Val Gardena Ski Resort

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Val Gardena ski resort, Dolomites, Italy
Val Gardena ski resort, Dolomites, Italy
The scale of the Dolomites is on full display at Val Gardena
The scale of the Dolomites is on full display at Val Gardena
Val Gardena ski resort is a beginner intermediate skiers
Val Gardena ski resort is a beginner intermediate skiers' paradise
The Val Gardena Fun Slope is one of the world
The Val Gardena Fun Slope is one of the world's best.
Not known for freeride powder, it can be found at Val Gardena on Ciampinoi
Not known for freeride powder, it can be found at Val Gardena on Ciampinoi
The Sella Ronda goes through Passo Gardena & into Alta Badia ski resort
The Sella Ronda goes through Passo Gardena & into Alta Badia ski resort
Ride past a castle above the village of Santa Cristina in Val Gardena
Ride past a castle above the village of Santa Cristina in Val Gardena
Glorious terrain on Seceda looking toward the ever present Sassolungo
Glorious terrain on Seceda looking toward the ever present Sassolungo
Modern ski lifts & vistas abound on the Col Raiser in Val Gardena
Modern ski lifts & vistas abound on the Col Raiser in Val Gardena
There is no shortage of superb bars & restaurants at Val Gardena ski resort.
There is no shortage of superb bars & restaurants at Val Gardena ski resort.
Val Gardena provides a magical mystery ski tour through the Dolomites, here above Monte Pana
Val Gardena provides a magical mystery ski tour through the Dolomites, here above Monte Pana
Awesome beginner ski terrain at Plan de Gralba in Val Gardena
Awesome beginner ski terrain at Plan de Gralba in Val Gardena
High-alpine intermediate slopes abound near Passo Sella in Val Gardena
High-alpine intermediate slopes abound near Passo Sella in Val Gardena
Val Gardena has a modern & efficient lift system.
Val Gardena has a modern & efficient lift system.
The Ciampinoi has Val Gardena
The Ciampinoi has Val Gardena's steepest terrain
Welcoming rifugio at Piz Setëur
Welcoming rifugio at Piz Setëur
An après ski goat always improves the day at Snowbar in Santa Cristina
An après ski goat always improves the day at Snowbar in Santa Cristina
Eggs are not all in one basket at Val Gardena
Eggs are not all in one basket at Val Gardena's 3 main villages - Ortisei, Selva & Santa Cristina
Its hard to remember to get off the chair sometimes in the Dolomites!
Its hard to remember to get off the chair sometimes in the Dolomites!
Val Gardena ski resort - says it all really!
Val Gardena ski resort - says it all really!

Val Gardena Ski Resort

Readers Ratings

Val Gardena

Val Gardena3.5/54
Val Gardena3.5 out of 5 based on 4 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
    100%
Up Guides Maurienne Tours

Dolomites Ski Resorts

3 Peaks Dolomites
Alta Badia
Arabba Marmolada
Brixen-Plose
Civetta
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Gitschberg Jochtal
Kronplatz
San Martino - Passo Rolle
Val di Fassa

Val Gardena Maps & Stats

    Val Gardena Ski Trail & Piste Map
  • Val Gardena Ski Trail Map
  • Vertical (m)
    1,230m - 2,518m (1,288m)
  • Average Snow Fall
    5m
  • Lifts (81)
    16 Gondolas / cable cars
    43 Chairs

    Dolomiti Superski
    450 lifts
  • Opening Dates & Times
    Late Nov to early April
    8:00am to 5:00pm
  • Terrain Summary
    Runs - 175km
    Longest run - 6km+
    Advanced - 8%
    Intermediate - 56%
    Beginner - 36%

    Dolomiti Superski total
    1200km
  • Lift Pass Price
    Day Ticket 23/24
    Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi only
    Adult: €67 to 74
    Child: €45 to 52
    Child u/8yr: Free with adult

    Dolomiti SuperSki
    (Valid all Dolomites resorts)
    Adult: €72 to 80
    Senior: >65yr: €65 to 72
    Child: €50 to 56
    Child u/8yr: Free with adult
    All passes are cheaper if pre-purchased online
    Ikon Pass also conditionally valid
    Selva Gardena-Groeden Ski Trail Map
  • Selva Gardena-Groeden Ski Trail Map
  • Alpe di Siusi - Seiser Alm Ski Trail Map
  • Alpe di Siusi - Seiser Alm Ski Trail Map
  • Col Raiser - Seceda Ski Trail Map
  • Col Raiser - Seceda Ski Trail Map
  • Dolomiti Superski Trail Map
  • Dolomiti Superski Map
  • Sella Ronda Ski Trail Map
  • Sella Ronda Trail Map
  • Dolomites Great War Circuit Ski Trail Map
  • Great War Circuit Map

Val Gardena Ski Resort Italy

Val Gardena is in a valley dominated by the classic Dolomites peak of Sassolungo & the huge Sella massif - a view skiers first enjoyed here as early as 1895. Since then Val Gardena has grown to become one of the most popular resorts in the Dolomiti, especially for families & intermediate skiers & snowboarders.

