Selva Val Gardena Ski Resort
Selva Val Gardena is a picturesque village in the Dolomites Val Gardena / Alpe di Siusi ski area which makes up part of the Dolomiti Superski ski region in Italy. The Dolomiti Superski region represents up to 12 areas in the vast Italian Dolomites that can all be accessed using just one ski pass. The Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are arguably one of the most intriguing ski areas, not just in Europe but in the world. Selva Val Gardena in particular is home to the Sella Massif, some of the most beautiful mountain ranges made from limestone which glow in a reddish-purple colour in low light. Surrounded by stunning natural beauty, Selva di Val Gardena is not only a much sought-after ski resort but it is also a major tourist attraction in the Dolomite region both on and off-season. The village pays tribute to both its Austrian and Italian heritage and is one of the few places left where the Latin language is being spoken and taught to the young children of the area.
Impressively, Selva Val Gardena maintains its traditional Italian charm and cultural history while striking the ideal balance between a modern infrastructure and a pastoral existence. Centuries-old sculptures and medieval chapels are among Selva Gardena's most well-known features. If you have the time, you should definitely visit old chapels like the Maria Himmelfahrt, the Silvester chapel in Vallelunga, and the Selva Val Gardena castle ruins, which are situated at the base of the Sella Massif.
Impressively, Selva Val Gardena maintains its traditional Italian charm and cultural history while striking the ideal balance between a modern infrastructure and a pastoral existence. Centuries-old sculptures and medieval chapels are among Selva Gardena's most well-known features. If you have the time, you should definitely visit old chapels like the Maria Himmelfahrt, the Silvester chapel in Vallelunga, and the Selva Val Gardena castle ruins, which are situated at the base of the Sella Massif.
Aside from the tourist attractions, Selva Gardena has a solid background in winter snow sports competitions, playing host to the FIS Ski World Cup races since the 1970s. It also attracts professional snowsport athletes annually, who come to train on its slopes in preparation for competitions. It is also on the course of a ski World Cup Race; part of which is on the Sella Ronda run. Selva Gardena is perfect for all visitor types so whether you are travelling with a group of friends, a spouse, or a family with young children, you can be sure to find activities appropriate for every travelling visitor profile. The resort has a vibrant and buzzing atmosphere at all times. It's also closely linked to the other Val Gardena resorts of Ortisei and Santa Cristina which can be easily accessed from the resort on the Dolomiti Superski lift pass.
Selva Val Gardena is part of the three resorts which make up the ski area of Val Gardena which is part of the Dolomites and the Dolomiti Superski area. Its pistes range from 934 metres to 3,342 metres altitude.
With direct access to the Dolomites ski area thanks to the Dolomiti Superski area, all skill ability levels are welcome to Selva Gardena as there is more than enough pistes for every ability in the Dolomites, due to the endless amount of ski terrain available. The ski area in Selva Val Gardena is perfect for intermediate level skiers with advanced skiers also feeling the love on some of the pistes.
There is an abundance of long, wide and open reds on the different slopes around the resort, just perfect for confident intermediate skiers. Most notably the well-groomed links to the Sella Ronda run which has featured on a number of ski competitions. You can also ski the long reds back down to the village from Passo Gardena at 2,137 metres and Dantercepies at 2,300.
After progressing on the nursery slopes in the village, beginners can test themselves on the easy blues just above the village. Confident beginners can challenge themselves coming down Passo Sella at 2240 metres altitude as there are also a number of easy blues on that side of the mountain.
The famous Men's World Downhill Cup run from at 2,245 metres altitude to St. Cristina is a test for all advanced skiers visiting Selva Val Gardena. St. Cristina does have a few more challenging blacks and seasoned skiers can also hit the Saslong for an adrenaline boost but most of the long reds will be good fun regardless.
The World Snowboard Guide refers to Val Gardena as “piste paradise” with the implication being that arriving here feels like you died and went to piste heaven. The most interesting must-do runs in the area are located over in Ortisei like the James Bond 10.5 kilometre run more commonly known as the La Longia. The area is pretty much your oyster but checks out the snowpark on Alpe di Siusi which is perfect for all skill ability levels.
The village sits at 1563 metres with most of the skiing taking place above 1600 metres. The snow conditions at Selva Val Gardena have always been excellent with an average of 323 centimetres over the last decade, the highest being 794 centimetres in one year. In case of any losses, Selva’s snowmaking facilities are capable of supplementing any cover needed.
Selva Val Gardena has a buzzing apres-ski scene that starts at several of the ski lodges on the slopes, carries on at the bars and pubs in the resorts and ends in the late-night dancing bars and clubs. Selva Gardena is also well known for hosting a number of music events every year and the vibe just seems to carry on across the village even after the events are long over.
Huts Usually open from between 8 and 9 am up until anytime between 5 and 5:30 pm, the huts and lodges are the lifeblood of the slopes at Selva Val Gardena. Always a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere in the majority of the huts, it’s the perfect place for a pit stop and re-fuelling on coffee, midday munchies or a glass of mulled wine. Located at the foot of the Langkofel and on the Sella Ronda run, Utia Sole Hut offers great hospitality and comfort. Enjoy the breathtaking views and fantastic meals and snacks while you take a break from the runs. Saltner Schwaige hut offers a similar service with breathtaking views, great drinks menu and South Tyrolean menus; you can also expect live music on any given day.
La Stua La Stua is open every day from 9 am to 2 am and is a local favourite. Known to host a number of live music bands, La Stua is your typical ski/Alpine bar. It has a large balcony and terrace ( perfect for outside drinking and tabletop dancing), a fireplace and heated seats. It serves food all day and also has an extensive drinks menu. Party carries on until the early hours.
Luislkeller One of Selva’s oldest pubs opened in 1980, Luislkeller is also located on the Sella Ronda and not too far from La Stua, making it a potential pit stop on your apres-ski crawl. A famous basement pub in Selva Val Gardener is also one of the resorts most popular and most visited by both locals and tourists. Having one of Selva’s best apres ski nights with live music, DJ sets and the occasional raucous party, Luislkeller is also well known for its extensive list of draught beers, cocktails, aperitifs, gin and tonics and bottled beers. The staff here are also fully clad in traditional South-Tyrolean attire for added effect.
Bar Saltos Bar Saltos is a trendy bar and a major staple on the apres-ski night scene in Selva. Centrally located and always filled with revellers, it’s the perfect place for a couple of drinks, meeting new people and dancing into the night. It encompasses just about everything you need from an apres-ski bar, from sports to delicious meals to an extensive drinks menu and partying until the early hours.
Selva Val Gardena is a top ski destination within a world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the Dolomites. As the region would demand, the facilities in Selva are fantastic and range across different activities both on and both the slopes, for old and young visitors alike.
There is so much to offer children and keep them engaged and entertained at Selva Val Gardena. There is everything from kids clubs on the slopes, off-piste attractions and entertainment to children-focused annual events to look forward to.