Cross-country ski trail seal of quality of the Styrian Ski Association
Cross-country skiing in the green heart of Austria is excellent – in the most literal sense of the word. Kurt Sölkner has been the new chairman of the Styrian Cross-Country Trail Quality Seal Commission since 2025.
Its task is, among other things, to ensure that the highest quality criteria are met year after year. Currently, 17 cross-country skiing regions in Styria bear the cross-country skiing quality seal.
The winters are changing – snow cover is decreasing, and precipitation patterns are shifting. Yet the region s with the Cross-country ski trail seal of quality of the Styrian Ski Association still offer excellent conditions and the highest safety standards for cross-country skiing.
An excellent cross-country skiing experience in Styria
Under the leadership of Kurt Sölkner, the Styrian Cross-Country Skiing Quality Seal Commission carries out its work with great commitment and a sense of responsibility. Together with the regions, it works to ensure quality and safety in the future and to offer guests an authentic, nature-oriented winter experience. In this way, cross-country skiing in Styria remains a sport that connects people with nature, with each other, and with the joy of exercise. The Styrian Cross-Country Skiing Quality Seal Commission is a joint initiative of the Styrian Ski Association and the Styrian Ski Association.
Kurt Sölkner: "Every cross-country ski trail must be at least five kilometres long and four to six metres wide. The many helpers who ensure that everything is in mint condition during winter season are also on standby to groom the trails every time the weather changes. And in case natural snowfall doesn't quite suffice, we help out with artificial snowmaking, using state-of-the-art equipment. Every region that fulfils all these criteria and also offers appropriate supporting services receives the Cross-Country Ski Trail Seal of Quality."
Criteria for the cross-country ski trail seal of quality
There are certain minimum requirements for cross-country skiing regions awarded the Cross-Country Ski Trail Seal of Quality, which are checked regularly:
- at least one classic trail and one skating trail
- minimum length of 5 km and minimum width of 4 to 6 m
- signposting including information on km, skiing direction, and trail markings (easy / medium / difficult)
- protection of descents and dangerous spots with danger signs and padded fall areas
- permanent or immediate grooming of the trails in case of weather changes. The grooming equipment must include a snow cutter in order to create sufficiently high-quality trail conditions.
- medical equipment (first-aid kit and a skidoo with an akia as well as medical facilities in case of an emergency)
- guaranteed snow for at least 60 days per season, or a snowmaking system
In addition, there must be one or more starting points or entry points equipped with the following:
- panorama boards with a map that shows the complete network of trails (groomed and closed trails), levels of difficulty, trail or altitude profiles and temperature display
- information about cross-country ski rental at the trail or in the village
- parking spaces for easy access to the cross-country ski trail network
That's a whole range of quality criteria – and they are met by a total of 17 cross-country skiing regions in Styria!
