Val Gardena ski resort piste map. Val Gardena ski resort
Val Gardena- this is a fabulously beautiful valley with a length of more than 15 kilometers at the foot of the mountain Sassolungo(“Long Stone”), which includes three resort towns - Ortisei, Santa Cristina(1466 m.) and Selva Gardena(1563 m.).
Resort Description
All slopes are connected by a continuous network of slopes and lifts with altitudes from 2518 to 1563 m, so you can move from one ski area to another without taking off your skis. Through Passo Gardena you can easily reach the neighboring area of Alta Badia (height - 2138-1433 m, 39 lifts) with resorts Colfosco And Corvara.
The height of Val Gordena itself is about 1563 m, there are 77 ski lifts, 175 km. slopes, discos, bars, restaurants, shops, skating rinks and swimming pools. Ortisei has an indoor tennis and squash center, as well as a riding school and a local history museum, most of whose exhibition is dedicated to the art of local wood carving. The picturesque Renaissance castle of Fischburg (17th century) is also located nearby.
How to get to Val Gardena?
The airports closest to the resort valley are Bolzano (40 km), Innsbruck (110 km), Verona (200 km).
Railway stations on the line Verona - Brennero - Innsbruck - Munich: Ponte Gardena (German: Widebruck) - 13 km, Bressanone (German: Brixen) - 31 km, Bolzano - 40 km.
Valley Val Gardena is located in the Dolomites and lies among mountain ranges with highest points Sassolungo, Sella, Chir and Sciliar, the length of the valley is 15 kilometers. Many skiers begin their acquaintance with the Italian Alpine slopes from here.
The geographical location of the resort Val Gardena is South Tyrol, at the junction of the borders of Italy, Germany and Austria. This ski area consists of three centers:
- Selva, located at an altitude of 1,563 m above sea level;
- Santa Cristina- 1428 m;
- Ortisei- 1236 m.
The routes stretch for a total of 175 km. Largest Peak- Sassolungo (3181 m).
Val Gardena - ski resort, ideal for family vacation. This part of the Alps has fairly gentle slopes and a lot of entertainment, so the resort is considered a region perfectly suited for relaxation during winter holidays. Children under eight years of age can ride and use the lifts for free. Most children's trails in the zone Alpe di Siusi, where there is a park adapted for young snowboarders.
Val Gardena has cross-country ski trails. In the vicinity of Santa Cristina, there are dozens of kilometers of ski tracks near the picturesque town of Monte Pana.
All slopes of the Val Gardena resort, regardless of the degree of difficulty, are perfectly prepared for descent. Feedback from tourists confirms that the ski lift system at the resort is modern, the instructors are highly professional, and snow cannons operate when necessary. The picture is completed by picturesque surroundings, clean towns and alpine villages, and an amazing overview of the Dolomites.
How to get there?
The Val Gardena resort is located 40 km from Bolzano, 300 km from Milan, 250 from Venice, 700 km from Rome, and 120 km from Innsbruck, Austria. These cities have airports.
The most convenient way to get to Val Gardena is from Bolzano, from where buses depart every hour and will take you to your address in just 60 minutes. Bus line 350 passes through the city of Bressanone, line 170 passes through Castelrotto, line 471 connects the resort with the Dolomite passes. You can get to Val Gardena from the surrounding towns at night; during the hot ski season, buses run until 2.30, in the summer until 0.30, the price of one trip is €2.50, a night ticket for several trips is €4.
If you fly to Verona, you first need to take the train to Ponte Gardena (German: Waidbruck), and then take bus line 350 to Val Gardena. The entire journey will take a little more than two hours and will cost from €10.85 to €14.35 (train) and €2.5 (bus). You can take the train to Bolzano and then take the bus to Selva.
During the ski season, when the influx of tourists begins, there are direct bus routes from airports Innsbruck, Bergamo and Verona. A one-way ticket costs €25, a return ticket costs €39, and children under 5 years old do not need tickets.
Ski passes in Val Gardena are paid. It is better to purchase tickets in advance in terminals at a train station or transport stops, in a hotel or in a tourist center. There are quite enough points of sale of season tickets, where you can also get a free map of the resort, diagrams of lifts and pistes. A resort pass costs €3 for one day, €7 for a week, €35 for a season, and children can travel for free.
Climate of Val Gardena
The resort is located in an area with a temperate alpine climate, characterized by warm summers and relatively cold winters. In summer average temperature the air is about +15°C, but the nights are cool, and during the day the air can warm up to +30°C. The weather in the summer months is unstable, especially in August. Autumn can be rainy, but snow often falls already in early November, especially on mountain peaks.
In November, frosty weather sets in and the snow on the roads no longer melts. In winter, the Italian Alps can surprise you with 20-degree frosts at night, but this phenomenon is infrequent. Typically, the night temperature in winter does not fall below -7 o C, and during the day it is often around 0 o C. Air humidity in the Alps is low, so frosts are easily tolerated.
Trails and lifts
- Vast and fun area "Alpe di Siusi", which is chosen by many tourists. Kilometers of well-equipped slopes of different difficulty levels, lifts (chairs, gondolas, rope tows) are mandatory components of a modern ski resort.
- For those who decided to test their skis on the famous Sella Ronde, you need to take a ski bus to Santa Cristina or Selva Gardena. It is known that the vast majority of skiers come to the Dolomites precisely to visit Sella Ronda. 600 kilometers of magnificent slopes, which are connected by a system of lifts, can be used by both professional and beginner skiers. The entire circular route stretches for 40 km. Experienced skiers complete the “Around the World” trip in three hours.
