Ski resort Val Gardena. Val gardena, italy things to do in val gardena

Val Gardena is a wide picturesque valley of South Tyrol, located in the northwest of the Dolomites, an excellent mountain range with the status of a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. According to experienced tourists, it is Val Gardena that is the most attractive valley of the Sella Ronda, a circular ski route with a total length of 500 km. The valley itself offers 175 km of pistes of breathtaking beauty.

Val Gardena offers its guests many opportunities for entertainment. Among them, you can choose the most suitable: winter excursions, freestyle, hockey, paragliding, figure skating, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, sledding and much more. A variety of outdoor activities attracts tourists from all over the world.

The resort includes three small towns with a well-developed infrastructure - Ortisei (1236 m), Santa Cristina (1428 m) and Selva (1563 m).

Ortisei - the largest of them, is a great place for families with children. There are many restaurants, spas, various hotels and shops. The first ski lift is only 10 minutes walk.

Santa Cristina is the smallest resort town in the valley. It is very comfortable and there is no noise.

Selva is a fairly popular resort due to its favorable location to the Sella Ronda mountain route, from where many trails start. It has a developed tourist infrastructure.

Previously, Val Gardena was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, so here they speak German with more pleasure than Italian. As for the local population of Val Gardena, it is very hospitable and sincere. The local people speak the rare Ladin language, which is over 2000 years old! Definitely worth talking to them.

Val Gardena annually hosts the Alpine Skiing World Cup. Interestingly, all the action takes place on the steep Saslong track. With a little courage, you can also get a taste of victory by going down this famous track.

The Val Gardena is part of the Sella Ronda circular route, which includes 500 km of ski slopes. It is here that every year international competitions in slalom are held - downhill for men.

Val Gardena is part of the Dolomiti Superski, an incredibly beautiful ski area of ​​16 ski regions. A special advantage is the ability to ski all 1,200 km of the Dolomiti Superski slopes with a single ski pass. And 450 lifts - with the breeze will take you to the best peaks of the Dolomites. Having visited the resort of Alta Bedia, you are guaranteed to get the maximum pleasure from outdoor activities!

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 there. Like other resorts in the Dolomiti Superski region, Val Gardena (or Gröden in German) is the name of a ski region that unites three resorts. Val Gardena is located in the center of South Tyrol, previously this part belonged to Austria, and this is felt literally in everything. The local population is fluent in three languages: Italian and German - the official languages ​​of South Tyrol (Alto Adige), and even a rare Ladin - native to the local population. Many villages and names in Val Gardena and neighboring valleys often have two or sometimes three names, often dissimilar. Ortisei in Italian sounds like Ortisei, in German St. Ulrich, and in Ladin Urtijei. The Ladin language (it belongs to Romansh 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 regions of Trentino have been isolated from the outside world, traditions and crafts are still strong in local villages. In many villages of the Dolomites, wood carving and lace weaving are held in high esteem, and the locals themselves are known for their friendliness and hospitality.

Val Gardena is one of the most popular places in the heart of the Dolomites. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful regions in Italy, located on the famous Sella Ronda circuit. All the main towns in the region offer a good range of accommodation options. Val Gardena hosts international competitions every year, including the legendary Alpine Skiing World Cup on the Saslong slope.

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

Minuses
- Slopes and lifts are often crowded
- Relatively high prices
- Some long trails for beginners
- Not too busy nightlife
- Ski-in ski-out options are limited

How to get to Val Gardena

The nearest international airport is Bolzano (Bolzano) - 40 km. Innsbruck Airport - 120 km, Verona Airport - 190 km. The road 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 trails

Ski area - 1060-2518 m
Total length of trails - 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 one of the next of kin purchases a ski pass.
There are also discounts for riders over 65 years old. 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 Dolomiti Superski region (a total of 1200 km of slopes in various resorts, but not all of them are completely 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 application is free.

Val Gardena: prices

Rent a set of equipment for 6 days - 160-180 euros
Classes in groups (5 days for 3 hours) - from 250 euros
Individual lessons with an instructor - from 47 euros / hour
A visit to the aquatic center - 8.5 euros
Visit to the 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(Arabba). 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 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 the former Austrian possessions that became part of Italy after the First World War; the influence of Italy and Austria has bizarrely 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 well suited 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 (Wolkenstein) - a good option for those who want to ride more difficult tracks and travel to neighboring regions. In Selva (it is also called Selva di Val Gardena) there are many good hotels, it is not difficult to find apartments, this is the liveliest of the resorts of Val Gardena.

Val Gardena is famous for the quality and variety of pistes. From the upper station of Piz Cella, you can get off on the black slope towards Selva or go to the slopes of Sellajoch (2240 ​​m) and the slopes above Plan de Galba (1780 m). The most difficult black run is the long and winding descent to Selva Gardena from the top of Ciampioni (2254 m). From the same peak, but from the 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 (2115 m) area with interesting red slopes that pass through the forest in the lower part. Some red runs in light snow conditions can have quite difficult black sections. The traditional route of the Sella Ronda may be too boring for experienced skiers, but the black and red runs at Porta Vescovo above Arabba are worth a look. For those who like to ride between the trees, you should pay 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 there may be curious to test 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 lifts from Ortisei to the main skiing area to Monte Piz (2109 m). The resorts of Santa Cristina and Selva Gardena are interconnected 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 if you want and with some effort, you can find incredibly beautiful freeride routes. In particular, having climbed on the Sass Pordoi cabin to the mark of 2950 m, you can go a little to the north, moving 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 with 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, with a clear predominance of meat dishes (although you can also find good fish in the hotel restaurants). In Selva, many good restaurants are located at the hotels. Tyrol, Dorfer, Nives, Mignon are popular and serve traditional South Tyrolean dishes. Each of the good hotels has its own bars and restaurants. An excellent gastronomic restaurant operates at the Alpenroyal Grand Hotel. The charming restaurant Anna Stuben is famous for its cuisine and pleasant atmosphere, it has been 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 overdo it. During the 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 meal 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, and there are some excellent fish restaurants (Vallongia in particular). Traditional lunch - various soups, polenta with mushrooms and other additives, and, of course, all kinds of pasta. Full list of mountain restaurants -

