Italian ski resort Val Gardena - real paradise for all fans winter holidays. This beautiful snow-capped valley lies in the northwest of the majestic Dolomites. Val Gardena offers its guests a large selection of trails and excellent service. Both beginners and advanced athletes feel comfortable here. If you are just learning the basics of skiing, then the gentle slopes in the Selva and Passo Sella areas (the right side of the peak) are at your service. Intermediate skiers train in the Alpe di Suisi, Seceda and on the long piste from Dantercepies to Selva. And professionals enthusiastically race on difficult slopes in the area of ​​Ciampinoi Peak. Holidays in Val Gardena will also appeal to snowboarders. There are many trails for these extreme sports fans, including fan parks in the Laurin and Secada areas.
​
Val Gardena - a resort with developed infrastructure. And recreation here is not limited to sporting pleasures alone. An interesting experience awaits you at the Italian resort excursion program, a huge selection of national restaurants, rich evening entertainment. In other words, Val Gardena is a “winter wonderland” where every day is bright and cheerful.
​
Note: For those planning to purchase tours to Val Gardena, please note that the ski season in the region opens in early December and ends in mid-April. During this period there is a lot of snow and the weather is good.

Traditions and customs

Val Gardena has rich history and original culture. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the region was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, therefore German, along with Italian, is still “in use” here. And on the streets you can hear melodious Ladin speech (the language of the indigenous people - Ladins).

​Be sure to check out the local history museum, where you can learn about the history of the valley, see carved sculptures by local craftsmen, and National costumes, the beauty and originality of which inspire modern fashion designers. Of considerable interest to tourists are the ancient alpine buildings erected more than 500 years ago.

Entertainment and sports

Val Gardena has ultra-modern sport complexes with indoor swimming pools and equipped skating rinks. Guests can also enjoy cross-country skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, ice climbing, snow biking and much more.

Ski-Info

Elevation differences: 1060-2518 m. Lifts, total: 79, rope tows - 44, chairlifts 27, cabins - 4, funiculars - 4. Trails, total: 175 km, blue - 53 km, red - 105 km, black 17 km. Season duration: December – April. Cross-country ski trails: 98 km. Val Gardena resort guide: www.valgardena.it

Ski schools

Après-ski

The evening can be spent in an elegant restaurant, pub or disco. Good fashion stores can be found in the town of Ortisei, and specialist ski shops and souvenir shops can be found in Selva Gardena and Santa Cristina.

For children

Works in Santa Cristina kindergarten from 6 months 48 USD (6 hours + lunch), ski school from 4 years – 45 USD. (6 hours + lunch) own training ground. In Ortisei there is a kindergarten from one year old - cost 48 USD (6 hours + lunch), ski school from 4 years - 45 USD. (6 hours + lunch) own training ground. In Selva – ski school from 4 years 45 USD. (6 hours + lunch) own training ground.

Resorts Val Gardena:

Ortisei

Popular resort Italy - Ortisei is sometimes also called St. Ulrich. The name remains from the times when these territories belonged to Austria. Now it is part of the Italian Dolomites, a place where several European cultures are mixed, where the nature is amazing, and high-quality tourism services annually attract guests from all over the world to Ortisei.

Valley Val Gardena is in Dolomites and runs 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. The largest peak is 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 tens 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. Reviews from tourists confirm 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 tourist center. There are quite enough points of sale of season tickets, where you can also get a map of the resort, diagrams of lifts and pistes for free. 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 frost is 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 slopes 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 people who like to ride on a wide plateau drenched in the sun.

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, less often 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 friends: 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 runs, 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. "Pleased" blue trails, suddenly turning 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. For those who enjoy nature, this place is quite suitable. But for the descent it’s doubtful.”

When planning a winter trip to the ski resorts of 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! Amazingly 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.”

Mon, 15/02/2016 - 17:05 - yulianna8500 +685

Val Gardena(Val Gardena) - perhaps the most interesting region for winter sports enthusiasts and real aces, which is part of a vast ski area(Dolomiti Superski), an alliance of shaded resorts in South Tyrol.

