The Skiing

As a ski domain, it probably does not get any better than this. The Val Gardena, which is made up of the resorts listed here, form part of what is billed as the largest skiable area in the world under one lift pass. That being the Super Dolomite Ski Pass.

This leaves the skier with a choice. To opt for the Val Gardena entry, which in itself is extensive, or, to go whole hog and buy the big one, the Super Dolomite Ski Pass. For skiers this is a pleasant dilemma.

The choice of ski pass depends directly upon the ability and ambition of the individual skier.

Whichever you choose, it does not matter which of the Val Gardena resorts you are staying in, the lift system is that good. It is possible to ski from one resort to the other, but it is not possible to ski the entire Super Dolomite area without some from of motorized transport. As a collective, the Gardena entry skiing, which comes under the title Sella Ronda, has, on its own, a staggering 200km of prepared terrain, serviced by about 85 ski lifts. The Super Dolomite pass by contrast will blow your mind. It offers more that 1,000 meters of skiable terrain.

So what to choose ? We recommend that if you are anything less than a very competent skier you stick with the Sella Ronda. Heck, 200kms. of skiing is enough for most of us, and, don 't forget, motorized assistance is needed to get full value from the Super Dolomite pass.

In the Val Gardena the biggest of the resorts is Ortisei. Also known as St. Ulrich, this is the main player in the valley as well as the cultural center. There is a good amount of skiing just above the village and easy access both by road and ski to the other resorts. As the biggest village it follows that Ortisei also has the largest selection of amenities.

S. Cristina lies between Selva and Ortisei. Above here you can ski on some of the most challenging skiing in the valley or enter the mainstream of the Sella Ronda. This is the location of the famous valley based world cup events.

Selva is probably the best known of the Val Gardena resorts. Known as Wolkenstein in the German tongue the resort is as famous for it's convenience and fun atmosphere as it is for skiing. To be able to ski right from your front door to some of the world's best ski slopes is definitely worth the price of admission. Selva is situated at the end of the valley at an attitude of around 1500m.

From Selva it is an easy matter to get yourself into the mainstream of the skiing just above the village on either side or to use it as an entry point into the larger Sella Ronda domain. Or, if you prefer you can use your Selva entry point to ski down towards the other two villages in the valley.

S. Cristina also has an equally good convenience factor. Two main lifts from very close to the village center will take you almost directly into the skiing above Selva and hence the connecting onward lifts, or indeed to the skiing above the village and that connection to Ortisei.

From Ortisei it is also a simple matter to ski above the village, and as we have already pointed out the choices there are more than adequate. Also equally convenient is the entry and connections to S. Cristina, Selva and the Sella Ronda. Whew! What a combination.

In our opinion Selva has the best night life with S. Cristina by far the most laid back. Ortisei, because of its size, offers the widest variety of non ski activities, but is second to Selva in the night life department.