Summer Sports
MERANARENA
The state-of-the-art facility in Gampenstr. 74 offers a wide range of sports such as indoor swimming, free climbing in the rock arena, ice-skating and hockey in the ice-skating rink.
RIDING
The Merano Maia racecourse also features a riding school and a riding centre Reitzentrum (in German and Italian only). A horse show arena and a polo field. The facility is located few minutes' drive from the town centre and can be reached by bus on the lines no. 11 and 12 as well as by train (Untermais/Maia Bassa railway station);
TENNIS
There is a large facility of the Merano Tennis Club amidst green surroundings near the town centre. It offers 14 tennis courts, four of which are heated indoor clay courts (open year-round). Thanks to illumination playing is also possible in the evening. Besides, there is a tennis school attached with experienced instructors and a great many tournaments all round the year.
GOLF
The Passeier/Passiria Golf Club runs a 9 hole course (PAR 70) in St. Leonhard/S. Leonardo, Passeier/Passiria tel. 0473-64 14 88; open from early March to the end of November; (in German and Italian only)
Golfclub Lana: 9 hole course (PAR 36), Brandisweg 13, 39011 Lana, tel. 0473-56 46 96; open all year round; (in German and Italian only)
MINIGOLF
below the Hotel Palace, next to Marconi-Park; opens in spring through mid-October or the end of October, on weekdays from 11 am until late in the evening; Saturday and Sunday from 10 am (larger groups can use the facility also outside these opening times by arrangement; tel. 333-39 82 074); other facilities on offer include table tennis, table football and a small bar.
PARAGLIDING
is possible nearby, take-off from the Mut/Muta, Dorf Tirol/Tirolo, visit (in German and Italian only). Tandem flights above Merano and other adventurous flights from the bird's-eye view are offered by the Bergsteigerschule Meran/Merano Mountaineering School, tel. 0473-56 38 45 and
RAFTING
The choppy course of the Passer/Passirio River is ideal for rafting. The season begins around mid-April and ends in September or October. An adventurous ride on the river from moderate to difficult on special rubber dinghies with experienced guides of the A.I.Raf. (Italian Rafting Association) will be one of the most interesting and riveting experiences for thrill-seekers. The only prerequisite is being able to swim. On offer are also children's rafting and night rafting. For information contact Acquaterra, tel. 0473-72 00 42, (in German and Italian only).
The Bergsteigerschule Meran/Merano Mountaineering School also offers rafting on the Eisack/Isarco, Etsch/Adige and Passer/Passirio rivers; for information call tel. 0473-56 38 45 or visit - www.bergsteigerschule.com
Hiking and Mountaineering
The offer of the Merano Alpenverein/Alpine Club section is attractive too, tel. 0473-23 71 34 or also that of the Bergsteigerschule Meran/Merano Mountaineering School with day trips or high altitude touring weeks and a wide range of climbing offers, including ice and rock climbing, tel. 0473-56 38 45 an Important information for "loners" can also be obtained from the Alpine Information Office for South Tyrol, tel. 0471-41 38 09.