Summer trip to Selva Val Gardena

Just back from a week's hiking in Selva. I've been wanting to ski around that area and so was glad of a chance to check it out. Pleased to say it didn't disappoint. Saw evidence of lots and lots of snow canons i.e. the supports were in place but not the actual canon "heads". They've invested heavily in snowmaking, even constructing reservoirs to hold the extra water. Apparently last winter they used up every last drop. Selva itself is a nice town, though strung out along the main road. If you don't like road noise (me!) choose accommodation on one of the roads that run behind the main road. Also, decide which end of the town you need to be in depending on which lift you prefer. The Ciampinoi lift is at one end and the Dantercepies is at the other. Being Italy, of course, there are stacks of mountain huts, my favourite being the Emilio Comici a short hike from the top of the Ciampinoi. Apparently the toilets are famous, so I took a peek (or pee-k!) and they are amazing - like something in a top class hotel. People were taking photos of them. Gone are the days of the hole in the ground. Food and drink prices in the huts was pretty much the same as prices in the valley, so no gouging just because they're on the mountain. A few Euros for a delicious hot chocolate. Yum! As we hiked around the trails, we saw loads of chairlifts. The pistes are mostly red but they didn't look too challenging as we pictured them covered in snow.

We went to Ortisei for the day and up to the Alpe Di Siusi which looked like it could be a very nice ski area. In between Ortisei and Selva is St Christina which has its own pistes too. The buses between the three were free, so presumably it would be the same in the ski season. The only thing is that due to the twisty road, it takes about 30 minutes to get from Selva to Ortisei, and the buses were packed at certain times. I wouldn't fancy doing it carrying ski gear. Maybe they run more frequently in winter.

All in all the Val Gardena is a beautiful place and you get a great view of the Sella Ronda. We took a trip right round the Sella to Val di Fassa, which was spectacular and we saw the Marmolada glacier.

My most memorable moment was using a lift they like to call the "coffin" lift. It's basically for 2 people and you have to run to catch it as it moves away from you and jump in the back. The liftie sort of shoves you in. At the other end you leap out as it pulls away. It is moving quite fast the whole time. It was hilarious but I don't know how you'd run after it in ski boots. Has anyone tried it?

I loved Selva and would definitely like to return in the winter, snow permitting.

Interesting report - thank you. I wonder if the hut prices rise in the winter???

Any pictures? 8)

Looking down to Lake Fedaia with Marmolada glacier on the right.

The coffin lift

All the hillsides were ringing with cowbells

The majestic Sassolungo which dominates the views from Selva, along with the Sella

Looking across Val Gardena from above Ortisei, westwards, with the Alps in the far distance

A bit of the Sella glimpsed from the top of the Ciampinoi lift