Gastronomic events and Show Cooking for an unforgettable summer in Val Gardena

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During the summertime in Val Gardena, there are plenty of opportunities to spend beautiful evenings together while enjoying excellent cuisine accompanied by a good glass of wine.

We have selected some events that, although very different from each other, have a strong connection with the territory of this beautiful valley of the Dolomites. Let’s start with the invitation to a by now very famous dinner in a…cableway!

Dolomites Skydinner is back: an exciting appointment for fine palates under the stars of Val Gardena, which will take place on July 10.

Now in its 12th edition, the successful format of the event has not changed: elegant tables set in the gondolas of the Mont Sëuc / Alpe di Siusi, suitable for 6 people, in which a 6-course menu will be served, created by the chefs of the ADLER SPA RESORTS & LODGES, ACADIA ADULTS MOUNTAIN HOME, Mont Sëuc Dolomites, Mont Chalet and SUINSOM – Hotel Tyrol. Each dish will be paired with fine wines, in an event in which a form of informal elegance will ensure strong emotions. The evening will be crowned by a splendid view of the Dolomites and musical entertainment during the aperitif, in the valley, in addition to the grand finale, with the dessert served at the restaurant at the top of the cable car.

If the connection with the territory during the Dolomites Skydinner dinner is given by the panorama and the choice of dishes and wines, during the ”Sëira dl vin”; you can grasp it from the name of the event.

It is, in fact, a wine tasting – offered along a red carpet, at the pedestrian zone “Bën unì” in S. Cristina – where 20 renowned wineries of South Tyrol will present their fine bottles. The appointment is for July 12, at 07.30 pm, with exquisite wines in addition to various culinary specialties from the traditional cuisine and live music with the bands “Take Off” and “Demetz Duo”.

 

Furthermore, on July 15, from 05.00 pm, don’t miss South Tyrol is cooking – event of Show Cooking sponsored by the Tourist Association of Ortisei, in collaboration with the Restaurant Vives.

A gastronomic event on the small Piazza S. Antonio, where the Chef Simone Rondini will prepare three courses on a specific theme. Delicacies can be tasted free of charge by the public.

Last but not least: With DolomiteSushi, Japan meets the Dolomites. Where? In the old tunnel of the Val Gardena train, in S. Cristina, on the 2nd August, when unique creations inspired by the Far East will be offered. In addition to the original Japanese sushi, very special dishes based on local products will be served between 07.00 pm and 10.00 pm.

Every Friday in July and August there will be exclusive evenings in Ortisei “Aperitif Urtijëi” from 6:00 pm to 08.30 pm with music and bubbles.

INFO: Val Gardena

Sellaronda Bike Day 2019 – Thank you!

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Last Saturday, 22nd June, one of the greatest bike events in the Dolomites took place: the Sellaronda Bike Day. From 8.30 am until 3.30 pm o’clock all the Dolomites passes around the Sella Group (Sella, Gardena, Pordoi and Campolongo) were reserved to the bicyclists.

Also this edition of the Sellaronda Bike Day was a true bike-celebration. The weather forecast announced a rainy weather, which kept many cyclists from reaching the Dolomite valleys around the Sella massif. Despite the not really cooperating weather, about 12,000 cyclists, well equipped for the rain, have traveled the dolomite bike ride with refreshing temperatures between 4 ° and 16 ° C.

A 58 km long asphalted road at about 1800 meters on the legendary Dolomite passes. Strongly promoted by the tourism offices and public administrations of the four Ladin valleys, Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Fassa and Arabba/Fodom, this car-free Sunday is a welcoming change for all cycling enthusiasts.

See you all next year for the 15th edition of the Sellaronda Bike Day on the 27th of June 2020.

INFO: Val Gardena

Sellaronda Bike Day 2019: the car-free day around the four Dolomite passes.

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The car-free day around the four Dolomite passes surrounding the legendary Sella group is to take place for the fourteenth time. The Sellaronda Bike Day will take place on Saturday 22 June and will once again make the hearts of all cyclists beat faster.

You can enjoy the wonderful views, the calm and silence of nature in a fantastic setting offered by the Dolomite valleys, boasting a landscape of magnificent mountains such as the Sassolungo, the Sella, the Sassongher and of course the queen of the Dolomites, the Marmolada.

