Rio di Pusteria (BZ), 29 October 2026 — On 4 December, the winter season officially opens in the Gitschberg Jochtal ski area within the Rio Pusteria Ski & Alpine Pastures holiday area, in South Tyrol. This year's main new feature is the six-seater Gitsch chairlift, a state-of-the-art lift designed to make the ascent faster and more comfortable.
The new Gitsch chairlift: half the time and more comfort at altitude
The new automatic six-seater Gitsch chairlift takes half the time of the old lift, speeding up access to the upper part of the mountain. Heated seats, protective bubbles and individual footrests ensure a comfortable ascent even on the coldest days. With safety in mind, an artificial intelligence-based system has been introduced to monitor the boarding area and intervene when necessary. On arriving at the upper station, skiers have direct access to the Gitsch slope and the panoramic platform at 2,500 metres, offering splendid 360-degree views of the South Tyrolean Alps and the Dolomites.
On the slopes and beyond: South Tyrol's winter experiences
The 55 kilometres of slopes offer runs suitable for beginners and more experienced skiers alike, together with a variety of attractions to enrich a day on the snow. Near the Breiteben slope, the Kidscross course features bends, jumps and obstacles for improving technique while having fun. The Wastl Huber Speed Check measures descent time and speed, while Skimovie records skiers as they pass, allowing them to watch themselves on video. For children, there are two Gimmy Snowparks, equipped with slides, nets and snow games. The new Brunner lift has also been fitted with lighting specifically for night skiing. Away from the slopes, the Rodengo-Luson Alpine pasture offers beautiful cross-country skiing trails, while snowshoe outings and winter walks allow visitors to explore the landscape at a leisurely pace. For sledging enthusiasts, the Brimi Winter Run on Gitschberg is being extended with a new section descending towards the valley. Guests staying at participating accommodation also receive the Brixen Südtirol Guest Pass for the entire duration of their stay: the card includes the use of regional trains, scheduled buses and ski buses in South Tyrol, access to selected public lifts and cableways, various museums and a series of weekly activities, including guided snowshoe outings.
Sources and images: Rio Pusteria / smstudio press release, 29 October 2026. Complete editorial text in English translation; images supplied in the press folder.
