Val Gardena boasts a centuries-old history in tourism and can connect its strong and fascinating culture with cutting-edge technology and infrastructures, creating an ideal holiday destination for all winter sport lovers. The big novelty for the next winter season will be a state-of-the-art heated 8-seat cable car, the Gran Paradiso, the first of its kind in Italy, which will cover a longer route to also connect to the anticlockwise track of the Sellaronda, linking it to the renowned ’City of Rocks’. The new cable car, besides its functional aspect and comfort, was also developed to deliver a pleasant experience for its users. It’s fitted with beautiful blue-tinted glass which will contribute in giving an even more spectacular view compared to the usual smoky grey used for cable car pods. It will carry up to 2,200 people per hour, cover 1 km and an elevation difference of 231 metres in 3.21 minutes and will be open for business from 4th December.
‘Ladies First’
Val Gardena Active ‘Ladies Special’ is a winter programme dedicated to women who want to spend a holiday in this charming Dolomite valley delving into cultural, cooking, and sportive activities.
‘Ladies Special’ includes various activities with one single common element: relaxation. Every day will see a range of on foot excursions, morning fitness, and cooking classes which will help you relax like you never can back at home.
This programme bursting with events will allow you to discover how much Val Gardena can offer from a natural and cultural perspective.
At the end of an intense day, the centre of the villages of Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva Val Gardena are a great destination for an aperitif with friends or some shopping. Every activity of the ‘Ladies Special’ programme varies in price, with discounts for Val Gardena Active partners.
Christmas Valley
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 ‘Sellaronda’ where skiing means having a blast on over 500 km of slopes.
Even this year, the skiing slopes will be transferred to the traffic-free part of the village between 2 December and 8 January, the track lit up thanks to an uninterrupted strip of light 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, 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. www.nadelurtijei.it
The Santa Cristina Christmas Market traditionally offers typical products, crafts, and local cooking. Located in a beautiful scenic location at the foot of the Sassolungo and Castel Gardena, it has always delivered a unique atmosphere and plenty of good ideas for Christmas presents.
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
Val Gardena yet again cements its reputation as the ‘Christmas Valley’, offering plenty of events dedicated to the most important celebration of the year.
INFO: Val Gardena
