360° magazine 2018
The Carol of the Bells In good hands An explosion of colours: Burning Dolomites Giorgio by Moroder Visiting the disco king
Cir 2.592 m
Sella Group
COLOPHON Concept and creation: Typak - Ortisei | List of accommodation facilities: Artprint/We2P - Bressanone Print: Druckhaus Kaufmann | Foto: Val Gardena-Gröden Marketing, Frank Heuer, Diego Moroder - Dimo-Design.it, Maurizio Senoner, Claudio Cainelli, Saslong Classic Club Gardena – Gröden, Harald Wisthaler, Alex Filz, Tourist Info Ortisei, Lukas Runggaldier, HERO Südtirol Dolomites, Matthaeus Kostner, Caroline Runggaldier, Gian Luca Gatto, Werner Dejori, Marco Villanti, Helmuth Rier, Simon Perathoner, Flugbild, Atlas
Piz Boé 3.152 m
Marmolada 3.342 m
Sassolungo 3.181 m
Sassopiatto 2.956 m
Frank Heuer has been snapping pictures for renowned German and international travel magazines and newspapers for more than 20 years. He’s represented by Laif (www. laif.de), an acclaimed photography agency. He’s travelled all over the world, always accompanied by his trusty camera. When in Val Gardena, he’s enraptured by the diversity of the landscape and especially by the special light one sees in these mountains.
In 2003, Robert Fischer founded his own publishing house and editorial office specialised in travel and tourism writing in Munich (www.vrbmuenchen.de). He works as an author and editor for some of the largest European travel book publishing houses. When in Val Gardena, he’s swept away by the charming hospitality of the locals, their ancient traditions, and a spectacular natural backdrop.
Index 06 _ The Dolomite obsession
Views and insights of a World Heritage Site
09 _ Only time will tell
With Herwig Prinoth on the geotrail
10 _ Giorgio by Moroder Visiting the disco king
12 _ Mario Porcelli
From the sea to the mountains
13 _ Reimund Brunner
Quality and perfection
14 _ The blue skies of spring The sunny side of life
17 _ T racking nature
Diego Deiana about herbs & Co.
18 _ I ce and snow
In the winter sports paradise
21 _ T he Carol of the Bells
Mark Demetz and his alpacas
23 _ S port, fun and games
An insider tip by Isolde Kostner
24 _ Winter highlights 26 _ Our ski schools and ski pass prices 28 _ Gherdëina
The three Val Gardena jewels
31 _ In good hands
On the steep rocky wall with Adam Holzknecht
33 _ Summer, sun, sports Val Gardena Active
‘Bënunì’ – welcome to Val Gardena! Val Gardena and its seasons’ is the slogan of this magazine. We aim to shine the limelight on the most beautiful locations in the valley as well as on the locals themselves. Blessed with a unique natural backdrop and an interesting culture, Val Gardena has always been worth a visit. However, what really makes this trip unforgettable has always been – and always will be – meeting some of the locals. They all share the same infinite love for their region, which expresses itself by nurturing their language, Ladin, as well as preserving their close ties with nature. The valley is open to the world, as proved by the number of languages spoken here: Ladin, of course, as well as Italian, German and even English. Guests will encounter the same openness when bumping into the locals during their stay. A warm welcome to Val Gardena, the perfect destination throughout the year!
