Frequent questionsFAQs
We have summarised the most frequently asked questions regarding our winter sports offer for you. Here you will find information about our kids courses and adult courses as well as answers to general questions. We hope to have answered all your questions. You are welcome to contact us via email or by telephone on +43 5413 85000.
We wish you lots of fun and success on your next skiing holiday in Pitztal!
Do the children need a helmet?
The ski school recommends that all children wear helmets.
From what age do children need a ski pass?
The ski course ticket is not a lift pass!
ALL children need a lift pass as soon as they go to the lift with the ski instructor. Advanced children from day 1. Beginners, depending on progress, usually from the second or third day.
Children born in 2017 or later receive a free pass at the lift ticket offices (photo ID required!). Note: Only from a multi-day pass for Gletscher/Rifflsee (from 2 days onwards) is the practice lift in Mandarfen included, so we recommend getting the free pass for several days right away.
My child was born in 2016 or earlier? Which ski pass is recommended?
Our tip: Purchase a multi-day pass for the entire ski area (Rifflsee/Gletscher) directly, as this includes the practice lift in Mandarfen. When purchasing online early, you also benefit from attractive discounts.
Beginners/Lightly Advanced:
For beginners, a lift pass is only required when they switch from the conveyor belt to the button lift. Therefore, you can also buy the lift pass at that time. A day ticket for the practice lift (available at Restaurant Burgerstadl) is sufficient as long as the children only use this lift. However, note that this ticket is only valid there, and a switch to the Rifflsee or Gletscher ski areas is not possible. If you or your child's ski instructor plan a switch, the children need a multi-day pass for Rifflsee/Gletscher. Otherwise, you will need to purchase two separate tickets, which leads to higher costs.
For slightly advanced children, where there is uncertainty on the first day about whether a switch to the steeper slopes at Rifflsee/Gletscher is possible, you can wait for the classification and discuss with the ski instructor which ticket is appropriate.
Due to variable online discounts, we cannot say for sure whether waiting is the more cost-effective option. Moreover, it is usually less stressful to have everything organized from the beginning. Nonetheless, we hope that with this information, you find the best option for you and your child.
Advanced Children:
For children with ski levels red, black, or blue, who can already ski at Rifflsee or Gletscher, we always recommend a multi-day pass.
Please note: If your child does not have a valid ski pass for the respective ski area, we must assign them to a less advanced group to avoid delays in the course.
Is there childcare for the very young?
Unfortunately, there is no kindergarten, i.e. we only accept children with ski equipment for the ski course.
Are there children's ski courses with lunch supervision and how does it work?
Children and Bambini with lunch supervision receive a child-friendly lunch including a drink from our ski instructors and are supervised during the lunch break 12.00 noon - 1.15 p. m.
We ask for your understanding that we unfortunately cannot accept children with food allergies for lunch supervision.
There is only a limited number of places available.
My child has a food allergy. Can it still be looked after at lunchtime?
It is possible for children to bring their own food and still be looked after by our ski instructors for a small additional charge (€ 8). But please check with the office in advance.
Can the lunchtime supervision also be booked for individual days only?
There is no guarantee. But if there are places available and you are not sure at the beginning whether your child would like to eat with the group, you can also book lunchtime supervision on site on a daily basis.
Where does the lunchtime supervision take place?
Lunch supervision takes place in Hotel Zirbenhof in Mandarfen.
Do you also go to the toilet with the children?
Yes, of course. Our ski instructors are of course helpful here and remind the younger ones in particular to go to the toilet. If you do not agree with this, please inform the ski instructor before the start of the course.
What criteria are used for the course classification?
The classification is made in 4 levels: Green, Blue, Red, Black. You can find the criteria under Bambini & Kids. Often, the individual skill levels are further subdivided, resulting in multiple green groups, multiple blue groups, etc. If a classification doesn't fit perfectly at some point, it is of course possible to switch groups.
Can our children be in a group together?
In our ski school, children are primarily placed in groups according to their skiing ability. So if your children or friends of your children are at the same level of skiing, please let us know your wish when you put them in the group on the first day and we will try our best!
If the children are not at the same skiing level and absolutely want to be in the same group, then the children will be assigned to the group that suits the less experienced child.