Val Gardena, in addition to stunning natural scenery, offers skiers and freestylers excellent ski slopes located on the Ortisei plateau, near Santa Cristina and Selva, as well as the opportunity to go on an interesting ski safari in the neighboring valleys. Here you will have almost limitless possibilities: about 500 km of interconnected alpine descents await you!

Magnificent Dolomites at sunset!

How to get to Val Gardena?

By plane

Nearest airports

Malpensa - 365 km.

Val Gardena

By car

From North: on the A22 motorway via Innsbruck - Brennero - Chiusa.

From South: on the A22 motorway via - Bolzano - Chiusa.

Exit at Chiusa - Val Gardena, from there you can drive to Ortisei in 20 minutes, and then to San Cristina and Selva.

By bus

Routes:

Bolzano - Chiusa - Val Gardena

Bressanone - Chiusa - Val Gardena

There are also shuttles from the above-mentioned airports to the resorts.

Ortisei

Where to stay in Val Gardena?

Hotel Antares - Via Meisules 193, 39048 Selva di Val Gardena, Italy

Hotel Antares is located in the picturesque mountain area of ​​Selva Gardena, 100 meters from ski slopes resort Dolomiti Superski. The hotel has a spa and indoor pool.

Decorated in typical Tyrolean and Alpine style, Antares' rooms feature a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a minibar. The rooms have work desks and coffee and tea making facilities.

The Antares' restaurant serves a rich breakfast. Buffet", dinner a la carte and buffet snacks.

The wellness center includes a sauna, Turkish bath and hot tub. The fitness center is equipped with new Technogym equipment. Antares Hotel also provides free parking and ski storage room.

The staff works around the clock. During the day there are various activities and excursions, and in the evenings there is typical Tyrolean entertainment. Guests can explore the nearby city center.

Funicular from Campitello di Fassa

Panorama Residence Gran Tublá - Str. Scurcia 35, 39046 Ortisei, Italy

Panorama Residence Gran Tublà is surrounded by a large garden with views of the Sella and Sassolungo mountains, 300 meters from the center of Ortisei. A free garage and ski storage are available. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

The apartments at the Panorama Residence Gran Tublá have a fully equipped kitchenette with a microwave and hob, an LCD TV with satellite channels, and a refrigerator with freezer. Most apartments have views of the Dolomites. Some apartments are located in the hotel's annex building, just 70 meters from the main building.

In winter, the ski bus stops in front of the hotel and takes you to the Seceda ski lift. IN summer time Guests can swim in the heated pool.

This is our guests' favorite part of Ortisei, according to independent reviews.

Hotel Fanes - Via Daunei 17, 39048 Selva di Val Gardena, Italy

Hotel Fanes is a 2-minute walk from the center of Selva di Val Gardena and offers elegant rooms with free toiletries. Wi-Fi and on-site parking are free.

Carpeted rooms feature an LCD TV and a bathroom with hairdryer. Some rooms have a balcony overlooking the Dolomites.

A buffet breakfast of sweet and savory options is served each morning at Hotel Fanes. The hotel's restaurant serves Italian and international cuisine for dinner.

The nearest bus stop is 300 meters away. In addition, the hotel is a 5-minute drive from natural park Pütz-Geisler and 40 km from Bolzano.

This is our guests' favorite part of Selva di Val Gardena, according to independent reviews.

Looking for accommodation where the staff speaks Russian? Then this is a great choice for you.

Saslong

Residence Boè - Strada Paul 40 (check-in: Via Meisules 195, Selva di Val Gardena), 39047 Santa Cristina Val Gardena, Italy

This hotel is located in the center of Santa Cristina and offers panoramic views of Val Gardena and the Monte Pana waterfalls. Parking and ski storage are provided free of charge.

In all studios and apartments hotel Residence Boè has a fully equipped kitchenette and Alpine-style wooden furniture. The windows offer mountain views. Some rooms have a balcony.

IN winter time Free public ski buses stop 200 meters from the Boè Hotel. Saslong Ski Slope is 1 km away.

The A22 motorway is 25 km away. Bolzano is a 50-minute drive away.