35 _ Happy Holidays
A holiday playground in the Dolomites
36_ Summer highlights 39 _ An explosion of colours: Burning Dolomites Val Gardena dons its autumnal colours
41 _ Totems and taboos
The great art of Adolf Vallazza
42 _ The most beautiful time of the year 43 _ Val Gardena on the web 44 _ S erve and protect
Columnist Robert Fischer speaks about protecting the environment - a duty and key issue
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The Dolomite obsession First, there was the ocean. Better said, the mother of all oceans, the Tethys Ocean, a gargantuan bay to the west of the Pangea supercontinent whose borders make up today’s modern Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia. The Dolomites are a spectacular sight to behold today, and the same applies to their origin story. This mountainous landscape was recognised by UNESCO in 2009 as one of the most imposing World Natural Heritage Sites in the world. Born from the sea foam like Aphrodite What we call ‘Dolomites’ today were the bed of the original ocean a good 250 million years ago. Vulcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tectonic shifts shaped their features; wind, rain, and glaciers worked for millions of years on the summits that slowly rose from the ocean: born from the sea foam like Aphrodite. And to this very day this wonder of nature and its layers of earth and rocks can be read, just like a picture book of the Earth’s history. It’s hardly surprising that natural scientists, including Frenchman Dèodat de
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Dolomieu, took an interest in the region. In 1789, he analysed a special form of lacustrine limestone deposit that had transformed into a thick carbonate rock with white and pale yellow hues. He went on to discover how the limestone and magnesium compound, CaMg (CO3)2, was typical for the area, and ultimately was called ‘dolomite’. The mountain climbers followed the natural scientists on the Dolomites, a geographical name first given in 1864 by English travel writers Josiah Gilbert and George Cheetham Churchill. The first hikers followed in their wake soon after, then came everyone else who had a passion for nature, falling under the spell of the beautiful region. Guaranteed panoramic views The South Tyrolean Dolomites border with Val Pusteria to the north and Valle Isarco to the west, they’re one of the most beloved and visited alpine regions. The lofty yet imposing Sella Massif, reaching 3,152 m at the Piz Boè, is the beating heart of the mountain range. Val Gardena
branches off from Valle Isarco and leads to the heart of the magical world that are the Dolomites. Guaranteed panoramic views: next to the Sella Massif to the east, the Sassolungo to the south as well as the summits of the Puez and Odle groups to the north, the valley also offers views on the Sciliar, a prominent South Tyrolean symbol if there ever was one. Considering these views and insights, nobody would dream of denying what South Tyrolean pacesetter and trailblazer Reinhold Messner once wrote: ‘I have spent the equivalent of half a human lifespan climbing, walking, or crawling to the edge of the world. I ascended on my knees to the summit of Mount Everest. I have admired the largest mountains on the planet and exotic walls in New Guinea, Patagonia, and in the middle of the Sahara. Yet I’ve yet to encounter a place with such impressive rocky walls like the Dolomites.’
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Only time will tell With a PhD in Paleontology, Herwig Prinoth knows how to interpret the geological signs of time. But his speciality is that of understanding how to explain them to laypeople more than anyone else in his field. We walk with him on the GEOTRAIL Bulla, taking a journey spanning 300 million years of geological history in Val Gardena: an excursion from the primeval times to our present days.
‘I stumbled upon a creek as a kid, once,’ recounts Herwig Prinoth when we ask him where his passion for natural sciences comes from, ‘and as I was playing there I found a rock covered in fossilised snails.’ His interest was further piqued by the fact that he was holding the physical remains of creatures living in a time long gone of geology.
Traces of life The Dolomites are the most exciting mountains in the world according to Prinoth. He continues, ‘There are about 40 types of rock around Ortisei. When you’re in the Grand Canyon there are only four types of rock.’ Moreover, it’s in the Dolomites that man first discovered how mountains could also be enormous coral reefs. ‘Take the Sassopiatto, for example,’ recounts Prinoth, ‘It’s the preserved flank of a riff. It was not filed away by erosion, rather by the crashing force of the waves.’ Prinoth continues by saying that thanks to the rocky layers in the Dolomites you could trace some of the planet’s most important moments. Namely the Permian–Triassic extinction event, also known as The Great Dying, when more than 250 million years ago between 90 and 95 percent
of all life in the oceans and up to 70 percent of all life on earth died. Powerful volcanic eruptions resulted from the event, producing huge amounts of carbon dioxide that had the same effect as today – creating greenhouse gases. For Herwig Prinoth it’s not about faith or belief: the impact of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane on global climate boil down to knowledge. The resulting urgent notion is that you shouldn’t rely on a fortunate stroke of fate as experienced by the claraia: a muscle that survived the worst mass culling on the planet, and is still around this very day to tell its tale. How it survived the event is still a mystery. However, what we do know is that, ‘It was already prepared, for some strange coincidence, for life after the catastrophe even before it happened,’ explains Prinoth.
