The alpine plateaus around Merano/Meran are also ideal for Nordic sports. All five of the local
ski areas in the vicinity offer cross-country skiing at varying levels of difficulty. At the Schnalstal Glacier ski area, international cross-country skiing stars train on the Hochjoch cross-country trail (2,450m a.s.l.), which as the only dedicated cross-country ski trail in the area is open already in autumn.
The scenic trail at the foot of the Schwemmalm ski area leads across a total of 25 km through the whole of the Val d’Ultimo/Ultental Valley. This makes the valley the ideal location for cross-country skiing in South Tyrol/Südtirol. The Pfelders ski area in Val Passiria/Passeiertal Valley also offers two trails set in impressive mountain scenery. Easier trails for those new to cross-country skiing can be found in both the Merano 2000 and the Vigiljoch ski areas.