The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Val Gardena spans 181 kilometres of marked pistes across 188 runs, with lift-accessed terrain rising from 1,236 metres at the valley floor to 2,518 metres at the Seceda summit - a vertical drop of 1,282 metres. The resort sits within the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites and forms part of Dolomiti Superski, giving pass holders direct access to over 500 kilometres of interconnected slopes and the full 1,200-kilometre network across 12 ski areas. Snow reliability is exceptional: technically programmed snowmaking covers approximately 95% of the terrain, supplemented by natural snowfall that averages around 300 centimetres annually. The resort has been repeatedly named the best ski area in the Dolomites by independent rating platforms.
Terrain distribution favours intermediate skiers heavily, with 60% of runs graded red, 29% blue for beginners, and 11% black. The area divides into distinct sectors including Seceda, Col Raiser, Ciampinoi, Plan de Gralba, and Passo Sella on the Val Gardena side, plus Alpe di Siusi across the valley. Signature runs include the 3,446-metre Saslong - home to the annual FIS World Cup downhill since 1969 - and La Longia, a 10-kilometre descent from Seceda to Ortisei. The newly opened La Ria black run on Dantercepies features gradients up to 52%, while the Pela (Pista Nera) near Col Raiser ranks among the steepest marked trails in the valley.
Three traditional Ladin villages anchor the valley: Ortisei at 1,236 metres serves as the main town with approximately 5,000 residents, Santa Cristina sits at 1,428 metres as the quietest option, and Selva at 1,563 metres provides the most direct lift access to the Sellaronda circuit. More than 60 mountain huts dot the slopes, serving South Tyrolean and Ladin cuisine. The valley retains strong cultural identity - Ladin, Italian, and German are all spoken locally - while traditional woodcarving workshops continue an artistic heritage dating to the 17th century.
The Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi ski pass covers the local 175-kilometre network, while the Dolomiti Superski pass unlocks the full regional system including the Sellaronda - a 40-kilometre ski circuit around the Sella massif crossing four high passes. From Selva, the Dantercepies gondola provides clockwise access to the circuit, while Ciampinoi serves the counter-clockwise route. The resort suits intermediates seeking long cruising runs and exploratory day tours, families attracted to Alpe di Siusi's gentle terrain, and racing fans drawn to World Cup heritage.
1282m
Vertical
188
Runs
181 km
Piste
4m
Annual snow
Watch
See Val Gardena (Gröden) in motion
The Terrain
188 runs across 181 km of piste
Val Gardena (Gröden) spreads 188 runs across 181 km of piste of terrain. It leans intermediate at 60%, with 55 beginner runs to find your feet and 21 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
188
runs
188 runs across 4 grades
Beginner55 runs · 29%
Intermediate113 runs · 60%
Advanced21 runs · 11%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Val Gardena (Gröden)
Val Gardena typically operates from early December through early April, with the 2025/26 season scheduled from 4 December 2025 to 7 April 2026. This four-month window aligns with the broader Sellaronda circuit opening dates, ensuring full regional connectivity throughout the winter. Exact dates remain subject to snow conditions, though comprehensive snowmaking infrastructure enables consistent early-December starts regardless of natural precipitation.
Natural snowfall averages approximately 300 centimetres annually, with reliable base depths ranging from 50 to 150 centimetres during peak season. The resort's elevation profile - with most terrain above 1,800 metres - preserves snow quality through the shoulder periods. Technically controlled snowmaking covers 165 kilometres of pistes, effectively guaranteeing skiable conditions across the network. Over 300 snowcats groom the terrain nightly, maintaining consistent surface quality.
January and February deliver the most reliable cold temperatures and powder opportunities, with the first week of February historically recording the highest snowfall frequency. December offers excellent groomed conditions with festive atmosphere across the villages. March brings longer daylight hours and spring snow conditions, particularly favourable for the extensive south-facing terrain on Seceda and Alpe di Siusi. Late March into April sees softer afternoon snow and ideal conditions for leisurely cruising.