Val Gardena. "Blue" route

general information

The valley - or Valle - Gardena extends northwest of and 120 km from Innsbruck, the main city of Tyrol. These places were included in the Kingdom of Austria for a long time - until 1918, so do not be surprised that everything Austrian prevails here: the German language, the German mentality and Austrian cuisine.

Val Gardena has a length of just over 20 kilometers, “resting” on mountain range Sella, in the south of which rises the peak of Sassolungo (3.181 m), the symbol of the area.

Access to the valley is possible from a narrow gorge stretching from a height of 470 m to 1200 m, then Val Gardena constantly changes its outline, sometimes expanding, sometimes narrowing. The landscapes here are, to say the least, picturesque, the beauty of which is complemented by the purest river with numerous rapids - Grodnerbach. Val Gardena ends with another small magnificent valley, Wallunga, where the natural Park Puez-Odle.

Ski resorts of Val Gardena

There are three in Val Gardena resort towns: Ortisei, the largest village, located at an altitude of 1236 m above sea level, Santa Cristina, lying at an altitude of 1428 m, and Selva Volkenstein (1563 m).

The resort of Ortisei was chosen by the unanimous decision of tourists who visited here, as perfect place for a family holiday with kids. There are many cozy hotels, spas, good shops and restaurants offering national Tyrolean cuisine. You can get to the funiculars from the town center in just a 5-minute walk; a ski bus runs from other areas of Ortisei to the ski lifts.

Santa Cristina is a very small village where experienced skiers flock. In the east of Santa Cristina there are gondola and Ronda Express stations.

Santa Cristina

There are many good four-star hotels, guesthouses and apartments with about 8,000 beds.

Note: there are no free ski buses in Val Gardena: a weekly pass for buses that run around the resorts costs 6 euros.

Selva Gardena

Pros and cons of holidays in Val Gardena

"Pro"

Huge area for skiing

Good system of functional funiculars

"First try" opportunity for beginners (Seizer Alm plateau)

Opportunity to go on a ski safari

Magnificent nature

"Contra"

A lot of skiers on the slopes in high season

Accordingly, long queues for the lifts

Enough high prices for accommodation and service

Saslong. Men's World Jumping Championships

Trails of Val Gardena

The Val Gardena ski area, about 175 kilometers long, is divided into 4 sectors: the Seiser Alm plateau (blue and easy red 2 runs), the Seceda - Col Raiser area, the Dantercepies sector and the area leading to the Sella Ronda route.

"Black" routes for experts

In Val Gardena, not far from Santa Cristina, the famous “black” slope “Saslong A” starts, 3.5 km long, with an average slope of 24.5%, full of steep turns, where competitions for the Alpine Ski World Cup are held. Thanks to this route, Val Gardena is included in the "Club of Five", an association of ski resorts with the most difficult sports routes.

Val Gardena. Saslong A

Another famous descent “Saslong B”, “red”, with interesting segments, passing through many beautiful places Val Gardena, such as Fischburg Castle.

Two other excellent slopes for professionals are located on the Mont de Seura slope, where you can ski without endlessly bumping into other skiers.

"Red" slopes for advanced skiers

For trained skiers, Val Gardena seems like a real paradise: Representatives of the most common category of skiers in Val Garthe, who are not on skis for the first time - both children and adults - feel great on the “red-blue” slopes in Piz Sella, Plan de Gralba, slopes to Selva with Dantercepies (the latter are very busy with skiers), wide and sunny slopes in the Seceda sector.

By the way, at the end of March - beginning of April, the Gardenissima slalom competition is held on the sector’s tracks, in which everyone can take part.

"Blue" trails for beginners

The Seiser Alm plateau is a paradise for beginners who feel at their best here. The bright, spacious, sunny slopes of the high mountain plateau are best suited for training sessions, which very young skiers are very happy with. And for those who are starting to ski for the first time in their lives, we recommend hanging out in the “manège”, which is located directly next to Ortisei.

The main training area of ​​Santa Cristina is located above the village on Monte Pana, and in Selva, beginners ski on a gentle slope with Dantercepies.

