Val Gardena

The most beautiful ski resort in the world?

Val Gardena is located in the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage site with breathtaking views. It has become one of Italy’s most popular resorts, particularly for families, intermediate skiers and snowboarders.  

Val Gardena skipass offers 175km runs connected by 79 high-quality lifts. In addition, the Extended DolomitiSuperSki pass allows skiers and snowboarders to explore more than 500km of continuous ski runs and 1220km total with nearby resorts like Cortina D’Ampezzo and Kronplatz.

Val Gardena. The slopes above Selva.

Val Gardena was previously recognised as Italy’s No. 1 ski resort based on its size, standard, and facilities. However, because of its location in Sud Tirol, a former Austrian region until WW1, the locals speak German, Italian, and a dialect known as “Ladin.” Their approach brings you a passion for life, food, music, pleasure, and perfection by combining the finest of these cultures!

Seceda cliffs(2518m), north to St Christina. Sassolungo(3181m) in bkgd. Val Gardena

This review will show you the essential things you need to know before booking a Holiday at Val Garderna.

In addition, we will share some great tips that will help you make better decisions, save time and money and have an all and all more enjoyable vacation. 

Seiser Alm/Alpe di Susi slopes on the right. St Christina slopes on the left. Val Gardena

VILLAGES OVERVIEW

Val Gardena has received multiple awards for its diversity, hospitality, and spectacular scenery and has been voted to be one of the best ski vacation destinations in the world. The main villages connecting the Ski areas are Selva Val Garderna, the highest village in the valley; 

Selva Val Garderna, the highest village in the valley

Santa Christina, the sun-kissed village at the foot of the Sassolungo in the middle of Val Gardena

Santa Christina, the sun-kissed village at the foot of the Sassolungo. FIS world cup run

and Ortisei, the largest in the valley and in our opinion, the most beautiful ski village in Italy.

Ortisei, the largest in the valley, and in our opinion, the most beautiful ski village in Italy.

For people who want to explore the vast Sella Ronda area, the best place to stay is Selva Val Garderna because it is the best-located village directly on the circle of the Sella Ronda. If you have beginners in your group, we recommend staying between the beginner’s area and the Ciampnoi gondola. There are some other great accommodations between the Ciampinoi gondola and Costabella chairlift if you don’t have beginners in your group.

Ciampnoi gondola and Costabella chairlift. Selva

Santa Christina is located in the middle of Val Gardena and is connected by the underground Funicular train (11) between the FIS world cup run to the north side of Val Gardena and Ortisei.

St Christina

The beautiful Ortisei connects directly to the Seiser Alm area – another area included in the Val Garderna ski pass and suitable for beginners and intermediates.

Ortisei. Charmful pedestrian centre.

The accommodation prices of the three villages are around the same, which is relatively high compared to other ski villages in Italy. It lies approximately in the same price range as Corvara and Cortina.

SKIPASS 

For 315€, you can get a 6-day ski pass for adults. This pass includes the Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi ski regions. For everyone except beginners, we highly recommend buying the Dolomitisuperski pass for 339€. Dolomitisuperskipass will let you do the sella Ronda circuits and ski in the connected ski areas of Alta Badia, Val di Fassa and Arabba-Marmolada. You can even ski in Cortina and Kronplatz, which are included.

Intermediates and advanced skiers taking ski school group lessons must have the Dolomitisuperski pass because the groups do the Sella Ronda circuits.

we highly recommend buying the Dolomitisuperski

RECOMMENDED RUNS 

In Val Gardena, you can find runs of all difficulty levels. In addition, You will discover a unique variety of slopes with spectacular views. Val Garderna has an elevation of 1236m -2518 m with 52km of easy slopes, 105km of red slopes and 21km of black slopes. The skiing area is the largest of the many resorts of the Dolomitisuperski and one of the most beautiful globally.

Val Garderna is known for its “Legendary 8 “ski runs, listing all its best slopes. We tried them all, and here are our favourites:  

Val Garderna is known for its “Legendary 8” ski runs

Number 1 from the legendary 8, also known as the ‘Saslong’ or FIS  Alpine world cup slope, is the most famous run, with a length of 3.75km and an elevation difference of 839m. However, it is relatively easy and fun, especially for FIS fans! Every year, a few days before Christmas, one of the most significant and spectacular downhill races takes place here. Be careful not to go too fast your first time to not get airborne on the notorious ‘Camel Humps’. This run is also part of the Val Gardena Ronda.

