Vipiteno (Sterzing) sits in the Wipptal, just before the Brenner Pass, and is a small town with a medieval pedestrian zone and merchants' houses from the mining era. All around lie three ski areas: Monte Cavallo, Racines-Giovo and Ladurns, together 66 piste kilometres. All three can be skied on a single Wipptal ski pass, and a ski bus connects the base stations.

The distinctive point is the link between town and mountain. The Monte Cavallo mountain lift starts five minutes on foot from the centre and takes you in twelve minutes right into the ski area — you need neither a car nor a ski bus. The area itself has around 20 piste kilometres between 960 and 2,176 metres, mostly of medium difficulty, and is well-suited to short ski holidays and mixed groups.

Racines-Giovo is the largest of the three with 28 piste kilometres between 1,300 and 2,150 metres, considered particularly snow-reliable thanks to its proximity to the Alpine main ridge. Ladurns, at 18 kilometres, is the smallest and most family-friendly. All three are more affordable than the classic Dolomite carousels; ski pass and rental gear cost noticeably less. For beginners, families and cruising skiers, this makes Vipiteno one of the best-value ski destinations in South Tyrol.