Silvretta Montafon Overview

Silvretta Montafon - Hochjoch - Nova is located in Vorarlberg, western Austria, in the Montafon valley between the Hochjoch and Nova sectors. Access points include Schruns, St. Gallenkirch and Gaschurn, with the ski area set among the Silvretta and Verwall mountain scenery. The resort covers 320 ha, with around 141 km of pistes, 80 pistes and 35 lifts. Average annual snowfall is about 300 cm, supported by snowmaking on key parts of the ski area.

The piste mix is well suited to confident recreational skiers: around 53% of the pistes are intermediate, 40% advanced and 7% expert. Skiing ranges from about 860 m to 2,300 m, giving the area a good spread of long descents, open carving slopes and steeper sections for stronger skiers.

Families benefit from ski schools, INTERSPORT Rent, convenient base stations and mountain restaurants for easy breaks during the day. More ambitious skiers can aim for HochjochTotale, Snowpark Montafon, Race Area, Montafon Totale Ski and the Black Scorpions steep pistes. Silvretta Montafon - Hochjoch - Nova is a strong choice for visitors who want a modern Austrian ski area with scale, variety and a distinctly sporty feel.

Silvretta Montafon - Hochjoch - Nova is usually reached via Bludenz, then along the Montafon valley to Schruns, St. Gallenkirch or Gaschurn. By car, the main route is the A14 Rheintal/Walgau motorway followed by the B188 Montafonerstraße. The most useful airports are Zürich, Innsbruck, Friedrichshafen and Munich, with Zürich often working well for rail connections via Bludenz.

For train travel, Bludenz is the key gateway. From there, the Montafonerbahn runs to Schruns, with local buses and ski buses linking the valley villages to lift stations such as Hochjoch Bahn, Zamang Bahn, Valisera Bahn and Versettla Bahn. Train plus local transport is usually the best-value option, while hiring or driving a car is more convenient for families, groups and travellers staying away from the main village centres.

The terrain at Silvretta Montafon - Hochjoch - Nova links the Hochjoch and Nova sectors into one large ski area in the Montafon valley. Key lifts include Hochjoch Bahn, Zamang Bahn, Grasjoch Bahn, Valisera Bahn and Versettla Bahn, which connect the main access points with the higher slopes.

Beginners and families should start on the more manageable blue and red pistes in the accessible parts of Hochjoch and Nova. Ski schools, hire shops and mountain restaurants make it easy to shape the day around children or less experienced skiers.

Intermediates are especially well served. With around 53% of the pistes in the intermediate category, the area is ideal for longer linked runs, carving and exploring without committing to the steepest terrain.

Advanced skiers should make time for the Black Scorpions. These five official steep pistes, numbered 3, 5, 44, 54 and 65, reach gradients of up to 67% and are best tackled with good visibility, sharp edges and confident technique.

Snowpark Montafon adds freestyle variety with kickers, rails, boxes and lines for different ability levels. Race Area in Nova brings a competitive edge with speed check, parallel slalom, race cross and a kids’ race section.

The scenery is a major part of the experience: open alpine slopes, wide views over the Montafon valley and high mountain surroundings. More than half of the groomed pistes sit above 2,000 m, giving the upper mountain a spacious, high-alpine character.

Start early if you want the best piste conditions. First lifts usually begin around 08:30, and the opening runs on Hochjoch and Nova are often the smoothest of the day.

Plan HochjochTotale for the morning rather than the end of the day. As Vorarlberg’s longest descent, it is much more enjoyable when your legs are fresh and the lower sections are still in good shape.

If you like steep skiing, build your day around the Black Scorpions. Pistes 3, 5, 44, 54 and 65 are the official steep runs in the ski area, with gradients up to 67%, so treat them as short, focused challenges rather than casual connectors.

Montafon Totale Ski is the big full-day target. With 45 km of pistes, 20 lifts and 10,000 vertical metres, it suits strong skiers who want to cover the resort properly without repeating the same piste.

Snowpark Montafon is worth a visit even if you are not a dedicated freestyler. The mix of kickers, rails, boxes and varied lines makes it a good change of rhythm for snowboarders, teenagers and playful skiers.

Race Area in Nova is a fun mid-morning stop. The speed check, parallel slalom, race cross and kids’ race elements make it especially good for mixed groups who want a bit of competition without leaving the prepared pistes.

After fresh snow, aim for the early hours and stay within open, safe terrain. Silvretta Montafon has a strong freeride reputation, but off-piste skiing should only be approached with the right equipment, experience and avalanche awareness.

For lunch, choose your stop based on where you are already skiing. Nova Stoba is practical in the Nova sector, while Valisera Hüsli and Hanglage work well around Valisera Bahn.

For the best views, stay high on clear days. The upper slopes above 2,000 m show off the Montafon valley and surrounding peaks at their most impressive.

Do not leave the return too late. The ski area is large, so finishing towards Hochjoch Bahn, Zamang Bahn, Valisera Bahn or Versettla Bahn in good time makes the end of the day much easier.