Val Gardena Ski Resort village

Val Gardena / The Villages

No question, the villages throughout the area are strikingly situated.

Though similar in their south Tirolean ambience and architecture, there’s a distinct feel to each of them, even within the same valley. The Val Gardena villages – three of them within an eight kilometre stretch - are thorough-going resorts, while elsewhere on the Sella Ronda it’s easier to forget that you’re at the foot of a major ski domain.

Selva Gardena – Wolkenstein 1563 m
The biggest of the three Val Gardena villages is also the best placed, with access to skiing in all directions. This is more than just a ski base, though, with real mountain charm, and a strong cultural heritage: you can’t move for traditional woodcarvings, and, extending this theme, there are substantial snow/ice carvings in the small open area just off the main drag. To the north of the main road that runs near the river through town is the majority of the accommodation, while the older hotels, shops and restaurants, as well as lift station car parking, line the road itself.

S. Cristina - St. Christina 1428 m
Halfway between Selva and Ortisei, the smallest of the main Val Gardena resorts is also well-placed for access to skiing. Though further from the Sella Ronda circuit than Selva, it’s no chore to reach, and there’s also direct access to the skiing on the north side of town. A charming centre, good eating options and après-ski make this a great central base.

Ortisei - St. Ulrich 1236 m
The first main resort you reach on approaching the area from the west, Ortisei’s development across the steep south-facing slopes above the river makes for a large, spread-out base. The pedestrianised centre is the place to be, for evening strolls, browsing shops and drinking coffee; there’s a strong traditional feel around the old church and a sense that you might be in deepest Austria rather than Italy. Further up the hill, there are plenty of high quality lodgings, but they’re sufficiently far-flung to make half-board the only real option, even if you’ve got a car – the streets are narrow, winding and not driver-friendly. Ski area access is generally not as good as higher up the valley, though Alpe di Siusi is reached by gondola from the edge of town.

Tourist Office Selva Gardena
39048 Selva Gardena - Str. Mëisules 213
Phone: 0471 777900
Fax: 0471 794245
E-mail: selva@valgardena.it

Tourist Office S. Cristina
39047 S. Cristina - St. Christina - Str. Chemun 9
Phone: 0471 777800
Fax: 0471 793198
E-mail: s.cristina@valgardena.it