With more than 175km of runs connected by an incredible array of lifts, Val Gardena also gives snowboarders & skiers direct access to the Sella Ronda network plus the huge Dolomiti SuperSki area.

Val Gardena has been honoured in the past as the Numero Uno Italian ski resort, based on the ski resort size, standard & facilities. Locals speak German, Italian & their regional dialect “Ladin”. Their approach combines the best of these cultures to bring you a passion for life, food, music, fun & perfection!

Pros & Cons for Val Gardena Ski Resort

Pros

  • Biggest ski resort in the Dolomites.
  • Best range of intermediate piste trails in the Dolomiti Superski area (& perhaps Italy).
  • High quality lift system.
  • The most amazing ‘fun slope’ in the world.
  • Great value lift pass comparative to the number of lifts & terrain.
  • Integral part of the Sella Ronda ski circuit & Dolomiti Superski area.
  • Numerous lively après ski options.
  • Ski-in ski-out accommodation available on mountain & in villages.
  • Superb mountain huts & rifugi.
  • Located in one of the most spectacular mountain areas of the world.

Cons

  • A massive resort that does get busy.
  • Limited off-piste freeride terrain.
  • Relatively limited advanced terrain (but with a few very good black runs on the piste).
  • Accommodation can be hard to get & may be relatively expensive.
  • Ski area is not quite fully integrated by lifts & pistes - effectively four separate ski areas (but to be fair, apart from Alpe di Siusi, they are only separated by a short walk).

Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)

  • Three separate major villages, plus many smaller ones.
  • Piste trails spread across a huge distance.
  • Italy’s most popular ski area.
  • Ikon Pass is now valid in the resort for up to a week.

Skiing & Snowboarding. Lifts & Terrain

An extraordinarily large ski resort of 81 lifts and 175km of trails, Val Gardena skiing & snowboarding terrain is spread over three (probably four in reality) separate major zones: Val Gardena (Gröden), Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) & Col Raiser-Seceda-Resciesa. Each is quite different in both character & aspect. The resort's full skiable vertical of nearly 1,300m can only be skied in one location from Seceda (& it’s a ripper!). Most of the terrain has skiable verticals of between 500 to 800m.

Check out the full ski trail map for Val Gardena below.

Val Gardena Ski Trail Map
Val Gardena Ski Trail Map

The amount of lifts & trails around the massive Sassolungo is dizzying & getting geographically confused is a real possibility. But what fun for intermediate skiers & snowboarders with nearly 100km of runs rated as red. Don't miss the huge fun slope on Piz Sella - it is simply extraordinary!

As one expects in the largest ski resort in Italy, the piste trails are of the highest quality & are generally in excellent condition. However, some high traffic areas (i.e. anything on the busy Sella Ronda routes) can become bumped & icy quite early in the day. The lower sections of Seceda are hectic in the late afternoon too! Off-piste freeride options are limited to some gentle alpine terrain.

Interlinked with Dolomiti Superski Resorts

Val Gardena is lift and piste interlinked with the ski resorts of Alta Badia & Val di Fassa. Combined with Arabba Marmolada, these resorts make up the excellent Sella Ronda, the full circuit of the Sella massif.

International visitors may be pleased to know that Ikon Pass is valid in Val Gardena & the Dolomites, but with certain conditions/limitations. Of course, the Dolomiti Superski pass is also valid.

For more information on snow, terrain, lifts, lift passes & ratings, see our Skiing & Snowboarding Val Gardena page.

Where is Val Gardena Italy?

Val Gardena is in the central Dolomites on the north-western flanks of the Sella massif. The closest major town is Bolzano, 43km and less than 1hr drive to the west.

The major gateway airport is Innsbruck (INN) 120km drive to the north & is the best option for travellers from within Europe or the UK. The Venice Marco Polo International Airport (VCE) is only 125km directly south of Val Gardena, but is a tortuous 190km, 3½hr drive over 4 major mountain passes.

Good public transport options in the form of train & bus exist from the west (the Bolzano-Innsbruck corridor). For larger groups without a car, a direct private transfer from the airport to their Val Gardena hotel may be the simplest & most efficient mode of transport. Search & book a private transfer to Val Gardena.

For more information on the best ways to get to this amazing ski area, see the Travel to Val Gardena page .

Val Gardena Accommodation

Val Gardena has three main villages: Ortisei; San Cristina; and Selva Gardena plus a plethora of other accommodation options in the mountains & throughout the valley. In Selva our ski-in ski-out pick is the brilliant Hotel Bel Vert - way better than its 3-stars might indicate.

Search & book all Val Gardena ski accommodation.

A dizzying array of mountain huts provide food & drink during the day plus high alpine lodgings at night. Rifugio Emilio Comici is the best known of the mountain huts, but there are many more worth seeking out. Try the excellent Hotel Piz Seteur.

Away from the main three villages, smaller ski resort villages with accommodation are located throughout the resort area. Plan de Gralba, Passo Sella & Passo Gardena above Selva plus Alpe di Siusi, Siusi & Castelrotto near Ortisei all provide alternative accommodations. In Alpe di Siusi the exclusive 5 -star Hotel Alpina Dolomites reigns supreme.

