Gardenissima 2019 with an impressive Line-Up

Published by Mountainblog on 03/22/2019.

The 23^rd Südtirol Gardenissima, which unfolds on Saturday, March 30 next, looks set to be even more spectacular and exciting than ever. The renowned season-closing classic has attracted a particularly impressive line-up this year. Representing the Italian Blues will be leading national skiers Christof Innerhofer and Federica Brignone.

Saturday, March 30, marks a truly stylish return for the annual Südtirol Gardenissima, the world’s longest slalom as Val Gardena’s pistes play host to one of the classic closing event of the 2018/19 skiing calendar. The giant slalom course stretches over 6 kilometres from the top of Monte Seceda at 2,518 metres to the finish-line at Col Raiser via no less than 110 gates!

AN EXCEPTIONAL LINE-OUT. A total of 680 skiers will line out at the start, with 15 nations represented. There is huge excitement around the entry of Christof Innerhofer. The powerful Alto Adige athlete was crowned Super G world champion at Garmisch in 2011 and was twice on the podium at Sochi in 2014. This time out, he’ll be going head to head with skiers from all over Europe, including Daniel Danklmaier, Raphael Haaser, Alexander Prast, Hannes Zingerle, Giuglio Bosca, Cristian Javier Simari Birkner, Simon Maurberger und Alex Hofer, as well as the junior hopeful of Val Gardena, Alex Vinatzer .

In the women’s line-up all eyes will be Federica Brignone and the sisters Nicol and Nadia Delago.
But not only the big names of the ski circus arouse curiosity, but also other participants like Andreas Goldberger, the successful ski jumper of the 1990s, will also take part in the giant slalom in Val Gardena.

SKI LEGENDS. Today’s top skiers and up-and-coming talents will be flanked by a group of famous former skiing stars. Giorgio Rocca, bronze medallist of three World Cups, will be tackling the run and doing battle with Oskar Delago, Isolde Kostner, Daniela Zini, Paola Magoni and Thea Gamper. Jürgen Egle from Vorarlberg is the first forerunner. He is paraplegic after an accident and has won 11 medals on his monoski at Paraolympics and World Championships.

For the well-being of the participants and spectators the local hotelier and restaurant association as well as the farmers’ wives take care of the finish area.

The award ceremony will take place at 3.30 pm in the Iman Center in S. Cristina.

Afterwards the day can end at the “After Race Party Sëlva ” in the centre of Selva Gardena with the group “Ugle Cute & Volxrock“.

MAKE WAY FOR THE YOUNGSTERS. The main event doesn’t mark the end of the action, by any means. The adults’ race will be followed the next day, Sunday, March 31st, by the Südtirol Gardenissima Kids for very young skiers born between 8 and 13 years. The distance is shorter but follows the same format as the grown-up race: competitors start in pairs and do the first section of the giant slalom on parallel runs which then merge into a single one in the last section. Entries are open until March 29 for a promotional event that delivers a mix of fun and competition to attract more families and youngsters to the winter sports world.

New is the free Ski Test Gardenissima KIDS on Saturday, March 30 from 10:00 to 15:00 and on Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00. Two time trial tracks will be set up for the ski test on the Curona slope on Seceda, near the Gardenissima track.

Head, Rossignol, Dynastar, Blizzard, Nordica and Elan will be at the test to present the latest racing skis for the 2019/20 season.

INFO: Südtirol Gardenissima

Val Gardena

“Great sport” coming soon to Val Gardena:
from 14 to 22 December three great sporting events.

Published by Mountainblog on 12/10/2018.

The fact that Val Gardena is the “Valley of sport welcoming athletes from all over the world” is well known but this year the period from 14 to 22 December is going to be a really incredible one.

Apart from the Mens Ski World Cup, which for years now has always had a race on the wonderful Saslong slope, this year the mens speed merchants will be racing on 14 and 15 December, the Ladies Word Cup races which were originally scheduled for Val d’Isère) will take place in Val Gardena on 18 and 19 December.

