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Vouchers 28th November 2026
5th Smuggler Trophy
Speed isn't what matters here. What's important is team spirit, skill, knowledge, creativity, and safe skiing through the resort.
How the Smuggler's Trophy Works
You’ll start as a team and receive your smuggler’s pass and game materials. Then you’ll follow your assigned route through the ski resort.
Various tasks await you at the mandatory checkpoints. Correct answers and successfully completed tasks earn you smuggler’s coins. At exchange points, the contraband changes hands. Along the way, roaming customs officers may also stop and check you.
At the finish line, your Smuggler’s Pass, collected coins, and contraband will be checked. The teams with the highest scores on their respective routes will take the podium at the end.
Which route is right for you?
When you register, you'll choose between two options. Both will be scored separately.
| The Original | The Noubl | |
|---|---|---|
| Character | The Complete Smuggler's Trophy | The more compact version |
| Extent | A longer route with more checkpoints | A shorter route with fewer checkpoints |
| Suitable for | Teams that want to experience as many aspects of the Trophy as possible | Teams that prefer a shorter version |
| Specifically | Additional formation riding in front of a panel of judges | No formation driving |
| Rating | Personal Rankings | Personal Rankings |
| | Character | Extent | Suitable for | Specifically | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Original | The Complete Smuggler's Trophy | A longer route with more checkpoints | Teams that want to experience as many aspects of the Trophy as possible | Additional formation riding in front of a panel of judges | Personal Rankings |
| The Noubl | The more compact version | A shorter route with fewer checkpoints | Teams that prefer a shorter version | No formation driving | Personal Rankings |
Who can participate?
You’re ready for the Smugglers’ Trophy if:
- there are at least two of you,
- at least one person on the team is 18 years of age or older,
- all team members can ski red runs safely, in a controlled manner, and independently,
- you’re skiing, snowboarding, or telemark skiing,
- you’re wearing a winter sports helmet.
Minors may participate. For minors, consent from a parent or legal guardian is required.
Entry fee and ski pass
The entry fee is CHF 60 per team. The entry fee must be paid in advance at the Samnaun Visitor Information Center.
To participate in the event at the ski resort, each team member must have a valid ski pass. This is not included in the entry fee and must be purchased separately.
Show off your smuggler style
If you’d like, come dressed in a costume that fits the smuggler theme and enter the special “Most Original Outfit” contest.
At the start, you’ll have 30 seconds to present your team to a three-person jury. The following criteria will be evaluated:
- Relevance to the smuggler theme
- Creativity and originality
- Overall team presentation
- Effort and execution.
The outfit competition is optional and does not affect your overall athletic score.
Here's what you can win
The prizes will be awarded in the form of Samnaun gift certificates.
| Rating | 1st place | 2nd place | 3rd place |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Original | CHF 600 | CHF 300 | CHF 200 |
| The Noubl | CHF 400 | CHF 250 | CHF 150 |
| Most Original Outfit | CHF 300 | CHF 200 | CHF 100 |
| Rating | The Original | The Noubl | Most Original Outfit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st place | CHF 600 | CHF 400 | CHF 300 |
| 2nd place | CHF 300 | CHF 250 | CHF 200 |
| 3rd place | CHF 200 | CHF 150 | CHF 100 |
Show off your smuggling adventure
There is also an optional social media giveaway. Post a public Instagram Reel by 3:00 p.m. on November 28, 2026:
- in portrait orientation,
- 10 to 30 seconds long,
- related to the Smuggler’s Trophy,
- and tagging @samnaun_ch.
A Samnaun gift certificate worth CHF 300 will be raffled off among all valid entries at the awards ceremony. Participation is optional and does not affect your Trophy standings.
Programme
| item on the programme | Time |
|---|---|
| Welcome and briefing | around 9.30 a.m. |
| Start of the Smugglers’ Trophy | around 9.45 a.m. |
| Target aperture | 3.00 p.m. |
| Target deadline | 4.00 p.m. |
| Awards ceremony | 5.00 p.m. |
| Winter Opening Concert (free admission) | 5.45 p.m. |
| item on the programme | Welcome and briefing | Start of the Smugglers’ Trophy | Target aperture | Target deadline | Awards ceremony | Winter Opening Concert (free admission) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time | around 9.30 a.m. | around 9.45 a.m. | 3.00 p.m. | 4.00 p.m. | 5.00 p.m. | 5.45 p.m. |
Safety first
The Smugglers’ Trophy is an experience, not a race. Adjust your speed at all times to suit your ability and the snow, weather, visibility and slope conditions.
