Schruns, town, western Austria, on the Ill River at the mouth of the Litz Bach. Schruns and Tschagguns are two villages which in the course of time have grown together. The villages make the centre of the Montafon area.
Schruns ski resort - Silvretta Montafon ski area
Easy access to the ski area from Schruns is ensured by two cable cars (Hochjoch bahn 1 and Zamang bahn) directly on the boarder of the village. Schruns has two main ski areas: Kapellalpe and Grasjoch.
The Silvretta Nova area is snow-sure and has five of the resort’s most challenging runs. Ominously referred to as ‘Black Scorpions’, they reach a gradient of 80% at some points.
The lift pass "Montafon Brandnertal" is valid in seven different ski areas in the Montafon area (Silvretta Montafon, Hochjoch in Schruns, Nova in St. Gallenkirch, Garschurn, Gargelen and Golm) and therefore offers you access to a total of 297 km of piste inclusive 62 ski routes and 73 lift systems.
Silvretta Montafon skiing and snowboarding
Easy access to the ski area from Schruns is ensured by two cable cars (Hochjoch bahn 1 and Zamang bahn) directly on the boarder of the village. The Hochjoch Totale is a special feature among the pistes. With a length of 12 km, it is not only the longest downhill run in Vorarlberg and offers impressive views of the Montafon, but also the longest ski tunnel in the world - an absolute must-do for all winter sports enthusiasts.
In Schruns Kapellalpe&Hochjocj ski area, several slopes suited for advanced skiers seeking more challenging terrain and experiences.
Hochjoch, has one relatively short black run 'Black Scorpion' (3) from Sennigrat to the top of the Kapell chairlift, and although the marked runs are best for intermediates and beginners, there are good opportunities for skiing with a guide off-piste above the tree line including the wide open area to the right of the Sennigrat chairlift and between and around the pistes in the wide-open area between Kreuzjoch (2395m), Grasjoch (1975m) and Hochjoch (2520m). The steep couloirs above Herzsee are used to host extreme ski competitions, but otherwise are out of bounds.
Silvretta Nova’s well-groomed ski area (104km) is ideal for intermediates. The vast majority of the runs are red and blue, but there’s plenty more difficult stuff if you know where to look including a few black pistes, half a dozen ski routes and some easy off-piste for aspiring intermediates.
Montafon snowpark
Afterwards you can relax in the park base in the deck chairs with music and enjoy the view of the mountain peaks. Regular competitions and events also invite interested visitors to great shows.
Off-piste skiing
Apres ski
Schruns village
Designated a market town in 1927, the historic town centre of Schruns nowadays attracts visitors with a charming pedestrian precinct. The varied offer ranges from traditional costume boutiques and well-stocked specialist sports retailers to small shops with Montafon specialities and handicrafts. After going shopping, you can unwind on the beautiful promenade along the right and left banks of the Litz.
There’s a reasonable choice of restaurants and bars, but be prepared to seek them out, and good shops, which mainly satisfy day to day needs of the local community rather than concentrating on meeting the retail aspirations winter sports enthusiasts. Schruns has accommodation to suit all budgets including 4-star hotels such as Hotel Löwen and Hotel Taube which has long celebrated the fact that Ernst Hemingway stayed there for two consecutive winter seasons in 1926 and 1927.