Ski safari

Hours of skiing or ski safaris are Val Gardena's strong point: 480 kilometers of interconnected pistes and a unified lift system allow you to most interesting travels, every day on new routes, in the fantastic scenery of the Dolomites.

Freeriders in the Dolomites

Free riding and snowboarding

Off-piste skiing is not particularly common in Val Gardena: there are not enough wide and steep slopes here, and on the slopes the movement of freeriders is limited by avalanche barriers.

Snowboarders are also not very interested here, although there is an easy boardercross track on the slope of Piz Sella.

A good snowboarding park is located in neighboring Val di Fassa.

Photo by Thinkstock

Ski resorts in Italy
Val Gardena

Val Gardena: about the resort

Don't try to find the town of Val Gardena on the map - it doesn't exist. Like other resorts in the Dolomiti Superski region, Val Gardena (or Gröden in German) is the name of the ski region that unites three resorts. Val Gardena is located in the center of South Tyrol; this part used to belong to Austria, and this is felt literally in everything. The local population speaks three languages ​​fluently: Italian and German - official languages South Tyrol (Alto Adige), and even rare Ladin - native to local population. Many villages and names in the Val Gardena and neighboring valleys often have two, and sometimes three names, often different from each other. Ortisei in Italian sounds like Ortisei, in German St. Ulrich, and in Ladin Urtijei. The Ladin language (it belongs to the Romansh language and is considered one of the endangered ones) is spoken by only about 25 thousand people, and often each region has its own dialects. For many centuries, the mountainous areas of Trentino were isolated from the outside world; traditions and crafts are still strong in the local villages. In many Dolomite villages, wood carving and lace weaving are held in high esteem, and local residents They are distinguished by friendliness and hospitality.

Val Gardena is one of the most popular places in the heart of the Dolomites. This is without a doubt one of the most beautiful regions in Italy, located on the famous Sella Ronda circular route. All major towns in the region offer a good choice accommodation options. Val Gardena annually hosts international competitions, including the legendary World Cup alpine skiing on the Saslong track.

pros
- Large selection of accommodation options
- Magnificent scenery
- Good track preparation
- Lots of opportunities for children
- Good restaurants

Minuses
- Slopes and lifts are often crowded
- Fairly high price level
- Some long trails for beginners
- Not too lively nightlife
- Ski-in ski out options are limited

Val Gardena: how to get there

Nearest international Airport– Bolzano - 40 km. To Innsbruck airport – 120 km, to Verona airport – 190 km. The journey by car from Munich takes more than 3.5 hours (316 km).

By train you can reach Val Gardena via Brunico in the Kronplatz region (16 km from the resort), then by bus. From Milan the train runs 5 times a day, the journey takes 3.5 hours, with a change in Verona. The village of Ortisei is closest to the highway.
Bus schedule - http://www.sii.bz.it, taxi order - http://www.taxiautosella.it.

Val Gardena: facts and routes

Ski area – 1060-2518 m
The total length of the tracks is 175 km
blue – 35%
red – 55%
black – 10%

Lifts:
Gondolas – 2, cabins – 7, chairlifts – 43, rope tows – 30

Season:
The first ski lifts open in November, full season: early December – early/mid April

Val Gardena ski passes

Ski pass Dolomiti Superski
For 6 days:
265-294 euros for adults, 185-206 euros for children over 8 years old.

Children under 8 years old ride for free when purchasing a ski pass from one of their immediate family members.
There are also discounts for riders over 65 years of age. At the beginning and end of the season there are discounts and special offers. The ski pass is valid in all 12 valleys of the Dolomites Superski region (in total there are 1200 km of pistes on various resorts, but not all of them are completely connected).

Application for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad) and Android (webcams, news, events, weather, snow, ski lifts, maps and diagrams, photos and videos, reference information): . The application is free.