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

Val Gardena: more than just skiing

In the towns of the valley there are 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. 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 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 of them with excellent wellness centers. In Ortisei, there is the Mar Dolomiti Aqua Center with a large swimming pool, cascade complex, saunas and a wellness complex. Alpin Garden Wellness Resort has a luxurious complex Wellness & Spa Cleopatra with an area of ​​more than 1000 sq.m 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, repeatedly recognized as the best ski and spa hotel in Italy - Sporthotel Alpenroyalp Gourmet & Relax. It is part 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 wide range of activities: special programs, snowshoeing, dog and horse sledding, toboggan runs and skating rinks - Be prepared for the fact that most of the ski instructors do not speak Russian (Italian, German and, less often - English - local standard).
- When planning a 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: moving between resorts on skis is much faster than on the road, and a taxi ride can cost a pretty penny.
- Avoid riding the Sella Ronda during peak periods, otherwise you can spend a lot of time queuing.

Val Gardena is a picturesque valley located in the Italian province (Provincia autonoma di Bolzano, also known as South Tyrol), at the junction of the borders of Italy, Austria and Germany. In this valley is one of the most popular, part of the Dolomiti Superski region, which is famous for its mesmerizing landscapes and well-equipped trails.

The resort is easily accessible both from other Italian cities (via federal highways) and from major European cities (Munich, Nice, Zurich, Vienna) via motorways.

Among the entertainment of Val Gardena is not only skiing - the resort has the opportunity to go mountain climbing, horseback riding, shopping, as well as visit local spa centers and take a course of wellness treatments. Local restaurants and clubs deserve special attention. A wide range of entertainment provided allows the resort region to become one of the most popular resorts in Italy.

It is from Val Gardena that fans of skiing begin their acquaintance with the Alpine resorts. This is understandable - the tracks are equipped at the highest level, there is an extensive network of lifts connecting them to each other. There are approximately 175 kilometers of individual trails in the valley, of which about a third are for beginners, about 60% for skiers with some experience and about 10% for professionals.

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If you look at the Val Gardena valley on the map, it is noticeable that it is divided into three resort areas. This separation gives you the opportunity to choose accommodation in the immediate vicinity of the slopes that are most interesting to you and suit your skiing skills. The resort region has 82 lifts that unite the internal resorts into a single network, which also includes access to Sella Ronda (a closed route that goes around the resorts of the mountain range of the same name). Val Gardena can provide leisure for any traveler, even if winter sports are not to their liking - tourists can enjoy chic restaurants, shops and boutiques, as well as excursions to local attractions.

Description and general characteristics

Val Gardena is the name of a valley in which there are three major residential areas:

  1. Selva di Val Gardena, located at an altitude of 1563 meters;
  2. A little lower (1428 meters) is the small village of Santa Cristina Valgardena (Santa Cristina Valgardena);
  3. Closest to the foot of the Alps (1236 m) is the Ortisei area.

The communes have their own unique flavor and the rest is somewhat different in each, so before choosing an accommodation option, you should find out about these features.

Selva di Val Gardena

Selva di Val Gardena (abbreviated as Selva) is considered the liveliest and most popular resort of the Val Gardena valley, largely due to the height of its location and proximity to the famous Sella Ronda ring (Sellaronda), the slopes and lifts of which vacationers use to get to the most interesting slopes of the Dolomiti Superski region.

However, the ski areas related to the resort can also surprise even skilled skiers. The resort includes 3 ski areas:

  1. Dantercepis (Dantercepies, height 2300 meters)
  2. Plan de Gralba (Plan de Gralba, 1800 meters)
  3. Ciampinoi (Ciampinoi, 2254 meters), which borders the resort of Santa Cristina.

Selva also has the largest number of hotels, restaurants and clubs.- this area is very popular with young people who like discos and rest until the morning.

Ortisei

Ortisei is the second largest village in the valley. Unlike Selva, club life is not so developed here, there are much fewer tourists - therefore Ortisei is great for families with children. The slopes related to the village are mostly “red” and “blue”, but there are a large number of sections for beginner skiers. The resort area consists of 3 ski areas:

  1. Val Furnes
  2. Seiser Alm
  3. Alpe di Siusi.

Santa Cristina is the smallest and most comfortable resort of Val Gardena, so there are usually much fewer tourists here than in Ortisei, and even more so in Selva di Val Gardena.

The resort is perfect for a relaxing holiday with children. Santa Cristina is located almost in the very center of the region, so vacationers can easily get to the most popular trails. The resort consists of 3 ski areas:

  1. Monte Pana (Monte Pana, at an altitude of 1636 meters), located on the plateau of the same name
  2. Seceda (Seceda, 2518 meters)
  3. Col Raiser (2103 meters), which are located near the Val Fournes area, belonging to Ortisei.

Rest

The Val Gardena Valley provides tourists with a vacation for every taste - 175 kilometers of slopes will allow you to enjoy the picturesque views of the Dolomites, numerous restaurants will impress with delicious dishes, and the abundance of shops and boutiques of famous brands will pleasantly surprise shoppers with an assortment.

