Summary Val Gardena (Gröden)

Summary & description of the ski resort Val Gardena (Gröden)

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Cross-country

View from Dantercepies towards the Sassolungo

Summary of the ski resort Val Gardena (Gröden)

Highlights:

Very large ski area with access to the Sellaronda, magnificent panorama of the Dolomites, views of the Langkofel, perfectly groomed slopes, rustic and exclusive huts offering South Tyrolean specialties, great snow parks and funslopes, long lift opening hours (4:30–5:00 pm).

Negative points:

Parking fees, paid ski bus, paid shuttle bus from Monte Pana to Saltria (Seiser Alm)

Description Val Gardena (Gröden)

From the Brenner Motorway A22, take the Klausen/Gröden exit to reach the Val Gardena in about 20 minutes, and as you approach, you’ll already see the impressive Dolomites with the striking Langkofel (Sassolungo) (3181 m).

The first village you reach is Ortisei (1236 m), from where a modern gondola takes you up to the Seiser Alm on one side and, on the other, two gondolas take you up to Seceda. At Seceda, there is a double chairlift and a detachable four-seater chairlift, both of which take you up to 2518 m from Col Raiser, the highest point in Val Gardena. The area around Seceda is known for its rustic huts serving South Tyrolean specialties; highly recommended are the Sofie Hütte, the Curona Hütte at the top of Seceda, and the Val d'Anna Hütte on the valley run down to Ortisei.

From Seceda, you can enjoy wonderful descents via Col Raiser down to Santa Cristina (1428 m). At Col Raiser, there is also the Cisles double chairlift, which provides access to intermediate runs as well as a very challenging slope. Since the 2004/2005 season, you can use the underground railway, the Gardena Ronda Express, to transfer to the lifts at Ciampinoi and Monte Pana.

From Monte Pana, a shuttle bus also runs to the Seiser Alm and back (please check departure times). The slopes at Ciampinoi (2254 m) are served by a modern detachable six-seater chairlift and a detachable four-seater chairlift, and are mostly difficult to intermediate.

At Monte Pana, there are several beginner lifts and the detachable four-seater chairlift with weather protection hoods up to the 2117 m high Mont de Seura, from where you can take the Tramans double chairlift towards Piz Sella (2284 m). From Ciampinoi, you can take a difficult or intermediate forest run down to Selva (1563 m), and you’re already in the famous Sellaronda.

The Sellaronda is a unique skiing experience, where you circle the mighty Sella massif (3151 m) and cover between 25 km and 26 km, depending on the direction. Of course, it’s possible to extend the Sellaronda and ski as far as the Marmolada or to La Villa/Alta Badia.

From Selva, you can take the detachable four-seater chairlift Costabella and the ten-person gondola with the Dantercepies mid-station up to 2300 m, and then ski over the Grödner Joch (2137 m) down to Colfosco.

If you take the lifts up to Piz Sella, you must ski down to Plan de Gralba (1800 m), and then, via Piz Seteur (2063 m) and with the Citta dei Sassi four-seater chairlift or the Gran Paradiso eight-seater chairlift, you can switch to the ski area of Val di Fassa.

Throughout the Val Gardena ski area, you can carve your turns on wide family and carving slopes, forest runs, or open terrain. The slopes are always in excellent condition, and numerous cozy huts in the area ensure your culinary well-being. Beginners will also find several practice lifts with easy slopes in the villages of Selva, Santa Cristina (Monte Pana), and Ortisei, so you can learn to ski or snowboard here at your own pace.