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Vouchers News 18.9.2026
Start of the season in Samnaun: Hit the slopes from 26 November
Kick-off to the 2026/27 winter season
An early start to the winter season: On Thursday 26 November 2026, the Silvretta Ski-Arena Samnaun/Ischgl will open for the 2026/27 winter season. The season runs until 2 May 2027. With 239 kilometres of slopes and 45 cable cars and lifts, the ski area connects Samnaun in Switzerland with Ischgl in Austria. The national border is crossed right in the middle of the ski area.
The start of the season also brings a visible innovation on the Samnaun side: the comprehensively modernised Twinliner L1 is returning to service. The double-decker cable car connects Samnaun-Ravaisch with the Alp Trider Sattel at 2,500 metres, making it one of the most important access points to the Silvretta Ski Arena.
New cabins for the Twinliner
The double-decker cable car, built in 1995, underwent extensive refurbishment in the summer of 2026. Both cabins were replaced, and the cable car control system and the automatic platform doors were technically upgraded. The infrastructure at the stations was also upgraded. The system is now designed to operate with unmanned cabins. The two new cabins each accommodate 170 passengers, with a transport capacity of 1,530 passengers per hour.
The start of the 2026/27 season therefore marks not only a return to the ski slopes, but also a further step towards modernisation in the ski resort. On the Austrian side, the new 8-seater Höllkar C2 chairlift will also be added in winter 2026/27. It complements the already modernised Höllboden C1 and Sassgalun C3 lifts.
Modern infrastructure, ongoing projects
Greater comfort, state-of-the-art technology and a great start to your visit to the Ski-Arena: if you’d like to find out what other projects are shaping Samnaun/Ischgl now and in the coming seasons, you’ll find all the latest developments in the ski resort here.
Excellent conditions for an early skiing holiday
The fact that winter sports are already possible on a large scale by the end of November is down to the Silvretta Ski Arena’s altitude and snow-making infrastructure. 90 per cent of the slopes are above 2,000 metres, and around 95 per cent of the slopes can be covered with artificial snow. Around 1,200 snow cannons and lances are available for this purpose.
In the latest review by Test von Skiresort.de, Samnaun/Ischgl achieved an overall rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars and a total of 19 awards. For 2026, the Silvretta Ski Arena is listed as a 5-star ski resort and is, amongst other things, the test winner in the ‘snow reliability’ category. The portal awards snow reliability itself the top rating of 5 stars.
Smuggling on skis between two countries
Just two days after the first day of skiing, the 5th Samnaun Smugglers` Trophy takes place on Saturday 28 November. This team event playfully explores the history of cross-border smuggling in the Samnaun Valley. Participants set off on skis, snowboards or telemark skis in the Silvretta Ski Arena, transporting contraband between Switzerland and Austria. Along the way, there are checkpoints, tasks and encounters with customs officers. As well as confident skiing, the event requires, above all, team spirit, skill and a good strategy.
For one day, the cross-border ski area itself becomes a playing field, offering a unique way to experience the connection between Samnaun and Ischgl.
Straight from a day’s skiing to the winter opening
Following the Schmuggler Trophy, the season opener continues in the heart of Samnaun village. From 4 pm, DJ Tom Moser will be providing the music, and at 5.45 pm the German band ROCK ANTENNE will take to the stage. The Winter Opening is a free open-air concert in the Nevada car park.
This means you can enjoy the first winter weekend in Samnaun from start to finish – from a day’s skiing and the Schmuggler Trophy right through to the concert. Anyone wishing to get an early start to the 2026/27 winter season in Samnaun can hit the slopes from 26 November and combine the weekend of 28 November with sport, team activities and live music.