The success of the ” is down to several reasons. Unlike many cycling races, there is no limit to participation and everyone can take part as they please. Depending on your preference, you can start from Val Gardena, Val Badia, Val di Fassa or Arabba. On Saturday, June 22nd, the roads will be closed to motorised traffic for a total length of 63 km from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. The tour includes the passes Gardena, Campolongo, Pordoi and Sella with a total height difference of 1,780 m.

In Val Gardena the road will be closed from Piazza Nives in Selva between 08:30 and 15:30. The section from Piazza Nives to Plan will be reopened at 10.00 a.m.

Travel anticlockwise. For safety reasons, it is advisable to wear a helmet and ride anticlockwise (from Val Gardena to Passo Sella), and to be very careful and keep to the right considering that you will meet cyclists of different levels and with different speeds.

The official limited edition jersey of the “Sellaronda Bike Day 2019” can be purchased in the online shop of Val Gardena Marketing shop.valgardena.it at the price of Euro 37,00 Euro. For each shirt sold Euro 1 will be donated to “B.LIVE – Being, Believing, Living”.

B.LIVE is a project created for young people suffering from serious chronic diseases who, through visits to companies, meetings with entrepreneurs and other creative initiatives, learn the craft of life and the art of doing.

For all those who have run out of steam, when the roads reopen there will be a shuttle service that will take cyclists back to their starting point. Remember that on the occasion of the “Sellaronda Bike Day” the Olympic spirit prevails: the important thing is to participate!

The Organising Committee informs that it is only thanks to the sound cooperation between the valleys, the commitment of the numerous volunteers and the support of the local and provincial public administrations is it possible to organise an event of such a high level.

Photo Credits: Freddy Planinschek

INFO: Val Gardena

 

Homage to the Sassolungo ‘Sasmujel’
Val Gardena, on the 27.07.2019

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Transart, the festival of contemporary culture celebrates the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of the Sassolungo with an interdisciplinary artistic project by the artist Hubert Kostner in collaboration with the composer Eduard Demetz and the dancer and choreographer, Anastasia Kostner.

The first conquest of the Sassolungo took place on August 13th 1869, and it was an absolutely sensational event. The Austrian mountaineer Paul Grohmann accompanied by two Val Gardena guides managed to reach the peak which up until that point was considered unconquerable due to the length of the incline and hazard of falling rocks. The 150th anniversary of this milestone in mountaineering will be celebrated at the end of July with a performance that mixes contemporary art, music and dance, an event organized by Transart, the festival that in September will put the spotlight on contemporaneity.

A stone of modest proportions which stands alone above the hiking trail is transformed by the artist Hubert Kostner, wrapping it entirely with about 8000 meters of climbing rope, covering the bare and hard surface of a second skin which is even softer, the Sasmujel. So this solitary rocky spur be transformed into a work of art, and become the only point of colour visible in the Sassolungo glacial circle throughout the winter, that will then return to its original appearance.

At the foot of this unique installation, on July 27 at 1.00 pm, the composer Eduard Demetz will place twenty wind instrumentalists who will acoustically explore the unfathomable width of the alpine landscape, while the choreographer Anastasia Kostner will add the energy of movement with the help of local climbers and performers.

The transformations and reversals of the traditional meaning of materials and objects play a fundamental role in the creative processes of the Val Gardena artist Hubert Kostner, who graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich and who resides in Castelrotto.

Eduard Demetz and Anastasia Kostner are also from Val Gardena but are active internationally, the former as a composer and conductor and the latter, residing in Amsterdam, as a dancer and performer.

In the middle of the evocative rocky amphitheatre between the Vallone and the Vicenza Refuge, at an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level, musicians, mountaineers, performers and dancers will meet for a unique event, orchestrated by Transart as a prelude to the festival. An event that will take place with the utmost respect for the territory and the fragile alpine ecosystem, abandoning any form of stage scenery, seating, current or amplification.

It is advisable to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. In case of bad weather, the event will be moved to 28.07 or 03.08.

 

SASMUJEL

EDUARD DEMETZ – music
HUBERT KOSTNER – installation
ANASTASIA KOSTNER – dance and choreography.

ENSEMBLE WINDKRAFT
KASPER DE ROO – direction.