The annual FIS Ski World Cup races on the Saslong take place in mid-December, drawing international crowds for the downhill and super-G events. The Sellaronda Skimarathon in March challenges ski tourers with 42 kilometres and 2,000 metres of climbing around the Sella massif. Late March hosts the Südtirol Gardenissima - the longest giant slalom in the world - a 6-kilometre race from Seceda with over 1,000 metres vertical drop. Rock the Dolomites brings live music performances across mountain huts during the final weeks of the season.
Season 2025 - 2026
5 Dec 2025
Opens
6 Apr 2026
Closes
122
Days open
4 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Val Gardena (Gröden), and where to stay
Val Gardena lies in the Alto Adige/South Tyrol region of northern Italy, carved into the western slopes of the Sella massif within the central Dolomites. The valley stretches approximately 30 kilometres from Ponte Gardena at its entrance to the high passes of Passo Sella and Passo Gardena at its head. Dramatic limestone peaks frame the landscape: Sassolungo rises to 3,181 metres to the south, the Odle group and Seceda ridge form the northern boundary, and the Sella plateau dominates the eastern horizon. The entire area falls within the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites designation.
Ortisei, the valley's main town, sits at 1,236 metres approximately 20 minutes drive from the motorway exit. Bolzano, the regional capital, lies 43 kilometres west and serves as the primary urban centre with full services, shopping, and cultural attractions. The valley retains trilingual character - Ladin, Italian, and German - reflecting its position at the intersection of three cultural traditions. Traditional woodcarving remains a significant local industry alongside tourism, with workshops and galleries concentrated in Ortisei's pedestrianised centre.
Road access follows the A22 Brenner motorway, the main north-south corridor between Austria and Italy. From the north, drivers exit at Chiusa after passing through Innsbruck and the Brenner Pass; from the south, the same exit serves traffic arriving via Verona and Trento. The climb from Chiusa to Ortisei takes approximately 20 minutes on well-maintained valley roads, with Santa Cristina and Selva a few kilometres beyond. Alternative scenic routes approach via Passo Sella from Val di Fassa or Passo Gardena from Alta Badia.
Bolzano Airport lies approximately 50 kilometres from Val Gardena with transfer times around 40 minutes, though international flight options remain limited. Innsbruck Airport in Austria offers the nearest practical hub for UK and European connections, situated 120 kilometres north with transfer times of 90 minutes to two hours. Verona Airport provides the most convenient Italian gateway at 195 kilometres, roughly two hours fifteen minutes by road. Train services reach Ponte Gardena, Chiusa, Bressanone, and Bolzano stations, with connecting buses running frequently into the valley.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Val Gardena (Gröden), powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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16 Sept 2026
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
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Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
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Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
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2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
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31 Aug 2026
Val Gardena (Gröden) Webcams
21 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Val Gardena (Gröden)'s live webcams
Check live conditions across Val Gardena (Gröden) with 21 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- St. Christina/Seceda2450m
- Perched at a breathtaking 2450m elevation, this webcam offers panoramic views across stunning high-alpine terrain. Monitor snow conditions and visibility with distinctive Dolomite peaks forming a dramatic backdrop for Val Gardena's most spectacular slopes.
- St. Christina/Col Raiser2106m
- From 2106m, this strategically positioned webcam captures the popular Col Raiser area. Check real-time conditions on intermediate terrain and lift operations at this central hub of the Val Gardena ski domain.
- Wolkenstein/Ciampinoi2254m
- Offering strategic views from 2254m elevation, this web cam monitors conditions on the famous Saslong World Cup downhill course. Track skier traffic at this key Val Gardena access point to the renowned Sella Ronda circuit.
- Wolkenstein/Dantercepies2305m
- Located at 2305m, this camera showcases the Dantercepies area with its direct connection to the Sella Ronda. Check weather patterns across this crucial western sector of Val Gardena webcams network.
- Wolkenstein/Piz Sella2284m
- Delivering high-altitude views from 2284m, track visibility and snow quality on the upper mountain terrain. This Val Gardena web cam provides exceptional vistas of the iconic Sella massif.
