In the heart of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Val Gardena will reopen its ski lifts on 4 December. Highlights include a redesigned section of the Ciampinoi run, looking ahead to the 2031 Alpine World Ski Championships.
Val Gardena is preparing to officially open the 2026/27 winter season on 4 December, offering more than 500 km of perfectly groomed ski slopes, with 98% snowmaking coverage, 115 km of cross-country ski trails and 30 km of hiking paths. As always, the resort is part of Dolomiti Superski and the famous Sellaronda circuit.
Surrounded by the imposing Sella and Sassolungo massifs, the ski area encompasses three municipalities: Ortisei (1,236 m), Santa Cristina (1,428 m) and Selva Val Gardena (1,563 m). The season will run until 4 April 2027, culminating in the resort’s now-famous closing weekend, featuring the Südtirol Gardenissima, with the Kids edition taking place on Sunday.
FIS officials have already awarded Val Gardena the 2031 Alpine World Ski Championships, 61 years after the historic 1970 event. In preparation for this major international competition, the final section of the Ciampinoi No. 3 run, known as La Ciampinoi, was redesigned over the summer. The slope is now wider and extends further west towards the valley station, making it ideal for technical disciplines.
Looking back at the 1970 World Championships, several Val Gardena slopes have become iconic landmarks, bearing witness to more than 100 years of skiing tradition. These are the Legendary 8, covering a total of 36 km:
- Cir: La Mitica (The Legendary)
- Femminile: La Femminile (The Women’s Run)
- Ciampinoi No. 3: La Ripida (The Steep)
- Bravo: La Romantica (The Romantic)
- Falk: La Prima (The First)
- Gardenissima: La Sensazionale (The Sensational)
- La Longia: La Lunga (The Long)
- Pilat: La Nuova (The New), opened in winter 2022.
Val Gardena’s international outlook and appeal are also reflected in its inclusion in the IKON Pass, an international ski pass programme based in the United States. It offers unlimited skiing at 15 destinations across North America and up to seven days, subject to blackout dates, at 29 destinations worldwide, including Dolomiti Superski. Further information is available at www.ikonpass.com.
Continuing its sustainability journey, which began with GSTC certification in 2023, the valley will introduce 10 new Mercedes Citaro Hybrid buses and offer the digital Val Gardena Guest Pass, providing free access to all public transport services.
Finally, the competition calendar will feature two major early-season events on 18 and 19 December 2026, when the men’s FIS Alpine Ski World Cup races will take place on the Saslong course.
INFO: Val Gardena