To reach the site it is possible to take the historic chairlift from the Passo Sella parking lot to the Vallone del Sassolungo, where a 30-45 minute ascent begins on a gravel and rubble path. Or by foot walking up from the Sella car park along path 525 bis to the Vallone – which takes about an hour. Another option is to take the bus from the Alpe di Siusi (gondola station), and reach Saltria where you can reach the Williams hut with the Florian chairlift. From here walk along the path 527 towards Murmeltierhütte (Baita delle Marmotte) to the Vicenza hut, from where you can go up to the Vallone with an easy walk for about two hours.

INFO: SASMUJEL
Val Gardena

Val Gardena celebrates the 150 years
from the first ascent of Sassolungo.

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The first ascent of the Sassolungo by Paul Grohmann

The epic first ascent by pioneer Paul Grohmann to the Sassolungo’s summit on 13 August 1869 Paul Grohmann was born in Vienna on 12 June 1838 and is considered one of the most important mountaineers of the 1860s and 70s. Born into a wealthy Viennese family, he first visited the Dolomites in 1862. Previously he had been to Switzerland, northern Italy, the most important German cities, as well as Salzburg, Upper Austria, Steiermark, Tirol and Vorarlberg. Despite the fact these countries are also well known for their mountains, he only became interested in the rocky formations in 1853 upon visiting Carinthia. From 1856 onwards, he regularly visited mountains and ascended countless summits.

He turned to the Dolomites in 1862. He took it upon himself to record the massifs’ altitudes and, truth be told, most of his records aren’t too far off from our modern figures. Over 200 altitudes were measured between 1863 and 1869, with Grohmann always carrying a barometer on his person for this purpose. And so, on 13 August 1869, he headed from Ortisei (he lodged at the “Hotel Posta”) with two mountain guides, Franz Innerkofler and Peter Salcher, towards Selva Val Gardena.

The Sassolungo was considered impregnable at the time due to the dangerous rock slides and the lengthy time required for the ascent. This didn’t stop Grohmann: the risky expedition was a success and, together with Innerkofler and Salcher, he made it to the top of the summit against all odds. A sensational and trailblazing conquest if there ever was one: Paul Grohmann had made a valuable contribution to mountaineering history. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a camera with him on the historic day, so he made up for it by thrusting a flag into the top of the summit: the flag has been swaying in the wind ever since to remind everyone of the important first ascent.

In 1875, Grohmann published a detailed map of the Dolomites (Karte der Dolomitalpen), followed two years later by “Wanderung in den Dolomiten”, a travel book. The latter today is considered the first important Dolomite guide and at the same time his life’s work, which among others also include reports on his first ascents in the Dolomites. Together with the best mountain guides of the time, he carried out other first ascents: Tofana di Mezzo (1,863), Piz Boè in the Sella Group, Marmolata di Penia (both 1,864), Tofana di Fuori, Monte Cristallo (both 1,865), Punta dei Tre Scarperi and Tre Cime di Lavaredo (all 1,869). But the Dolomites weren’t his only playing ground when it came to first ascents. Grohmann, besides being an excellent mountaineer and author, was also an outstanding planner. And thus, together with contemporaries Edmund von Mojsisovics and Guido von Sommaruga, he founded the Austrian Alpine Association in Vienna in 1862.

Grohmann was honoured while still alive. The Sasso di Levante (3,126), part of the Sassolungo Group and a summit which still hadn’t been ascended yet, was renamed in 1875 to ‘Grohmann Summit’. This was done in recognition of the first ascent of the Sassolungo carried out by the mountaineer. Moreover, Paul Grohmann was still around when, on 8 September 1898, Vienna Academic Unit from the German and Austrian Alpine Association unveiled a commemorative boulder in his honour in Ortisei, which can be viewed to this very day. On 29 July 1908, Paul Grohmann died in Vienna. His name and his conquest still live on today, and are an important part of the mountaineering history in the Alpine region.

Source: Hans-Günter Richardi – Die Erschließung der Dolomiten, Publisher: Athesia 2008.

INFO: Val Gardena

San Martino di Castrozza stage
of the Giro d’Italia

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One of the most famous bicycle race in the world is back at the feet of the Palagroup, in Trentino (Italy).

After 10 years San Martino di Castrozza will host a stage of the Giro d’Italia for its 4th time. On the 31st May cyclists running for the “maglia rosa” will arrive in San Martino di Castrozza after having left from the city of Treviso (151 Km), reaching the well-known holiday destination surrounded by imposing peaks.

