Skiing and snowboarding in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis: in the snowpark and on the freeride slopes
12 January 2022
A winter holiday in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, that sounds like classic carving on perfectly groomed pistes and a very family-friendly resort. But the winter wonderland in the Tyrolean Alps has a completely different side too! Freestyle and freeride fans get their money's worth here as well.
What makes the powder and the snowpark in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis so special? We let genuine scene insiders answer that question! Philipp and Christoph Kaar have been passionate outdoor filmmakers for over 10 years. They know not only what makes a spectacular freeride shot, but also what a perfect ski day in the snowpark and off-piste has to look like!
Winter in Fiss, great freedom and a pinch of adrenaline
Hotel Gebhard: In your films you capture the fascination of skiing and snowboarding away from the norm. Could you describe in words why the freestyle and freeride scene is drawing in more and more winter sports fans?
Philipp and Christoph: Pro athletes and beginners alike usually name that very special feeling of freedom as their biggest motivation. When skiing and snowboarding you are completely with yourself and your body and concentrate only on the moment. Your head is free of everyday worries. The impressive experiences of nature, mostly off-piste, also help you shed stress and recharge mentally.
This being-with-yourself is beautifully complemented by the sense of community, which is strong in our scene. Sitting together after the last run is naturally part of skiing and snowboarding for us! By the way, rather than blaring après-ski hits we much prefer to end the day with a good beer or a nice cocktail at the bar. (→ future link to the Gebhard bar menu)
Of course for many the adrenaline kick is also a reason to venture onto the bigger kickers in the snowpark or onto a steep powder slope. But you do not have to take big risks to discover these winter sports for yourself. In Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis there is something for every level. So even as a beginner you can collect great sporting experiences!
Hotel Gebhard: You film projects in the most varied winter and mountain settings, and yet you keep coming back to Fiss privately. What sets Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis apart from other ski areas?
Philipp and Christoph: For one thing it is certainly the incredible size of the ski area: with that many kilometres of piste it never gets boring. The different difficulty levels also allow a lovely shared ski day with friends and family members of very different skill levels. In our free time we do like to be out with our parents or the kids in the family, and in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis they get their money's worth too, while we do a few laps in the park.
That very park is of course a highlight for us too. The long run with its many jumps and obstacles at different levels is something special even for us spoilt Tyroleans. By the way, we like it best in spring, because it stays sunny for so long and the snow is usually already soft, so you can try out new tricks nicely.
Smart tips for freestyle and freeride beginners
Hotel Gebhard: Not everyone discovers freestyle and freeride as a teenager. What tips do you have for long-time piste skiers who want to venture into the snowpark or off-piste for the first time?
Philipp and Christoph: The first and most important tip is: stay safe! In the snowpark that means wearing a helmet and protectors and starting really small on the obstacles and jumps; we see most injuries when someone overestimates themselves or is already tired and unfocused. For freeriding an avalanche course is indispensable. And the right equipment with transceiver, airbag, shovel and probe absolutely must come along off-piste! Even though you can ride the marked freeride routes in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis comparatively safely, something can always go wrong.
Wellness in Fiss, relaxation after a long day off-piste
Hotel Gebhard: What tips do you have for recovery after skiing or snowboarding?
Philipp and Christoph: When you are a little frozen through and your muscles have been properly worked, there is nothing better than a sauna! We particularly like the spa area at Hotel Gebhard because it is clean, minimalist and never crowded.
After warming up it is time to refuel from within, with a good dinner! It should not be too fatty or heavy, though, so you sleep well afterwards and are properly rested the next day. The beds at the Gebhard help with that too: when you sink into one you can already feel you will wake up regenerated and motivated in the morning. And you take the anticipation of the legendary Gebhard breakfast under the covers with you…
Hotel Gebhard: Not every winter holiday is the same. What matters to you on a ski break of several days?
Philipp and Christoph: When we book a hotel for our ski holiday, we want to feel at home there. Like many of our generation we do not really see ourselves in kitschily decorated hotel giants. It matters to us that the atmosphere in our accommodation is laid-back and relaxed, but without seeming impersonal.
Almost only a small, fine boutique hotel like the Gebhard can meet those demands. Here you see the visual concept in every detail and sense that style and quality are as close to the Pregenzer family's heart as they are to ours. You feel a long way from the alpine kitsch and the forced hut party that otherwise puts us off a little at big ski resorts.
All the hard facts at a glance: the FAQ on skiing & snowboarding in Fiss
- When does the ski season start in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis? The exact season dates are on serfaus-fiss-ladis.at. Our house is open in winter from 10 December 2026 to 4 April 2027.
- How many pistes does Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis have? The ski area offers a total of 214 kilometres of groomed pistes! The 6 fun areas for freestylers offer obstacles like boxes, kickers, tubes, rails and jibs. Freeriders can choose between 12 routes in the surrounding terrain
- How high is Fiss? The village lies at 1,438 m and so offers some of the most reliable snow in Tyrol.
Related: Skiing in Fiss, Winter holidays, Rooms and rates