The series of races make for a vitally important and exciting week for the valley. One should know that the world’s top skiers have been coming to Val Gardena since 1970, the year when the Alpine World Championships were held here. On 18 and 19 December there will be a Downhill and a Super G on Saslong.

Taking part in races will be Nicol Delago, she recently achieving fifth place in the final race at Lake Louise (CAN). Nicole is the star of the Val Gardena youth team.

Completing this period of wonderful sport, an effort which only the incredible strength of the Val Gardena organisational machine would be able to perform, is the Raiffeisen ITF Woman Val Gardena Südtirol, it taking place from 15 to 22 December, and being an International Ladies tennis tournament. It is the 16th year it is being held at Ortisei. Also this year the prizemoney will amount to 15.000 $, and among the athletes competing will be local girl Verena Hofer; another sporting occasion which is not to be missed!

Pics Credits: www.wisthaler.com

INFO: Val Gardena

Val Gardena starts the season
with a blizzard of top awards

Published by Mountainblog on 11/29/2018.

For the fifth year in a row, Val Gardena has been judged the best ski resort in Italy and the sixth best in the world.

At the World Ski Awards 2018, the international Oscars for ski resorts, the resort in the heart of the Dolomites was named as Italy’s top ski destination.

The World Ski Awards accolades are based on assessments from a panel of ski tourism experts as well as on a survey of the opinions of nearly a million skiers and boarders from 120 countries.

The awards come on the German website www.skiresort.de, acknowledged as one of the world’s most important authorities for the evaluation of ski resorts. It rates resorts according to 18 criteria. Val Gardena was awarded five out of five stars in the most important categories: size of ski area, choice of slopes, variety of downhill runs, lift system, snow guarantee, slope preparation, accommodation right on the slopes and suitability for families and children.

Meanwhile, the popular site for ski sport www.skigebiete-test.de has compiled a list of the best ski areas worldwide after analysing more than 250 ski sport locations.

Val Gardena was voted the best ski resort in the Dolomites, in Sud Tirol and in Italy. On the international stage the resort took an excellent sixth place. In addition, Trip Advisor in its Travellers’ Choice Awards has awarded Selva (Wolkenstein in German) in Val Gardena sixth place overall in a list of tourist destinations in Italy, including seaside resorts and art cities.

Finally, there were several awards for hotels in the valley and the reconfirmation of two Michelin stars to Raimund Brunner at the Anna Stuben Gourmet Restaurant in Ortisei and to Mario Porcelli at the Alpenroyal Gourmet Restaurant in Selva Gardena.

INFO: Val Gardena

Dolomites Val Gardena & Jaguar Land Rover: the birth of a long partnership

Published by Mountainblog on 11/27/2018.

An agreement has been signed between Dolomites Val Gardena and Jaguar Land Rover that will allow the birth of a long partnership between two famous and unique brands.

On the occasion of the presentation of the Val Gardena winter season, the keys of two splendid cars of the Jaguar Land Rover Group, with personalised livery, were handed over in Milan, underlining the birth of an agreement between two famous brands in their respective areas.

Starting from December, in fact (the ski season in Val Gardena will start on the 6th), two Jaguar Land Rover cars will circulate in this beautiful valley of the Dolomites: an ecological and elegant Jaguar I-Pace, the first electric car of the brand and of the premium segment, with excellent performances and a versatile and fascinating Range Rover Velar, a real off-road vehicle suitable to face any kind of conditions.
The agreement provides for the reciprocal exchange of visibility and the creation of a Car Display in Ortisei, where it will be possible to admire the cars and request a test drive. The choice, in particular of the Jaguar I-Pace, underlines the vocation of Va Gardena to protect its territory also through the use of cars with very low environmental impact.

Val Gardena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has for years been promoting events aimed at preserving this heritage, such as the Ecodolomites event in September or through initiatives such as the closing of last summer’s passes.
A “green” heart and soul, waiting for a “white” winter.