- For skiers who feel confident on the piste, the slopes where the World Championship was held are suitable: Ciampioni - Selva or Ciampioni - Santa Cristina. The trails are in excellent condition.
- We advise those who like to explore virgin soil to walk along the run Secheda(2518 m) - Call-Riser(2103 m). Walking through the huge snow-white is impressive.
- For those who are confident on skis, but do not consider themselves an ace, we recommend paying attention to three tracks with Ciampioni, and one of Danterchepies, which end in Santa Cristina And Selva.
Ski passes
Those who have been to ski resorts at least once understand how important it is to promptly take care of purchasing a ski pass - a pass to the ski lifts. The optimal ski pass for Val Gardena- six days. Ski pass prices vary depending on the season. Subscription price for adults:
- high season - €216;
- low - €190;
- at the beginning of the season - €173.
If a child under 8 years old is skiing with you, he will be able to go on the ski lift for free if one of the parents has a ski pass.
Teenagers under sixteen years old pay a subscription:
- high season - €151;
- low season - €133;
- at the beginning of the season - €121.
People of respected age or seniors, in Val Gardena terminology, will pay:
- high season - €194;
- low season - €171;
- at the beginning of the season - €155.
Buying a ski pass for 6 days or more helps to save a lot of money; for comparison, a one-day pass costs for an adult:
- high season - €46;
- low season - €42;
- at the beginning of the season - €37.
Ortisei
The Germans call this city Sankt Ulrich. A cute town located in the flattest part of the valley (1236 m). Only 5.5 thousand people live in Ortisei. It looks like a fairy-tale town with doll-like streets, hotels, apartments, workshops and restaurants.
There are cross-country ski runs, walking paths and colorful surroundings that make for great landscape photos. For a change, you can go to a museum with wooden sculptures.
There are two ski schools in Ortisei with 80 ski instructors and 20 snowboard instructors. There is a children's ski school and a kindergarten for children from two years old. The organizers did not forget about the children's ski area and two lifts for the youngest skiers.
The city has a skating rink, a school for beginner ski jumpers, you can go to the pool or fitness center, play tennis or squash. Ortisei is home to the largest Aquatic Center in the Dolomites.
Staying at the resort will not seem monotonous to anyone; everyone will find entertainment here to their liking: restaurants, discos, bars, a cinema, shops with funny souvenirs, shops that sell sports equipment.
Santa Cristina-Valgardena
This picturesque alpine village is perched at an altitude of 1428 m. To the right of it is Ortisei, left - Selva Gardena. The Italians rightly claim that the local landscapes are “molto romantici”. They're right - Santa Cristina is a secluded and charming place.
Santa Cristina-Vallgarden's 37 km of pistes will delight skiers, who can take one of two lifts to Monte Pana, a plateau with gentle and easy pistes ideal for beginners. For the pros there is the famous cup run Sassolungo. He's like Ciampinoi, he finishes in the Val Gardena valley. These trails are classified as “black”, that is, of increased difficulty. Another area available for skiing is Seceda. This place is very popular among average riders who like to ride on the sun-drenched wide plateau.
Selva Gardena
In German this city is called Wolkenstein. It is the busiest and largest of the towns in Val Gardena. Very a good option for lovers of challenging trails.
From the station Piz Cella there is access to the black road in Selva di Val Gardena. You can get to the highway Sellajoch to an altitude of 2240 m and the route that starts above Plan de Galba at an altitude of 1780 m. The complex, long and winding route was laid with Ciampioni in Selva Gardena. A slightly simpler route from the same point goes to Santa Cristina.
Fans of advanced slopes will find slopes in the area Piz Cella-Monte de Seura. In its lower part the slopes cross the forest. With little snow cover, black areas appear on these red runs. For confident skiers, trails have been laid in Porta Vescovo. Those who like to ride among the trees should pay attention to the slope Piz la Ila to La Villa - steep and long. Beginners should pay attention to Alpe di Siusi, and experienced skiers will be able to test their speed on one of the special sections.
There is a children's room in Selva Mickey Mountain Club And Junior Club for teenagers. You can safely come here with your whole family; no one will be bored in Selva: entertainment programs, sled rides, toboggan runs and skating rinks - there is plenty to choose from.
- Most of the instructors do not speak Russian. The languages spoken are German, Italian and English.
- Going by Sella Ronda on a “round the world” trip, study the lift schedule, think about how to get back, otherwise you will have to go to the hotel by taxi, which is very expensive.
- If you don't want to wait in long lines, choose off-peak hours to descend to Sella Ronda.
- During high season, ski buses run every 10-15 minutes, and less frequently during off-season.
- Parking at the ski lifts is paid - €5 per day.
It’s definitely worth going to Val Gardena at least once - the prices here are not too high, the place is wonderful, the food is delicious, there are trails for everyone. Just keep in mind that this resort is not one of the highest mountains; the snow may melt away already in March, so don’t delay your trip.
Vladimir Izvarin
Tom Janson:
“I was in Val Gardena with three buddies: an experienced snowboarder, consolidating last year’s skills as a snowboarder and a skier. And I am a beginner snowboarder. The mountains are of breathtaking beauty; Ortisei and the Alpe di Suissi offer unparalleled views.
I found the ski areas difficult; even experienced skiers and snowboarders find some of the trails challenging. Having examined a large area Dolomiti Super Ski, decided that it was better to stay closer to Selva. There are several cool red slopes, and the blue ones are not bad at all, although they are very flat. The inaccurate map of the routes was annoying, even though they were far from perfect almost everywhere. The après ski was quite satisfying - there were a couple of decent restaurants and bars nearby. This is quite enough for us, we didn’t try to rock ourselves into a stupor.
