FAQ

Age categories

Subscriptions and day passes
Child: 6-12 years
Youth: 13-17 years
Students/learners: Under 26 years, only with valid student/learner ID.
Adult: from 18 years of age
For senior citizens (aged 60 and over) we offer a reduced ski day ticket from Monday to Friday. Otherwise there are no senior rates.

Single trips
Child/youth: 6-17 years
Adult: from 18 years
Children under the age of 6 travel free on the Pizol.

Swimming in the mountain lakes
Swimming in the mountain lakes on the Pizol is generally permitted. Exception: swimming is not permitted in the Suntigweidsee reservoir.
Please take care of nature in and around the lake.

Accessibility
Many of our offers are barrier-free or can be used with special sports equipment. The Pizolbahnen staff are happy to help guests with disabilities so that they can get on and off our gondolas or chairlifts without stress.

In winter, the slopes on the Pizol can be used with monoskis, bi-skis, skibobs and special snowboards. Even people without sight can ski down the slopes safely with the help of an accompanying person. In summer, the Heidi trail from Pardiel to Alp Schwarzbüel is barrier-free. The Panoramarestaurant Edelweiss on Pardiel is also barrier-free.

There are 2 parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities at the Wangs valley station and 8 parking spaces at the Bad Ragaz valley station.
There is a barrier-free toilet at the valley and mountain stations of the Bad Ragaz - Pardiel gondola lift (including the Heidi Trail).

Camping (incl. wild camping, bivouacking)
Camping and bivouacking by individuals and small groups in the great outdoors is permitted or not prohibited in most places in the canton of St.Gallen. Camping is not permitted in the federal hunting ban area, in nature reserves and in other areas that are protected by communal protection ordinances. Further information can be found here.

The consent of the landowner or forest owner must be obtained for camping/bivouacking for several days. This is not usually necessary for simple bivouacking. The responsible forest ranger or the land registry office can provide you with information. The forest ranger also knows the sensitive areas.

From the Wildseeluggen to the Schottensee is a hunting ban area. Camping and bivouacking is strictly prohibited there! Checks are carried out and offenders will be fined.

On the Pizol you are in the UNESCO World Heritage Tectonic Arena Sardona. Please leave nature without damaging the land or littering.

There is a motorhome parking space at the Bad Ragaz valley station.

Drones
Drones produce unpleasant noise and disturb nature accordingly. Especially in quiet ecosystems, drones can cause stress among animals and disturb hikers seeking peace and quiet. Skiers are distracted. We therefore ask you to reduce the use of drones to a minimum or to refrain from using them altogether.

There are restrictions on the use of drones on the Pizol due to hunting ban areas, the Bad Ragaz airfield and the Balzers heliport. An up-to-date map is available from the Federal Office of Civil Aviation FOCA.

Local rate
Residents of the following municipalities can obtain tickets and passes at the local rate on the Pizol upon presentation of a valid local ID card from the municipality: Bad Ragaz, Fläsch, Maienfeld, Mels, Pfäfers, Vilters-Wangs

Fishing
Fishing in the mountain lakes is permitted from August 1 to September 30. Daily permits can be purchased at the Pizolbahnen ticket office.

SBB GA travelcard
With the SBB GA and Half-Fare Card, you receive a 50% discount on single journeys on the Pizol.

Guest cards

• Lake Constance Adventure Card: With the Lake Constance Adventure Card, you receive a return trip for the Pizol Panorama Höhenweg. You can go straight through the turnstile with the card.
• OSKAR Eastern Switzerland Guest Card: With the OSKAR you receive a return trip for the Pizol Panorama High Trail. You can go straight through the turnstile with the card.
• Heidiland Adventure Pass: With the Heidiland Adventure Pass you receive a 15% discount on the Heidi Trail, the Pizol Panorama High Trail, the 2-Lakes Hike or the Water Forest. Please show your Heidiland Adventure Pass at the ticket office.

Municipal day pass SBB
With the day passes, which you can buy from the municipality for the SBB route network, you receive a 50% discount on single journeys on the Pizol.