‘Saslong’ or FIS  Alpine world cup slope, is the most famous run

We also enjoyed number 2, called ‘Cir’ or the women’s slope. Cir was a 1970 women’s alpine world cup run and is a relatively easy black. It connects to a new black run. You will enjoy some incredible views of Selva and Val Garderna!  A muggle-less run with beautiful cliffs on your right side. 

a 1970 women’s alpine world cup run

You will enjoy some incredible views of Selva and Val Garderna

Another black run is ‘Ciampinoi no. 3’. It is the steepest run of all legendary 8, with an average incline of 30%. The slope was both men’s and women’s giant slalom world cup run and is considered one of the technical slopes in the Dolomites. 

Ciampinoi no.3 has nice views of Selva. Note: Skiing to the right end of the slope will take you to the orange Sella ronda Curcuit at Castabella chairlift. Take the little drag lift at the left end of the run to save yourself from the walk to the Ciampnoi gondola, 

If you want to repeat.

The slope was both men’s and women’s giant slalom world cup run

the steepest run of all legendary 8

considered one of the technical slopes in the Dolomites.

‘La Longia’, (number 7 on the map), is one of the longest ski runs in the Dolomites, with a length of 10.5  km and an elevation difference of 1283 m. It leads from the Seceda (2,518m) to Ortisei (1,235 m). It begins with an unforgettable panoramic cruise on the rim of Secada Cliffs and then crosses the ridge west into a long beautiful canyon. If you come from Santa Christina, you can add another half km of the fantastic panoramic rim-cruise to this run.

one of the longest ski runs in the Dolomites

an elevation difference of 1283 m.

And now, our favourite run from all of them: ‘Gardenissima’: also known as the sensational slope, located on the north side of Val Garderna. It is 6km long and has fantastic panoramic views, with many pictorial huts. It is suitable for carving and speed cruising. It starts at the top of lift 8 at 2520m and ends at the bottom of lift 14 at 1550m—almost 1 km vertical drop.

‘Gardenissima’: also known as the sensational slope

starts at the top of lift 8 at 2520m

almost 1 km vertical drop.

6km long and has fantastic panoramic views

Generally, the Alpe di Siusi area is a popular starting spot for beginners and families whose children take their first steps on skis. Beginner’s nurseries in Ortisei, Santa Christina and Selva are located in the middle of each village. Ski school prices range around 280 Euro for adults for 21 hours spread over 6 days and 480 Euro for Children 4-12 years old for 27 hours over six days.

Selva Beginner’s area

Ortisei beginner’s area

Another exciting area is the Selva fun park area. It is in a hidden valley just under the Sossolungo. The slopes here are gentle and excellent for beginners to intermediates. The fun park is one of the best of its kind, and the highlight is the car in the middle. The bottom part of this little valley is the ‘Falk’ run number 5 from the legendary 8. You can continue skiing to Selva or take the Pizz Sella cable car (44) and enjoy the runs in this valley a second time. 

The slopes here are gentle and excellent for beginners to intermediates

Selva fun park. One of the best of its kind

The highlight is the car in the middle.

The whole area between Selva and Campitello di Fassa is full of easy runs with breathtaking views. If you want to know more about Campitello, Canazei and Val di Fassa, you can check out our review about Campitello later.

The runs between Selva and Campitello are easy and beautiful

The best snow park in the Val Gardena skipass is the Seiser Alm snowpark. Together with Corvara Snow Park, they are the best snow parks in the Selle Ronda area. 

Alta Badia snowpark (aka Corvara snow park). closer to San Cassiano actually.

The best snow park included in the Val Gardena skipass

Together with Corvara Snow Park, they are the best snow parks in the Selle Ronda area.

And, of course, Val Garderna offers you a raft of other activities outdoors, like ice rinks, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides and more. 

Val Garderna offers you a raft of other activities outdoors. Thank to Val Gardena tourism for the picture.

APRES-SKI AND NIGHTLIFE

After a hard day’s skiing, what could be better than kicking back, enjoying a few drinks and dancing to Schlager music with people from all over the world? So instead of heading straight from the slopes to your accommodation, consider stopping in one of Val Gardena’s excellent aprés-ski bars! 

Our favourite apres-ski spot in Val Gardena is the Snowbar Ruacia; it is located just next to the end of the Saslong downhill FIS world cup run. It is the last stop for many skiers who stay in Santa Christina. Here you can be sure to find a party every day.

Ruacia; it is located just next to the end of the Saslong downhill FIS world cup run

the last stop for many skiers who stay in Santa Christina

you can be sure to find a party every day!