Val Gardena: prices

Rental of a set of equipment for 6 days – 160-180 euros
Group classes (5 days, 3 hours) – from 250 euros
Individual lessons with an instructor – from 47 euros/hour
Visit to the aquatic center – 8.5 euros
Visit ice palace– 6 euros

Sella Ronda

Sella Ronda is one of the most beautiful ski safari routes in Italy and perhaps in the Alps, passing through the Ladin valleys (Val Gardena) Alta Badia(Alta Badia) Val di Fassa(Val di Fassa) And Arabba(Arab). On this route you can drive clockwise (indicated in orange on the route map) or against it (indicated in green on the map) for about 40 km, of which about 23 km - ski slopes. Sella Ronda is suitable for intermediate skiers. The "orange" route is considered to be slightly more difficult than the "green" route.

Val Gardena: where to ride

Val Gardena is a former Austrian possession that became part of Italy after the First World War; the influence of Italy and Austria is intricately mixed in the local culture and cuisine. Val Gardena consists of three resort towns: Ortisei(Ortisei, 1235 m), Santa Cristina(Santa Cristina, 1466 m) and Selva Gardena(Selva Gardena, 1563 m). Ortisei not bad for families with children, the resort has many hotels with wellness centers, a good selection of restaurants and shops. Santa Cristina- the most compact resort in the region; there are few hotels in this town, but they are good. Selva Gardena or, in German, Wolkenstein - a good option for those who want to ride more difficult trails and travel to neighboring regions. In Selva (also called Selva di Val Gardena) there are many good hotels, it is not difficult to find apartments, this is the busiest of the resorts in Val Gardena.

Val Gardena is famous for the quality and variety of trails. From top station From Piz Cella you can take the black piste towards Selva or go to the Sellajoch piste (2240 ​​m) and the piste above Plan de Galba (1780 m). The most difficult black run is the long and winding descent into Selva Gardena from the top of Ciampioni (2254 m). From the same peak, but already from east side, a shorter and less winding, but also very difficult black track descends to Santa Cristina. For lovers of difficult descents, the Piz Cella – Monte de Seura area (2115 m) is recommended with interesting red slopes that pass through the forest in the lower part. Some red pistes in low snow conditions can have quite difficult black sections. The traditional route along Sella Ronda may seem too boring for experienced skiers, but it is worth paying attention to the black and red slopes at Porta Vescovo above Arabba. For those who like to ride between the trees, it is worth paying attention to Piz la Ila: the slope under the gondola to La Villa (this is the Alta Badia region) is quite long and steep. For beginners, the Alpe di Siusi area is more suitable; strong skiers may be interested in testing their speed on a special section.

The long and wide pistes between Santa Cristina and Ortisei are well suited for beginner skiers and snowboarders. A gondola from Ortisei takes you to the main ski area to Monte Piz (2109 m). The resorts of Santa Cristina and Selva Gardena are connected by a system of lifts; ski-bus runs regularly from Selva to Ortisei.

At the height of the season in Val Gardena, virgin soil is rolled out quite quickly. But with desire and some effort you can find incredible beautiful routes for freeride. In particular, having climbed on the Sass Pordoi cabin to the mark of 2950 m, you can go a little north on foot to the Boe hut (2873 m, it is usually closed in winter). From here begins the picturesque Val Mezdi ("midday valley", so named because only at this time the sun penetrates into it). Slightly gloomy, but defiantly beautiful cliffs, untouched snow, narrow canyons - the route requires good technical skills and it is advisable to go through it accompanied by a guide. From the top of the route there is an incredible view of the resorts below.

Val Gardena: Apres-ski

In the restaurants of Val Gardena, Tyrolean and Ladin cuisine reigns supreme, with a clear predominance meat dishes(although you can also find good fish in hotel restaurants). In Selva, many good restaurants are located in hotels. Tyrol, Dorfer, Nives, Mignon are popular; they serve traditional South Tyrol dishes. Each of the good hotels has its own bars and restaurants. An excellent gastronomic restaurant operates at Alpenroyal Grand Hotel. The charming restaurant Anna Stuben is famous for its cuisine and pleasant atmosphere and is awarded by the Michelin Guide. Most guests choose to stay with half board, and the food in most hotels is tasty and plentiful, so don’t overextend yourself. During high season (Christmas and New Year, school break, February) in the most popular restaurants it is better to book a table in advance, otherwise you will not get in.