Approved summer operation
We continue to attach great importance to comfort, service and, above all, safety for our guests. In accordance with the new safety regulations issued by Seilbahnen Schweiz, all facilities and attractions were inspected last fall by qualified personnel from Seilbahnen Schweiz's "Safety Advisory Center". For a successful inspection, various criteria must be met in all areas. These include, among others

• Accident prevention for guests and employees
• Prudence
• Responsibility
• Emergency organization
• Terrain protection
• or the condition of hiking trails.

In addition, all attractions were tested for safety and functionality - such as the climbing garden, water forest, mountain carts and all playgrounds. After a thorough and successful inspection, the Pizolbahnen were once again awarded the quality certificate for certified summer operations. This means that both guests and employees can look forward to being able to use certified facilities and attractions that meet the defined specifications again next summer.

Barbecue areas
There are various barbecue sites in the Pizol area, which are available for free use during the summer season. Firewood is available at all locations.

• Prodkopf
• Heidi trail
• Suntigweidsee
• Water forest
• Fürggli (Garmil high-altitude hike)

Groups
We offer a special group rate for groups of 12 or more people paying in full. The discount is granted if this minimum number of people is reached, advance booking is made and a collective payment is made. In addition to the discounted rate, every 13th person travels free of charge for groups of up to 39 people.

You can find the fares and further information under Prices & fares. The group discount cannot be combined with other discounts (e.g. Half-Fare travelcard/GA etc.).

SBB Half-Fare Card
With the SBB Half-Fare Card and GA Travelcard, you receive a 50% discount on single journeys on the Pizol.

Dogs
Dogs are transported in the gondolas and on the chairlifts, but they must not endanger anyone. Dogs must be kept on a lead on the chairlift.

Every dog owner is obliged to pick up their pet's "business" and dispose of it properly.

Dogs under 30 cm shoulder height travel free of charge on the Pizol (analogous to SBB). A ticket is required for larger dogs, a day ticket for CHF 5.00 or an annual subscription for CHF 65.00. The SBB dog ticket is not valid.

In a skiing and hiking area, the respective dog regulations of the municipality and the forest and wildlife protection zones apply. In the municipality of Vilters-Wangs, dogs must be kept on a lead. The toboggan run on the Pizol runs through a protected area. Please keep your dog on a lead while sledging. The Pizolbahnen does not accept liability for sledgers with dogs. For safety reasons, dogs are not tolerated on the ski slopes.

Infoline
Our automatic infoline +41 81 300 48 20 provides you with up-to-date information on open facilities and operations.

Children's area
During the winter season, the Pizol ski school has a children's area with a conveyor belt on Pardiel. The children's area is open to the public every Sunday from 10:00 - 15:00. A ski instructor is on site to supervise the children on the conveyor belt. Use is free of charge. All you need is a cable car ticket for the Bad Ragaz-Pardiel gondola lift.

Children's playgrounds
Families are very important on the Pizol. For this reason, there are lots of exciting and eventful children's playgrounds for the little ones:

• Rolly Toy's vehicle course at the Bad Ragaz valley station
• The playground with trampoline in front of the Panoramarestaurant Edelweiss
• The Heidi trail with the barefoot path, the fire pit, the hammock forest, etc.
• On Öhi's alp
• The idyllic water playground Wasserwald on the Furt with fire pit

Baby carriages
We are happy to transport standard baby carriages on the Bad Ragaz and Wangs gondola lifts.
The Heidi trail is suitable for baby carriages up to Alp Schwarzbüel.

Charging stations for electric cars
Electric car charging stations are available at the valley station in Wangs and in Bad Ragaz (2 in Wangs and 8 in Bad Ragaz).
https://www.evpass.ch

E-bike charging stations
We offer wallbe charging stations at the following locations:

• Panoramarestaurant Edelweiss, by the bicycle stand next to the playground
• Bad Ragaz valley station, at the bike stand next to the gondola bar
• Wangs valley station

Charging cables are available from the following suppliers: Shimano, Bosch, Specialized

You can obtain the charging cable from the ticket office in Bad Ragaz, Wangs and directly from the Panoramarestaurant Edelweiss. We provide you with the cables (and of course the electricity) free of charge, you just need an ID or a piece of identification as a deposit.

Lunch break
In summer, we take a lunch break from Monday to Friday with all systems. Please note the operating times.

Nature reserves
Information and maps of the nature reserves and wildlife rest areas on the Pizol can be found under this link.
Please respect the zones and take care of nature and its inhabitants. Do not leave any garbage or damage to the land.

