Val Gardena…It’s Dolo Mite!

World Class Skiing in the North of Italy.

When arriving into Selva Val Gardena/Groden you’ll wonder if its still Italy. Dialects and accents sound completely German and everything else follows. Val Gardena is part of the ‘Dolomiti Superski’ which under one entity has to be one of the World’s Top 10 Ski Resorts. It isn’t the ‘Alps’ every American only knows about, its the ‘Dolomites’.

According to Euro’s who’ve been to both worlds, Dolomiti Superski and inclusive Val Gardena is much larger and arguably better than the Swiss, French, or Austrian Alps. At most, 20% of the ski area is equivalent to that of Vail, Squaw Valley, Mammoth, or Beaver Creek. This monstrously massive ski area can be unbelievable. With its Sellaronda Carrousel, you can access 12 huge ski basins, each comparable to Brekenridge, CO, into one infinite and endless ski world.

Unfortunately, we arrived two days short of witnessing an Italian FIS World Cup Downhill victory by Christian Gardenia and the celebrations following in Selva’s vibrant town. But, the steeps of the groomed Sasslong, the DH race hill, kept me busy with no ski patrol and hardly any sketchy US snowboarders who love to sit behind important knolls.

The weather was sunny with clear skies all 3 days of skiing. Apparently this years is an ‘off-year’ so Siberian currents have pushed the snowy weather to the south, avoiding the mountain ranges in the north of Italy, France, Switzerland, and Austria. But with a large ski area, hardly any people yet vacationing, and great weather, there was nothing to complain about.

We stayed in Garni La Bercia, a very nice 3 star accommodation that offered a steam room, sauna, solarium, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi, and fitness gym. For our morning rise a breakfast buffet was included. Compared to the US, this would have easily amounted to $150-$200/night. But, because Selva Val Gardena is unarguably the perfect place to ski in Italy, it was a reasonable $39/night per person. What a bargain! And, might I add that clicking in your skis was the only thing you needed to do as it was located directly under the Ciampinoi lift.

These great pre and all season bargains may cease as Val Gardena invests millions of dollars into improving its world class resort. Currently, ski lift tickets are equivalent to $30/day, still cheaper than any US ski area. The Vail Company is in negotiations about acquiring this large resort so who knows what the future of this small, nice, and quaint city will overdevelop into. Witness.

Selva Val Gardena/Groden and Dolomites Pictures

Val Gardena Recommendations

Garni La Bercia *** | www.garnilabercia.com
Garni La Bercia was the highlight of my trip to Val Gardena. We were able to get early season rates so it was even better. This bed & breakfast was really homely and had the best lox and bagels and traditional morning breakfast I can remember. I highly recommend staying here, it’s near the lifts and has charming european hospitality. It’s a find.

Val Gardena Information

Garni La Bercia *** | www.valgardena.it
This is the resort’s official website. Check it out.