General description
The wide track is well suited to skating and classic skiing, and is maintained on a daily basis. Just before and after arriving in Lazins/Lazines, there’s a trail to Zeppichl. This cross-country skiing trail is freely accessible without restrictions and has easy, medium-difficulty and challenging sections. On the way back to Pfelders/Plan (or Zeppichl) there’re a number of rapid descents, where skiers need to be on the lookout for pedestrians and oncoming cross-country skiers.
The route from Plan to the Lazinser Alm mountain pasture is rather tricky due in part to the long ascent and steep incline. But at the refuge in the wide valley basin below, one can enjoy almost effortless skiing at 680 m per lap on a 15 m run. The lap around Lazines is more challenging, at 1,336 m per lap on a 52 m run.
Route description
The usual starting point is the intersection above the ice rink (at about 1,650 m), where the hiking trail and the cross-country ski track run parallel into the valley. There are two ways of reaching the starting point of the cross-country ski track: (1) Take the road through the village towards Gampen lift/Zeppichl for about 500 m. At the Gampenlift cableway valley station turn left over the bridge, and after entering the valley continue as far as the ice rink and go left (about 200 m from the Gampen lift). (2) Starting at the car park (or bus stop) some way up the mountain, turn right towards the uppermost houses on the slope. From there, follow the road about 0.5 km into the valley just above the skating rink, which is less than 30 m from the car park.
The village of Zeppichl (1,682 m from the car park/bus stop and 1 km from Pfelders/Plan into the valley) provides an optimal vantage point for less experienced cross-country skiers. More experienced cross-country skiers can return from Zeppichl to Plan, skirting the rarely frequented and mostly flat ski slope. Zeppichl itself is only accessible on foot. Starting from the car park (bus stop), you can cover about one third of the distance to Zeppichl using the free shuttle bus to the Gampen lift (but only on weekends and during school holidays).
Source: Heinz Widmann - www.passeier.org
Description to arrive at destination
From Meran/Merano to the Passeiertal Valley in direction of Timmelsjoch Mountain Pass and Moos/Moso until Pfelders/Plan.
Parking
There's paid parking at the entrance of the village.
Public transport
The starting point is easy to reach with the following public connections: With bus line 240 from Meran/Merano to Pfelders/Plan.
Safety instructions
Just before and after Lazins/Lazines, pedestrians follow the hiking trail along the access road to Zeppichl.
In case of heavy snow, the cross-country ski run near the Lazinser Alm mountain pasture remains closed from Lazins/Lazines, due to the risk of avalanches.
Equipment
In Pfelders/Plan, cross-country skiing equipment can be rented at the ski shop near the bus stop or at the ski lift valley station.