.

How long is the transfer from nearest Switzerland train station to Samnaun?

The transfer time from alpine train stations are generally shorter than from airports, Call us for details of Samnaun transfers.

Station Distance Transfer Time
Scuol 39 km 39 minutes

Samnaun Maps

Samnaun piste map
Click to Enlarge

Going to Samnaun under your own steam

For independant travel to Switzerland, compare accommodation only with Samnaun self-drive packages which include Eurotunnel or ferry.

Accomm-Only & Self-Drive

See driving directions to and from Samnaun in Switzerland.

Enter your start location and click "Get Directions" to view the route:

Samnaun Ski Holiday Resources

Need help choose your Samnaun ski holiday? Call us on 020 7770 6888 or click Enquire - we love to help!

Enquire

Similar Ski Resorts to Samnaun in Switzerland


Every Sno holiday packaged with flights is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. All our suppliers are ATOL bonded, so your money is safe. In addition to this, payments for your holiday are held in trust, by NatWest bank and the Travel Trust, who insure every booking against supplier failure.

tta tta

© 2025 SNO Group Ltd • company no. 5995288 • VAT no. 946 9394 63 SNO, Apsley House, 176 Upper Richmond Road, London, SW15 2SH.

Enquire
← online or call ↴
020 7770 6888
more
  • add new list