1 Edelweiss on the Passo Sella 2 and 6 Fossilised muscles on the GEOTRAIL Bulla 3 The Great Dying or Permian–Triassic extinction event 4 Rocky layers on the Passo Sella 5 View from Seceda mountain on the rocky layers of the craggy, eroded northern side 7 Herwig Prinoth on the GEOTRAIL Bulla nuef
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Giorgio by Moroder ‘It was a larger-than-life dream,’ says Giorgio Moroder, born in 1940 in Ortisei. A dream he never imagined he would fulfil one day: to become a musician and a successful composer. Indeed, the success of the man who greets us with a fist bump in his house in Val Gardena is way more than anyone could have imagined. His mother least of all. She wanted her Giovanni Giorgio (‘My name is Giovanni Giorgio, but everybody calls me Giorgio’) to have a proper job: working as a surveyor for the Province and lead a financially stable life. Yet Moroder interrupted his studies to gig around clubs. He had seven or eight songs at most, and a car, in which he slept now and again between concerts to make ends meet. A dream come true Today, seventyseven years later, we’re lucky enough to even find Giorgio Moroder in his South Tyrolean house. Because as nice as it is here, with his (own) art in the garden and the stunning view across the Sassolungo, Moroder spends most of his time with his wife and son in Los Angeles. He’s worked with Barbra Streisand and Elton John, given
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many successful summer hits to disco queen Donna Summer, composed countless hits for films the likes of Top Gun and Flashdance as well as composed the soundtrack for the Olympic Games and Football World Cups. He was awarded three Oscars and four Grammys, published more than 100 gold and platinum records, and had been enjoying his retirement for quite some time (by playing golf, as you do), when French electropop duo Daft Punk invited him to feature as guest of honour on a piece by the enlightening title Giorgio by Moroder. He tells the story of his life, underscored by fresh techno beats. He’s been touring the world again ever since as a DJ, and has also released a new record, the first in 30 years. When he tells us who he still wants to work with, his eyes start to twinkle. Because Giorgio Moroder, and this is obvious in his South Tyrolean home, is not a man who likes to blow his own trumpet. Yet he sits down, patiently, for a picture of him at his piano. He doesn’t say much, but we get it all the same. He doesn’t have much time. He’s got stuff to do. Because the man from Val Gardena is living his dream.
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Stars of cuisine Eating well in South Tyrol is not an art. Because local cuisine can rely on a rich variety of traditional recipes with delicious, local ingredients such as tasty Speck, smoked sausages, scrumptious cheese and crunchy “Schüttelbrot” as well as many other downto-earth specialities. Barley soup, Schlutzkrapfen (local ravioli) or apricot dumplings accompanied by the best wine there is. If you want to eat well and treat yourself to something special,
then there are two addresses in Val Gardena for a guaranteed delightful meal: Mario Porcelli at the Alpenroyal Grand Hotel in Selva Val Gardena and Reimund Brunner at the Hotel Gardena Grödnerhof in Ortisei. What do the two Michelin-starred chefs have in common? Passion for their profession, love for their products, creativity and taste in creating the menu as well as, yes, you guessed it, refined culinary art.
Mario Porcelli
Mario Porcelli’s journey took him ‘the ocean to the mountains’ and this tasteful journey characterises his culinary style to this very day. When asked about his favourite dish at the gourmet restaurant in the Hotel, he raves about a turbot served on a bread crust with fennel, orange and see asparagus, but of course he has another favourite: orecchiette alle cime di rapa, pasta with fresh broccolettos. An Apulian speciality: who else could cook it better than his mamma back at home?