Emergency contact
If you have an emergency on the mountain, please contact the following emergency contacts:
SOS Winter: +41 81 300 48 28 (Pizolbahnen rescue service)
SOS Summer: 144 / 1414 (we do not have our own rescue service in summer)

Ticket office opening hours
The ticket office opening hours are according to the operating hours of the gondola lifts:

Winter
Ticket office Bad Ragaz & Wangs:
Daily 08:15 - 16:45

Summer
Cash desk Bad Ragaz:
Mon - Fri: 09:00 - 12:00 & 13:00 - 17:00
Sat - Sun: 08:15 - 17:30

Cash desk Wangs:
Mon - Fri: 08:15 - 12:00 & 13:00 - 17:30
Sat - Sun: 08:15 - 17:30

Parking spaces
Parking spaces are available directly at the Wangs and Bad Ragaz valley stations. The parking lot costs CHF 5.00 per day. Parking passes for a season or the whole year are available.

Partner areas
Pizolabo holders receive a 50% discount on day tickets in winter in our partner areas. To benefit from the discount, present the proof of purchase of your pass at the ticket office of the respective mountain railway company.

Partner ski areas:

• Klewenalp (also in summer)
• Elm
• Savognin
• Grüsch Danusa
• Wolzenalp
• Wildhaus

Pizol with a heart
The Pizol mit Herz foundation supports projects that enable new experiences in the Pizol region. Families and children are the focus of its commitment. The foundation is happy to receive any donation so that projects can continue to be implemented.

Contact:
Pizol Foundation with Heart
Anton Meli, President of the Board of Trustees
Haldenstrasse 37, 7323 Wangs
www.pizolmitherz.ch

Pizolbahnen receives Swisstainable label from Switzerland Tourism
The Swisstainable sustainability program of Switzerland Tourism provides orientation for vacation guests in Switzerland. Based on a grid of criteria, tourism offers are inventoried and awarded a three-level label. Level III establishments have a comprehensive, recognized sustainability certificate that covers all dimensions of sustainability and is regularly audited externally. Level II companies are committed to sustainable corporate management and continuous further development in terms of sustainability. They also have a recognized certificate in at least one sustainability dimension. Pizolbahnen AG achieved Level II, engaged.

Pizolbahnen has been working for years on an energy efficiency path agreed with the federal government and has exceeded this every year. Pizolbahnen is also committed to sustainable climate protection with myClimate and Cause we care. Many projects have been launched on the Pizol in this regard. For example, light bulbs are constantly being replaced with LED lamps, the drive and control systems on three lifts are being replaced with more energy-efficient ones and the lifts also generate their own electricity using a wind turbine.

More at: www.pizol.com/nachhaltigkeit

Pizol lifts win several prizes at Skiareatest
The Skiareatest is something like the Gault Millau for the gourmet sector in the cable car and tourism industry. Instead of points, there are seals of quality in gold, double or even triple gold in various categories. Similar to Gault Millau, anonymous testers are out and about in the ski resorts and evaluate the offers. The Skiareatest organization under the direction of Klaus Hönigsberger invited guests to the 27th award ceremony in Gstaad on Friday. An international crowd of cable car and tourism representatives gathered on the Eggli, where a ten-passenger gondola lift in Porsche design from Bartholet in Flums has been running since 2019. It was clear from the drinks reception that everyone in the industry knows each other. Former Austrian ski racer Fritz Strobl, double Olympic and world champion and still the course record holder on the legendary Streif downhill in Kitzbühel, was a popular conversation partner.

The reason for the "Sarganserländer" to take part in this award ceremony was a highly gratifying one from a regional perspective - the Pizolbahnen were awarded prizes in no fewer than six categories. Original and individually designed crystals were awarded for the "Skiarea Switzerland Gold" (this is the overall victory among all Swiss ski resorts), then for the "friendliest lift staff" and the "best children's offer". Pizolbahn manager Klaus Nussbaumer was delighted to receive the "Cable car operator of the year" award and Ralph Schneider the "slope manager trophy". Finally, there was the "Snowmaking Trophy Gold". And two seals of approval (slopes, toboggan run).