Bambinis (aged 3-4) are grouped separately.
From what age can children attend a ski course?
Participation in a course is possible from the age of 3. For 3-4 year old children there is the possibility to learn skiing in a playful way in our bambini courses. From experience we can say that 2 hours per day is sufficient. Booking on-site is possible depending on the recommendation of the ski instructor and availability.
If you are unsure, we recommend that you first book a trial day (half or full day possible). View more information about kids courses.
Why don't we offer a trial day for Bambinis?
Bambinis are difficult to gauge - sometimes they're interested, sometimes not. Even after a trial day, it cannot be guaranteed that they will last the entire week. Therefore, we have introduced a uniform daily rate for Bambinis. This allows parents to book their Bambinis on a day-to-day basis.
What is the difference between a trial course and a normal ski course?
The only difference is that this card is a price concession. The trial day is credited to the normal course tariff in the event of an extension.
Can the taster course be booked more often?
No. The children's taster day (for beginners only) can only be booked once and will be credited to an extension of at least 2 days.
Can our children (from 6 years) also attend the ski school on a half-day basis?
In principle, we also offer half-day courses for all children. As it is also understandable that parents want to ski together with their children.
However, the course structure is geared to the whole day and the learning success achieved in half-day courses is out of all proportion to the full-day course. Therefore, we do not recommend half-day courses.
At least for beginners and slightly advanced learners, it is important that they take part in the full-day course so that they do not lose touch with the group.
From what age can my child learn to snowboard?
In the group from 8 years, private lessons are possible earlier.
Is there a ski race?
Yes, our children's ski race always takes place on the last day of the course (Friday) at the beginners lift in Mandarfen.
Can my child take part in the ski race if it is not or no longer in the course?
Yes, for an entry fee of € 8 per child, non-course participants can also take part in the ski race.
What languages do the children's ski instructors speak?
Most of our instructors speak German and English, some also Dutch or French. However, as the grouping is based on skiing ability and not on language, we cannot always accommodate language needs.
I have booked courses online. Do I still have to go to the office to pick up the tickets and the children's safety vest?
Not necessarily. Have you booked a course for your child aged 5 and above? Please cut out the course ticket from your confirmation and bring it to the meeting point. You can collect the safety vests directly at the Bambiniland, next to the red container. Deposit: €10 per vest (cash payment only). Distribution: Sunday to Friday, 09:40 - 10:00 am.
Have you booked a course for your Bambini (aged 3-4)? Then we ask you to pick up the vest and the course ticket from the office.
Where do the group courses take place?
The meeting point for the group courses is every day at the beginners lift / village lift in Mandarfen. For advanced groups, the ski instructors decide where to ski with the respective groups (glacier / Riffelsee) and inform you the day before or at the latest the same day in the morning. Beginners stay on the beginners lift for the first few days.
To our meeting point overview
Can I make it in time if my child and I attend a ski course?
The adult courses take place at the same time as the children's morning sessions. Children can be dropped off starting from 9:40 a.m. This allows parents or guardians to arrive punctually for their ski lesson at 10:00 a.m.
At least on the first day, both meeting points are located in close proximity to each other at the beginner's lift in Mandarfen.
Can I also book only one day?
All group courses are set up for the entire duration of the course, so you need to book at least 2 days for the adult courses. You then also have the advantage of extending at the extension rates.
Which ski pass is required?
The ski school ticket is not a lift ticket.
Beginner:
Beginner courses start at the practice lift in Mandarfen. As soon as you switch from the beginner area to the lift, you will need at least a ticket for the practice lift in Mandarfen.
Our Tip: Purchase a multi-day pass for the entire ski area (Rifflsee / Glacier) directly, which includes the beginner's lift in Mandarfen. When you buy early online, you can also take advantage of attractive discounts.
If you're unsure about purchasing a multi-day pass: Beginners, who are skiing for the first time, typically use only the beginner's lift in Mandarfen on their first day. Therefore, a lift ticket for just the beginner's lift would be sufficient for that day. However, please note: Half-day, full-day, and one-and-a-half-day tickets are valid only for the specific ski area. Only with a multi-day ticket "Gletscher/Rifflsee" of 2 days or more are all three ski areas (beginner's lift, Rifflsee, and Glacier) included. If your ski instructor changes the ski area during the lesson or if you are considering changing the ski area yourself, a multi-day pass is already required.