For more information see our Best Places to Stay in Val Gardena page.

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Ski Rentals Lessons & Guiding

Ski rentals are available from our partners in convenient locations throughout the major Val Gardena villages. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Selva Gardena-Wolkenstein, Ortisei-St Ulrich & Santa Cristina Ski & Snowboard Rental page.

A staggering number of ski instructors ski schools & guides ply their craft in the Val Gardena ski resort & surrounding valleys. To narrow down the field, search & book via our Val Gardena Ski Lessons & Guiding page.

Other Activities

Amongst numerous non-ski activities in Val Gardena, the most exhilarating is north of Ortisei (St Ulrich). On the top of the escarpment at Resciesa, two sledding trails are accessed by the Resciesa funicular & descend into the valley over several kilometres & a hefty 850m vertical. More sled trails are up on Alpe di Siusi.

Review

The Powderhounds have visited Val Gardena on numerous occasions & most recently returned in March 2019 to finally get some decent photos (have had a few issues here previously!). We had a wonderful time, particularly after meeting the après ski goat! Check out our stunningly witty prose via the reviews tab on this page.

See how Val Gardena and the other Dolomites ski resorts compare to the rest of the Italian ski resorts on the Italy ski resort ratings page, or compare to the rest of Europe on the European ski resort ratings page.

Follow Powderhounds Europe on Instagram to see where we are currently skiing. Follow our main Powderhounds page on Facebook to stay in touch with up-to-date info, tours, and discussions.

Tours in or near Val Gardena

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

SPECIAL Dolomites Ski Safari
HOSTED SKI SAFARI | DOLOMITES
8 Days | 7 Nights | 6 Ski Days
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
A special ski adventure set amongst the awe inspiring landscape of the Dolomites. Linking 9 ski resorts via groomed slopes by ski, taxi, helicopter & snowmobile, spend 5 nights in mountain rifugi under the guidance of your dedicated host. Join a "fixed date" tour or get your own group together for a custom tour.
Price p/p From price based on fixed date tours during the 2024 season, twin/double-share room.
Base/invoice currency is in EURO incl taxes.
USD 4,176
View Details
 
CLASSIC Dolomites Ski Safari
HOSTED ON-PISTE SKI SAFARI
8 Days | 7 Nights | 6 Ski Days
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
The very best skiing in the Dolomites linking 6 ski resorts & spending 4 nights in mountain rifugi under the guidance of your dedicated host. Ski the best groomed trails in the Dolomites on this classic ski safari. Join a "fixed date" tour in January or March.
Price p/p From price based on fixed date tours in 2024, twin/double-share room.
Base/invoice currency is in EURO incl taxes.
USD 3,496
View Details
 
DOLCE TEMPO Dolomites Ski Safari
HOSTED RELAXED PACE SKI SAFARI
8 Days | 7 Nights | 6 Ski Days
Ability: Intermediate to Strong Intermediate
Ski the best of the Dolomites at a relaxed pace, linking 6 ski resorts & spending 4 nights in mountain rifugi under the guidance of your dedicated host. Ski the best groomed trails in the Dolomites on this classic ski safari. Join a "fixed date" tour in January
Price p/p From price based on fixed date tours, twin/double-share room.
Base/invoice currency is in EURO incl taxes.
USD 3,496
View Details
 
See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Val Gardena here

Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area Tours

Skiare SILVER Packages
MIXED GROUP GUIDED INSTRUCTIONAL PACKAGES
8 Days | 7 Nights | 6 Ski Days
Ability: Beginner to Expert
Make the most of your Dolomites ski holiday, guided by local instructors showing you amazing Dolomiti skiing, sights & restaurants, whilst helping you to improve your skiing. Based in Alta Badia, fixed date packages are based on 7 nights, however can also be fully customised for groups of 4 or more ....
Price p/p From price based on twin/double-share in low season.
Base/invoice currency is in AUD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,504
View Details
 
Dolomites Powder Skiing Safari
GUIDED POWDER SKI SAFARI | VAL GARDENA
8 Days | 7 Nights | 6 Skiing
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
The ultimate guided Dolomites powder ski safari incorporating lifts & touring to access the best snow & terrain the region has to offer. Experience a night in a classic mountain hut & ski up to 2,000 m vert descents. Join a "fixed date" tour or get your own group of 4+ together for a custom tour.
Price p/p From price based on fixed date 8-day tours, min 6 people, twin/double-share room.
Base/invoice currency is in EURO inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,365
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Val Gardena VIP Downhill Race Tour
HOSTED ON-PISTE VIP SKI SAFARI
6 Days | 5 Nights | 4 Ski Days
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Ski the Val Gardena World Cup Downhill course & experience the race as a VIP in the 'Saslong Camel Humps Lounge'. For advanced skiers only, the fully hosted & guided tour spends 5 nights in a deluxe rifugio above Val Gardena, skiing the best black runs in the Dolomiti SuperSki. Join the fixed date December 2023 tour.
Price p/p From price based on twin-share, fixed date tours in Dec 2023
Base/invoice currency is in EURO incl taxes.
USD 3,100
View Details
 
See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit Val Gardena here
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