It is not for nothing that Val Gardena is considered one of the most comfortable resorts in the Dolomites Superski region - any vacationer will find entertainment to their liking.

Winter sports

On the territory of Val Gardena there are 51 pistes, among which there are both pistes for beginners and confident skiers, as well as for real professionals. Snowboarders will love the snowpark and the funpark, which includes halfpipes. In addition, the resort region has several indoor skating rinks.

For beginner skiers

Athletes who are just starting to comprehend the basics of alpine skiing are best suited for the Seiser Alm area, which is located near Ortisei. Most of the routes here are marked as “red”, but in fact they are simple “blue” routes along the spacious high mountain slopes of the plateau. The elevation difference on the Seiser Alm tracks is no more than 300 meters, and the length of the slopes is from 600 to 2500 meters. One of the most popular route among beginners is the Seiser Alm-Skitour Hexen (Skitour Hexen), also known as the Baba Yaga Tour, which is very popular with children. However, for those who do not have any skiing experience and are just starting to get acquainted with alpine skiing, it is better to try out the training ground of Ortisei itself first.

Santa Cristina also has its own training ground, which is part of Monte Pana. The site is a complex of easy tracks marked in blue. The tracks are serviced by 4 tow lifts. A small descent, intended for training beginners, is also present within the boundaries of the village itself, in its upper part.

In Selva di Val Gardena, beginner skiers mostly prefer the area of ​​Dantercepis, which is served by seven drag lifts. Five of them serve the more gentle part of the area, the rest lead to slopes with a higher slope. The conditions for beginner skiers in Dantercepis are quite acceptable, but not ideal - the fact is that a large number of skiers with higher levels descending from mountain peaks, as well as freeriders, pass through the skiing area.

Separately, it is worth noting that in the resort region there are numerous ski schools for skiers of all ages - Sci Emotions, Ski & Snowboard School Saslong and Ski & Snowboard School Ortisei in Ortisei, Top Ski School & Rental EA7, Snowboard & Skischool 2000 and Ski & Snowboardschool Selva Gardena in Selva di Val Gardena, Ski & Snowboard School S. Cristina in Santa Cristina.

Children's miniclubs are also working - in Selva and Santa Cristina they work from 09.00 to 16.00, in Ortisei - from 10.30 to 13.30 (on Thursdays - until 16.00).

For younger children (from one year old) there is a children's ski school in Santa Cristina, five full days of training in which will cost 190 euros.

For advanced skiers

Skiers with a higher level of training should visit Ortisei and Selva (most of the slopes of these resorts are blue and red, there are also red and black ones that experienced athletes can master). There are many picturesque forest trails here (for example, the 10-kilometer La Longia, which descends from the Seceda district to the town of Ortisei). Known among skiers are the slopes of Ciampina (the descent to the Selva is the track on which the World Alpine Skiing Championship takes place), Dantercepis and the Sella peak.

Especially popular is the descent from Ciampina to Plan de Gralba, a little less people on the way down from Ciampina to Santa Cristina. The slopes of Dantercepis are usually very crowded, so experienced skiers choose the long slope leading to Langental.

The Alpe di Siusi area is also famous, which consists mainly of red and blue pistes (the total length of pistes in the area is about 60 km, red of them - 29 km, blue - 30, there is one black piste). Alpe di Siusi is served by 23 ski lifts and there are not so many skiers here, unlike Danterzepis.

Most popular among athletes living in Ortisei and Santa Cristina, the Seceda sector. It will please skiers with wide pistes with a rather large slope in the upper sections and small elevation changes towards the end. Several short forest trails are present on the southeastern slope of Kol Reiser. Every year in early April, the famous Grandenissima competitions take place.(Gardenissima), participation in which is completely free (but, of course, a ski pass is required to participate). The competition is held on a 6 km long track that descends from the Seceda ridge and ends in Santa Cristina.

For experts

Skiers with solid experience in skiing and who consider themselves professionals should take a look at the famous "black" slope Saslong A (Saslong A), which stretches from Ciampina to Santa Cristina.


This is a difficult track, where the World Cup competitions in alpine skiing, namely downhill skiing, are held annually. The length of the track is about 3500 meters, the maximum slope on it is 57%, the average is 21%. The track includes the Camel Hump (Kamelbuckel) element known among professional skiers - if the skier in front of him does not slow down, he will fly off the track by 50-70 meters!

Saslong B is no less interesting. The track is also “black”, but somewhat longer and includes more sections where you can accelerate properly.

You should not lose sight of the two magnificent descents from Ciampina to Selva. The first, "black" descent, passes in the same place as Saslong, but ends with a "corridor" passing through the forest. The other, marked in red, runs along a narrow isthmus between sheer cliffs, and descends into the Val Gardena valley in neat loops.

For freeriders

Freeride (off-piste) in Val Gardena is not a particularly popular activity. Perhaps the point here is not a large number of steep slopes along which the tracks are not laid, or maybe the variety of equipped trails in the valley is quite enough for local freeriders - who knows? However, some of the freeride spots in Val Gardena are quite famous. First of all, this is the Seceda area.

If you move away from the marked trails, you can find spacious slopes along which you can go down to the lower station of the 4-chair lift.

Unfortunately, it is better to do this within a couple of days after a snowfall, since after the snow the virgin lands are covered with an ice crust and skiing here is no longer so pleasant. But when the crust hardens properly, you can walk along it on foot. Approximately the same situation is on the slope of Seiser Alm. A little longer virgin soil is held in the Punta d'Oro sector, but its slopes are too gentle for fast skiing.