In general, I like Val Gardena. I will definitely go there again."
Georgy, Novosibirsk
“Val Gardena is the most mediocre ski region I know. There are incredible numbers of lifts, all mixed up and communicating inconveniently. We were “pleased” by the blue tracks, which suddenly turned red and just as unexpectedly - green. Therefore, there are constant traffic jams on the slopes, and the condition of the track is not the best. There are only a few long and homogeneous trails in the entire region. True, there are several decent snow parks. This place is quite suitable for those who enjoy nature. But for the descent it’s doubtful.”
Planning winter trip For ski resorts in Spain, pay attention to. This resort is considered one of the best in the Italian Alps. Both beginners and professionals can ride here. Magnificent slopes and many lifts are what you need for conquerors of snowy slopes.
The ski resort of Cervinia is extremely popular among Europeans. Here you can not only ride on trails of varying degrees of difficulty, but also pay tribute to the magnificent mountain landscapes. Read more about the resort.
Victor, Moscow
“Last year I took my six-year-old granddaughter out for the first time with the express purpose of putting her on skis. It didn’t take me long to make a choice; I settled on Alpe de Suis. Lots of offers from group and individual instructors different prices: about 60 CHF per day with meals up to 58 CHF per hour of private lessons. Gifted to New Year We brought the children's skis with us, and bought simple amateur skis for 12 euros per day at the rental office.
Despite his very unconvincing skills, he undertook to teach on his own: what is important is not professionalism, but communication and relaxation with the cub. I fiddled with her until I dropped! Marvelous Beautiful places, wonderful air! The week of mutual persistence was not in vain: at least the child is no longer afraid of skiing.”
Alla, Moscow
“Every year we try to go to Ortisei in a small group. I've been here more than once. I noticed that the place is chosen immediately and then does not change: “from good to good...”, as they say. It’s difficult to consider us athletes; we devote no more than 2-3 hours a day to skiing. The rest of the time is for the soul!
The resort of Ortisei has a surprisingly romantic atmosphere. You can just walk along the streets, occasionally visiting wonderful shops, restaurants, bars, etc. I went to the pool every day - a Moscow habit. There is a sauna, tennis, even a golf course! Everything is in place, comfortable and beautiful.”
Coming to Val Gardena, you feel as if you are entering a fairy tale. These are not just beautiful words, but the feelings of those who found themselves in this valley for the first time. Descending from the Brenner Pass, the peak of Sassolungo will appear in front of you - this is a sure sign that you are almost there.
In this valley many people speak German, and the inscriptions on the signs are presented in two versions: German and Italian. This is due to the fact that back in the 19th century these places belonged to Austria-Hungary. The locals are Ladins, they speak Ladin among themselves, but can communicate in Italian and German, so there are never any problems with communication.
Russian ski resorts offer you a more budget-friendly, but no less active and comfortable holiday. Abzakovo is one of the most popular resorts Ural mountains. The beauty of nature and the variety of trails attract many tourists there every year. It is noteworthy that Abzakovo operates year-round... You will find out more information.
On the map of Italy, Val Gardena looks very tiny, but once you’ve been here, you begin to understand what for the most part country it is, thanks to traditions, natural beauty and attitude local residents to tourists.
basic information
Location
The Val Gardena ski resort in Italy is located in the northwestern part of the famous Dolomites, in the Alto Adige district. By the way, there is also another one, popular throughout Europe, Italian
How to get to Val Gardena
The closest airports to the valley are located in Verona (about 190 kilometers) and Innsbruck (about 120 kilometers). It would be preferable to take a train to Bolzano, and from there by bus, directly to your destination.
Weather, season
Already in early November, heavy and regular snowfalls begin. Temperatures in November tend to sub-zero levels. The winter months are the coldest in Val Gardena - temperatures drop to minus 20 degrees.
The ski season begins in December and continues until the end of April.
Trails, slopes, lifts
Most visitors to Val Gardena make sure to spend some time on the Sella Ronda circular route - it's 26 kilometers of descent. For this you need a ski pass “Dolomita Superski”. There are three ski areas in Val Gardena:
- Ortisei is the largest village, located at an altitude of 1236 meters;
- Santa Cristina Val Gardena is a small village located at an altitude of 1426 meters;
- Selva di Val Gardena (Italy) is the most popular village among holidaymakers, located at an altitude of 1526 meters.
Santa Cristina offers 175 kilometers of trails, many of which are illuminated at night. On the territory of this ski area there are 83 lifts that can transport up to 109 thousand people per hour to the top. The longest descent is 8 kilometers. The flat routes are 24 kilometers long.
Ski-pass prices (in euros)
| Duration, days | Adults | Children |
| Low season | ||
| 1 | 38 | 27 |
| 6 | 194 | 136 |
| Average season | ||
| 1 | 42 | 29 |
| 6 | 213 | 149 |
| 13 | 370 | 259 |
| High season | ||
| 1 | 48 | 34 |
| 6 | 242 | 170 |
| 13 | 420 | 294 |
Accommodation, other activities, après-ski, attractions
Numerous hotels in Val Gardena, chalet-style cottages, hostels, and apartments in Val Gardena allow you to feel comfortable. One of best hotels are considered:
- Adler (Ortisei);
- La Perla is somewhat remote from the city, but is one of the most beautiful hotels in Val Gardena;
- Villa Luise is known for its excellent panoramic views.
