If you have been dreaming of endless white pistes, lively apres ski and gastronomic delights then Val Gardena will not disappoint you. The villages of Selva Gardena, Santa Cristina and Ortisei offer not only beautiful nature, but also a wide variety of art and culture. There is also an abundence of quality restaurants for you to sample the local Tirolean cuisine, as well as numerous bars, pubs and clubs to keep you entertained from the moment you step off the slopes until the early hours.

Snowboarding in Val Gardena is like gliding on 'white gold'. Design long curves on the slopes, throw in a few jumps, kick up the powdered snow and feel the snow crystals on your skin. Selva Gardena is a major boarding centre with a terrain park that regularly hosts competitions. It is also one of the comparatively few Italian centres to take the trouble to build terrain features. Most of the terrain can be accessed by chair lift, gondola or cable car and it's possible to do most of the Sella Ronda circuit. For some excellent off-piste descents take the Val Mezdi route. It involves a little bit of effort to get to but once there you won't be disappointed. The route will cut through the centre of the Gruppo Sella, starting at the Sass Pordoi cable car station, 2950 metres up. Then head north, first skating, then climbing on foot as you traverse to reach the Boe hut, 2873 metres up. The entrance to the Val Mezdi is here. The lack of sun combined with the steep north facing aspect, results in abundant snow in this huge, vertical-sided rocky slot. You will find the entry section is big enough to allow multiple routes down with a chance to find fresh snow long after the last fall.

Val Gardena Accommodation and Services: