Val Gardena from A to Z: map of hotels and ski areas, slopes and slopes, lifts and ski passes. Bright photos and videos. Reviews of tourists-skiers about Val Gardena.
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Val Gardena is a valley more than 15 km wide with a wide range of quality trails. The skiing season here lasts from early December to mid-April. The resort includes three towns with well-developed infrastructure - Ortisei (Ortisei, 1236 m), Santa Cristina (St. Cristina, 1428 m) and Selva (Selva, 1563 m).
Entertainment and attractions
The resort infrastructure in Val Gardena is well developed: there are many attractions, discos, bars, cozy restaurants, trendy shops, indoor ice rinks and swimming pools.
Provided for guests and cultural leisure - Italy, after all. You should start acquaintance with the historical heritage of the region with the Museum of Local Lore (website with English version). Among its exhibits: the oldest archaeological finds, fossilized reptiles, old wooden toys, centuries-old sculptures and canvases.
The woodcarvers are on display at the Art 52 permanent exhibition (website with English version). You can admire the masterpieces of sculpture and painting in the Unika Art Gallery (website with English version).
There are many beautiful temples in the Dolomites, for example, the parish church in Ortisei. This magnificent Baroque building impresses with its striking interior and exterior decoration. Tourists love to ride to ancient medieval castles, or rather, to their ruins. The most visited castles are Wolkenstein and Fishburg.
In summer, the breathtaking panoramas of the blooming Alps attract travelers no less than the icy slopes and snow-covered fir trees. Tourists are encouraged to go hiking, fishing, horse riding, mountaineering, rafting, parachuting or cycling.
7 things to do in Val Gardena
- Take a 40-kilometer walk along the famous "Dolomite Carousel" - Selle Ronda.
- Go to a restaurant for observation deck and forget about food, admiring the most beautiful mountains in the world.
- Learn at least one trick on a trampoline in a snow park.
- Capture your descent with an action camera to show off to your friends.
- Practice mountaineering and want to conquer Everest.
- Capture dozens of shades of famous pink sunsets.
- Arrange the most ambitious après-ski, because the parties of Val Gardena allow it.
Val Gardena for children
Val Gardena is great for family vacation... The range of winter entertainment for children is naturally wide - people ride here not only skiing, but also snowboarding, sledging, ice skating. There are also mountaineering centers in the resort.
In the sports schools of Val Gardena, even those who have barely learned to walk are put on skis.
A special 6-kilometer trail has been opened in Ortisei for a dashing toboggan run. The rise is carried out from the Rasciesa station. Skating rinks are everywhere - even in hotels and restaurants. The most popular sites are the ice rink at the Iman Sports Center in Santa Cristina and the Pranives (website with English version) in Selva.
The theme of sports entertainment is continued by the Mar Dolomit aqua center (website), however, from the entertainment here there is only a pool, there are no attractions. In summer, little ones will be delighted with the PanaRaida obstacle trail, where you will find fascinating labyrinths, a tunnel with elves and a giant forest swing.
Middle-aged children and adults should visit Col de Flam Adventure Park (website with English version). The most courageous are invited to walk along rope paths at breathtaking heights. It's not so scary to look down from the back of a pony - and there is such a leisure option here. Children are also having fun on the playground with trampolines.
Weather in Val Gardena
- Today
- Tomorrow
In summer, the inhabitants of Italy escape from the exhausting heat of the city in the mountains, because the air in Val Gardena is fresh and the temperatures are moderate.
Coming to Val Gardena, you seem to find yourself in a fairy tale. These are not just beautiful words, but the feelings of those who first came to this valley. Descending from the Brenner Pass, you will see the peak of Sassolungo - this is a sure sign that you are almost at your goal.
In this valley, many people speak German, and the signs 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 they can also speak Italian and german, so communication problems never arise.
More budgetary, but no less active and comfortable holidays are offered to you by Russian ski resorts. Abzakovo is one of the most popular resorts Ural Mountains. The beauty of nature and the variety of trails attract many tourists every year. It is noteworthy that Abzakovo operates all year round ... You will learn more information.
On the map of Italy, Val Gardena looks very tiny, but once having been here, you begin to understand how big a part of the country it is, thanks to the traditions, the beauty of nature and the attitude of the locals towards tourists.
basic information
Location
The ski resort of Val Gardena in Italy is located in the northwestern part of the famous Dolomites, in the district of Alto Adige. By the way, there is also another, popular throughout Europe, Italian
How to get to Val Gardena
The nearest airports to the valley are located in Verona (about 190 kilometers) and Innsbruck (about 120 kilometers). It would be preferable to get by train to Bolzano, and from there by bus, directly to your destination.
Weather, season
Heavy and regular snowfalls begin in early November. Temperature in November tends to minus marks. Winter months are the coldest in Val Gardena - temperatures drop to minus 20 degrees.
The skiing season starts in December and lasts until the end of April.
Trails, slopes, lifts
Most of those arriving in Val Gardena necessarily devote some time to the Sella Ronda circular route - this is 26 kilometers of slopes. This requires the ski-pass "Dolomita Superski". There are three ski areas in Val Gardena:
- Ortisei is the largest settlement 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 vacationers, located at an altitude of 1526 meters.
Santa Cristina offers the opportunity to ride 175 kilometers of pistes, many of which are lit at night. There are 83 lifts on the territory of this ski area, which can take up to 109 thousand people per hour to the top. The longest slope is 8 kilometers. The flat routes are 24 kilometers long.
Ski-pass prices (in EUR)
| 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, Val Gardena apartments allow you to feel comfortable. Some of best hotels are considered:
- Adler (Ortisei);
- La Perla - somewhat remote from the city, but 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, to use a restaurant, a SPA salon and a free sauna. The number and location of hotels will help to 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 a beautiful view of the Sassolungo summit.
For families with children, visit the Swiss. There are several levels of tracks of varying difficulty. For beginners and children, there are special preparatory courses and walks with instructors. In Zermatt you do not have to worry about your child - he will not be bored and is under reliable supervision.
For some real fun, visit the Luiskeller Bar in Selva Gardena. Here you will be greeted by a real Austrian anthem, plenty of beer and schnapps. It must be said that Val Gardena is extremely rich in fine 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 cellar, located in Selva Val Gardena, and the wine cellar in Ortisei, are extremely popular. An unforgettable experience can be obtained by visiting the nearby Fishburg Castle, built in the 18th century.
Val Gardena awaits you hiking, horse riding, indoor tennis courts, squash, bowling, billiards. Don't forget to visit the Piz-Sella snowboard park, which has a border cross track and a whole gallery of figures.
Ski resorts in Italy
Val Gardena
Val Gardena: about the resort
Do not try to find the town of Val Gardena on the map - it is not. Like other resorts in the Dolomiti Superski region, Val Gardena (or Gröden in German) is the name ski regionlinking three resorts. Val Gardena is located in the center of South Tyrol, earlier this part belonged to Austria, and it is felt literally in everything. The local population speaks three languages \u200b\u200bfluently: Italian and German - the official languages \u200b\u200bof South Tyrol (Alto Adige), and even a rare Ladin - native to the local population. Many villages and names in the Val Gardena and neighboring valleys often have two and sometimes three names, often dissimilar to each other. Ortisei in Italian sounds like Ortisei, in German St. Ulrich, and in Ladin Urtijei. Ladin (it belongs to the Romansh language and is considered one of the endangered) is spoken by only about 25 thousand people, and often each region has its own dialects. For centuries, the mountainous regions of Trentino have been isolated from the outside world, and the local villages still have strong traditions and crafts. In many Dolomite villages, woodcarving and lace weaving are held in high esteem, and themselves locals are distinguished by their friendliness and hospitality.
Val Gardena is one of the most popular destinations in the heart of the Dolomites. This is without a doubt one of the most beautiful regions in Italy, located along the famous Sella Ronda circular route. All major towns in the region offer a good choice accommodation options. Val Gardena hosts annual international competitions, including the legendary stage of the World Cup alpine skiing on the Saslong track.
pros
- Large selection of accommodation options
- Magnificent scenery
- Good preparation of the tracks
- Many possibilities for children
- Good restaurants
Minuses
- Slopes and lifts are often crowded
- Fairly high price level
- Few long runs for beginners
- Not too busy nightlife
- Ski-in ski out opportunities are limited
How to Get to Val Gardena
Nearest international Airport - Bolzano - 40 km. Innsbruck Airport is 120 km away and Verona Airport is 190 km away. Traveling by car from Munich takes more than 3.5 hours (316 km).By train, Val Gardena can be reached 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. Closest to the motorway is the village of Ortisei.
Bus schedule - http://www.sii.bz.it, taxi order - http://www.taxiautosella.it.
Val Gardena: facts and tracks
Ski area - 1060-2518 mThe total length of tracks - 175 km
blue - 35%
red - 55%
black - 10%
Lifts:
Gondolas - 2, cabins - 7, chairlifts - 43, drag - 30
Season:
First lifts open in November, full season: early December - early / mid April
Ski passes in Val Gardena
Dolomiti Superski skipassFor 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 by one of the closest relatives.
There are also discounts for skiers over 65 years old. Discounts and special offers are available at the beginning and end of the season. The lift pass is valid in all 12 valleys of the Dolomiti Superski region (in total, this is 1200 km of slopes in various resorts, but not all of them are fully connected).
Application for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad) and Android (webcams, news, events, weather, snow, lifts, maps and diagrams, photos and videos, reference Information):. The app is free.
Val Gardena: prices
Equipment rental for 6 days - 160-180 eurosClasses in groups (5 days 3 hours) - from 250 euros
Individual lessons with an instructor - from 47 euros / hour
Visit to the aquatic center - 8.5 euros
Visiting the ice palace - 6 euros
Sella Ronda
Sella Ronda is one of the most beautiful ski safari routes in Italy and possibly in the Alps, passing through the Ladin valleys (Val Gardena), Alta Badia (Alta Badia), Val di Fassa (Val di Fassa) and Arabba (Arabba)... On this route, you can drive about 40 km clockwise (marked in orange on the route map) or against it (marked in green on the map), of which about 23 km are ski slopes. Sella Ronda is suitable for intermediate skiers. It is believed that the "orange" route is somewhat more difficult than the "green" one.
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 in a bizarre way mixed in the local culture and cuisine. Val Gardena consists of three spa towns: Ortisei (Ortisei, 1235 m), Santa cristina (Santa Cristina, 1466 m) and Selva Gardena (Selva Gardena, 1563 m). Ortisei good 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 not many hotels in this town, but they are good. Selva Gardena or, in German, Wolkenstein - not bad option for those who want to ride more challenging tracks and travel to neighboring regions. Selva (also called Selva di Val Gardena) has many good hotels, it is easy to find an apartment, this is the busiest of the Val Gardena resorts.
Val Gardena is famous for the quality and variety of tracks. From the Piz Cella upper station, you can take the black trail towards Selva, or take the Sellajoch trails (2240 \u200b\u200bm) and the trails above Plan de Galba (1780 m). The most difficult black trail is the long and winding descent to Selva Gardena from the Ciampioni summit (2254 m). From the same peak, but already from east side, a shorter and less winding, but also very difficult black track descends into Santa Cristina. For lovers of difficult slopes, it is the Piz Cella - Monte de Seura area (2115 m) with interesting red slopes that pass through the forest in the lower part is recommended. Some red trails in little snowy weather can have rather difficult black sections. The traditional Sella Ronda trail may seem boring to experienced skiers, but the black and red trails at Porta Vescovo above Arabba are worth a look. For those who like to ride between trees, it is worth paying attention to Piz la Ila: the slope under the gondola to La Villa (this is already the Alta Badia region) is quite long and steep. For beginners, the Alpe di Siusi area is more suitable, strong skiers there may be curious to test their speed on a special section.
The long and wide slopes 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, from Selva to Ortisei there is a regular ski-bus.
In the high season in Val Gardena, virgin soil is rolled out quickly enough. But with the will 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 walk a little to the north, on foot moving to the Boe hut (2873 m, in winter it is usually closed). From here begins the picturesque Val Mezdi ("midday valley", so named for the fact that only at this time the sun penetrates into it). Slightly gloomy, but defiantly beautiful cliffs, untouched snow, narrow canyons - the route requires a good command of the technique and it is advisable to take it with a guide. From the top of the route, an incredible view of the resorts lying below opens up.