Hotels in Selva Val Gardena also surprise with their diversity. One of the hotels, Acadia, is located right on one of the slopes and offers its visitors, in addition to accommodation, a restaurant, a SPA salon and a free sauna. The number and location of hotels will help you determine the map of Selva Val Gardena.
Apre-ski in Val Gardena starts at about three o'clock. We advise you to visit the Cuca bar-restaurant, which offers beautiful views of the Sassolungo peak.
For a holiday with children, visit Swiss. There are several levels of trails of varying difficulty. For beginners and children there are special preparatory courses and walks with instructors. In Zermatt you don't have to worry about your child - he won't be bored and is under reliable supervision.
If you want to have a really fun time, visit the Luiskeller bar in Selva Gardena. Here you will be greeted by the real Austrian anthem, a large amount of beer and schnapps. It must be said that Val Gardena is extremely rich in excellent restaurants, both on the slopes and at the foot.
In between skiing, you can visit the thermal complex with 11 saunas and baths, which is located in Ortisei. The local wine library located in Selva Val Gardena, as well as the wine library in Ortisei, are extremely popular. Unforgettable impressions can be obtained by visiting the nearby Fischburg Castle, built in the 18th century.
In Val Gardena you can enjoy hiking, horse riding, indoor tennis courts, squash, bowling and billiards. Don't forget to visit the snowboard park in Piz-Sella, which has a boarder cross track and a whole gallery of figures.
Val Gardena is a picturesque valley located in the Italian province (Provincia autonoma di Bolzano, also known as South Tyrol), at the junction of the borders of Italy, Austria and Germany. In this valley there is one of the most popular, part of the Dolomiti Superski region, which is famous for its stunning scenery and well-equipped pistes.
The resort is easily accessible both from other Italian cities (along federal highways) and from major European cities (Munich, Nice, Zurich, Vienna) along highways.
Among the entertainments of Val Gardena is not only alpine skiing - the resort offers the opportunity to engage in mountain climbing, horse riding, shopping, as well as visit local spa centers and take a course of wellness treatments. Local restaurants and clubs deserve special attention. The wide range of entertainment provided allows the resort region to become one of the most popular resorts in Italy.
It is from Val Gardena that ski fans begin their acquaintance with Alpine resorts. This is understandable - the slopes are equipped at the highest level, there is an extensive network of lifts connecting them to each other. In the valley there are approximately 175 kilometers of individual trails, of which about a third are for beginners, about 60% are for skiers who already have some skiing experience and approximately 10% are for professionals.
- Read also:
If you look at the Val Gardena valley on the map, you will notice that it is divided into three resort areas. This division provides the opportunity to choose accommodation in close proximity to the slopes that are most interesting to you and suit your skiing skills. Resort region has 82 lifts that connect the inland resorts into a single network, which also includes access to Sella Ronda (a closed route that goes around the resorts of the same name mountain range). Val Gardena can provide leisure for any traveler, even if winter views If you don't like sports, tourists can enjoy chic restaurants, shops and boutiques, as well as excursions to local attractions.
Description and general characteristics
Val Gardena is the name of the valley in which there are three major residential areas:
- Selva di Val Gardena, located at an altitude of 1563 meters;
- Just below (1428 meters) is the small village of Santa Cristina Valgardena;
- Closest to the foot of the Alps (1236 m) is the Ortisei region.
The communes have their own unique flavor and the holiday in each is somewhat different, so before choosing an accommodation option, it is worth finding out about these features.
Selva di Val Gardena
Selva di Val Gardena (abbreviated as Selva) is considered the busiest and most popular resort in the Val Gardena valley, largely due to the altitude of its location and proximity to the famous Sellaronda ring, the slopes and ski lifts of which vacationers use to get to the most interesting trails in the Dolomiti Superski region.
However, the ski areas associated with the resort can also surprise even experienced skiers. The resort includes 3 ski areas:
- Dantercepies (height 2300 meters)
- Plan de Gralba (1800 meters)
- Ciampinoi (2254 meters), which borders the resort of Santa Cristina.
Selva is also home to greatest number hotels, restaurants and clubs– this area is very popular among young people who enjoy discos and relaxation until the morning.
Ortisei
Ortisei is the second largest village in the valley. Unlike Selva, the club life here is not so developed, there are significantly fewer tourists - therefore Ortisei is perfect for families with children. The pistes associated with the village are mainly “red” and “blue”, but there are a large number of areas for beginner skiers. The resort area consists of 3 ski areas:
- Val Furnes
- Seiser Alm
- Alpe di Siusi.
Santa Cristina is the smallest and most cozy resort of Val Gardena, so there are usually much fewer tourists here than in Ortisei and even more so in Selva di Val Gardena.
The resort is perfect for a relaxing holiday with children. Santa Cristina is located almost in the very center of the region, so vacationers have easy access to the most popular routes. The resort consists of 3 ski areas:
- Monte Pana (Monte Pana, at an altitude of 1636 meters), located on the plateau of the same name
- Seceda (Seceda, 2518 meters)
- Col Raiser (2103 meters), which are located near the Val Fournes area, which belongs to Ortisei.
Rest
The Val Gardena Valley offers tourists a holiday for every taste - 175 kilometers of trails will allow you to enjoy picturesque views Dolomites, numerous restaurants will impress with delicious dishes, and the abundance of shops and boutiques of famous brands will pleasantly surprise shopping lovers with their assortment.
It is not for nothing that Val Gardena is considered one of the most comfortable resorts in the Dolomites Superski region - any vacationer will find entertainment to their liking.