Slightly Advanced (blue) and Advanced (red):
For the red ski level, a multi-day pass is definitely required.
In slightly advanced groups (blue), this varies depending on the group's level. Some groups go directly to Rifflsee, while others stay at the practice lift on the first or second day. In this case, you should decide whether to wait for the group assignment or purchase a multi-day pass directly.
If you choose a day ticket: Please consult with your ski instructor in advance for the second day to determine which slopes you will be skiing and what type of lift pass you will need.
Due to variable online discounts, we cannot say for sure whether waiting is the more cost-effective option. Moreover, it is usually less stressful to have everything organized from the beginning. Nonetheless, we hope that with this information, you find the best option for you.
Single rates - Beginner's lift in Mandarfen - Tickets available at "Restaurant Burgerstadl" - valid only at the beginner's lift.
My course has been cancelled. Do I get a refund?
Courses cancelled due to force majeure will not be replaced. An alternative programme is possible. In principle, all courses take place in all weather conditions.
When can a course be cancelled / rebooked?
Outdoor activities are always dependent on the weather, snow conditions and avalanche situation and can be cancelled or rebooked if necessary.
If there are less than 4 participants registrated for a course.
I have suffered an injury. Do I get a refund?
A cost refund due to injury or illness is only possible with a doctor's certificate.
Can I hire equipment directly or does the ski school work together with a sports shop?
Equipment has to be rented separately and is not included in the ski school rate. We recommend the sports shops Intersport Huter (Glacier shop is closed on Thursday), PitzRentTal in Mandarfen or Skiverleih Kirschner in Piösmes. However, there are no special conditions for ski course participants in any sports shop.Please check the opening hours of sports shops in advance, as rest days are not uncommon.
In addition to the standard skiing equipment (skis, ski boots, & poles), we recommend a helmet and ski goggles. Beginner children and Bambinis do not yet need poles. For additional safety, snowboarders can use back protectors and wrist guards.
Can we book a ski course together as a family?
With a private family ski instructor, all participants should be at the same skiing level. Otherwise the course will be adapted to the weakest participant. We do not recommend that adults and small children (under 10 years of age) attend a joint ski course, as different teaching styles are used in the courses for adults and children.
For a good learning experience it makes more sense to attend separate ski courses. If you would still like to book a joint course, then a family ski course is recommended more for advanced skiers or as ski guiding.
Why can't I book a family ski instructor online?
As already explained in the previous answer, some questions (same ski level? age?) should be clarified before booking so that we can achieve a perfect learning success for all participants during the ski course. If you would like to book a family ski instructor, we will be happy to advise you in our offices, by telephone on +43 5413 85000 or by email.
Where and when does the course allocation take place?
The allocation takes place on the first day of the course at the respective meeting point.
To our meeting point overview
Do courses also take place on the Hochzeiger?
No, as the Hochzeiger has a separate ski school, no courses from our ski school take place there.
Is it possible to book a group course only on the glacier?
No, for various reasons* the meeting points of the group courses are always in Mandarfen. The ski instructors decide where (Rifflsee / glacier) they will take the respective groups and inform you the day before or at the latest the same day in the morning.
*In case of bad weather or wind, courses on the glacier are not possible, some parents or grandparents do not have a ski pass, transport with the glacier express is time-consuming, etc.
Exception: Only when the beginners lift in Mandarfen is not in operation (autumn or end of April), all courses take place on the glacier.
From how many participants does a group course take place?
The group course takes place with a minimum of 4 participants. If a group is less than 4 participants the ski school has the right to put smaller groups together, change the course times or cancel the lessons.
Can I join a course every day?
Please see the note on new entry for the respective course offer on our website.
Are there classes on Saturdays as well?
Private lessons are possible on Saturdays, there are no group courses.
When do the courses take place?
- Bambini courses: 10 a. m. - 12 noon or 1.15 p. m. - 3.15 p. m.
- Kids: 10 a. m. - 12 noon and/or 1.15 p. m. - 3.15 p. m.
- Adult courses: 10 a. m. - 12 noon
- Snowboard: beginner 10 a. m. - 12 noon | advanced 1.15 p. m. - 3.15 p. m.
