Tyrolean quality seal showcases Guarantee of quality for winter sports facilities
Quality seal awarded to Tyrolean ski resorts, natural toboggan runs and cross-country ski trail areas
- 14 ski resorts, 14 natural toboggan runs and 14 cross-country ski trail areas received awards or renewals of their quality seals.
- A total of 58 ski resorts, 70 natural toboggan runs and 36 cross-country ski trail areas bear the Tyrolean quality seal.
Overview of newly awarded winter sports facilities
- Muttereralm ski resort
- Natural toboggan run Feldringalm – Sattele in Silz/Haiming
- Pleisenhütte natural toboggan run in Axams
- Natural toboggan run Innervillgraten Kalkstein 1
- Natural toboggan run Innervillgraten Kalkstein 2
- Lavant cross-country skiing area
- Matreier Tauernhaus cross-country ski area
- Cross-country skiing area Innervillgraten
- Kaunertal cross-country ski area with sled skiing
The quality seals of the State of Tyrol recognize the quality of local winter sports facilities, such as ski resorts, natural toboggan runs, and cross-country ski trails. In addition to quality, safety plays a crucial role in the awarding of these seals. Users of the certified facilities can be assured that the quality and safety standards are met and have been certified accordingly by the State of Tyrol. Deputy Governor and Sports Minister Philip Wohlgemuth emphasizes: “Winter sports are a way of life in Tyrol – for the local population and visitors from all over the world. The quality seal guarantees a high level of safety. It underscores the quality and diversity of our winter sports facilities.”
“The awarding of these quality seals underscores Tyrol’s consistent commitment to the highest standards in service and safety – a benefit for both our local population and our guests. These awards strengthen trust in Tyrol as an economic and tourism region and underscore our claim to be one of the leading winter sports destinations. Quality and safety are important pillars of regional quality of life and economic strength for us,” said Mario Gerber, Regional Minister for Economic Affairs and Tourism.
Reinhard Klier, spokesperson for the Tyrolean cable car industry, echoes this sentiment: “Tyrol is the number one winter sports destination – not only because of its ideal alpine conditions, but above all because our businesses consistently invest in quality, safety and comfort. The quality seal is a well-deserved confirmation of this commitment and a clear signal to our guests: On Tyrol's slopes, cross-country trails and toboggan runs, the whole package is just right.”
Tyrol with numerous excellent winter sports facilities
Newly awarded this year were one ski resort (Muttereralm ski resort), four natural toboggan runs (Feldringalm – Sattele natural toboggan run in Silz/Haiming, Pleisenhütte natural toboggan run in Axams, Innervillgraten Kalkstein 1 natural toboggan run, and Innervillgraten Kalkstein 2 natural toboggan run), and four cross-country ski trail areas (Lavant cross-country ski trail area, Matreier Tauernhaus cross-country ski trail area, Innervillgraten cross-country ski trail area, and Kaunertal cross-country ski trail area with sled cross-country skiing). The certification was renewed for 13 ski resorts, ten natural toboggan runs, and ten cross-country ski trails. Across Tyrol, there are currently 58 ski resorts, 70 natural toboggan runs, and 36 cross-country ski trail areas that meet the relevant criteria, thus guaranteeing the highest level of quality and safety.
Tyrolean quality seal with decades of tradition
The Tyrolean piste quality seal has stood for the high standard of local winter sports facilities since the 1970s. Ski slopes were first awarded the seal in 1977, and in 1981 it was also introduced for exemplary cross-country ski trail areas. Natural toboggan runs were added to the award in 2008.
Operators of winter sports facilities applying for the award are inspected by experts from the Tyrolean State Sports Department. Numerous criteria, including safety precautions at hazardous locations, regular grooming and maintenance, and uniform marking and signage, constitute the basic requirements. In addition to these aspects, the correct difficulty classification of the facilities in question also plays a crucial role and is evaluated during the inspection. Further requirements for ski resorts include a ski patrol, high-quality panoramic information boards with avalanche warning lights, and well-organized access points to cable cars and lifts.
New this year is the award for sled cross-country skiing areas, specifically those that are particularly committed to inclusion for sled cross-country skiers. The Kössen-Schwendt-Walchsee cross-country skiing area of the Kaiserwinkl Tourism Association, the Praxmar-Lüsens cross-country skiing area of the Innsbruck Tourism Association and its holiday villages, the Stubai cross-country skiing area of the Stubai Tirol Tourism Association, and the Kaunertal cross-country skiing area of the Tiroler Oberland Tourism Association are distinguished by this additional quality.
"Personal responsibility of each and every individual is essential"
“The quality seal of the state of Tyrol represents the optimal conditions that a local winter sports facility can offer. Equally important, however, is the personal responsibility of each and every individual – this includes not only safety equipment such as helmets and more, but also honest self-assessment,” concludes Deputy Governor Wohlgemuth.