Val Gardena: Apres-ski
The restaurants in Val Gardena are dominated by Tyrolean and Ladin cuisine, with a clear predominance of meat dishes (although good fish can also be found in hotel restaurants). In Selva, many good restaurants are located at the hotels. Tyrol, Dorfer, Nives, Mignon are popular, they serve traditional South Tyrol dishes. Each of the good hotels has its own bars and restaurants. Excellent gourmet restaurant works in Alpenroyal Grand Hotel... The charming Anna Stuben restaurant is renowned for its cuisine and pleasant atmosphere, awarded by a Michelin guide. Most of the guests choose accommodation with half board, and the food in most hotels is delicious and plentiful, so do not overextend yourself. High season (Christmas and New Year, school holidays, February) in the most popular restaurants it is better to book a table in advance, otherwise you will not get into it.
Having a snack or a hearty lunch in the mountains is also not a problem in Val Gardena, because you are in Italy. Most of the mountain huts and restaurants offer Tyrolean, Ladin and italian cuisine, there are some great fish restaurants (notably Vallongia). Traditional lunch - various soups, polenta with mushrooms and other additives, and, of course, all kinds of pasta. A complete list of mountain restaurants -
Nice trendy shops are located in Ortisei, prices are more consistent elite resorts... During the season, the valley resorts host many interesting events. In December, Santa Cristina hosts the Alpine Ski World Cup stage - a very entertaining and interesting event that gathers thousands of fans.
Val Gardena: more than skiing
The valley towns have indoor pools, ice rinks and wellness centers. You can play tennis and squash in Ortisei. In the evening you can sit in a cafe, in a restaurant or drop by a disco. In Selva and Santa Cristina, specialized ski shops and souvenir shops are open. In the local history museum, you can get acquainted with the history of the valley, see old household items, carved wooden sculptures. It is worth visiting the ancient Fishburg Castle in Santa Cristina, built in the 17th century. There are many luxury hotels in the valley, many with excellent wellness centers. In Ortisei, there is the Mar Dolomiti aqua 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 \u200b\u200bover 1000 square meters with swimming pools, several Jacuzzis, various saunas and a beauty center. The complex also has 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, which has been repeatedly recognized as the best ski and spa hotel in Italy - Sporthotel Alpenroyalp Gourmet & Relax. It is a member 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. The Mickey Mountain Club, located in Selva, is for children from 4 to 12 years old and offers a varied program. The Junior Club, for teenagers from 11 to 18 years old, is located in Selva. In addition to skiing, the family is offered a wide range of entertainment: special programs, snowshoeing, dog and horse sledding, toboggan runs and ice rinks - Be prepared for the fact that most of the ski instructors do not speak Russian (Italian, German, etc.) less often - English - local standard).- When planning your trip to Sella Ronda or to other, remote valleys, carefully study the opening hours of the lifts. Getting stuck in a neighboring or not quite neighboring valley is an expensive pleasure: skiing between resorts is much faster than on the road, and a taxi trip can cost a pretty penny.
- Avoid riding the Sella Ronda during peak periods, otherwise you can spend a lot of time in queues.
Val Gardena - a fabulously beautiful valley more than 15 kilometers long at the foot of the mountain Sassolungo ("Long Stone"), which includes three resort towns - Ortisei, Santa cristina (1466 m.) And Selva Gardena (1563 m.).
Description of the resort
All tracks are connected by a continuous network of slopes and lifts with heights from 2518 to 1563 m, so you can move from one ski area to another without taking your skis. Through Passo Gardena you can easily reach the neighboring area of \u200b\u200bAlta Badia (altitude - 2138-1433 m, 39 lifts) with resorts Colfosco and Corvara.
The height of Val Gordena itself is about 1563 m, there are 77 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 local history museum, most of which is devoted to the art of local woodcarving. The picturesque Renaissance castle Fishburg (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 Waidbruck) - 13 km, Bressanone (German Brixen) - 31 km, Bolzano - 40 km.