Always a team effort
At the award ceremony, Nussbaumer was "overwhelmed by this honor". He reminded the audience that success at a mountain railway company is never an individual achievement, but always a team effort. The "flood of awards" therefore went to all 107 employees at Pizolbahnen, said Nussbaumer when thanking the winners. Skiareatest inventor Hönigsberger told the "Sarganser-länder" that he had to tell the Pizolbahnen a few years ago: There is still room for improvement. Since then, the company has "achieved incredible things". The quality of the slopes is at an international level, but the Pizolbahnen are also at the forefront of safety (barriers) in Europe. Hönigsberger was also pleased with the family-friendliness of the Pizolbahnen - the company has also made huge strides in terms of children's activities in recent years. Hönigsberger explained that the 2021/22 Skiareatest was not as international as in previous years due to coronavirus. While this time the focus was mainly on Austrian and Swiss mountain railroads, it is usually also those from Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Italy (South Tyrol). In the 27 years of its existence, Skiareatest awards have gone to a total of 429 mountain lift companies, including around 50 in Switzerland.

Numerous challenges
Heinz Brand, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the host mountain railroad destination Gstaad, to which the Eggli-Bahn also belongs, addressed the many challenges in tourism in his welcome address. Not least the Saanenland had to experience this itself with a comprehensive renovation (and merger) of the mountain railroads there. Now they are well on the way again. Former Graubünden councillor Leo Jeker - who is Honorary President of Skiareatest - praised the passion and innovative strength of the industry.

Sarganserländer, article edition 13.06.22 by Hans Bärtsch

Refunds
Under the following conditions, there is a right to a partial refund of the mountain railway ticket in the event of an accident:

• Tickets will only be refunded on presentation of a medical certificate.
• The medical certificate must be presented and the ticket returned within 3 weeks of the accident.
• The entitlement to a refund exists only during the period of validity of the corresponding ticket/subscription.
• Reimbursement is calculated from the day following the day on which the accident occurred.
• The ticket remains with Pizolbahnen AG as proof of payment.
• No ticket refunds are granted on half-day, one-day and two-day tickets.
• Accompanying persons are not entitled to ticket refunds.
• The amount will be refunded after deduction of a CHF 5.00 processing fee in the form of a voucher in Swiss francs.

Further information can be found in our General Terms and Conditions.

Lockers
Lockers are available at the valley, middle and mountain stations of the gondola lifts in Wangs and Bad Ragaz.
Cost: CHF 2.00 per locker
Dimensions: W 24cm x H 32cm x D 47cm

Shuttle bus (winter)
If the parking spaces at the valley station in Wangs are full, there are additional parking spaces in Straubwerk and Tiefletzi, from where a free shuttle bus will take you directly back to the valley station.

If we have to close the operation of certain facilities at short notice so that it is no longer possible to return to the original site directly in the area, we offer a shuttle bus service between the Wangs and Bad Ragaz valley stations. This way you can get back to your car without any worries.

Ski boxes
Ski lockers can be hired at the valley stations of the gondola lifts in Wangs and Bad Ragaz. The lockers offer space for 1, 2 or 5 skis including poles, ski boots etc.

1 box: CHF 65.00 per season (space for skis only)
2-person box: CHF 140.00 per season
5-box: CHF 190.00 per season
+ CHF 50.00 deposit for the keys

For information about the ski lockers, please contact the ticket office.

Snowbike
Snowbikes are permitted on the lifts and slopes on the Pizol

Accident
If you have an accident on the mountain, contact the following emergency contacts:
SOS Winter: +41 81 300 48 28 (Pizolbahnen rescue service)
SOS Summer: 144 / 1414 (we do not have our own rescue service in summer)

For information on a possible refund of your ticket after an accident, see "Refunds".

Hiking bus (summer)
In summer, when the weather is fine and the chairlifts are in operation, a free shuttle bus runs between the valley stations in Wangs and Bad Ragaz from 14:00 to take you comfortably back to your starting point if you are returning to the valley on the other side. There is no fixed timetable, just register at the ticket office.

Means of payment
We accept the following means of payment at the checkout:

• Bar
• Maestro (incl. Post Finance)
• Credit cards (Visa, Master Card, American Express)
• Reka (cash + card, also Reka Rail)
• Twint

Cash payment is not possible at our ticket machines. All Maestro and credit cards are accepted. In the online store you can pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Post Finance and Twint.