Winter sports
On the territory of Val Gardena there are 51 slopes, among which there are both slopes for beginners and confident skiers, as well as for real professionals. Snowboard lovers will enjoy the snow park and fun park, which include halfpipes. In addition, the resort region has several indoor ice skating rinks.
For beginner skiers
For athletes just starting to learn the basics of alpine skiing, the best option is the Seiser Alm area, which is located near Ortisei. Most of the routes here are marked as “red”, but in fact they are simple “blue” routes along the spacious high-mountain slopes of the plateau. The height difference on the Seiser Alm slopes is no more than 300 meters, and the length of the descents is from 600 to 2500 meters. One of the most popular routes among beginners is the Seiser Alm-Skitour Hexen, also known as the “Baba Yaga Tour,” which children really like. However, for those who have no skiing experience and are just starting to get acquainted with alpine skiing, it is better to first try out the training ground of Ortisei itself.
Santa Cristina also has its own training ground, which is part of Monte Pana. The site is a complex of simple trails marked in blue. The slopes are served by 4 drag lifts. A small slope, intended for training beginners, is also present within the village itself, in its upper part.
In Selva di Val Gardena, beginner skiers mainly prefer the Dantercepis area, which is served by seven rope tows. Five of them serve the more flat part of the area, the rest lead to roads with a higher slope. Conditions for tourists starting to master skiing in Dantercepis are quite acceptable, but not ideal - the fact is that a large number of skiers with a higher level, descending from mountain peaks, as well as freeriders, pass through the ski area.
It is also worth noting that in the resort region there are numerous ski schools for skiers of all ages - Sci Emotions, Ski & Snowboard School Saslong and Ski & Snowboard School Ortisei in Ortisei, Top Ski School & Rental EA7, Snowboard & Skischool 2000 and Ski & Snowboardschool Selva Gardena in Selva di Val Gardena, Ski & Snowboard School S. Cristina in Santa Cristina.
Children's miniclubs are also open - in Selva and Santa Cristina they are open from 09.00 to 16.00, in Ortisei - from 10.30 to 13.30 (on Thursdays - until 16.00).
For younger children (from one year old), there is a children's ski school in Santa Cristina, five full days of training in which will cost 190 euros.
For advanced skiers
Skiers with a higher level of training should visit Ortisei and Selva (most of the slopes of these resorts are blue and red, there are also red and black ones, which experienced athletes can master). There are many picturesque forest trails here (for example, the 10-kilometer La Longia, which descends from the Seceda area to the town of Ortisei). Famous among skiers are the slopes of Ciampina (the descent to Selva is the route on which the world alpine skiing championship takes place), Dantercepis and Sella Peak.
Particularly popular is the descent from Ciampina to Plan de Gralba, there are slightly fewer people on the descent from Ciampina to Santa Cristina. The Dantercepis slopes are usually quite crowded, so experienced skiers choose the long slope leading to Langental.
The Alpe di Siusi area is also famous, which consists mainly of red and blue pistes (the total length of the pistes in the area is about 60 km, the red ones are 29 km, the blue ones are 30, there is one black piste). Alpe di Siusi is served by 23 ski lifts and there are not as many skiers here, unlike Dantercepis.
Most popular among athletes living in Ortisei and Santa Cristina, Seceda sector. It will delight skiers wide roads with a fairly large slope in the upper sections and slight elevation changes towards the end. Several short forest trails are present on the southeastern slope of Riser Col. Every year at the beginning of April the famous Grandenissima competition takes place.(Gardenissima), participation in which is completely free (but, of course, a ski pass is required to participate). The competition takes place on a 6 kilometer long track that descends from the Seceda ridge and ends in Santa Cristina.
For experts
Skiers who have solid skiing experience and consider themselves professionals should take a look at the famous “black” slope Saslong A, which stretches from Ciampina to Santa Cristina.
This is a difficult track on which the World Cup alpine skiing competitions are held annually, namely downhill. The length of the route is about 3500 meters, the maximum slope on it is 57%, the average is 21%. The route includes the “Camel Hump” (Kamelbuckel) element, known among professional skiers - if the skier in front of it does not slow down, he will fly off the track 50-70 meters!
No less interesting is Saslong B. The track is also “black”, but somewhat longer and includes more sections where you can accelerate properly.
Don't miss the two magnificent descents from Ciampina to Selva. The first, “black” descent, runs in the same place as Saslong, but ends in a “corridor” passing through the forest. The other, marked in red, runs along a narrow isthmus between steep cliffs, and descends into the Val Gardena valley in neat loops.
For freeriders
Freeriding (off-piste) in Val Gardena is not a particularly popular activity. Perhaps this is due to the insufficient number of steep slopes along which there are no trails, or maybe the variety of equipped trails in the valley is enough for local freeriders - who knows? However, some of the freeride spots in Val Gardena are quite famous. First of all, this is the Seceda district.
If you move away from the marked trails, you can find spacious slopes along which you can go down to the lower station of the 4-chair lift.
Unfortunately, it is better to do this within a couple of days after a snowfall, since after that the virgin snow becomes covered with an ice crust and skiing here is no longer so pleasant. But when the crust hardens properly, you can walk on it. The situation is approximately the same on the Seiser Alm slope. The virgin snow lasts a little longer in the Punta d’Oro sector, but its slopes are too gentle for fast skiing.
Ski safari
There are a lot of options for a ski safari (a long ski trip without repeating slopes that have already been completed) in Val Gardena and Sella Ronda: the total length of all interconnected resorts is more than 480 kilometers, and a network of lifts will allow the skier to save time and avoid repeated routes and enjoy new breathtaking views every day.