Helmets are compulsory. Signage, closures and instructions from the ski lift operators and event staff must be followed. Participation is at your own risk. Insurance and personal equipment are the responsibility of the participants.
And what if the weather isn’t on our side?
The competition organisers may adjust the route, individual checkpoints or tasks due to weather, snow conditions, lift operations or for safety reasons.
If the pass to Ischgl or relevant facilities near the border are closed, the Trophy will be held in the valley as a Plan B, with checkpoints in Samnaun and the surrounding area.
Celebrate the start of the season with us - concert included
After the award ceremony, Samnaun rocks: join us for the “ROCK ANTENNE” winter opening! Enjoy an evening of live music under the open sky, warm drinks, and a great atmosphere.
FAQ zur 5. Schmuggler-Trophy
Who can take part in the Smuggler Trophy?
Anyone who can ski, snowboard or telemark safely, confidently and independently on red pistes can take part. A team must consist of at least two people, with no maximum team size. At least one person per team must be aged 18 or over.
Can children and families take part?
Yes. Children and teenagers can take part provided they can ski or snowboard safely and independently on red pistes. Each team must include at least one adult aged 18 or over. There is no separate family ranking.
How and by when can we register?
Registration is online via the official registration form and is open until 21 November 2026. The entry fee is CHF 60 per team and should, if possible, be paid at the Samnaun Guest Information Office by the day before the event. In addition, each participant needs a valid ski pass for the Silvretta Ski Arena Samnaun/Ischgl.
Where are the meeting point and start?
The meeting point for registration, the briefing and the start is at Alptrider Sattel, by the mountain station of the double-decker cable car. The briefing starts at around 9.30 am, followed by staggered starts from around 9.45 am.
What is the difference between «Das Original» and «Die Noubl»?
«Das Original» is the longer route with more checkpoints, while «Die Noubl» is the shorter option with fewer checkpoints. You choose your preferred route when registering. The two categories are ranked separately.
How does the Smuggler Trophy work?
You follow a predefined route and visit a number of compulsory checkpoints. Along the way, you complete knowledge, sensory, estimation and skill challenges to collect Smuggler Coins. At selected checkpoints, you also exchange smuggled goods as part of the game. Your Smuggler Pass is used to record your progress and results.
Does the time taken matter?
No. There is no time-based ranking in the Smuggler Trophy. The finish in Samnaun Dorf opens at 3.00 pm, and arriving earlier does not give you an advantage. The finish closes at 4.00 pm.
Is there somewhere to eat along the route?
Yes. Participants can enjoy a discounted lunch at Restaurant Salaas in the Silvretta Ski Arena. This gives you the chance to take a break and refuel before continuing to the remaining checkpoints.
Is there a prize for the most original outfit?
Yes. The special «Most Original Outfit» category is separate from the sporting competition. The jury assesses the connection to the smuggling theme, creativity and originality, the team’s overall appearance, as well as effort and execution.
What prizes can we win?
In «Das Original», the top three teams receive Samnaun vouchers worth CHF 600, CHF 300 and CHF 200. In «Die Noubl», the prizes are CHF 400, CHF 250 and CHF 150. The top three teams in the outfit category also receive prizes. The award ceremony takes place at 5.00 pm in Samnaun Dorf.
Is there a social media prize draw?
Yes. Anyone who posts a public Instagram Reel about the Smuggler Trophy by 3.00 pm and tags @samnaun_ch will be entered into a prize draw for a CHF 300 Samnaun voucher. Taking part in the social media prize draw has no influence on the competition ranking.
What happens in bad weather or if lift operations are restricted?
The event organisers may adapt routes, checkpoints or challenges depending on the weather, snow conditions and lift operations. If the crossing to Ischgl or important lifts are not open, the Smuggler Trophy will take place in Samnaun and the surrounding area according to the alternative plan. Any changes will be communicated during the briefing or via the official event channels.
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Smuggling history you can touch
For decades, smuggling took place between Samnaun and Paznaun in Tyrol: butter, cheese, furs, saccharin, coffee, tobacco, and much more. The paths were steep, dangerous, and often took 6–7 hours to traverse. Customs officers lay in wait, but those who were fast, brave, and resourceful had the upper hand. Today, this history lives on in the event – in a playful, creative, and safe way.
You can find information about the history of smuggling here.