Having a snack or a hearty lunch in the mountains is also not a problem in Val Gardena, because you are in Italy. Most mountain huts and restaurants offer Tyrolean, Ladin and Italian cuisine, and there are several excellent fish restaurants (notably Vallongia). Traditional lunch - various soups, polenta with mushrooms and other additives, and, of course, all kinds of pasta. Full list mountain restaurants -

Good fashion stores are located in Ortisei, prices are more in line with elite resorts. During the season, the resorts in the valley host many interesting events. In December, the Alpine Skiing World Cup takes place in Santa Cristina - a very spectacular and interesting event, attracting thousands of fans.

Val Gardena: not only skiing

The valley towns have indoor swimming pools, skating rinks and wellness centers. You can play tennis and squash in Ortisei. In the evening you can sit in a cafe, restaurant or go to a disco. Specialized ski shops and souvenir shops are open in Selva and Santa Cristina. In the local history museum you can get acquainted with the history of the valley, see ancient household items, carved wooden sculptures. Worth to visit old castle Fishburg in Santa Cristina, built in the 17th century. There are many luxury hotels in the valley, many of them with excellent wellness centers. In Ortisei there is the Mar Dolomiti aquatic center with a large swimming pool, a complex of cascades, saunas and a wellness complex. Alpin Garden Wellness Resort has a luxurious Wellness & Spa Cleopatra complex with an area of ​​more than 1000 sq.m. with swimming pools, several Jacuzzis, a variety of saunas and a beauty center. The complex also features a fitness center with panoramic views of the Sassolungo Dolomite rock. In the village of Selva Gardena, there is one of the most luxurious hotels in the Alps, repeatedly recognized as the best ski and spa hotel in Italy - Sporthotel Alpenroyalp Gourmet & Relax. It is one of The Leading Hotels of the World and offers a modern spa and a wide range of treatments.

Val Gardena: with children

The resort has a kindergarten with a ski school. A large children's sector at the foot of the mountain is located in Ortisei. Mickey Mountain Club, located in Selva, is designed for children from 4 to 12 years old and offers a varied program. Junior Club, designed for teenagers from 11 to 18 years old, is located in Selva. In addition to the actual skiing, the family is offered a large selection of entertainment: special programs, snowshoeing, dog sledding and horse sledding, toboggan runs and skating rinks - Be prepared for most of ski instructors do not speak Russian (Italian, German and, less often, English - local standard).
- When planning a trip to the Sella Ronda or to other remote valleys, carefully study the opening times of the lifts. Getting “stuck” in a neighboring or not quite neighboring valley is an expensive pleasure: traveling between resorts on skis is much faster than by road, and a taxi ride can cost a pretty penny.
- Avoid riding the Sella Ronda during peak periods, otherwise you may end up spending a lot of time queuing.

How to get to Val Gardena

Val Gardena is one of the most famous and sought-after ski resorts in Italy, located in South Tyrol, in the Dolomites. The resort's infrastructure is considered the best of the best; it is not for nothing that the World Alpine Ski Championships were held here. In the Val Gardena valley there are three resort towns - Selva Gardena, the largest, cheerful and noisy; Ortisei, the second largest, is suitable for families and for spa lovers; Santa Cristina, the smallest and most cozy, for lovers of nature and solitude.

Fans skiing, staying at the resorts of Val Gardena, they will be able to try their hand at the slopes of the Sella Ronda massif, which is considered the most popular circular ski route. All three resorts are connected by a continuous network of slopes and lifts for maximum comfort on vacation.

Get to the towns of Val Gardena by public transport quite complicated and time-consuming. The nearest city with an airport accepting flights from Russia is Verona. You can view the flight schedule from Moscow to Verona on specialized services Aviasales, Buruki and others.

Verona is located at a distance of almost 200 km from the resort. To get from Verona to Val Gardena by public transport, you need to take a train to the town of Bolzano, and from there take a bus to one of the settlements of Val Gardena. Together with the transfer from Verona airport to the railway station and a transfer to Bolzano, the total travel time will take at least 5 hours, and this does not count the time spent on the flight.