Ski safari

There are a lot of options for ski safari (long skiing without repeating slopes that have already been completed) in Val Gardena and Sella Ronda: the total length of all interconnected resorts is more than 480 kilometers, and the network of lifts will allow the skier to save time, avoid repeated routes and enjoy new breathtaking views every day.

The most popular route is as follows. From Ciampina downhill Saslong B to Saint Cristina, then using the lifts again on Ciampina, down a 4-kilometer descent to Selva, after that - down the exit to Plan de Gralba (be careful - there is a "black" track, on which skiers descend at high speed). Here you should get to the gondola lift and get into the Dantercepis sector, from where you can go back to the Selva along the unpretentious “red” track. If you have enough strength, you can again climb to Ciampina and overcome the descent to Plan de Gralba, from there take the funicular to Piz Sella, then descend to Monte Pana via Sassolundo ... In a word, the local routes will allow you to choose an unexplored route every day and enjoy the beauties of the Alpine nature.

For snowboarders

First of all, Val Gardena is considered a ski resort, but there are also excellent conditions for snowboarders.

Snowpark Piz Sella (Piz Sella), which is located at an altitude of 2158 meters at the foot of the Sassolungo (Sassolungo) at the southern end of the valley.

In 2012, the park was upgraded with several new ski jumps and a boardercross with a spiral tunnel. Seiser Alm also has a small halfpipe. Snowboarders who have a Dolomiti Superski ski pass can visit another snowpark, but much larger and equipped: it is located in the Col Rodella area and is called Passo Sella.

Mountaineering

: local climbing routes will allow you to test your skills and challenge such difficult peaks as Piz Gralba peak (Piz Gralba, 2.974 meters), Miara peak (Piz Miara, 2.965 meters) and Beguz peak (Piz Beguz, 2.972 meters).

The most popular routes for professional climbers are The Pössnecker-Route, The Brigata Tridentina, The Oskar-Schuster-Track.

For those who are not yet ready to climb the almost three-kilometer peaks of Val Gardena, there are numerous climbing parks and climbing walls:

  • Citta dei Sassi (Città dei Sassi, aka "City of Stones"), located near the Plan de Gralba (includes 29 slopes with difficulty level 4, 24 slopes of difficulty level 5c, 75 slopes of difficulty ranging between 6a and 6c, as well as 13 slopes with difficulty 7a). There are also 16 boulder runs;
  • Frea, which can be reached via the SS243 from Plan de Gralba. The park includes 4 tracks of difficulty 4, 11 tracks with a difficulty level between 5a and 5b, 37 tracks with a difficulty between 6a and 6c and 21 tracks with a difficulty class of 7a;
  • Bernardi, a small park located between Selva di Val Gardena and Plan de Gralba next to the SS242 highway: it consists of 5 slopes with a difficulty of 6B-6C and 7 slopes of class 7a-7b;
  • Traumpfeiler, next to Plan de Gralba below SS243: 4 tracks 6a, 32 tracks 6a-6c, 19 tracks 7a-7c and 4 stub tracks 8a;
  • La Cava above Ortisei, located very close to SS242: 6 routes 5c, 18 tracks 6a-6c, 9 tracks 7a-7b and 3 difficult tracks 8a.

Ski passes

Prices for ski passes mainly depend on what time of the year you plan to travel and on the age of the person for whom the ski pass is purchased. The most optimal is considered a weekly ski pass: for an adult, it will cost 224-280-252 euros (respectively, out of season, in high and low seasons), for a child (under 16): 157-196-176, for seniors (skiers over 65): 202- 252-227. You can find the current prices for ski passes in Val Gardena in 2017 and 2018 on the website www.dolomitisuperski.com. The Val Gardena ski pass also comes with a map of the slopes.

It is worth remembering that these are the prices for ski passes in Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi. A weekly ski pass, which will allow you to visit the slopes of the entire Dolomiti Superski region, will cost a little more: for an adult 243-304-274, for children 170-213-192, for older skiers 219-274-246 euros.

après ski

Apres-ski in Val Gardena starts in the afternoon (at about three o'clock), when skiers tired of the morning skiing begin to gather in restaurants and bars to have a bite to eat. Most of all, of course, in restaurants and bars located near the slopes - among them, special attention should be paid to Pauli and Chalet Restaurant Rasciesa (an interesting solution - the bar counter in it is made of snow) in Ortisei, Juac, Saslonch, Gran Paradiso on mountain slopes of the Selva. There are about 50 different cafes on the territory of the entire resort.

In Ortisei, the most popular are Dolomiti Madonna, Pontives and Mont Seuc (classic style restaurants with haute cuisine), La Rosticceria Sotriffer, Tubladel and Val D'Anna (beautiful restaurants with a strong personality that will delight connoisseurs of signature dishes) and small but homely cozy Terrazza and Mar Dolomit (it is located next to the thermal complex of the same name, which includes 11 baths and saunas, indoor pools with warm water and hydromassage, the cost of visiting is from 11.3 euros).

Selva is a real center of après-ski: most of the restaurants located in the valley belong to this area. Tourists with children should definitely visit Ingloo, Pra Valentini is suitable for a romantic evening, vacationers who prefer classic restaurants will like La Bula, L Mulinè, and Olympia. Tourists who are more attracted by the atmosphere of bars and noisy fun in the spirit of Austrian resorts should look into Luiskeller and Kronestube.