Fotocredit: Alex Runggaldier

INFO: Val Gardena

E-Bike ride in the Dolomites | Val Gardena Gröden

Published by Mountainblog on 06/08/2018.

E-Bikes are ultra-modern. The new trend literally electrifies the bike fans, more and more people are entering the holiday in the pedals. Val Gardena Active offer you very interesting e-bike tour where the most beautiful vantage points will be approached.

INFO: Val Gardena

Sellaronda Bike Day 2018: Dolomite’s passes round the Sella accessible only for cyclists

Published by Mountainblog on 05/18/2018.

Val Gardena invites you to take part in the 2018 edition of Sellaronda Bike Day! During this event at the 23.06.2018 the Dolomites passes around the Sella massive will be closed for the motorized traffic and accessible only for cyclists. From 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. the main street starting from Hotel Maciaconi and all Dolomite’s passes round the Sella (Sella, Gardena, Pordoi and Campolongo) are accessible only for cyclists.

Please note:

The event is open to everyone – the number of participants is not limited!
Keep to the right and only use the right hand lane.
Cyclists should maintain a moderate speed.
On these days the public bus service around the Sella Group will be suspended.
There will be a free shuttle service from Maciaconi to Selva Gardena.

Official cycling t-shirt “Sella Ronda Bike Day”.
You can by the official “Sellaronda Bike Day”-jersey on our Online Shop.

The cycling t-shirt will be available also directly on the course of the Sellaronda Bike Day (Bike Points, some huts and restaurants).

More information on www.sellarondabikeday.com

INFO: Val Gardena

9 June 2018: Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon, the Dolomites’ Trail Running

Published by Mountainblog on 04/17/2018.

Val Gardena will host the first edition of an important event on 9 June, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Dolomites.

The Dolomites Saslong Half-Marathon (21 Km) is a circuit around the Sassolungo massif featuring a total elevation gain of approximately 900 metres.

The route winds its way across rocky and gravelly trails and dirt roads. The participants start from 1,624 metres, while the highest point of their journey is 2,363 metres a.s.l., surrounded by the indescribably beautiful landscape of the Sella, the Marmolada, the Alpe di Siusi, and the Sciliar.

Runners will start from picturesque Monte Pana. They’ll face the first climb to the famous Emilio Comici hut; then continue at an average altitude ranging between 2,200 and 2,300 m a.s.l. through the legendary City of Stones and its numerous rocky boulders. The next stop is Passo Sella and its breathtaking view across the Marmolada glacier, Queen of the Dolomites, to then reach the renowned Sasso Piatto hut. A descent now awaits the runners who will make their way back to Monte Pana.

Everyone who’s 18 or older before the day of the race can participate. All Italian citizens must have a valid sports medical certificate for athletics issued by a recognised sports doctor. Participants have 4 hours to complete the Saslong Half-Marathon.

To sign up, visit the website.

Early bird rates are €35 until 31 May 2018 and regular rates are €45 from 1 June 2018. The registration fee includes a half-marathon goodie bag, participation medal for classified runners, 1 beverage and 1 meal in the arrival area, snacks along the route, free parking.

Prizes: a 2-night stay for two people at the Grones Hotel in Ortisei, the Beludei Hotel in S. Cristina, the Genziana Hotel in Selva, as well as Under Armour products and much more.

The Sassolungo Group is located between Val Gardena and Val di Fassa. It’s surrounded by the Sella Massif, the Sciliar, and the Catinaccio Group. It’s Val Gardena’s symbol. The mountain features summits that stretch across approximately one kilometre from the northwest to the southeast. The Group consists of the Sassolungo (3,181 m) – the highest peak; the Spallone del Sassolungo (3,081 m), the Punta delle cinque dita (2,996 m), the Sasso Levante (3,126 m), the Torre Innerkofler (3,081 m), the Dente (2,825 m) and the Sasso Piatto (2969 m).

A massif which is unique in the whole world, its location 230 million years ago was occupied by a tropical coral reef.

A majestic and unique natural landscape for a race which seeks to become a recurring event for all uphill race fans.

