DOLOMITES Val Gardena: Val Gardena: Dress warmly and get out in nature

Romantic sunsets at Col Raiser/Seceda ski area, spectacular FIS World Cup ski race events on the famous Saslong slope, or the legendary “Sellaronda” ski tour. Winter in Val Gardena presents the beautiful Dolomites, awarded World Heritage Site status by the UNESCO, at their best. This beautiful valley is also member of the Leading Mountain Resorts of the World, a select collective of mountain destinations. Val Gardena offers imposing mountain scape inside world's greatest ski carousel as well as lots of history and culture and plenty of room for solitary excursions into the quiet winter landscape.

One of the best skiing areas within one of the world's most beautiful mountain regions.

The fascination of this dream landscape is emphasised by the fact that UNESCO has recently awarded the Dolomites with the internationally renowned title of World Heritage Site. Val Gardena with its three charming valley communities of Ortisei, St.Christina and Selva conveys the whole splendor of this World Heritage Site landscape: a winter sports resort within a mountain range which also features one of the world's premium skiing areas. Thanks to the Dolomiti Superski lift union, more of 500 kilometers of interconnected slopes are directly accessible, including the adjoining Alpe di Siusi ski area and the link to the famous Sellaronda, with lifts and slopes in neighboring skiing areas all around the Sella massif. 115 kilometers of cross-country ski-tracks round out the package.

A top skiing area, beautiful landscapes, cultural and sporting highlights, a choice of attractive leisure activities and gourmet cuisine: Val Gardena is fast establishing itself as a mountain valley with lifestyle appeal, without losing its culture, language (Ladin) and cozy charm. Guaranteed snow despite climate change, above-average sunshine hours, skiing for all levels of difficulty and new traffic-calmed zones in all three villages make Val Gardena the perfect choice for a great winter vacation for all the family. It is hardly surprising that Val Gardena (Italy), together with prestigious destinations as Banf-Lake Luise (Canada), Are (Sweden), Queenstown (New Zealand) and Sass Fee (Switzerland) is part of the "Leading Mountain Resorts of the World" – a network of resorts renowned for exceptional quality.

Special offers in winter 2013/14:
Val Gardena SuperPremière - till the 24.12.2013 - 4 days for the price of 3
Val Gardena SuperKids - from 15.03.2014 - During these weeks for kids, hotels/guesthouses (with corresponding symbol) offer free stay and great discounts for children.
Val Gardena SuperSun – from 15.03.2014 - For a stay of minimum 6 days, you will get 1 additional free day (6+1).

Activities for non-skiers in Val Gardena

Fun for non-skiers is readily available in Val Gardena. For lovers of the outdoors, there are 50km of well-prepared winter walking paths and trails, as well as facilities for show-shoeing, ice-climbing, out-door (and in-) ice-skating, horse-riding, sleigh riding, paragliding, curling and sledging; the 6km Ortisei toboggan run on Rasciesa is one of the most thrilling in the Alps. Art in the area and Ladin culture is a joy to discover as is the impressive and diverse gastronomy ranging from Michelin-star rated gourmet restaurants to cosy Alpine refuges serving simple Ladin (local) cuisine. Spa and wellness facilities are extensive and the wide-range of accommodation options from every category of hotel to B&B’s, self-catering apartments or remote mountain refuges equates to something for everyone. Val Gardena is a special treat for cross-country skiers: the Vallunga in Selva Gardena, the Monte Pana above S. Cristina and the Alpe di Siusi offer a unique, fantastic panorama. More than 115 km of well-prepared cross-country ski runs in all degrees of difficulty, can be described as the eldorado for cross-country skiers.

Sporting highlights

From 7 December, the first day of winter ski season, right through to late spring, Val Gardena offers top-level events and attractions, from the Downhill World Cup on 20/21 December to the snow and ice sculpture competitions in Selva (Dec. 26-29) and Ortisei (Jan. 13-17), the ice-skating show Christmas on ice in Selva on Dec. 27, the Sellaronda Ski Marathon scheduled on February 21 leading up to the grand season finale – the “Südtirol Gardenissima”, the longest giant slalom race in the world (6km), on March 29, this year for the first time, on a shorter distance, will take place also a kids race.

More information on the new website www.valgardena.it

www.facebook.com/VGardena