In Santa Cristina you will find classic restaurants (Ruacia De Sot, L Fudle) and cheap pizzerias (Pizzeria Da Bruno, Da Peppi). The local steakhouse Residence, Restaurant & Steakhouse La Tambra deserves special attention. Most establishments are located on the central street of the town of Via Dursan (the street is part of the federal highway SS242).

In addition to various restaurants and cafes, branded shopping, traditional for European ski resorts, is developed in Val Gardena: more than 50 clothing stores serve this purpose. You can show yourself in all its glory in the nightclubs of Val Gardena: Umbrella (the largest disco that runs until the morning) and Disco Dancing Dali.

Also in the valley there is a tennis court, fitness centers, wellness centers, bowling, billiards, numerous saunas, baths and spas - in a word, everything you need for a complete and pleasant vacation.

Val Gardena in summer

In summer, there is also something to do in Val Gardena - cycling along high mountain routes is very popular. On the territory of the resorts there is a network of more than 30 different cycling routes of varying difficulty, with a total length of over 1000 kilometers and with a height difference of 1750 meters. There are six mountain bike schools in Val Gardena, bike rental, protective clothing. Most of the routes can be visited both independently and with an instructor.

Also, the picturesque expanses of Val Gardena can be explored on horseback. You can rent a horse for an average of 75 euros per hour. For children, there is the possibility of pony rides - 45 euros per hour of riding. You can rent a horse at one of the three riding schools(one each in Santa Cristina, Ortisei and Selva), where instructors will also help beginners learn the basics of riding and teach how to stay in the saddle.

A flight over the mountains on a paraglider or helicopter can give a lot of impressions. The five-star Alpenroyal Grand Hotel even has its own helipad! Paragliding in Val Gardena has been known since 1986: the region is a pioneer of free flight among Italian resorts. If you are not an experienced paraglider and are afraid that your skills will not be enough, you can choose to fly with an instructor.

Adventure seekers will also enjoy geocaching - an independent search for “treasures” hidden in the resort, which are small containers. By registering on the site www.geocaching.com, you can find the GPS coordinates of the location of the first "treasure", where a hint will be hidden where to look for the next one.

Attractions

Tired of sports and the gastronomic delights of Val Gardena, tourists can also taste spiritual food by visiting the many attractions of Val Gardena. Among them are castles, museums, monuments, churches, monuments, old watermills - in a word, there are a lot of places that you can see.

Castle Castel Gardena (Fischburg-Castel Gardena), located in Santa Cristina, was built in 1641 by order of one of the counts Wolkenstein.

Its original name - Fishburg - translates as "fish castle". This naming is due to the fact that in the vicinity of the castle, its owner ordered to dig many small ponds in which Count Wolkenstein bred trout. Unfortunately, there are no regular excursions inside the castle, as it is the private property of Baron Franchetti. However, during the summer, during the annual Valgardenamusica music festival, concerts are held inside the castle. Not far from the castle is also a small chapel Bergkapelle (Bergkapelle), which anyone can visit.

Wolkenstein Castle

Wolkenstein Castle is an ancient watchtower built in the 13th century between the Val Gardena and Alta Badia valleys.

The castle was captured by the Venetians in the 16th century and subsequently was not used for its intended purpose, as a result of which it gradually collapsed. At present, the northern walls of the castle, which are located at an altitude of 1600 meters, are best preserved.

Trostburg Castle is the oldest castle in Val Gardena, the first mention of it dates back to 1173.

Who owned the castle complex at the time of construction is not exactly known, but from the 14th to the 20th centuries it was the property of the ancient Italian family Volkenstein-Trostburg. Thanks to the efforts of the Südtiroler Burgeninstitut association, the building was restored and became available for tourists in 1977.

Historical Museum of Val Gardena

The Museum de Gherdëina, located at Via Rezia 83 in Ortisei, tells visitors about the history of the resort region. Here are large expositions of archaeological finds, various art objects made by local authors, fossils. The exhibition of woodcarving deserves special attention - this type of art has been known here since 1600 and is a kind of "calling card" of the culture of Val Gardena.

Sundial

The huge sundial, located on a huge meadow in Alpe Juac (Alpe Juac, near Selva Val Gardena), was built by the famous designer Roland Moroder. There is no separate road leading to the clock, but there is a walking path along which tourists can get from Selva to this attraction in about half an hour.

Church of St. Ulrich

The Church of St. Ulrich (Chiesa Ortisei - Kirche St. Ulrich) is located in Ortisei at Via Stufan, 1, not far from it is the Adler Hotel.

The construction of the church began in 1793 and lasted three years. The church is made in the late Baroque style and is decorated with numerous frescoes and paintings, including works by Ludwig, Joseph and Rudolf Moroder (one of the paintings present in the church was awarded a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900).

The Church of St. Anthony (Chiesa di Sant'Antonio) is also located in Ortisei, on the square, which is dedicated to the same saint. The first mention of the church dates back to 1430. However, that church, unfortunately, did not survive to this day and was rebuilt in 1676. In 1959, the last restoration of the temple took place. The church belongs to the Romanesque style, the central painting by the Swiss artist Paul Deschwanden depicts St. Anthony kneeling before the Virgin Mary and Jesus.

The exquisite Church of San Giacomo (Chiesa Di San Giacomo) is located between Ortisei and the Gröden Gorge, on the Troi Paiàn mountain trail, which can be reached if you walk along Str. Sacun from Ortisei.

The only way to get to the church is on foot., about an hour walk from the city center. The exact date of construction of the temple is unknown, but it is believed that the cornerstone of the church was laid in 1181. Initially, the church was built in the Romanesque style, but after numerous restorations, elements of the Baroque and Gothic murals were included in the ensemble of the temple.