The most popular route is as follows. From Ciampina, take the Saslong B descent to Saint Cristina, then use the lifts again to Ciampina, take a 4-kilometer descent to Selva, then take the exit to Plan de Gralba (be careful - there is a “black” track here, down which skiers descend at high speed). Here you should get to the gondola lift and get into the Dantercepis sector, from where you can go back down to Selva along the simple “red” track. If you have enough strength, you can climb again to Ciampina and overcome the descent to Plan de Gralba, from there by cable car to Piz Sella, then the descent to Monte Pana via Sassolundo... In short, the local trails will allow you to choose an unexplored route every day and enjoy the beauty of the Alpine nature.
For snowboarders
First of all, Val Gardena is considered a ski resort, but there are also excellent conditions for snowboarders.
Snowpark Piz Sella, which is located at an altitude of 2158 meters at the foot of Sassolungo at the southern end of the valley.
In 2012, the park was modernized, adding several new jumps and boardercross with a spiral tunnel. There is also a small halfpipe on Seiser Alm. Snowboarders who have a Dolomiti Superski ski pass can visit another snow park, but this time large sizes and equipment: it is located in the Col Rodella area and is called Passo Sella.
Mountaineering
: Local climbing routes will test your skills and challenge challenging peaks such as Piz Gralba (2,974 metres), Piz Miara (2,965 metres) and Piz Beguz (2,972 metres).
The most popular routes for professional climbers are The Pössnecker-Route, The Brigata Tridentina, and The Oskar-Schuster-Track.
For those who are not yet ready to climb the almost three-kilometer peaks of Val Gardena, there are numerous climbing parks and climbing walls:
- Città dei Sassi (aka "City of Stones"), located near Plan De Gralba (includes 29 pistes with difficulty level 4, 24 pistes with difficulty level 5c, 75 pistes ranging in difficulty between 6a and 6c, and 13 pistes with difficulty 7a). There are also 16 bouldering routes;
- Frea, accessible via the SS243 from Plan de Gralba. The park includes 4 trails with a difficulty level of 4, 11 trails with a difficulty level between 5a and 5b, 37 trails with a difficulty level between 6a and 6c and 21 trails with a difficulty class of 7a;
- Bernardi, a small park located between Selva di Val Gardena and Plan de Gralba next to the SS242 highway: it has 5 slopes of difficulty 6B-6C and 7 slopes of class 7a-7b;
- Traumpfeiler, located next to Plan de Gralba below SS243: 4 routes 6a, 32 routes 6a-6c, 19 routes 7a-7c and 4 trail routes 8a;
- La Cava above Ortisei, located very close to SS242: 6 routes 5c, 18 routes 6a-6c, 9 routes 7a-7b and 3 difficult routes 8a.
Ski passes
Prices for ski passes depend mainly on what time of year you are planning a trip, and on the age of the person for whom the ski pass is purchased. A weekly ski pass is considered the most optimal: for an adult it will cost 224-280-252 euros (respectively, out of season, high and low low seasons), for a child (under 16 years old): 157-196-176, for seniors (skiers over 65 years old): 202-252-227. You can find out the current prices in 2017 and 2018 for ski passes to Val Gardena on the website www.dolomitisuperski.com. The Val Gardena ski pass also comes with a route map.
It is worth remembering that these are prices for ski passes in Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi. A weekly ski pass, which will allow you to visit the slopes of the entire Dolomiti Superski region, will cost a little more: for an adult 243-304-274, for children 170-213-192, for older skiers 219-274-246 euros.
Après ski
Après ski in Val Gardena begins after lunch (at about three o'clock), when skiers, tired from the morning skiing, begin to gather in restaurants and bars to have a snack. Most of the people, of course, are in restaurants and bars located near the slopes - among them, special attention should be paid to Pauli and Chalet Restaurant Rasciesa (an interesting solution - the bar counter in it is made of snow) in Ortisei, Juac, Saslonch, Gran Paradiso on the mountain slopes of Selva. There are approximately 50 different cafes throughout the resort.
In Ortisei, the most popular are Dolomiti Madonna, Pontives and Mont Seuc (classic style restaurants with haute cuisine), La Rosticceria Sotriffer, Tubladel and Val D'Anna (wonderful restaurants with a strong personality that will delight connoisseurs of signature dishes) and small but... homely Terrazza and Mar Dolomit (it is located next to the thermal complex of the same name, which includes 11 baths and saunas, indoor pools with warm water and hydromassage, the cost of visiting is from 11.3 euros).
Selva is a real après-ski center: most of the restaurants located in the valley belong to this area. Tourists with children should definitely visit Ingloo; for a romantic evening, Pra Valentini is suitable; vacationers who prefer classic restaurants will like La Bula, L Mulinè, and Olympia. Tourists who are more attracted by the atmosphere of bars and noisy fun in the spirit of Austrian resorts should look into Luiskeller and Kronestube.
In Santa Cristina you will find classic restaurants (Ruacia De Sot, L Fudle) and inexpensive pizzerias (Pizzeria Da Bruno, Da Peppi). The local steakhouse Residence, Restaurant & Steakhouse La Tambra deserves special attention. Most establishments are located on the main street of the town of Via Dursan (the street is part of the federal highway SS242).
In addition to various restaurants and cafes, branded shopping, traditional for European ski resorts, is developed in Val Gardena: more than 50 clothing stores serve this purpose. You can show yourself in all your glory in the nightclubs of Val Gardena: Umbrella (the largest disco that lasts until the morning) and Disco Dancing Dali.
