Sight-Skiing in the Alps: Seefeld & Seiser Alm
Traditional huts and barns dot Seiser Alm’s landscape beneath imposing Dolomite spires
Written by Nathan Miller, Lumi’s Guest Communications Manager
This past winter I had the opportunity to leave my home office in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to join parts of several Lumi trips in Europe at the peak of the winter season. After spending time in Planica, Slovenia skiing with guests on Lumi’s Slovenia Sight-Skiing trip, I headed west towards two of Lumi’s most popular ski destinations in Central Europe: Seefeld, Austria and Seiser Alm, Italy. Both regions feature prominently on many Lumi trips and I was excited to visit both and get a better feel for what makes each so special.
It’s hard to beat the views from the Seiser Alm trails!
The Landscapes
Flat trails and scenic mountains are the name of the game in Leutasch
Both Seefeld and Seiser Alm are dominated by impressive mountains in all directions. We’re not talking little bumps on the landscape that people call mountains, like is often the case in the Midwest. These are the real deal! If you’ve been craving spectacular scenery, you have to visit Seefeld and Seiser Alm.
Seefeld sits at around 4000’ in elevation and had no shortage of snow or scenic mountains to ogle at. The mountains in Seefeld were almost stereotypical in their beauty, with pointy, snow-covered summits lining the valleys of Leutasch as if they were drawn in by a child. It felt unreal at times to be able to ski right next to such giants. Although Leutasch is primarily dominated by open fields, the trails at Wildmoos are quite forested and a little more like home. Don’t get me wrong, there were still big mountain views too!
Seiser Alm, one of Italy’s largest high-altitude plateaus, has a minimum elevation of around 5600’ – a bit higher than Seefeld, but after a few days of skiing in Austria you’ll be fairly well acclimated to the greater elevations. That puts it in a sweet spot for winter sports, from alpine to cross country skiing. The Schlern, Sassolungo Group and other craggy Dolomite peaks surround the plateau and offer a seemingly endless variety of views. Down in the open fields where the trails are located are countless picturesque huts used by farmers and hikers in the summer months, providing a welcoming contrast to the imposing beauty that surrounded them. I found it took a long time to explore the Seiser Alm trails because I was stopping around every corner to take photos.
Views of the iconic Schlern formation at Seiser Alm can be found across the trail network
The Trails
Seefeld’s extensive trails have big views of the surrounding mountains and valleys
Two words: World class. Both locations have snowmaking capabilities that allow them to open as early as November, before natural snow takes over. The investment in the trails goes beyond having enough snow and excellent grooming though. I couldn’t help but notice how trails were designed in ways to maximize the views of the landscape. This was particularly true at Seiser Alm, where every sweeping bend of the trail would result in a new view of a quaint little hut or a not-so-distant Dolomite massif. I like my trails back home in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, but they just can’t compete with the stunning views these trails showcase.
Seiser Alm, one of Italy’s largest high-altitude plateaus, has a minimum elevation of around 5600’ – a bit higher than Seefeld, but after a few days of skiing in Austria you’ll be fairly well acclimated to the greater elevations. That puts it in a sweet spot for winter sports, from alpine to cross country skiing. The Schlern, Sassolungo Group and other craggy Dolomite peaks surround the plateau and offer a seemingly endless variety of views. Down in the open fields where the trails are located are countless picturesque huts used by farmers and hikers in the summer months, providing a welcoming contrast to the imposing beauty that surrounded them. I found it took a long time to explore the Seiser Alm trails because I was stopping around every corner to take photos.
No matter your skill level or technique, you’ll find excellent trails at Seefeld
Lumi’s hotel in Seefeld is directly across the street from the trails if you’d like to go for an early morning ski or another round before dinner. Other destinations in the area are just a few minutes away by ski bus. In the Leutasch valley, the trails are almost perfectly flat and great for any level of skier. Truly! I had the best double pole experience of my life as I zipped along on perfectly set tracks at nearly the speed that Klaebo can sprint uphill.
Watch the groomers clean up the Seefeld trails each evening from your hotel’s balcony
Enjoy a meal at one of the most eclectic trailside huts at the Wildmoos trails in Seefeld
Nearby, the Wildmoos trails offered more variety, with loops through the woods of all difficulty levels leaving from the main trailhead. That makes it perfect for couples or friends to split up before returning to the same point for a tasty trailside lunch in one of the wildest eateries I’ve been to. And if you’re up for more, you can take the scenic route home and ski right back to the hotel.
Similarly, Seiser Alm’s trails begin right outside your hotel in the village of Compatsch and don’t require any shuttling to reach. You can simply clip in across the street from your hotel and go for 5 km, 25 km or further if you’d like. They have flat loops for novice skiers and more challenging terrain for those who want to explore further. No matter your skill level, you’ll still get to enjoy the view – even if you’re a non-skier walking the trails or enjoying the golden sunset on the Dolomites from your hotel balcony.
Ski and explore the Seiser Alm plateau on several Lumi trips next winter
Everything else
Explore both Seefeld and Seiser Alm’s extensive walking trail networks
I was surprised at how plentiful the walking trails were at each trail network. For those who want to take a break from skiing or non-skiers who wish to join a trip, this would be a fantastic option because the walking trails reach all of the same locations that the ski trails do – including the trailside huts Lumi’s groups eat at. Speaking of which, the meals at these trailside huts are amazing, and not just because I had worked up an appetite after skiing all day. On Seiser Alm I had a hay soup made with locally-sourced grasses and wildflowers that was right up there with the most flavorful soups I’ve tried. The accompanying wildflower cocktail was deep and refreshing as well. In Seefeld, a Zirben Spritz after skiing Leutasch was mandatory.
Hay soup and wildflower cocktails are featured at one of our favorite trailside huts on Seiser Alm
How to visit
Lumi’s Seefeld & Seiser Alm trip visits both locations so you can experience the best of each with the help of expert local trip leaders. Don’t be like me and spend 20 minutes aimlessly looking for the trailhead at Seiser Alm! There is still limited space on our two January departures, while the March trip is now waitlist-only.
Lumi’s Tour de Ski trip in mid-January spends a few days in Seiser Alm after spectating its namesake races earlier in the week. Coupled with the chance to learn the art of making apple strudel with the kindest hoteliers in all of Cavalese, this trip is the perfect balance of beautiful skiing and up-close race action.
Want to add two stamps to your Worldloppet Passport and ski trails in three different countries on one 11-day trip? Lumi’s Marcialonga & König Ludwig Lauf trip has the opportunity to participate in two ski marathons on back-to-back weekends in Italy and Germany, along with skiing in Seefeld, Austria in between. Talk about a win-win.
Interested in cross country skiing through some of Italy and Austria’s most beautiful terrain? Reach out to reservations@lumiexperiences.com today to receive a detailed trip itinerary or to reserve your spot. We look forward to hearing from you!