INFO: Val Gardena
Dolomites Saslong Half-Marathon

Innerhofer and Delago triumph at the 2018 Gardenissima

Published by Mountainblog on 04/10/2018.

The 22nd edition of the Südtirol Gardenissima, the world’s longest giant slalom, delivered thrills and spills aplenty as it brought the Alpine skiing season to a fittingly exciting close today. The stunning backdrop of the Dolomites, the sunny day and the perfect snowconditions helped boost the already-spectacular performances of the athletes as they started their descent from the top of Monte Seceda and then shot down the to the finish-line at Col Raiser, through 117 gates.

The fastest of the 650 participants was the italian Christof Innerhofer who stopped the clock in 3’32.70. Behind him was Daniel Hemetsberger with 3’33.91, while Alexander Prast finished third in a time of 3’36.98.

The women athletes delivered equally impressive performances with Nicol Delago proving exceptionally skilled at weaving in and out of the gates, to make it first across the line in a time of 3’44.09 . Federica Brignone could not catch Delago, however, and finished second, 3″05 behind her. The bottom step of the ladies’ podium went to the 4times “Gardenissima”-winner Verena Stuffer who crossed the line in a time of 3’46.00 .

There was great applause and cheering from the crowd for the large group of Ski Legends as they completed their descent. First of the former champions to cross the line in this special category was Federico Vanz with a time of 3’46.07. He was 1″27 faster than Jonas Senoner and Federico Vanz. The first of the women to finish was Regina Haeusl, from Germany, who triumphed in style over Paola Magoni and Daniela Zini.

Delivering its usual magical mix of music, sport and fun, the Gardenissima once again proved a truly fantastic festival of snow, drawing in and involving everyone from amateur to professional skiers as well as promising young talents and families. And of course, a large group of very appreciative spectators.

Südtirol Gardenissima 2018 22° Edition – Val Gardena (BZ)

Men’s classification:
1. Christof Innerhofer (ITA) 3’32.70
2. Daniel Hemetsberger (AUT) 3’33.91
3. Alexander Prast (ITA) 3’36.98
4. Alex Hofer (ITA) 3’37.38

5. Mattia Casse (ITA) 3’37.90

Women’s classification:
1. Nicol Delago (ITA) 3’44.09
2. Federica Brignone (ITA) 3’45.23
3. Verena Stuffer (ITA) 3’46.00
4. Nadia Delago (ITA) 3’48.81
5. Angelica Simari Birkner (ARG) 4’02.04

For further information: Südtirol Gardenissima

Val Gardena

The 22a Südtirol Gardenissima is fast approaching

Published by Mountainblog on 02/07/2018.

In Val Gardena the organisational machine is taking forward all arrangements for the 22a edition of the Südtirol Gardenissima, it the world’s longest giant slalom, and one which will take place on Saturday 7 April.

The start will be at 8.00 a.m. and as usual from high up on Seceda, and will then wind down a thrilling 6 kilometre course, with 115 gates to the arrival point at the Col Raiser valley station, a course all set in the splendid landscape of the Dolomites.

As tradition demands the opportunity to participate in this much-loved race is open to skiers of every level, as long as the individual is able to provide a medical certificate proving a clean bill of health and FISI card, the latter one able to ask for at the moment of race registration. It is obligatory to wear a helmet.

This year registrations are above every expectation and there are only about two hundred places still free.Every year about 650 participate in the Südtirol Gardenissima, among which are several members past and present of the Italian sk team and other famous celebrities (Isolde Kostner, Peter Runggaldier, Maria Rosa Quario, Peter Fill, Max Franz).

This year’s race will have a very special athlete participating – the Austian multi-time world champion ski jumper Andreas Goldberger.

Stands and entertainment will add to the occasion e.g. the music di DJ Simon will liven things up in the arrival area, and here too there will be snacks and drinks on offer, Furthermore there will be the Season’s End Ski Party Sëlva with The Jam’son & Francine Jordi from 4.30 p.m.