Also in the valley there is a tennis court, fitness centers, wellness centers, bowling, billiards, numerous saunas, baths and spas - in a word, everything you need for a complete and pleasant holiday.
Val Gardena in summer
In the summer there is also something to do in Val Gardena - cycling along the high mountain routes is very popular. The resorts have a network of more than 30 different cycling routes of varying complexity, with a total length of over 1000 kilometers and with a height difference of 1750 meters. In Val Gardena there are six mountain bike schools, bicycle rentals, and protective clothing. Most routes can be visited either independently or with an instructor.
You can also explore the picturesque expanses of Val Gardena on horseback. You can rent a horse for an average of 75 euros per hour. For children there is the opportunity to ride a pony - 45 euros per hour of riding. You can rent a horse at one of three riding schools(one each in Santa Cristina, Ortisei and Selva), where instructors will help beginners learn the basics of horseback riding and teach them how to stay in the saddle.
A flight over the mountains on a paraglider or helicopter can give you a lot of impressions. The five-star Alpenroyal Grand Hotel even has its own helipad! Paragliding in Val Gardena has been known since 1986: The region is a pioneer of free flight among Italian resorts. If you are not an experienced paraglider and are afraid that your skills will not be enough, you can choose to fly with an instructor.
Adventure seekers will also enjoy geocaching - an independent search for “treasures” hidden in the resort, which are small containers. By registering on the website www.geocaching.com, you can find the GPS coordinates of the location of the first “treasure”, where a hint will be hidden where to look for the next one.
Attractions
Tired of sports and gastronomic delights of Val Gardena, tourists can also taste spiritual food by visiting the numerous attractions of Val Gardena. Among them are castles, museums, monuments, churches, monuments, ancient watermills - in short, there are a lot of places that you can explore.
Castel Gardena Castle (Fischburg-Castel Gardena), located in Santa Cristina, was built in 1641 by order of one of the Counts of Wolkenstein.
Its original name, Fishburg, translates as “fish castle.” This name is due to the fact that in the vicinity of the castle its owner ordered the digging of many small ponds in which Count Wolkenstein raised trout. Unfortunately, there are no regular excursions inside the castle. since it is the private property of Baron Franchetti. However, in the summer, during the annual music festival Valgardenamusika, concerts are held inside the castle. Not far from the castle there is also a small chapel called Bergkapelle, which anyone can visit.
Castle Wolkenstein
Wolkenstein Castle is an ancient guardhouse built in the 13th century between the Val Gardena and Alta Badia valleys.
The castle was captured by the Venetians in the 16th century and was subsequently not used for its intended purpose, as a result of which it gradually collapsed. Currently, the northern walls of the castle, which are located at an altitude of 1600 meters, are best preserved.
Trostburg Castle is the most ancient castle on the territory of Val Gardena, the first mention of it dates back to 1173.
It is not known exactly who owned the castle complex at the time of construction, but from the 14th to the 20th centuries it was the property of the ancient Italian family of Wolkenstein-Trostburg. Thanks to the efforts of the Südtiroler Burgeninstitut association, the building was restored and became accessible to tourists in 1977.
Historical Museum of Val Gardena
The Museum de Gherdëina, located at Via Rezia 83 in Ortisei, tells visitors about the history of the resort region. Large exhibitions are presented here archaeological finds, various objects of art made by local authors, fossils. The exhibition of wood carving deserves special attention - this type of art has been known here since 1600 and is a kind of “calling card” of the culture of Val Gardena.
Sundial
The huge sundial, located in a huge meadow in Alpe Juac, near Selva Val Gardena, was built by the famous designer Roland Moroder. There is no separate road leading to the clock, but there is a walking path along which tourists can get from Selva to this attraction in about half an hour.
Church of St. Ulrich
The Church of St. Ulrich (Chiesa Ortisei – Kirche St. Ulrich) is located in Ortisei at Via Stufan, 1, not far from the Adler Hotel.
Construction of the church began in 1793 and lasted three years. The church is designed in the late Baroque style and is decorated with numerous frescoes and paintings, including works by Ludwig, Joseph and Rudolf Moroder (one of the paintings present in the church was awarded a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900).
The Church of St. Anthony (Chiesa di Sant’Antonio) is also located in Ortisei, in a square dedicated to the same saint. The first mention of the church dates back to 1430. However, that church, unfortunately, has not survived to this day and was rebuilt in 1676. The last restoration of the temple took place in 1959. The church is in the Romanesque style, the central painting was made by the Swiss artist Paul Deschwanden and depicts St. Anthony kneeling before the Virgin Mary and Jesus.
The exquisite Church of San Giacomo (Chiesa Di San Giacomo) is located between Ortisei and the Gröden Gorge, on the Troi Paiàn mountain trail, which can be reached by walking along Str. Sacun from Ortisei.
You can only get to the church on foot, about an hour's walk from the city center. The exact date of construction of the temple is unknown, but it is believed that the cornerstone of the church was laid in 1181. Initially, the church was made in the Romanesque style, but after numerous restorations, elements of Baroque and Gothic style paintings were included in the ensemble of the temple.
Weather
The warmest months in Val Gardena are July and August - temperatures reach +21 degrees during the day and drop to 6 degrees at night. The coldest month is January, but even then the temperature only drops to -3 during the day (up to -10 at night). The sunniest months are July and August (on average 24-25 sunny days per month), cloudy - January and February (about 10-13 days).
