Partnership with Swiss Ski

Last Saturday, 28 June 2025, the racing and training center on Pardiel was formally approved in the presence of representatives from Swiss Ski, IG Sport SG, the regional ski associations, the Tamina racing team and representatives of the alpine corporations and presented to those present with an entertaining presentation.

The Federal Office of Sport (FOSPO) is making a substantial investment contribution to the Pizol racing and training center as part of the National Sports Facilities Concept (NASAK 5). The federal government's financial commitment is intended to coordinate the necessary improvements for the benefit of national sports associations in the area of sports facilities of national importance and achieve them within a reasonable period of time. IG Sport SG had already recognized in advance that the project was worthy of support and also made an investment contribution.

Needs-based planning
The concept for ski racing on the Pizol has been refined in recent years and has been incorporated into the planning of the Snowmaking 4.0 project. Under the leadership of the Tamina Renn Team and in collaboration with the Sarganserland-Walensee Ski Association (SSW) and the Eastern Switzerland Ski Association (OSSV), the requirements of a future racing and training center on the Pizol were developed. The effort involved in organizing racing and training, particularly with regard to controlling the flow of people, barriers and safety equipment, should be kept to a minimum. A simple and safe race installation with the best possible availability in compatibility with tourist operations should be easy to implement. Over the past few years, various training groups, including the Swiss women's national team, which have held training sessions on the Pizol, have gained important insights.

Proven training and racing operations
For over 50 years, the pistes in the Pardiel area and the Pardiel-Laufböden region have served as training and competition venues for all alpine disciplines, in particular for Swiss-Ski and the National Performance Center East (as well as regional associations and over 10 ski clubs). The Pizolbahnen have modernized, extended and expanded the snowmaking facilities for the slopes ("Schwamm", "Tritt" and "Zanuz") for the benefit of ski racing. In addition, the range of slopes has been extended by increasing the snowmaking capacity and opening up the ski area with a modern, permanently installed timing infrastructure. This means that a suitable infrastructure can be provided for training and competitions as well as for testing purposes in the technical and speed disciplines.

Cooperation with Swiss Ski
The Pizol lifts allow speed races (downhill/Super-G) and technical disciplines (giant slalom/slalom) to be held at FIS level on the basis of a user contract. In addition, national comparative races can be held at U16 level. Within the term of the contract, there is also the possibility of holding two elite Swiss championships if required.

Expansion of snowmaking is progressing according to plan
The "Snowmaking 4.0" project is currently being implemented on the Pizol. Around CHF 13 million will be invested in snow safety by 2028. The surrounding ski clubs with over 2,350 members and around 650 JO children as well as the Sarganserland-Walensee Ski Association (SSW) and the Eastern Switzerland Ski Association (OSSV) have supported the project from the outset. In the last two years (2023 and 2024), a large part of the project has already been realized. Phase 4.3, which includes the renewal of the snowmaking system on the Gaffia-Furt slope section, is due to be implemented this summer. Following this further important step, all the main pistes on the Pizol can be efficiently and effectively covered with snow by the start of the season.