If it’s indeed true that refined South Tyrolean cuisine is a successful mix of regional flavours and Mediterranean influences, then Mario Porcelli is the right man for the job. He embodies his Mediterranean origins (he comes from Apulia) and the South Tyrolean mountains, which have been his (second) home for quite some time now. His southern home pastures are the cradle of his creativity and explain his light-hearted manner – he started working in Apulia at the tender age of thirteen. He was shown what ‘real work’ truly was while being employed at a restaurant. He cleaned pans and pots, while his friends went out on dates with the village girls. Yet Mario didn’t give up because he already knew what he wanted back then: to work at the stoves and cook with pans ad pots, instead of cleaning them. At the age of 14 he started working as a young chef, before moving to the Palace Hotel in Bari and ultimately made his way to Val Gardena, passing through various establishments in Apulia and Emilia Romagna, where he was awarded his first Michelin star.
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Both the Alpenroyal Grand Hotel in Selva Val Gardena and the Hotel Gardena Grödnerhof in Ortisei are five-star establishments. To offer ‘royal moments at the heart of a royal landscape’ to guests is the goal of the Alpenroyal, at the heart of Val Gardena and at the entrance of Selva Val Gardena, only ten minutes on foot from the village centre where Mario Porcelli pampers guests at the gourmet
restaurant. Nestled in a 2,000 square meter garden, the Hotel Gardena lies at the centre of the village of Ortisei, a quiet yet central location. The philosophy of the establishment is based on ‘six pillars for a unique wellbeing’ experience: Comfort, joy of life, pleasure, vitality, beauty, and harmony. Reimund Brunner offers culinary highlights based on those pillars at the Anna Stuben.
Reimund Brunner
His next station took him to a South Tyrolean Michelinstarred restaurant. Then he also worked at the Tantris in Munich under Hans Haas and in the Kunststuben in Zurich under Horst Petermann. His slogan is ‘learn from the best’, and the Michelin-star he received by cooking at the Anna Stuben proves he has become one of the best himself. He has always maintained a connection to his South Tyrolean roots despite his openness to the most diverse influences. ‘The level is, generally speaking, very high,’ he says. Even the quality of regional ingredients which, whenever possible, he uses fresh so that their previous nutritional values are preserved, has improved tremendously over the last few years. Arctic char and trout, for example, are excellent; some farmers offer all types of produce and organic vegetables; Speck and cheese as well as herbs and edible petals are all locally sourced; and he’s recently been collaborating with a young farmer rearing Japanese Wagyu beef cattle for his meat cuts. Before this amazing meat arrived at the Anna Stuben, Brunner went personally to the Renon with his team to inform himself about the quality of the cattle. Because it all boils down to quality.
The quality of a dish depends on the quality of its ingredients: this is something Reimund Brunner learnt during his apprenticeship in a guesthouse in South Tyrol, his home province. Sure, he never cooked as refined dishes as he does now in the Anna Stuben, but he learnt the trade by working his way up – an ideal condition for what Reimund Brunner would later develop to perfection.
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The blue skies of spring
‘From the ice they are freed, the stream and brook,’ goes the first verse of the Faust by Goethe. It continues, ‘by the Spring’s enlivening, lovely look; the valley’s green with joys of hope; the Winter old and weak ascends back to the rugged mountain slope.’ You could be excused for thinking that the poet was seeing the South Tyrolean spring before his spiritual eye when he wrote those lines. All seasons are something special, of course, but spring is especially special! During March, on the northern face of the Brennero winter still holds away, yet the thermometer slowly rises in the southern valleys and their milder regions. And while skiers still whizz down the well-groomed slopes, the orchards are getting ready to sprout their first blossoms elsewhere.
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The sunny side of life During this season it’s the contrasts that capture our gaze and attention more than anything else: Lifting your gaze upwards to meet the grey, shimmering summits and ice-blue glaciers of the still snow-covered mountains, above them the sky in its merciful shimmering blue, down below in the valley the soft green of a stirring nature, called to life by the first signs of spring. Yes, this is indeed the sunny side of the Alps. In the north the main chain of the Alps captures the cold winds, while warm air currents blow from the south and the Mediterranean. Culture and nature People here are blessed, and that’s not just any old feeling, but a certainty: on the southern side of the main chain of the
Alps there are more sunny days and fewer precipitations when compared to the northern part. That’s a fact. And people also contributed to this state of affairs: Over the course of centuries they shaped a culture, a land, the orchards, vineyards, and meadows with sun-kissed midway terraces, seemingly infinite mountain forests and the overarching rocky towers of the Dolomites. Logically, this was the result: nobody lives against nature, but many live for it, and everyone coexists with it. Or to quote the words of the poet: ‘From yonder hill’s far pathways blinking, flash to us colours of garments gay. Hark! Sounds of village joy arise; Here is the people’s paradise, contented, great and small shout joyfully: “Here I am Man, here dare it to be!’