Weather

The warmest months in Val Gardena are July and August - the temperature reaches +21 degrees during the day, at night it drops to 6 degrees. The coldest month is January, but even then the temperature drops only to -3 during the day (at night to -10). The most sunny months are July and August (an average of 24-25 sunny days per month), cloudy - January and February (about 10-13 days).

Hotels

Hotels in the Val Gardena region will be able to please every traveler - there are accommodation options for every taste and financial possibilities.

In Selva di Val Gardena you can find hotels suitable for lovers of rich evening life - the town is quite noisy, clubs, bars and discos are located near most of the hotels.

For a more relaxing pastime, it is better to book a room in the hotels of Ortisei or Santa Cristina Val Gardena. Of course, you are unlikely to find Russian-speaking staff here, but most hotels speak English, Italian and German. However, in a five-star hotel, you can expect the staff to speak Russian as well.

3 stars

Val Gardena has more than a hundred three-star hotels, which provide vacationers with a wide range of services at fairly affordable (by the standards of the Dolomiti Superski region) prices. Many of the accommodation options are located near popular ski slopes. We have selected for you the best according to the reviews of tourists.

Hotel Cristallo

Located in Santa Cristina, less than half a kilometer from the main ski lifts. Guests can enjoy a free buffet breakfast, swim in the indoor pool or relax in the sauna. On the ground floor of the hotel there is a Tyrolean restaurant.

Hotel Olympia

By train

The railway stations closest to Val Gardena are located on the Verona-Munich line passing through Innsbruck:

  • From Ponte Garden - about 13 km;
  • From Bressanone - about 30 km;
  • From Bolzano - 40 km.

An open Schengen visa gives you the opportunity to visit Val Gardena, for example, on the way from Munich: in this case, you can take a train to Rome-Verona departing from and get from Verona to Val Gardena by train to Bolzano. Once you reach this station, the resort is easily accessible by bus, taxi or rental car.

  • See instructions: how to buy without intermediaries

By bus

During the high season, a direct transfer is organized to Val Gardena from the airports of the nearest cities - Verona, Innsbruck and (ticket price - 25 euros). There are also regular flights from Bolzano (departure once an hour) and Ponte Gardena, as well as Bressanone (350 line via Chiusa). From the nearest towns you can get to the valley for only 2.5 euros, a taxi will cost you about 17-19 euros. Bus line 471 will take you to Val Gardena from the Dolomiti Superski passes.

By plane

There is no airport on the territory of Val Gardena, but they are available in the cities closest to the valley. In season, it is easy to get to the resort from there using bus transfers.

  • Bolzano Airport (Airport Bolzano Dolomiti) - 40 km;
  • Innsbruck Airport (Kranebitten) - 110 km;
  • (Valerio Catullo) - 205 km.

Popular among Russian travelers visiting Val Gardena are regular direct flights Moscow-Innsbruck and Munich-Innsbruck.

By car

The easiest way to get to the resort by car is along the A22 highway - from the north it can be reached from, Verona and Bolzano, from the south - from Innsbruck. The path to Val Gardena from Germany (Munich, Nuremberg) passes along the federal highway number 8, from there along the E45 to Innsbruck. From the neighboring ski resorts you can reach the roads SS242, SS243 (from Val di Fassa and Alta Badia).

You can find a profitable car rental option on our service

Our opinion

Val Gardena in winter is a favorite destination for skiers and climbers from all over the world. The resort region will provide you with the widest opportunities for recreation and entertainment, regardless of preferences - skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the beautiful slopes of the Val Gardena and Dolomiti Superski regions, climbers - difficult mountain routes and rock climbing parks, horseback riding enthusiasts - walks along picturesque mountain trails in autumn and summer . Tours to Val Gardena will undoubtedly bring you a lot of impressions and become an unforgettable event in your life!

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Arriving in Val Gardena, you seem to find yourself in a fairy tale. These are not just beautiful words, but the feelings of those who first appeared in this valley. Descending from the Brenner Pass, you will see the summit of Sassolungo - this is a sure sign that you are almost there.

In this valley, many people speak German, and the inscriptions 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 communicate in Italian and German, so communication problems never arise.

A more budgetary, but no less active and comfortable vacation is offered by Russian ski resorts. Abzakovo is one of the most popular resorts in the Ural Mountains. The beauty of nature and the variety of trails attract many tourists every year. It is noteworthy that Abzakovo operates year-round ... You will find out more information.

On the map of Italy, Val Gardena looks very tiny, but once you have been here, you begin to understand what a big part of the country it is, thanks to traditions, the beauty of nature and the attitude of local residents towards tourists.

basic information

Location

The Val Gardena ski resort in Italy is located in the northwestern part of the famous Dolomites, in the Alto Adige district. By the way, there is 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

Already in early November, heavy and regular snowfalls begin. The temperature in November tends to minus marks. The winter months are the coldest in Val Gardena - the temperature drops to minus 20 degrees.

The skiing season starts in December and continues until the end of April.

Trails, slopes, lifts

Most people arriving in Val Gardena make sure to spend some time on the Sella Ronda circular route, which is 26 kilometers of slopes. To do this, you need a ski-pass "Dolomita Superski". There are three ski areas in Val Gardena:

  • Ortisei - the largest village, 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 a total of 175 kilometers of pistes, many of which are illuminated at night. On the territory of this ski area there are 83 lifts that can deliver up to 109 thousand people per hour to the top. The longest descent 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 the best hotels are:

  • Adler (Ortisei);
  • La Perla - somewhat removed from the city, but is one of the most beautiful hotels in Val Gardena;
  • Villa Luise is known for its excellent panoramic views.