The best option for Apres-ski in Ortisei is the Siglu, an igloo-shaped après-ski venue that has been around for many years.

Siglu, an igloo-shaped après-ski venue

If you still have energy after dinner, this one is for you: In Selva, you will find the most popular club in the valley: The Luisekeller. Near the Campinoi gondola, at the main street in front of the end of the ski trail crossing town. 

the most popular club in the valley: The Luisekeller

The basement has been around for decades. The opening hours are 3:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Note: it can get quite crowded!

Luise Keller. Opening hours are 3:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

HOW TO GET TO VAL GARDERNA

Val Gardena is in the central Dolomites on the north-western flanks of Sella Massif. The closest airport is Bolzano, 45 minutes drive to Ortisei and 55 minutes to Selva Gardena. Innsbruck Airport, is around 1h45m to Val Gardena. The 3rd nearest airport is Verona, with 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Here’s a link to the best online flight engine.

Here’s a link to the best online car rental website.

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CONCLUSION

The Sella Ronda area is the largest continuous ski area globally, considering the area size it covers on the map. 

Val Gardena is the most beautiful valley in the Whole Superskidolomiti area.

After the latest instalment of the skyline gondola system, you can ski from Cortina D’ Ampezzo to Suisi Seis without using a ski bus today. It is 43 km in a straight line! Not even the three valleys, with their 600 connected kilometres of runs, are so widespread on the map.

With the skyline gondola system, you can ski from Cortina D’ Ampezzo to Suisi Seis without using a ski bus.

In The Sella Ronda, you are actually touring the most beautiful areas of the Dolomites with skis and ski lifts. Val Gardena is the most beautiful valley in the Whole Superskidolomiti area, and the best valley in Italy as a ski resort. The views here are fantastic and diverse, and so are the runs. It is really suited to anyone and on the highest level.

The views here are fantastic and diverse, and so are the runs. Expect some flats on the Sella Ronda circuits.

However, It is not the best place for free riders and party lovers. Snowboarders will find some flats around the 500 km of runs, mainly on the Sella Ronda Circuits, but this Fantastic area is worth the few flats.

Not a typical free-ride area, but because of the huge size of the area, advanced freeriders will find some backcountry.

The place is not cheap, and there are more affordable places to stay, like Campitello di Fassa. Still, if money is not an object, Val Gardena and particularly Selva is the best in Italy and among the best anywhere. The geography of the place creates many circular routes and minimum repetitions of runs.

Selva. The best location

PRO’S & CON’S 

Pros

• Best range of intermediate piste trails in the Dolomiti Superski area. 
• High-quality lift system.
• the 2nd largest continuous ski area in the world!
• Whether beginner or professional skier: Suitable for all levels.
• Spectacular views.
• Well-groomed pistes.

Spectacular views

Cons

•  A massive resort that does get busy.
• Limited off-piste freeride terrain.
• Many flats in the ski area.
• Relatively expensive accommodation options.
• Snow parks are quite remote

RATINGS

Here are the scores for Val Gardena for a stay in Selva, with the Dolomiti superski skipass.

Beginners 8

Intermediate 9.5

Advanced 9

Snowboarders 8

Freestylers 7.5

Free riders 7.5

Apres Ski 7.5

Nightlife: 7

Resort Charm: 8.5

Value for Money: 8 

‘Ski resorts video’ Final score for Val Gardena is… 8.8 

INSIDER TIPS 

Begin your day early on the day you choose to ski from the Marmolada top station, the highest point in all the Dolomites. 

the Marmolada(3343m). The highest peak on the Dolomites.

We recommend you not start your first ski days with the Sella Ronda circles: it can get very crowded, especially at the beginning of the week, because most skiers do them on their two first days of the week. Instead, explore the many beautiful runs in Val Gardena and Seiser Alm, 

Use the green and orange Sella Ronda circles like Conveyers to move between the other ski areas (Alta Badia, Araba- Marmoldada and Val di Fassa) and explore one area in each day.

If you are a party lover or a  freerider, there are probably better ski resorts to explore.

The signs on the runs are different from the ones on the maps. Sometimes its names, sometimes numbers. Quite a mess!
It is good to use navigation apps like FatMap, plan, and leave early before skiing to Marmolada or other remote areas to not stack on a different valley after the lifts are close. 

Explore the stunning hidden valley between Alta Badia and Cortina d’ Ampezzo.

If you want to investigate further about the Hidden Valley, we recommend you to read our Corvara and Alta Badia review.