That is why those tourists who go on vacation to Val Gardena most often use transfer services or rent a car at the arrival airport. Private transfer Verona-Val Gardena is not a cheap pleasure, but it completely solves the issue of transfers and significantly reduces travel time. Yes, on services , and other similar ones, you can order a transfer at the time of arrival, in which case the travel time directly to Val Gardena from Verona airport will be only about 2 hours. In addition to individual transfers/taxi from Malpensa Airport, there are also shuttle buses operated by Alto Adige Bus.

It will take the same amount of time to get to the resorts of Val Gardena in a rented car. The beauty of this method of transportation is that you can rent a car right at Verona airport, it won’t take much time, but it will give you complete freedom of action. - This is a popular and sought-after option.

You can get to the Val Gardena valley in similar ways from other cities in Italy, but all of them are located at a greater distance than Verona. For example, Bergamo is at a distance of 277 km, Milan is at a distance of 322 km, Venice is at a distance of 309 km.

Simone/Val Gardena in summer

Where to stay in Val Gardena

You can stay in Val Gardena at the three nearest resorts - Selva Gardena, Ortisei, Santa Cristina, all of them have a wide range of rooms and are located in close proximity to the ski slopes. As accommodation in the resorts of Val Gardena, you can choose hotels or apartments, while apartments are only developing species accommodation, so hotels dominate here by a large margin different types. A general recommendation when looking for accommodation in Val Gardena, regardless of its type, is early booking, which will provide you with an ideal accommodation option in terms of price/quality ratio.

Hotels in Val Gardena

In the Val Gardena valley you can find hotels of various star categories, including budget options accommodations, as well as exclusive five-star ones. Most hotels in the resort include breakfast or half board in the price, while the restaurant infrastructure here is also well developed. Another advantage local hotels is that almost all of them have access to the ski slope, so there is no particular need to spend time and money on additional movement. Many hotels are made in chalet style, cozy and made from natural materials - all this combined with local cuisine and hospitable atmosphere provide an opportunity to feel the spirit of the Dolomites.

Hotels in the 4 and 5 star categories, as a rule, are additionally equipped with spa and wellness centers, where relaxation procedures are possible without leaving the hotel. Spa areas are equipped with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, sauna, hydromassage, fitness center, Turkish bath. For those who prefer a hotel without a spa center, you can find a place to relax in the center of the Val Gardena resorts, which have separate wellness complexes with a similar range of amenities.

You can check prices for all possible accommodation options in Val Gardena on specialized search engine sites Booking, Hotellook and others that allow you to compare all existing offers for the required dates. Using these services you can see all available options in Selva Gardena, Santa Cristina, Ortisei and other smaller ones populated areas, for example, in Campitello, Vilnos, Alpe di Susi and others.

Hotels that are consistently popular among tourists include, for example:

• Hotel Diamant 4* (Location - the town of Santa Cristina. The hotel is designed in Alpine style, there is a wellness center with a swimming pool, gym, sauna and hydromassage. There is also a restaurant and bar on site. You can stay in rooms of various sizes, meals include breakfast. You can park your car in paid private parking, but reservations are required. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel);

• Hotel Pinei 4* (Location - the town of Castelrotto, guests are offered a free shuttle to the ski area. The hotel has a spa with an indoor pool, sauna, steam bath, hydromassage. There is also a restaurant and bar on site. You can stay in rooms of various sizes, meals - continental breakfasts. There are ski storage spaces, free public parking, wireless Internet);

• Charme Hotel Uridl 3* (Location - the town of Santa Cristina, guests are offered a free shuttle to the ski area. The nearest ski lift is at a distance of 800 m. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, terrace. Guests can stay in rooms of various sizes, meals are half board. There is a children's room for children game room and a playground. The hotel has ski storage space, free public parking, wireless Internet);

• Hotel Pradell 3* (The hotel is located in the town of Ortisei, 400 m from the nearest ski lift. The hotel has a spa area with a sauna, a relaxation terrace, a restaurant Italian cuisine. You can stay in rooms of various sizes, meals are half board. Breakfast is served buffet style. Parking spaces and Wi-Fi are provided free of charge).

