The heart of the Ladin community, this valley nestled in the Gardena Dolomites (district of Bolzano) is home to natural wonders such as mountain lakes, the majestic peaks of the Sella Group, and the Sassolungo, a veritable “rock castle” (3,181 meters high) that changes shape and color depending on the angle from which you look at it. Val Gardena is also a treasure trove of Italian Alpine tourism gems, such as Ortisei and Selva di Val Gardena. All seasons are ideal for a holiday here, as both summer and winter offer outdoor activities on mountain trails that are accessible to everyone. To reach Val Gardena, three main airports are available: Bolzano (BZO), Verona (VRN), and Innsbruck (INN), from which you can travel thanks to personalized transfers with a dedicated chauffeur.
Winter in Val Gardena
Have you ever tried a ski holiday in Val Gardena? Some of the best slopes for winter sports are located here, hosting several stages of the Alpine Ski World Cup. The snow lasts a long time on the slopes of Val Gardena, from December until late April, allowing skiers of all levels to enjoy skiing, sledding, and snowboarding: from families with children just starting out to professionals and champions in training. Average winter temperatures range from 4°C to -3°C.
Skiing in Val Gardena
Val Gardena has 181 km of downhill slopes, 80 ski lifts, and 115 km of cross-country trails. As one of the oldest ski resorts in Italy, it boasts a wide variety of trails, although only eight are the most famous and beloved. Locals call them the “Legendary 8”:
- Saslòng – a champion’s slope, used for the World Cup, with its challenging gradients that ignite a challenge among the most competitive skiers.
- Cir Vallunga – a professional slope used for the Women’s category downhill races during the World Cup.
- Ciampinoi 3 – a slope that winds through steep descents and woods.
- Bravo – this is also a slope for experienced skiers who know how to handle the many changes in steepness.
- Falk – one of the oldest slopes, with gentle lines and never-impossible gradients, it is perfect for any skier, even beginners.
- Gardenissima – panoramic and spectacular, one of the most beautiful routes in South Tyrol!
- La Longia – the longest slope, starting from the Sella mountain range and ending in the valley, through changing landscapes.
- Pilat – a route that winds almost exclusively through the woods.
Specifically, the “blue” slopes, open to all skiers, cover 52 km; the “red” slopes, of medium difficulty, cover almost 60% of the entire system, on 108 km; the “black” slopes, reserved for professionals and champions, cover 21 km.
Exploring the Valley
Whether on skis or not, exploring Val Gardena is an experience we highly recommend. Away from the slopes and the thrills they can offer, there are villages and natural wonders worth admiring.
The most important center is Ortisei-St. Ulrich, which is also the largest town in the area. Its many small churches and chapels in perfect Tyrolean style are an interesting cultural experience, as are the many historic “masi” (farmhouses) dotting the valley. Visit the Val Gardena Museum in the historic downtown. Selva di Val Gardena-Wolkenstein is famous for its stately villas and its castle (open only during summer events). Santa Cristina is a lively town nestled in green meadows, still preserving interesting medieval architecture such as Palazzo Fusell, Palazzo Paratoni, and Casa Crëpa.
In the Santa Cristina area, there is a lovely mountain lake called Santo. Other mountain lakes in the area include Dragon, Crespëina, Iman, and lake Scaies, all located at over 2,000 meters in the marvelous embrace of the Dolomite walls. Not far from Val Gardena lies the Alpe di Siusi, a vast elevated plain, a plateau of pastures and forests overlooking a breathtaking panorama of peaks and valleys. Bolzano is less than a 50-minute drive from the valley.
