The most beautiful ski excursions in Val Gardena

In the winter sports paradise of Val Gardena, you are spoilt for choice between a seemingly endless number of mountains and slopes. How about a ski circuit that leads you back to the starting point via several pistes and offers you the chance to discover several wonderful downhill runs, views and excursion destinations in a single day?

Three main advantages make this adventure in Val Gardena a particularly enjoyable one: the unique location with direct access to a huge ski area, the excellent signposting, which helps you to find your way around even without a guide, and the fact that it is part of the Dolomiti Superski ski association, giving you access to all the lifts in the area with just one ski pass. Ski tours are best suited for winter sports enthusiasts with a good basic level of fitness – good technique doesn't hurt either.

Below you will find a list of the most beautiful ski excursions and day tours starting in the Val Gardena skiing resort. Whether it's sporty highlights or unique nature experiences, each tour has its very own advantages that are worth discovering.

The Val Gardena Ronda is ideal for skiers who want to experience the entire Val Gardena ski resort in depth or who simply want to ski a number of the most beautiful slopes in Val Gardena. It is possible to start the circuit from all three villages in Val Gardena: Santa Cristina, Ortisei and Selva. Those who start in S. Cristina take the Val Gardena Ronda Express from Ruacia to the Col Raiser cable car, which leads to the middle of the Col Raiser & Seceda ski area.

After the descent, take the Fermeda chairlift to the top of Seceda where the longest descent in the valley awaits you. “La Longia” leads you 10km to the underground escalators that take you to Ortisei. The charming village attracts visitors with its shops, cafés and restaurants, however, you continue to the valley station of the Alpe di Siusi lift, which takes you to the largest high plateau in Europe. After crossing the alp, take the bus from Saltria to Monte Pana, which will take you up to the summit of Monte Pana via several lifts. From here, multiple slopes lead you back to your accommodation.

The Sellaronda is one of the most famous ski circuits in the world and lets you completely circumnavigate the Sella in a wonderful day tour. The ski tour can be done in two directions: clockwise, following the signs for the orange Sellaronda, and counter-clockwise, following the green signs. The orange loop takes you over four passes: the Passo Gardena, Passo Campolongo, Pordoi Pass and the Sella Pass. The Dolomiti Superski ski pass is required to use the many lifts and fully plan your tour.

Set off before 10 a.m. to be able to take a long lunch break. From Selva, take the Dantercepies lift (#30) to the Gardena Pass to start the orange ski circuit of the Sellaronda. The green ski run leads you through the valleys of Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Arabba and Val di Fassa. Start from the Plan de Gralba ski area or take the Ciampinoi lift (#29) from Selva, the Saslong lift (#17) in S. Cristina or the Ortisei-Furnes lift (#2) in Ortisei to join the tour, which runs in a counter-clockwise direction.

This day trip takes you to the 3,343-metre high Marmolada - Queen of the Dolomites. If you want to find out why the impressive mountain bears this name, don't miss the Val Gardena-Marmolada ski circuit. You can reach the Marmolada ski area via the Sellaronda: from Arabba, take the DMC Europa lift to the middle station. From here, continue to Passo Padon, where an incredible view of the Marmolada mountain awaits you.

A beautiful descent leads you to Malga Ciapela. At this point, you can take three cable cars to the top of the Marmolada. Enjoy the view, take your time for a few downhill runs or spend your lunch break in one of the warm and inviting huts. The Marmolada is a popular destination for excursions, especially in the high season. We recommend that you plan for waiting times at the lifts and that you don't start your return trip to Val Gardena too late. The Val Gardena-Marmolada circuit is considered one of the most beautiful ski circuits in the region and offers you a number of spectacular highlights, both in terms of sport and scenery.

You don't need a Dolomiti Superski pass for the Alpe di Siusi Ronda, the ski pass for the Val Gardena ski area is valid here. This ski circuit takes you around the Alpe di Siusi, the largest high alp in Europe, which is very popular with families because of its relatively gentle slopes and numerous lifts. The ski circuit, also called the Witches' Tour, starts at the mountain station of the lift to the Alpe di Siusi, which departs from Ortisei.

The first descent to the Mezdì chairlift begins at the mountain station, and after a long descent you can carry on with the Sanon chairlift. A number of other descents and lifts lead you close to the Sassolungo group and to beautiful huts, perfect for a refreshing break. As soon as you have reached the top station of the Alpe di Siusi again, you will happily return to Ortisei via the last piste run Pilat.

The Lagazuoi is probably best known to visitors interested in history. A huge tunnel system, some of which can be visited, played an important role here for both the Italian and the Austro-Hungarian armed forces. You can reach the Lagazuoi ski area from Val Gardena via the orange Sellaronda. Via Colfosco and Corvara you reach the small village of Armentarola. A short taxi ride then takes you to the Lagazuoi cable car on Passo Falzarego.

An incredible view awaits you here. The 8.5-km Lagazuoi descent takes you to Sass Dlacia. Here you can either be pulled on your skis by horses – a truly extraordinary experience – or take a taxi back. The ski circuit also has some culinary highlights to offer and a reservation in one of the most popular huts and restaurants is highly recommended.

Ski across the Dolomites just once – you can do this on the Grande Guerra Tour, a spectacular ski tour that can be completed in one day or, if you prefer, in a more relaxed fashion in two days. Highlights of the tour include the descent from the Marmolada peak down to Malga Ciapela, the slopes of the 5 Torri, the "Gran Risa" in Alta Badia and the Zoldo ski area.

Starting at the Ciampinoi lift, which takes you from Selva to the Ciampinoi summit. The long and challenging ski circuit offers you wonderful downhill runs and plenty of opportunities to stop for refreshments and an overnight stay. Whether you want to complete the tour in one day or plan an overnight stay - be sure to start early in the morning to manage the enormous workload.