Since the very beginning, the family-friendly bike region Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis has been known for its incredible diversity. With its own bike park, the bike school as well as breathtaking and famous single trails like Frommestrail or Högtrail, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis has become well-known as a bike El Dorado, suitable for riders of any age. The all-new Jochtrail single trail is all set to live up to this image and with so much to ride and so many trails to discover, the inevitable question arises: “Which trail should I ride?” To help in your decision-making process, we’ve spoken to five Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis locals about their favorite trails and the bike region as a whole.
Christian Zangerl is the godfather of mountain biking in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis. Christian has been the manager of Bikepark Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis since 2016, but he has lived in the region for almost 20 years now. When he moved to Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis during the winter of 2001 “it was love at first sight, because I didn’t only fall in love with the region, but met my partner there as well.”
What makes Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis so special in your eyes?
Christian: “The amicable, open-minded attitude I was met with from the beginning is something very special. The very versatile offering – whether summer or winter, active or laid-back – makes Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis a unique place.”
With whom can we find you in the bike park or out on the trails?
Christian: “I mostly ride with friends and people who share my fascination for mountain biking. From time to time, I enjoy being alone on the trails.”
What are you most excited about?
Christian Zangerl: We have reworked some sections of the bike park. I am really looking forward to the opening of the bike park on 27 June and to hearing the rider’s feedback on our work.
What’s your favorite bike park trail or single trail, and why?
Christian: “The all new Jochtrail is my favorite single trail. I am one of the few lucky ones who was already able to ride it. The technical riding and the irresistible views are marvelous. Bill Hill is my favorite bike park trail: it is fast, with a lot of roots and very technical – that’s how a trail is supposed to be.”
What is a must-have when you’re riding?
Christian: “Friends and good times. From time to time, an after-bike-beer is welcome, too.”
Australian Daniel Newman originally came to Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis as a skiing instructor. After travelling back and forth between Austria and his home continent for a long time, he finally settled in the bike region five years ago, when his son was born. Today, Daniel is head of the local bike school.
What makes Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis so special in your eyes?
Daniel: “It shines like the sun or like children shine when they are enjoying the good vibes here. Besides that, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis has an incredible infrastructure and is always ready for action and fun.”
With whom can we find you in the bike park or out on the trails?
Daniel: “I enjoy riding with my partner, but most of the time, I am on the pumptrack with my son. He just loves to go round and round.”
What’s your favorite bike park trail or single trail, and why?
Daniel Newman: “That’s easy: the Frommestrail. I love to ride the ridge line and to enjoy the breathtaking view on the surrounding summits, before I meander down the mountain, pass the tree line and reach the end of the trail at the bottom of the valley.”
What is a must-have when you’re riding?
Daniel: “A lot! Something to eat, water and a windbreaker jacket to begin with. Also, a repair set and a spare tube. Of course, my cell phone – the most important tool nowadays.”
German-born mountain bike guide Markus Sertl has been living and working in Serfaus since 2010. The trails are his main source of income.
What makes Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis so special for you?
Markus: “The versatility and the strong cooperation between parties involved, from the lift operators through to accommodation providers, the tourist board and all the different sports businesses. It’s really become my home, as it offers athletes as well as outdoor lovers everything they need.”
With whom can we find you in the bike park or out on the trails?
Markus: “Most of the times, I’m on the trails and in the park with our guests. Privately, I always ride with my best bike-buddies – usually spontaneously once I’m done with work.”
What are you most excited about?
Markus: “I can’t wait until they open the brand-new Jochtrail. I got to test ride some of the sections last year when they were building and it’s, in one word, amazing!”
What’s your favorite bike park trail or single trail, and why?
Markus: “I love the Frommestrail, because it offers a little bit of everything! You’ve got a spectacular view, amazingly fun berms, technical root sections and in total you descend more than 1.000 meters in altitude.”
What is a must-have when you’re riding?
Markus: “Besides my repair-kit (multi tool, spare tube etc.) my smartphone has really become my own personal “assistant“ – as when we’re out riding, I can snap photos of our guests, which they can then look back at in the evening, bringing back good memories from great spots.
The only actual real “local” introduced here is Jenny Schöneberger – born and raised in Ladis, and living on the sun-filled plateau Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis for more than 25 years. Her, as well as her boyfriend Alex Koltai, who moved to the region last year, both work at Bikepark Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis.
What makes Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis so special for you?
Jenny & Alex: “Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is special because there’s something here for every age group – no matter whether it’s the free use of the gondola when you’re staying in one of the hotels, the good times to be had in one of the many huts, the plentiful hiking adventures or whether you’re looking for action in the bike park – it’s all here.”
With whom can we find you in the bike park or out on the trails?
Jenny & Alex: “We love going riding with our friends – some of them are also our colleagues at work.”
What are you most excited about?
Jenny & Alex: “The upcoming summer season. Some of the trails have been reworked and we can’t wait to ride them for the first time, and we’re of course excited about what our guests will say about them.”
What’s your favorite bike park trail or single trail, and why?
Jenny & Alex: “Hands-down, the Frommestrail is our favorite – it’s extremely varied and offers plenty of views on the way down.”
What is a must-have when you’re riding?
Jenny & Alex: “A cool trail!”
We also asked our interviewees about the perfect go-to bike for trails of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis and the answer was very one-sided: „For varied trails like these, you need an all-around bike, so the answer is simple – an Enduro!”
Bikepark Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, as well as the surrounding single trails and MTB-Tours, will be open from 27 June, and all trails are waiting to be ridden and explored. Besides the infamous Frommestrail, riders will be able to try the brand-new Jochtrail. The 5.8 km long trail offers a direct connection from Fiss to Serfaus. The Jochtrail starts at the top of the Schönjochbahn, at 2,440 meters above sea level, at the Fisser Joch. From there, it will take riders over the Mittleren Sattelkopf to the middle station of the Komperdellbahn, situated almost 500 meters lowers. The trail features rough and technical root sections, as well as north shore elements and runs parallel to the new Source Trail (Quellenweg).