The hotels of 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 the restaurant, SPA salon and free sauna. The map of Selva Val Gardena will help determine the number and location of hotels.

Apre-ski in Val Gardena starts at about three o'clock. We advise you to visit the bar-restaurant Cuca, which offers a beautiful view of the top of Sassolungo.

For holidays with children, visit the Swiss. There are several levels of trails of varying difficulty. For beginners and children there are special preparatory courses and walks with instructors. In Zermatt, you can not worry about your child - he will not be bored and is under reliable supervision.

If you want to have some real fun, visit the Luiskeller bar in Selva Gardena. Here you will be greeted by a real Austrian anthem, a large amount of beer and schnapps. It must be said that Val Gardena is extremely rich in excellent 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. Extremely popular is the local vinotheque located in Selva Val Gardena, as well as the vinotheque in Ortisei. An unforgettable experience can be obtained by visiting the nearby Fishburg Castle, built in the 18th century.

Hiking, horse riding, indoor tennis courts, squash, bowling, billiards await you in Val Gardena. Don't forget to visit the snowboard park at Piz-Sella, which has a boarder-cross track and a whole gallery of figures.

Valley Val Gardena located in the Dolomites and lies among the mountain ranges with the highest points of Sassolungo, Sella, Chir and Schiliar, 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 of Val Gardena - 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 (Ortisei)- 1236 m.

The routes stretched for a total of 175 km. The highest peak is Sassolungo (3181 m).

Val Gardena- ski resort, ideal for families. In this part of the Alps, there are quite gentle slopes and a lot of entertainment, so the resort is considered a region perfectly suited for recreation during the winter holidays. Children up to the age of eight can ride and use the lifts for free. Most children's trails in the area Alpe di Siusi where there is a park adapted for young snowboarders.

Val Gardena has cross-country skiing trails. In the vicinity of Santa Cristina, a ski track has been laid for tens of kilometers near the picturesque town of Monte Pana.

All the slopes of the Val Gardena resort, regardless of the degree of difficulty, are perfectly prepared for the descent. Reviews of tourists confirm that the lift system at the resort is modern, the instructors are highly professional, and snow cannons work if necessary. The picturesque surroundings, the cleanest towns and alpine villages, and an amazing view of the Dolomites complete the picture.

How to get there?

The resort of Val Gardena is located 40 km from Bolzano, 300 km from Milan, 250 km from Venice, 700 km from Rome, and 120 km from Austrian Innsbruck. These cities have airports.

The best way to get to Val Gardena is from Bolzano, from where buses leave every hour, which will take you to the address in just 60 minutes. Bus line 350 passes through the city of Bressanone, and line 170 passes through Castelrotto, line 471 connects the resort with the passes of the Dolomites. You can also get to Val Gardena from the surrounding towns at night, in the hot ski season buses run until 2.30, in summer until 0.30, the price of one trip is €2.50, a night ticket for several trips is €4.

If you arrived in Verona, you first need to take the train to Ponte Gardena (German: Waidbruck), and then take the bus line 350 to Val Gardena. The whole journey will take just over two hours and will cost between €10.85 and €14.35 (train) and €2.5 (bus). You can take the train to Bolzano, and then by 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 is €39, children under 5 do not need tickets.

Ski passes in Val Gardena are paid. It is better to buy tickets in advance in terminals at the station or transport stops, in a hotel or in a tourist center. There are quite enough points of sale of season tickets, there you can also get a map of the resort, schemes of lifts and slopes for free. A spa pass for one day costs €3, for a week - €7, for a season - €35, children can ride for free.

The climate of Val Gardena

The resort is located in a zone with a temperate alpine climate, characterized by warm summers and relatively cold winters. In summer, the average air temperature is about +15°C, but the nights are cool, and during the day the air can warm up to +30°C. The weather during the summer months is unstable, especially in August. Autumn can be rainy, but in early November it often snows, especially on mountain peaks.

In November, frosty weather sets in and the snow on the tracks no longer melts. In winter, the Italian Alps can surprise you at night with 20-degree frosts, but this phenomenon is infrequent. Usually, the night temperature in winter does not fall below -7 o C, and during the day it is often around 0 o C. Humidity in the Alps is low, so frosts are easily tolerated.

Trails and lifts

  • Extensive and boring area "Alpe di Siusi" chosen by many tourists. Kilometers of well-equipped slopes of different difficulty levels, lifts (chairs, gondolas, ski lifts) are essential components of a modern ski resort.

  • Those who decided to run their skis on the famous Sella Ronde, you need to get on the ski bus to Santa Cristina or Selva Gardena. It is known that the vast majority of skiers come to the Dolomites precisely in order to visit Sella Ronda. 600 kilometers of magnificent slopes, which are connected by a system of lifts, both pros and beginner skiers can ride here. The entire circular route stretches for 40 km. Experienced skiers go around the world in three hours.

  • For skiers who feel confident on the track, the slopes on which the World Cup was held are suitable: Ciampioni - Selva or Ciampioni - Santa Cristina. The tracks are in excellent condition.
  • For those who like to explore virgin lands, we advise you to go through the run Seceda(2518 m) - Col-Raiser(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 tracks 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 take care of acquiring a ski pass in a timely manner - a pass for the ski lifts. Optimal ski pass for Val Gardena- six days. Ski pass prices depend on the season. Subscription price for adults:

  • high season - €216;
  • low - €190;
  • at the beginning of the season - €173.

If a child under 8 rides with you, he will be able to go to the lift for free if one of the parents has a ski pass.