During the main holiday periods (Christmas, Carnival, Easter) the course times for private courses are 9 a. m. - 11 a. m., 11.15 a. m. - 1.15 Up. m. and 1.30 p. m. - 3.30 p. m.
Can I also book a group course after Easter?
Group courses after Easter only take place on request and if there are enough participants.
Do group courses take place before Christmas?
We offer group courses one week before Christmas holidays. You can find further information in our autumn offer.
How early do I need to book a private ski instructor?
Basically, the earlier the better. Especially if you want to book a specific private instructor. You can already make the reservation from home, via email or through our online shop. Booking directly at our offices on-site is certainly possible, however, availability cannot be guaranteed in this case.
Why can't I book a private course online for my child (3-5 years)?
Because we usually achieve better learning success with kids of this age in a group course. We would like to advise you on this in advance. In addition, our private Bambini ski teachers are not always available, so please enquire in advance.
Is an advance payment required for the private lessons?
When making a reservation for a private course, a deposit of 50% of the costs must be paid in advance. In the event of no-show or late cancellation, this will be charged as a cancellation fee.
Do I have to book the ski course in advance?
Please note that both group courses and private courses can be fully booked! Or if there are no registrations, courses are not taken into account and cannot take place.! We therefore recommend that you book early via our online shop or make a reservation by email. A short-term booking in our offices on site is of course also possible, but ski school places cannot be guaranteed.
When booking a taster day online, an extension on site is ALWAYS possible.
Where can I book the course?
In the online shop, by email or in one of our ski school offices on side.
Do I have to buy the ski school ticket in advance?
Yes, a valid course ticket must be handed over to the ski instructor on the 1st day of the course.
Can I pay with a credit card?
In addition to cash and EC card, we also accept all major credit cards.
Are ski passes included in the ski school prices?
No, the ski passes are not included in the price and must be purchased separately from the mountain railways. (The ski school ticket is not a lift ticket)
Can I also use the beginners lift with my glacier / Rifflsee ski pass?
If you have purchased a multi-day pass (minimum 2 days) for Glacier / Rifflsee, you can also use it for the beginner's lift in Mandarfen. Half-day tickets, 1-day tickets, and 1.5-day tickets from Glacier or Rifflsee are not valid for the beginner's lift.
Tickets for the beginner's lift, available at Restaurant Burgerstadl, are only valid for the beginner's lift.
Our Tip: Purchase a multi-day pass for the entire ski area (Rifflsee / Glacier) directly, which includes the beginner's lift in Mandarfen. When you buy early online, you can also take advantage of attractive discounts.
Please note: If you want to switch from Mandarfen to Rifflsee or Glacier during the day, a multi-day pass for Glacier/Rifflsee is already required. Otherwise, you will need to purchase two separate tickets, which leads to higher costs.
Can I cancel free of charge?
Cancellations due to illness or injury with a doctor's certificate and up to 30 days before the start of the service are also FREE of charge.
What are the cancellation fees?
- 30 days before service - free of charge
- 29 days to 7 days before service - 50% of the total price
- 6 days or less before service - 100% of the total price
We ask for your understanding that a handling fee of € 10 is always charged for remittances.
Can I also arrange a different meeting point with the ski instructor?
In principle, our meeting points are fixed, as new course participants usually join us every day. If you or your children already belong to a group, other meeting points can be arranged with the ski instructor.
Example: The ski instructor knows that he will definitely be going to the glacier the next day, then he can also pick you or your children up at the glacier at 10 a. m.
Please note, however, that this must always be agreed with your ski instructor and that there may also be time delays with other meeting points.
Can I extend the course?
Yes, this is possible at the extension rate. For children you can extend your course after the 3rd day, for adults and snowboarders after the 2nd day.
If a group is reduced to less than 4 participants, the ski school reserves the right to combine the groups or to shorten the number of lessons.
Please note: There is no extension to the normal rate.
Is it possible to skip a day?
In principle, yes. However, it is better to attend the course days one after the other. This is because the groups continue with the programme and something new is learned every day. After skipping a lesson, it might be necessary to change groups.
If you would like to skip a day, this must always be clarified with the ski school office or the respective ski instructor.