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Tracking nature A man true to his word: Diego Deiana was born in 1971 in S. Cristina and his main goal is to ensure, ‘every excursion in Val Gardena and the Dolomites is an unforgettable experience.’ He’s a qualified excursion and hiking guide, knows the healing properties of herbs and plants like no other and, as if that weren’t enough, he’s also a talented gilder. His attention to detail is what makes him stand out in all of the above.
Diego Deiana Robert Fischer: As a trained gilder, how did you make the leap from art to nature? Diego Deiana: Nature has always interested me and I count myself lucky for being able to have made a proper job out of my passion. You acquire certain basic knowledge about nature when living in Val Gardena. Then again, I wanted to know even more about nature, which is what pushed me to pursue botanical training as well as spending my days gathering wild herbs and plants. Even the poisonous ones. You wouldn’t believe how interesting it is, especially as in medicine poisonous plants are often the most important ones. So you soon started implementing what you had learnt in real life? Spot on. I find it fascinating that in the past people used herbs and plants for healing purposes as ‘traditional’ medicine as we know it today still wasn’t that advanced. Nature gives mankind exactly what its body needs: a plant with mucilages is perfect for treating colds, for example, while tanning agents is what you need when addressing a wound, etc. You never stop learning... Exactly. For example, I’ve recently been attending many courses on natural sciences and pedagogy: there are many kids taking part in my nature trails and you need to teach them differently to adults. Ultimately, experiencing nature up close is an interesting experience for everyone. People also get to sample ‘fresh’ flavours when on my hikes. At first, a lot of people are scared off by the prospect and, it goes without saying, you must know how to recognise poisonous plants. But then everyone likes to take a go and taste a bit of dandelion or, during autumn, some berries, namely juniper berries plucked directly from their branch. We also pick up ribworts or needles from pines, wave them in front of our noses and catch their scent and fragrance. Most people end up wondering when they last caught a whiff of that similar scent. Take firs, for example. Vitamin C does have a smell, one similar to essential oils and cough sweets...
What’s the general stand regarding biodiversity here in the mountains? There are a good 4,500 plant species in the Alps. There’s only about one tenth here, nevertheless, we still have quite a selection of specimens. What is really interesting is that plants grow in synch with nature: there are some that flourish at 1,400 m altitude and others from the same family only grow at 2,000 m altitude, and have adapted to that environment. Behind the Sassolungo, for example, we’ll find a Thymus citriodorus with an incredibly powerful fragrance... Is there something that you find especially fascinating in nature besides healing plants and herbs? I’m fascinated by the fact how specific plants grow in the same habitat each and every year. Last autumn, for example, I saw some thyme growing in a specific spot, and it grows in that exact same spot during spring... That proves how nature regenerates perfectly.
His TIP: ‘Every spring, I take the young shoots of the spruce and make a spruce honey. You can eat it as a natural delicacy, but it also helps against a dry cough and strengthens the immune system thanks to its vitamin C.’