The Prizegiving Ceremony will be at 3.30 p.m. at the Centro Iman at S. Cristina and, os well as the prizes for the first classified places there will be a draw of free holidays for some of the lucky participants.

On Sunday 8 April at 9.00 a.m. it will be the turn of the young ones to take on the challenge in the Südtirol Gardenissima Kids, a 2 kilometre route with an altitude difference of 463 metres which goes from Monte Seceda to the valley station of the Fermeda chairlift. 2018 will be the 5th running of this particular race: there will be two start gates, as in the parallel slalom.

For this race too the wearing of a helmet is also obligatory. The Südtirol Gardenissima Kids presentation will take place at the mountain station of the Seceda cablecar at 2 pm.

This edition of the Südtirol Gardenissima has achieved “GreenEvent” status, satisfying the criteria for a planned and managed event complying to sustainability criteria, the most important factors being – printing of all material on recycled paper, the effective management of waste (reduction of the the quantity of waste and a differentiation in disposal of, the distribution of drinks preferably having an amount payable on return, the origin of at least half of food comsumed being from within the region and a selection of food being based on seasonal factors, and finally the promotion of an awareness in favour of a greater ecological mobility.

For further information refer pleamr www.gardenissima.eu

INFO: Val Gardena

A Winter to Live to the Full in Val Gardena – Christmas Valley

Published by Mountainblog on 11/01/2017.

Christmas in Val Gardena is somewhat of a tradition, yet more than in any other corner of the world. The three main villages prepare to spend this magical period following their traditions. Selva di Val Gardena is ready to stage ‘Mountain Christmas’. The mountain village is located in the heart of the Dolomites, at the foot of the Sella Massif, it’s the highest village in Val Gardena, resting on the legendary ski-tour ‘Sella Ronda’ where skiing means having a blast on over 500 km of slopes.

This season too, the feel of the ski slopes will be transferred to the traffic-free part of the village between 7 December 2017 and 7 January 2018, thanks to an uninterrupted strip of floodlit area of approximately 350 metres, and 12 small wooden cable car pods where you can sample gingerbread, mulled wine, homemade cakes, artisanal chocolate, and purchase unique gifts for next Christmas.

A swirling array of Christmas decorations and twinkling lights, together with the sweet tunes of Christmas Carols will uplift the spirits of everyone and light that spark of happiness and surprise in the eyes of children. Moreover, the traditional art of sculpting in Val Gardena will be showcased in the beautiful nativity scene exhibition. www.mountain-christmas.com

Ortisei will become a Christmas Village (from 1 December to 6 January), shrouded in fairy lights. The market will be carefully prepared, steeped in a unique atmosphere where Christmas Carols will ring in the air, and tourists can taste homemade bakes, touch wooden hand carved objects, admire the lights and surroundings, and catch a tempting waft of food and wood which will warm up the atmosphere. A run-up to Christmas bursting with emotions and experiences. The stands sport countless products, all original and authentic, from sculptures, wooden tools, Advent wreaths, lanterns and frames, candles to felt products.

Choirs will perform every day and the mountain horns will fill the valleys, and you can take part in courses to learn how to create traditional wooden Ladin tools or recipes.

Children will also be able to send their letters in a dedicated post box on Piazza Stetteneck, knowing they will reach Father Christmas’ house safe and sound.

The Santa Cristina Christmas Market traditionally offers typical products, crafts, and local cooking. The varied offer of Tyrolean sweets and specialties will delight the palate of visitors, who can also attend live performances of local wood-carving masters and listen to mountain music and melodies. Every weekend and on festivities, between 10 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. gingerbread biscuits and delicious ‘Spitzbuben’, shortcrust pastry biscuits filled with apricot marmalade, will be taken hot out of the oven. www.mercatino-natale.it/ita/index.htm

Val Gardena yet again cements its reputation as the ‘Christmas Valley’, offering plenty of events dedicated to the most important celebration of the year – have a look at the event calendar.

INFO: Val Gardena

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