The resort
Val Gardena (Gröden in German, Gherdëina in Ladin) is a trilingual valley with a longstanding Ladin culture. The language predates Italian and is still taught in the schools, and Ortisei's woodcarving workshops go back centuries. Three villages step up the valley beneath the Sassolungo (3,181 m), with the Sella massif and the Sellaronda circuit at the top end.
The skiing
Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi have 181 km of pistes and 79 lifts on the official winter map, with more than 500 km connected beyond the local area.
Ortisei’s lifts reach Seceda and the Alpe di Siusi. S. Cristina’s Col Raiser joins the Seceda side, while the Saslong downhill returns toward the village. Selva’s Ciampinoi and Dantercepies lifts give access to the Sellaronda, the circuit around the Sella massif.
Snow & weather
Like the rest of the Dolomites, Val Gardena pairs a drier, sunnier climate with near-total snowmaking coverage. Groomed pistes are the focus. The month-by-month record, in °C and °F, is on the Val Gardena snow & weather page.
Lessons & ski schools
Ortisei, S. Cristina and Selva each have ski schools offering group and private lessons. Confirm the teaching language and learning area before booking, particularly if your accommodation is in another village.
Passes
Two tiers: the Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi pass for the local 181 km, or Dolomiti Superski for all 12 valleys and about 1,200 km: the one to buy if the Sellaronda is on the agenda. The official shop at shop.dolomitisuperski.com gives 5% off online purchases made at least two days ahead.
Where to stay
Ortisei (1,236 m) is the biggest and liveliest: a town with woodcarving workshops and activities beyond skiing. S. Cristina (1,428 m) is the quiet, sunny middle. Selva (1,563 m) sits highest, closest to the Sellaronda's gateway lifts: a base for skiers planning to use the circuit. The valley Guest Pass, included with partner accommodation, makes all local public transport free.
Getting there
Bolzano is the nearest airport at 40 km, with Innsbruck (120 km) and Verona (190 km) the bigger gateways. Direct trains from Munich, Vienna, Milan and Rome reach the valley's railheads: Ponte Gardena (18 km), Chiusa (23 km), Bressanone (34 km), Bolzano (40 km), with Bus 350 climbing into the valley.
Beyond the pistes
The Rasciesa funicular above Ortisei serves a 3 km toboggan run, with night sessions available. Winter walks include Seceda’s high paths, Vallunga behind Selva and the Resciesa ridge; check which routes are open. Ortisei’s galleries and workshops offer an indoor alternative.
Who it suits
Val Gardena gives intermediates long groomed runs and access to the Sellaronda. Its three villages also offer distinct bases for a trip that includes the valley’s language, crafts and winter walks.
Quick answers
What is the Sellaronda? The 44 km lift-and-piste circuit around the Sella massif (about 23 km of actual skiing) run clockwise (orange signs) or counterclockwise (green) over the Sella, Pordoi, Campolongo and Gardena passes. The official line calls it ideal for average-ability skiers, and Selva is one of its starting points. It needs the Dolomiti Superski pass.
Which Val Gardena village should you stay in? Ortisei (1,236 m) is the lively woodcarving town with lifts to Seceda and the Alpe di Siusi; S. Cristina (1,428 m) is the quiet middle; Selva (1,563 m) sits highest, at the gateway to the Sellaronda: a base close to the linking lifts.
What is the Saslong? Val Gardena's men's World Cup course above S. Cristina: 3.5 km, roughly 800 m of vertical, including the Camel Humps, where Uli Spiess first cleared the second and third humps in one jump on December 14, 1980. The 2026 Super-G and downhill take place on December 18-19, and the run is open to the public outside race periods.