Val Gardena

About Val Gardena

If a massive amount of terrain to explore, family-friendly on- and off-mountain amenities, and a culturally rich village is high on your ski vacation laundry list, then a Val Gardena is an easy choice. Val Gardena is among Europe’s best places to enjoy a traditional après-ski thanks to its wide open, sunny vistas and many alpine restaurants. This UNESCO World Natural Heritage site is renowned for its stunning landscapes, featuring majestic massifs like the Sassolungo and Sella, as well as the serene Alpine meadows of Puez-Odle Nature Park.

Val Gardena is a ski resort with five distinct areas: Selva, Castel-rotto, S.Cristina, Ortisei and Siusi. The resort is connected with the Dolomiti Superski area and the nearby Alpe di Siusi, making it a great location for skiers and snowboarders looking to mix it up every day, and explore new terrain and different areas. All Val Gardena’s ski areas are a bit lower, between 3,900 feet and 5,500 feet in altitude, but the surrounding ski areas and off-piste areas average about 8,000 feet, ensuring that good snow conditions are nearly certain on a Val Gardena ski vacation.

This valley is world-famous for hosting high-profile events like Alpine Ski World Cup. Every type of skier or snowboarder will find terrain well-suited to their ability—from easy to extremely difficult—thanks to more than 100 miles of interconnected trails, accessed via 80-plus ski lifts. And cross-country skiers will be pleased with the region’s 71 miles of trails. The town of Val Gardena is about 13 miles long and runs from west to east from the narrow entrance to the valley at Ponte Gardena up to Passo Gardena and Passo Sella, at the north-east of the "Südtirol" Dolomites. Val Gardena is easily accessed, since it’s well connected via train with the rest of Italy and the larger Northern Europe region.

How to get to Val Gardena

Reaching Val Gardena in the Dolomites is straightforward and convenient if you’re arriving via Bolzano Airport (BZO), the nearest airport about 25 miles away. Other options include Innsbruck Airport and Verona Airport, 75 miles and 115 miles away respectively. From Bolzano Airport, you can take a bus, taxi or rent a car for a direct transfer to the valley. The Brenner motorway (A22) is also an easy driving route if you prefer to come by car. If traveling by train, nearby stations offer regular bus services to Val Gardena.

Thanks to the extensive public transport network and modern lifts, getting around Val Gardena is simple and sustainable. With the free Val Gardena Mobil Card, available to guests at participating accommodations, you can enjoy unlimited access to local buses and ski bus services, allowing you to explore the area without needing a car. The region's efficient ski lifts and cable cars make hopping from one slope to another effortless, ensuring a stress-free and eco-friendly winter holiday.

Skiing in Val Gardena

As host of the annual Saslong Classic—a men’s World Cup downhill race—since 1969, experts are guaranteed some steep runs on a Val Gardena ski vacation. The Saslong course is among the five “classic” men’s downhill races, which include Kitzbuhel’s Hahnenkamm, Garmisch-Partenkirchen Kandahar and Wengen’s Lauberhorn. Beginner skiers should note: just because Val Gardena hosts a world-class race, doesn’t mean that you should shy away. Thirty percent of Val Gardena’s terrain is designated as beginner. Like the rest of Dolomiti Superski, Val Gardena is an intermediate skier and snowboarder’s paradise—with 60 percent of the terrain labeled blue or red.

Beginner Skiing in Val Gardena, Italy

Ready to conquer your first slopes? Val Gardena is a beginner’s paradise with stunning views of the Dolomites and a variety of easy terrain to kickstart your skiing journey. In St. Ulrich and Wolkenstein, you’ll find plenty of short practice lifts and gentle slopes that are perfect for those first wobbly turns. For an even bigger playground, hop on the gondola from St. Ulrich to Seiser Alm, Europe’s largest alpine pasture, offering wide, forgiving pistes where you can refine your technique. Monte Pana in St. Christina is another top spot for beginners—quiet, less crowded, and ideal for mastering those initial moves.

Once you’re feeling more confident, try out Col Raiser, where some red-marked runs offer a bit of a challenge but are totally manageable if you’ve got some practice under your belt. And if you need a little extra guidance, the local ski schools are ready to help you glide with confidence. With such a fantastic range of beginner-friendly options, Val Gardena scores a perfect 10 for newbies!

Family vacations in Val Gardena

Val Gardena is the ultimate family-friendly winter destination in the stunning Dolomites, perfect for creating lasting memories with your loved ones. This Italian valley offers a variety of activities tailored for families, ensuring that both kids and adults have a blast. The region’s family-friendly ski slopes on the Alpe di Siusi provide gentle, spacious runs ideal for young skiers and beginners. For added fun, kids can explore exciting snow parks like those on Monte Pana and Furdenan, where they’ll find obstacle courses, tunnels, and even snow tubing.

Accommodations in Val Gardena cater specifically to families, featuring child-friendly hotels with playrooms, ski courses, and professional childcare, allowing parents to relax or hit the more challenging slopes. Many hotels are conveniently located near ski lifts and offer easy access to winter sports facilities. Beyond skiing, families can enjoy snowshoe hikes through serene, snow-covered landscapes, or experience the thrill of tobogganing down scenic slopes.