Apartments in Val Gardena

Full-fledged apartments in Val Gardena can be found in the town of Ortisei, while aparthotels (a mix of hotels and apartments) can also be found in Selva Gardena. The main difference between apartments and hotels is that when renting an apartment there is no such option as meals, i.e. You will have to take care of food yourself, eat in restaurants or cook yourself. As a rule, apartments are equipped with a kitchen area and all necessary appliances.

The advantage of renting an apartment is the ability to find an apartment at the same price as a hotel room, while the size of the apartment, as a rule, is many times larger than the size of any room, i.e. the apartments can be compared to a full-fledged apartment or even a house. In general, apartments as holiday accommodation are more suitable for families with children, as well as large companies. Apartments in the following complexes are in stable demand:

• Residence Antares 3* (Location - Selva Val Gardena, on site there is an indoor pool, spa, restaurant. The nearest ski lift is 200 m away. Guests can stay in studios or apartments of various sizes, including family-type apartments. All rooms have an equipped kitchen area. Public parking and wireless internet are provided free of charge);

• Panorama Apartments Gran Tubla (The complex is located in the town of Ortisei, there is a free bus shuttle to ski slopes. You can stay in apartments of varying sizes, each with an equipped kitchen area. Breakfast is available for an additional fee. The complex has free private garage parking. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the territory).

mendhak/Val Gardena

What to see in Val Gardena

The main specificity of the Val Gardena resorts is skiing, although in the summer holidays are in demand here due to the natural and climatic conditions, as well as infrastructure development. The total length of the ski slopes in Val Gardena is 175 km, 52 km of which are easy slopes, 100 km of medium difficulty and 20 km of difficult ones, suitable for professional skiing. At the same time, a record number of lifts operate in the Val Gardena valley - 83, 36 of which are chairlifts, 23 are rope tows, 12 are cabins and even one metro lift.

For cross-country skiing and hiking Val Gardena also presents great opportunities. The only ones who may not feel entirely comfortable at the resort are snowboarders, because... The resorts were originally built for skiers, so there is no fan park here. The nearest fan park with various figures and a length of 700 meters can be found in the town of Piz Sella.

Leo-setä/Val Gardena ski lifts

You can relax after a busy day of skiing on the mountain slopes at the local spa complexes. Both are located in Ortisei. MarDolomit is a wellness center with swimming pools and saunas. Thus, the complex has outdoor and indoor pools, waterfalls, children's pools, trampolines, showers of varying intensity, stone baths, brine baths, vitarium, heat therapy, Finnish sauna, inhalations, Kneipp baths and much more.

The complex is open daily. Current prices can be found on the official website health complex MarDolomit—>.

Another spa center, 181Fit, is also located in Ortisei. This center has a strong focus on fitness, wellness and self-care. A fitness room, a spa area with a sauna and a treatment room, as well as a beauty salon are the main components of relaxation in this spa center. Among the procedures you will be offered different kinds massage, masks and facial care, depilation, peeling, anti-cellulite treatments, makeup, manicure. With more detailed information and prices for services can be found at official website—>(in English.)

Val Gardena offers a very varied leisure. In addition to alpine and cross-country skiing, the resort offers rock climbing, mountaineering, horse riding, ice skating, paragliding, sledding, tennis, golf (in summer), and snowshoeing. All this is available in the resorts of the Val Gardena Valley. In general, we can say that a holiday here combines active species sports with pleasant relaxation procedures and interesting leisure time. For this purpose, Val Gardena has excellent tracks, lifts, all kinds of routes, spas and wellness centers, restaurants, discos, bars, cafes, shopping promenades, so every tourist here can find something to suit their taste.

Read more about ski resorts in the country in , where collected actual information on planning an independent holiday.

KM_Bell/Ortisei

We will be happy to answer your questions in the comments!

On a note :

When going on a trip to Italy, do not forget to take out a travel insurance policy, which is mandatory already at the stage of obtaining a tourist visa. You can take out insurance yourself without leaving your home. There are special services for this, such as , and others. You can purchase a policy online and then print it on a regular printer.

Photo at the beginning of the article: mxgirl2017