Teenagers under the age of sixteen pay a subscription:

  • high season - €151;
  • low season - €133;
  • at the beginning of the season - €121.

People of respectable age or seniors, in the terminology of Val Gardena, 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 save a lot, 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 nice town located in the most gentle part of the valley (1236 m). Only 5.5 thousand people live in Ortisei. It looks like a fairy-tale town with puppet streets, hotels, apartments, workshops and restaurants.

There are cross-country skiing trails, walking paths and colorful surroundings that make for great landscape photos. For a change, you can go to the 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, a kindergarten for kids from two years old. The organizers did not forget about the children's ski area and two ski 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. In Ortisei there is the largest aquatic center in the Dolomites.

Staying at the resort will not seem monotonous to anyone, everyone will find entertainment to their liking here: restaurants, discos, bars, a cinema, shops with funny souvenirs, shops that sell sports equipment.

Santa Cristina Val Gardena

This colorful alpine village is perched at an altitude of 1428 m. To the right of it is Ortisei, left - Selva Gardena. The Italians reasonably claim that the local landscapes are “molto romantic”. They are right - Santa Cristina is a secluded and charming place.

With 37 km of pistes, Santa Cristina Valgardena will delight skiers who can take one of the two ski lifts to Monte Pana, a plateau with gentle and easy pistes ideal for beginners. For the pros, there is the famous cup slide Sassolungo. He is like Ciampinoi, it finishes in Val Gardena. These routes are from the category of "black", that is, increased complexity. Another area available for skiing - Seceda. This place is very popular among middle-class people who like to ride on a sun-drenched wide plateau.

Selva Gardena

In German this city is called Wolkenstein. It is the liveliest and largest of the towns of Val Gardena. A very good option for lovers of difficult tracks.

from the station Piz Cella there is access to the black track in Selva di Val Gardena. Can you get to the highway Sellajoch to a height of 2240 m and the route that starts above Plan de Galba at around 1780 m. A difficult, long and winding route was laid with Ciampioni in Selva Gardena. The track is a little easier from the same point goes to Santa Cristina.

Fans of slopes of increased complexity will find trails for themselves in the area Piz Cella-Monte de Seura. In its lower part, the slopes cross the forest. With a little snow cover, black areas appear on these red slopes. For confident skiers, trails are laid in Porta Vescovo. Fans of skiing 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.

In Selva there is a children's Mickey Mountain Club And Junior Club for teenagers. You can safely come here with the whole family, no one will be bored in the Selva: entertainment programs, sledge rides, toboggan runs and skating rinks - there are plenty to choose from.

  • Most instructors do not speak Russian. Available in German, Italian and English.
  • Departing by Sella Ronda around the world, study the schedule of the lifts, think about how to get back, otherwise you will have to go to the hotel by taxi, which is very expensive.

  • If you do not want to stand in long queues, choose off-peak hours to descend on the Sella Ronda.
  • During the high season, ski buses run every 10-15 minutes, out of season - less often.
  • Parking at the lifts is paid - € 5 per day.

It is definitely worth a trip 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 in the mountains, as early as March the snow can melt, so do not delay your trip.

Vladimir Izvarin

Tom Janson:

“I was in Val Gardena with three buddies: an experienced snowboarder, a snowboarder reinforcing last year's skills and a skier. I am a beginner snowboarder. Mountains of mesmerizing beauty, Ortisei and Alpe di Suissi offer incomparable views.

The ski areas were difficult for me, even experienced skiers and snowboarders find that some of the slopes are difficult. Exploring a large area Dolomites Super Ski decided that it was better to stay closer to Selva. There are several cool red runs, and the blue ones are quite good, although they are very gentle. An inaccurate map of the tracks was annoying, although they are 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 did not seek to anneal to stupor.

In general, I like Val Gardena. I will definitely go there again.”

George, Novosibirsk

“Val Gardena is the most mediocre of all the skiing regions I know. Lifts in incredible numbers, all mixed up, communicated inconveniently. “Pleased” with the blue tracks, 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 uniform trails throughout the region. True, there are several decent snow parks. For those who enjoy nature, this place is quite suitable. And for the descent - it is 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 a lot of lifts - what you need for the conquerors of snow-covered slopes.

The ski resort of Cervinia is very popular among Europeans. Here you can not only ride on tracks of varying difficulty, but also pay tribute to the magnificent mountain scenery. Read more about the resort.

Victor, Moscow

“Last year, for the first time, I took my six-year-old granddaughter out with the specific goal of “putting” her on skis. With a choice for a long time not wiser, stopped at Alpe de Suis. A lot of offers of group and individual instructors of different prices: about 60 CHF per day with meals up to 58 CHF per hour of private lessons. They brought children's skis presented for the New Year with them, and took unpretentious amateur ones at the rental office for 12 euros a day.

Despite his very unconvincing skill, he undertook to teach on his own: after all, it is not professionalism that is important, but communication and relaxation with the cub. Messed with her until you drop! Amazingly beautiful places, wonderful air! A week of mutual perseverance was not in vain: in any case, the child is not afraid of skis now.

Alla, Moscow

“We try every year with a small company to get to Ortisei. Been here many times already. I noticed that the place is chosen immediately and then does not change: “from good to good…”, as they say. It is difficult to consider us athletes, we devote no more than 2-3 hours a day to skiing. The rest of the time - for the soul!

The resort of Ortisei has a surprisingly romantic atmosphere. You can just walk the streets, occasionally going into wonderful shops, restaurants, bars, etc. Every day I went to the pool - a Moscow habit. There is a sauna, tennis, even a golf course! Everything is in place, comfortable and beautiful.