The following day (1st June) participants of the 102° edition of the Giro d’Italia will pass through the territory surrounded by the majestic Pale di San Martino, part of the Dolomites and World Heritage Site, again. During the so-called “tappone dolomitico” (a colossal stage through the Dolomites) cyclists will leave from Feltre, reach and face the ascents of the Rolle Pass and go through San Martino di Castrozza and Primiero Valley in order to reach Croce D’Aune – Monte Avena. Because of the difficulty of this route, that presents different ascents, the 1st June will be particularly important for cyclists, who could have the chance to fight for the final victory.

Don’t miss the pink “carovana” in the amazing scenery of the Pale di San Martino, discover more at this link. 

INFO: San Martino di Castrozza

Gardenissima 2019 with an impressive Line-Up

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The 23rd Südtirol Gardenissima, which unfolds on Saturday, March 30 next, looks set to be even more spectacular and exciting than ever. The renowned season-closing classic has attracted a particularly impressive line-up this year. Representing the Italian Blues will be leading national skiers Christof Innerhofer and Federica Brignone.

Saturday, March 30, marks a truly stylish return for the annual Südtirol Gardenissima, the world’s longest slalom as Val Gardena’s pistes play host to one of the classic closing event of the 2018/19 skiing calendar. The giant slalom course stretches over 6 kilometres from the top of Monte Seceda at 2,518 metres to the finish-line at Col Raiser via no less than 110 gates!

AN EXCEPTIONAL LINE-OUT. A total of 680 skiers will line out at the start, with 15 nations represented. There is huge excitement around the entry of Christof Innerhofer. The powerful Alto Adige athlete was crowned Super G world champion at Garmisch in 2011 and was twice on the podium at Sochi in 2014. This time out, he’ll be going head to head with skiers from all over Europe, including Daniel Danklmaier, Raphael Haaser, Alexander Prast, Hannes Zingerle, Giuglio Bosca, Cristian Javier Simari Birkner, Simon Maurberger und Alex Hofer, as well as the junior hopeful of Val Gardena, Alex Vinatzer .

In the women’s line-up all eyes will be Federica Brignone and the sisters Nicol and Nadia Delago.
But not only the big names of the ski circus arouse curiosity, but also other participants like Andreas Goldberger, the successful ski jumper of the 1990s, will also take part in the giant slalom in Val Gardena.

SKI LEGENDS. Today’s top skiers and up-and-coming talents will be flanked by a group of famous former skiing stars.  Giorgio Rocca, bronze medallist of three World Cups, will be tackling the run and doing battle with Oskar Delago, Isolde Kostner, Daniela Zini, Paola Magoni and Thea Gamper. Jürgen Egle from Vorarlberg is the first forerunner. He is paraplegic after an accident and has won 11 medals on his monoski at Paraolympics and World Championships.

For the well-being of the participants and spectators the local hotelier and restaurant association as well as the farmers’ wives take care of the finish area.

The award ceremony will take place at 3.30 pm in the Iman Center in S. Cristina.

Afterwards the day can end at the “After Race Party Sëlva ” in the centre of Selva Gardena with the group “Ugle Cute & Volxrock“.

MAKE WAY FOR THE YOUNGSTERS. The main event doesn’t mark the end of the action, by any means. The adults’ race will be followed the next day, Sunday, March 31st, by the Südtirol Gardenissima Kids for very young skiers born between 8 and 13 years. The distance is shorter but follows the same format as the grown-up race: competitors start in pairs and do the first section of the giant slalom on parallel runs which then merge into a single one in the last section. Entries are open until March 29 for a promotional event that delivers a mix of fun and competition to attract more families and youngsters to the winter sports world.

New is the free Ski Test Gardenissima KIDS on Saturday, March 30 from 10:00 to 15:00 and on Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00. Two time trial tracks will be set up for the ski test on the Curona slope on Seceda, near the Gardenissima track.

Head, Rossignol, Dynastar, Blizzard, Nordica and Elan will be at the test to present the latest racing skis for the 2019/20 season.

