HOSPITALITY, SNOW, CULINARY DELIGHTS AND SPORT: A DREAMING HOLIDAY IN VAL GARDENA

A dream holiday, in the winter, in the middle of pure white snow. This is the recurrent theme of a holiday in Val Gardena, a “Ladino” valley with three municipalities and a hundred kilometres of slopes that pass under the rocky massifs of Odle, Sella, Sassolungo and CIR, this is the Dolomites, the so-called Pale Mountains, Unesco world heritage site.

Val Gardena, with Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva is known throughout the world by all the ski enthusiasts who wish to have a winter holiday here with infinite possibilities of enjoyment in the open air.

The Sellaronda, the mythical skiing area around the Sella massif, which connects the Alpe di Siusi and the Dolomiti Superski (12 ski areas and 1200 km of slopes), they are able to satisfy the needs of all skiers, from the beginner to the professional.

One ski pass for more than 500 km of connected slopes, 95% covered with artificial snow and equipped with some of the safest ski lifts in the world, they are serviced every year respecting the standards of the European Union. Every evening the slopes are groomed thanks to more than 300 snow cats.

HOLIDAY IN VAL GARDENA ON THE SLOPES THAT HAVE MADE THE HISTORY OF SKIING

A great part of the history of skiing in Italy, and not only, was written along the pistes and slopes of this valley, thanks to the champions of various disciplines (such as Isolde Kostner, Werner Perathoner and Peter Runggaldier) and to the World Cup whose heats, every year at Christmas time, take place along the mythic piste Saslong, 3.4 km. with a drop of 839 meters.

All through winter there is a succession of events such as the Christmas Markets at Santa Cristina, the project "Ortisei the Christmas town", the competition of snow and ice statues, Carnival, the parade in traditional costume, concerts, and sporting displays such as FIS Ski World Cup, the Sellaronda Ski marathon and the Südtirol Gardenissima Kids and the Südtirol Gardenissima. This is the longest, unusual giant slalom in the world, where expert skiers compare themselves with champions of today and yesteryear, on a 6km route Skiing in Val Gardena

Val Gardena boasts around a hundred touristic experiences and is able to combine a strong and fascinating tradition, with technology and avant-garde structures, an ideal holiday for all the winter sports enthusiast.

HOLIDAY IN VAL GARDENA BETWEEN CULTURE AND IDENTITY

Val Gardena also means high quality gastronomy, art and culture, it is a Valley with an important history and strong traditions, which vigorously expresses the Ladina cultural heritage. Every year in fact initiatives and events are held which transmit the features of this patrimony.

All of the cuisine from Gardena, from starred restaurants to mountain refuges or farmsteads, is always based on antique recipes that are reworked according to the chefs and cook’s creativity, using many local raw materials.

In the hotels in Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva Gardena you will find comfort and well-being of the highest level. Wellness hotels, family hotels, hotels for your mountain bike holiday and for your skiing holidays offer special services and packages for your stay in Val Gardena.

Shopping lovers will be thrilled by the wide choice of shops in Val Gardena. Clothing and footwear shops, specialized shops and wood sculpture shops are characterized by the quality and variety of the offer, as well as by personal and professional advice.

The site www.valgardena.it was created to offer everyone the ability to plan holiday, excursions or days of ski mountaineering in Val Gardena and the Dolomites. Here you can book hotels, apartments, bed &breakfast, mountain inns as well culinary experiences, info and service in Val Gardena. 

HOLIDAY IN VAL GARDENA: SELVA VAL GARDENA

At the head of the Val Gardena, there is the municipality of Selva Gardena, located at 1,563 m asl. Extending at the foot of the impressive Sella alpenstock, the scenery in which the village is embedded is fabulous and ideal for various outdoor sports. Located between the Sassolungo, Gruppo del Puez, and Sella Mountain ranges, Selva Gardena is a popular place both in summer and winter.

Selva Gardena is a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts, thanks to its connection with the famous Sella Ronda. The largest ski carousel in the world that offers perfectly groomed slopes of all difficulty levels. In addition, the famous ski circuit Sellaronda, runs past Selva Gardena. The Sellaronda is a circuit that leads fitness fanatics or simply active guests to explore the Sella massif in the Dolomites. Skiers on the Sella can complete a trail that is 40 km long, 24 km of which can be completed by cable car. Thanks to Dolomiti Superski, the ski pass for the Dolomites area, you’ll be given access to the Sellaronda. Of course, during the Sellaronda tour also provides you with many interesting opportunities to dine: you can look forward to refreshing beverages and local specialties in countless mountain huts. In summer, the tour Sellaronda can be cycling, crossing four fantastic mountain passes. Other sports facilities such as the Pranives . ice stadium, the golf course, horse riding schools, tennis and squash courts and a skate track complete the offer regarding leisure time activities in Selva di Val Gardena.

Starting from Selva Gardena you can reach the neighbouring Dolomite valleys of Val Badia and Val di Fassa (Province of Trento) via the Passo di Gardena and Passo Sella mountain passes.

HOLIDAY IN VAL GARDENA: ORTISEI

The municipality of Ortisei is known for its charming and lively centre and is a particularly popular holiday destination. Ortisei, the chief village of Val Gardena, is a town of over 4,600 inhabitants. The municipal area ranges from 1,125 m to 2,518 m asl near the ridge of the Rasciesa and is located on the right bank of the Gardena River.

Ortisei has an ancient and rich history. For over two centuries it has been considered the international centre of wood carving. The mountains of Rasciesa, Seceda, Mont Seuc (Alpe di Siusi) which are part of the Dolomiti Superski, the largest ski carousel in the world, transform Ortisei into a true paradise for hikers, mountain bikers and simply for those who love nature. Comfortable ski lifts take you to the heart of the Dolomites, both in summer and in winter.

With numerous first-class hotels, residences, garni and apartments, Ortisei offers the ideal accommodation for every taste and need. Numerous restaurants in Ortisei, invite you to enjoy delicious local and international specialties as well as fine wines. For culture lovers, the Museum de Gherdëina offers the opportunity to learn about the history, nature, and culture of Val Gardena. A collection of ancient Val Gardena wooden toys, a section dedicated to art and wood sculptures, prehistoric archaeological finds, and a remarkable collection of fossils found in the Val Gardena area are just some of the attractions that can be admired in the museum.

Ortisei is a paradise for hikers, cyclists, mountaineers, skiers, lovers of nature and good food - the perfect place for your holidays in the Dolomites.