- St. Ulrich in Gröden/Raschötz2200m
- Panoramic perspectives from 2200m reveal conditions on the quieter northern sector with family-friendly slopes. One of the most picturesque Val Gardena webcams with stunning Dolomite backdrops.
- St. Christina/Monte Pana1630m
- Views of this sunny plateau at 1630m are perfect for monitoring conditions in this beginner-friendly area. Follow activity at Val Gardena's popular cross-country skiing center through this well-positioned webcam.
- Seis am Schlern/Puflatsch Bergstation2100m
- Overlooking Europe's largest high-alpine meadow at 2100m, check snow conditions on the Alpe di Siusi's network of gentle slopes. A favorite among Val Gardena web cam viewers for its expansive vistas.
- Citta dei Sassi
- Capturing the dramatic "City of Rocks" area, this camera monitors conditions on a unique geological formation. Experience some of the most distinctive skiing terrain in Val Gardena webcams collection.
- Val Gardena Seceda
- Delivering panoramic views of an iconic ridgeline, check visibility on the dramatic north-facing slopes. Snow preservation is excellent in this sector, making it a crucial webcam for powder hunters.
- Val Gardena Col Raiser
- Showcasing the popular Col Raiser area from an alternative angle, monitor skier traffic and snow quality. This strategic webcam connects multiple villages in the heart of Val Gardena's ski domain.
- Val Gardena Dantercepies
- Providing views of the western gateway to the Sella Ronda, check conditions at this crucial intersection. This webcam shows the connection point between Val Gardena and neighboring valleys.
- Ciampinoi
- Focused on the bustling Ciampinoi hub, monitor lift operations and skier traffic at this key access point. From this webcam, assess both Val Gardena's local slopes and the broader Sella Ronda circuit.
- Piz Seteur Sassolungo
- Framing the iconic Sassolungo mountain group, track visibility with distinctive Dolomite peaks as backdrop. One of the most spectacular vistas in the Val Gardena webcams network.
- Sasso Levante
- Showcasing the eastern sector with real-time updates of snow conditions, monitor weather patterns from this camera. A strategic viewpoint in the comprehensive Val Gardena web cam system.
- Compatsch
- Providing perspectives of the Alpe di Siusi base area, check mountain atmosphere before heading up. This webcam offers valuable insights into current conditions at one of Val Gardena's key access points.
- Puflatsch
- Delivering views of the Puflatsch area from a different angle, monitor conditions on popular trails. This family-friendly sector is well-covered by Val Gardena's extensive webcam network.
- Punta d’oro
- Offering real-time updates of snow conditions and visibility, check weather patterns from this strategic viewpoint. This webcam provides comprehensive coverage of another key sector in Val Gardena.
- St. Christina in Gröden1520m
- howcasing the village center at 1520m, monitor valley conditions and resort activity. This webcam provides a central perspective on what's happening throughout Val Gardena.
- Hotel Jägerheim1547m
- Providing sweeping views of surrounding slopes from 1547m, check conditions across the central valley. This webcam offers one of the best overview perspectives of Val Gardena's main sectors.
- Monte Pana1649m
- Capturing the sunny plateau at 1649m, monitor mountain atmosphere in this popular family-friendly area. A favorite among visitors looking for gentler terrain in Val Gardena.
Val Gardena (Gröden) snow cams FAQ
How often do Val Gardena (Gröden) snow cams update?
All Val Gardena (Gröden) snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Val Gardena (Gröden).
Which Val Gardena (Gröden) webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation St. Christina/Seceda webcam at 2,450m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Val Gardena (Gröden) webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Val Gardena (Gröden) lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Val Gardena (Gröden) snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Val Gardena (Gröden) snow cams?
Check Val Gardena (Gröden) webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Val Gardena (Gröden) lift tickets?
Use our Val Gardena (Gröden) webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Val Gardena (Gröden) webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Val Gardena (Gröden) snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Val Gardena (Gröden) intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.