Hotels
Hotels in the Val Gardena region will please every traveler - there are accommodation options for every taste and financial opportunity.
In Selva di Val Gardena you can find hotels suitable for lovers of a busy evening life - the town is quite noisy, there are clubs, bars and discos near most hotels.
For a more relaxing time, it is better to book a hotel room in Ortisei or Santa Cristina Val Gardena. Of course, you are unlikely to find service staff here who speak Russian, but in most hotels they speak English, Italian and German. However, in a five-star hotel you can count on the staff speaking Russian.
3 stars
Val Gardena has more than a hundred three-star hotels, which provide vacationers with a wide range of services at fairly affordable (by the standards of the Dolomiti Superski region) prices. Many of the accommodation options are located near popular ski slopes. We have selected for you the best ones based on tourist reviews.
Hotel Cristallo
Located in Santa Cristina, less than half a kilometer from the main ski lifts. Guests can enjoy a free buffet breakfast, swim in the indoor pool or relax in the sauna. On the ground floor of the hotel there is a restaurant serving Tyrolean cuisine.
Hotel Olympia
By train
The closest railway stations to Val Gardena are located on the Verona-Munich line passing through Innsbruck:
- From Ponte Gardena – about 13 km;
- From Bressanone – about 30 km;
- From Bolzano – 40 km.
An open Schengen visa gives you the opportunity to visit Val Gardena, for example, on the way from Munich: in this case, you can take the train to Rome-Verona, departing from, and get from Verona to Val Gardena, taking the train to Bolzano. Once you reach this station, the resort is easily accessible by bus, taxi or rental car.
- See instructions: how to buy without intermediaries
By bus
In the high season, direct transfers are organized to Val Gardena from the airports of the nearest cities - Verona, Innsbruck and (ticket price - 25 euros). There are also regular services from Bolzano (every hour) and Ponte Gardena, as well as Bressanone (line 350 via Chiusa). From the nearest towns you can get to the valley for only 2.5 euros, a taxi will cost you about 17-19 euros. Bus line no. 471 will allow you to reach Val Gardena from the Dolomiti Superski passes.
By plane
There is no airport in Val Gardena, but there are airports in the towns closest to the valley. During the season, it is easy to get to the resort from there using bus transfers.
- Bolzano Airport (Airport Bolzano Dolomiti) – 40 km;
- Innsbruck Airport (Kranebitten) – 110 km;
- (Valerio Catullo) – 205 km.
Regular direct flights Moscow-Innsbruck and Munich-Innsbruck are popular among Russian travelers visiting Val Gardena.
By car
The easiest way to get to the resort by car is along the A22 highway - from the north it can be reached from Verona and Bolzano, from the south - from Innsbruck. The way to Val Gardena from Germany (Munich, Nuremberg) goes along federal highway number 8, from there along E45 to Innsbruck. From the neighboring ski resorts you can reach the roads SS242, SS243 (from Val di Fassa and Alta Badia).
You can find a profitable car rental option on our service
Our opinion
Val Gardena in winter is a favorite destination for skiers and climbers from all over the world. The resort region will provide you with the widest opportunities for recreation and entertainment, regardless of your preferences - skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the beautiful slopes of the Val Gardena and Dolomiti Superski regions, climbers can enjoy challenging mountain routes and climbing parks, horseback riding enthusiasts can enjoy walks along the picturesque mountain trails in autumn and summer . Tours to Val Gardena will undoubtedly bring you a lot of impressions and will become an unforgettable event in your life!
↘️🇮🇹 USEFUL ARTICLES AND SITES 🇮🇹↙️ SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Val Gardena is a wide picturesque valley of South Tyrol, located in the north-west of the Dolomites - an excellent mountain range with World Heritage status. natural heritage UNESCO. According to experienced tourists, Val Gardena is the most attractive valley of Sella Ronda, a circular ski route with a total length of 500 km. The valley itself offers 175 km of trails of breathtaking beauty.
Val Gardena offers its guests many opportunities for entertainment. Among them you can choose the most suitable one: winter excursions, freestyle, hockey, paragliding, figure skating, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, sledding and much more. Diversity active rest attracts tourists from all over the world.
The resort includes three small towns with well-developed infrastructure - Ortisei (1236 m), Santa Cristina (1428 m) and Selva (1563 m).
Ortisei, the largest of them, is an excellent place for a family holiday with children. There are many restaurants, spas, different hotels and shops. The first ski lift is just a 10-minute walk away.
Santa Cristina is the smallest resort town in the valley. It is very cozy here and there is no noise.
Selva – enough popular resort thanks to its favorable location to the Sella Ronde mountain route, from where many trails start. It has a developed tourism infrastructure.
Previously, Val Gardena was part of Austria-Hungary, so people here speak German more readily than Italian. As for the local population of Val Gardena, they are very hospitable and sincere. Local people speak a rare Ladin language that is over 2000 years old! You should definitely talk to them.
Val Gardena annually hosts the World Championships alpine skiing. Interestingly, all the action takes place on the steep Saslong track. With just a little bit of courage, you can also taste victory by going down this famous route.
The Val Gardena valley is part of the Sella Ronda circuit, which includes 500 km of ski slopes. It is here that international men's slalom competitions are held every year.
Val Gardena is part of the Dolomiti Superski association, an incredibly beautiful ski area of 16 ski regions. A particular advantage is the ability to ski all 1,200 km of Dolomiti Superski pistes with a single ski pass. And 450 lifts will take you to the best peaks of the Dolomites with ease. By visiting the Alta Bedia resort, you are guaranteed to get the most out of an active holiday!