INFO: Südtirol Gardenissima

Val Gardena

Salewa Get Vertical Winter Base Camp

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From the 21st to the 24th of March the lucky winners of an online play will have the great opportunity to have an unforgettable experience in the Dolomites, in Trentino, with the Aquile di San Martino, the Alpine Guides of San Martino di Castrozza and Primiero. For the 5th year, participants will experience the most adventurous ski mountaineering and freeride in the Pale di San Martino, located in an area which is particularly appreciated by lovers of this kind of sports.

Those who took part in the contest can now finally live a four-day ski mountaineering adventure, surrounded by stunning landscapes and majestic peaks, sleeping one night in a mountain hut and one night at a base camp, in tents.

INFO: Salewa Get Vertical Winter Base Camp

San Martino di Castrozza

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The King of Dolomites 2019

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From the 22nd to the 24th of February, San Martino di Castrozza will host the seventh edition of The King of Dolomites, a freeride photographic contest carried out in cooperation with Arc’teryx. Over the years, it has become one of the most important freeride events worldwide, in which international photographers and riders challenge each other on the snow of San Martino di Castrozza, in search of the most beautiful shots.

Participants have to take a picture of a rider in action in the Dolomites, equipped with helmet, backpack and self-rescue kit, taking into account the four themes of this year: landscape, alpinism, action and the KOD2019 theme. A jury of experts, chosen between famous journalists, photographers and riders, will then judge all the photos.

During this weekend, a rich programme of events awaits you on the snow of San Martino di Castrozza: the KOD Village on the Alpe Tognola, in which you can try the Roxa and Movement.

The King of Dolomites is three days of freeride, photography and entertainment that gathers together professionals and enthusiasts in San Martino di Castrozza, one of the most beautiful areas of the Dolomites, in Trentino.

For further click here.
San Martino di Castrozza

Experience “More than just skiing” in San Martino di Castrozza, Passo Rolle, Primiero and Vanoi

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The beautiful and enchanting scenery of the Pale di San Martino, the charm of the villages at the bottom of the Dolomites and the surrounding unspoilt nature offer you much more than the usual ski holiday.

Oltre lo sci is a rich weekly programme that gives you the chance to discover and experience the territory of San Martino di Castrozza, Passo Rolle, Primiero and Vanoi in a different way. Not just skiing but also guided walks, snowshoes excursions, tasting of typical local products, historic and artistic tours, fascinating explorations and outdoor adventures.

Our mountain guides will make you discover the pleasure of excursions on snowshoes in the most beautiful areas of the territory. You can also choose to take part in the snow safety course, in which you will learn how to tackle winter activities safely. Otherwise, if you want to live an unforgettable night, seize the opportunity of having an aperitif by snowmobile in San Martino, under a magnificent starry sky, tasting our local products, try snowshoeing at night at Passo Cereda or book your dinner in a special location that is to be reached by snowmobile.

A special care is given to families and children activities. Have a ride on the Troika (a sleigh driven by horses) or spend a morning taking part in an exciting avalanche rescue drill with the dog-handling team of the Guardia di Finanza. In the Vanoi valley meet the friendly llamas for a relaxing and pleasant walk on snowy paths, while, in San Martino, watch an acrobatic ski-snowboard show followed by a mini torchlight procession with the ski instructors.

Children of all ages can benefit of our well-equipped areas for bobsleds, sledges and inflatables. In addition, children from the age of three onwards can have fun on the snow with a team of entertainers.

Cheese making is considered a kind of vocation in the Primiero and Vanoi valleys. For this reason, the “Caseificio di Primiero” (Primiero Cheese Factory) offers guided tours to discover the secrets of the cheese makers whose skilled hands produce cheeses such as Toséla, Trentingrana and Botìro di Malga.

During one of our mountain-style aperitif on the ski slopes, the so-called Happycheese, you have the opportunity of taste tempting delicacies and finger food made from Primiero cheese, accompanied by the renowned Trentino wines and the local craft beers BioNoc’ of the namesake brewery, which offers guided tours too.

Finally, those who are seeking a more adventurous holiday can choose between winter mountain-bike excursions along the winter cycling routes, an exciting paragliding experience over the ski slopes, ice climbing with a mountain guide or the Pistenbully Tour.

Oltre lo sci is an unusual and exciting way to experience the atmosphere of the mountain villages and the environment of the Natural Park Paneveggio – Pale di San Martino in the quiet of the winter season.

Have a look at the complete programme here.

INFO: San Martino di Castrozza, Passo Rolle, Primero e Vanoi.