1 Dandelions in bloom near S. Cristina 2 Spring gentian (Gentiana verna) 3 Female inflorescences of the fir (picea abies) 4 Shrubby milkwort (Polygala chamaebuxus, Multicolor) 5 Speck snack with edible petals (dandelion, shrubby milkwort) dejeset 17
Ice and snow South Tyrol, a winter wonderland? Overall: The wintry mountainous landscape is bathed in a magical light depending on the position of the sun and the time of day. Rocks and forests appear as though covered by icing sugar, meadows and slopes covered in white. Yes, the South Tyrolean winter can be experienced with all senses: ice crystals on your skin, small puffs of breath in the air, the crunch of footsteps on the snow... A winter sports paradise Val Gardena is a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. There
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are infinite possibilities: slopes of all kinds, cross-country loops everywhere and aprÊs ski, too. Glide down softly on snow-covered sunny hills to the valleys - who could say no to such an image? Emil Terschak was the winter sports pioneer in Val Gardena. He was a photographer, painter, and climber from Vienna who settled in Ortisei in 1894. Thanks to the valley’s location in the heart of the Dolomites, it is the best connected out of all of the South Tyrolean winter sports regions. With guaranteed snow you can explore the local slopes on the Val Gardena Ronda, the
local circuit, on a day outing. The highlights are the La Longia slope, the longest one in the Dolomites coming in at 10.5 km, from Seceda to Ortisei, and the Saslong World Cup slope where, year after year, professional alpine skiers vie for World Cup points. And there’s another highlight: the Sellaronda is the longest connected ski carousel in the world. If you make an early morning start and complete the whole circuit, at the end of the day you’ll have totalled an impressive 26 km on the slope plus 14 km of lift facilities across four valleys and three provinces - and with one single ski pass, to boot!
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The Carol of the Bells It’s not only children who stop in awe when the most cheerful time of the year kicks off in Val Gardena. At the start of December the days shorten, the first snow covers the valley in a glimmering white blanket, and the Christmas markets set up again. Ortisei turns into a real Christmas village, but also S. Cristina and Selva Val Gardena follow suit. ‘The Carol of the Bells’ epitomises the Christmassy
Mark Demetz Some people rub their eyes, baffled, when they see Mark Demetz and his alpacas in front of the wool stall at the Christmas market. Mark Demetz can look back to a successful career as the goalkeeper of an ice hockey team, and is a well-known face in and beyond Val Gardena, but it’s not only tourists who find themselves gaping at him and his alpacas.
feeling as traditional, well-known carols can be heard across the villages, light garlands twinkle in the night, freshly baked treats fill the air with a tempting aroma, and mulled wine is also a constant fixture. And the same applies to good gift ideas: the wooden huts of the exhibitors offer something for everyone, from local craft objects, Christmas decorations, knitwear, textiles and much, much more.
The alpaca is a domesticated type of camel from the South American Andes. It’s normally found grazing on the Bolivian high plateaus rather than at the feet of the Dolomites. Their other home is Australia, where Mark Demetz and his father bought the first of their herd. With his own herd, Mark Demetz and his father have become so successful, that their animals have taken part in international beauty contests! More than anything else, it’s the fine quality of their wool that stands out. It has clear advantages compared to Merino wool, according to Demetz: ‘Alpaca wool has a very good natural thermal regulation and is ideal for people with allergies, too.’ That means that it always feels good to wear.
1 The wooden nativity scene in S. Cristina is the largest handcarved one in the world 2 Snow sculptures in Selva Val Gardena 3 and 4 Cute present ideas and food samples 5 Alpenhorn musicians in Selva Val Gardena 6 Light garlands in Ortisei 7 Mark Demetz with his alpacas vintun 21
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Sport, fun and games
It seems unlikely that in the past Val Gardena was purely known as a summer location. Today the alluring valley is even more renowned as a winter sports region. That’s because we’re strolling in the wake of the Alpine elite, as well as gazing at a beautiful scenic view, unlike any other in the whole world. Welcome to the Dolomites. If you’re looking for new challenges when it comes to skiing, you
can carry out breathtaking excursions with the Val Gardena Alpine Guides in the high mountains; cross-country skiers will find well groomed-slopes, and whoever wants to put skis or snowboards aside for a bit can sleigh or ice-skate, go on a snowshoe hike, or take beautiful winter walks...or even just relax in their hotel. And these are just some of the opportunities...
Isolde Kostner
make her the most successful athlete in Val Gardena. After retiring from professional sports in 2006 when she had her first child, she swapped career and has been managing the Garni Residence with her husband, Werner, in Selva Val Gardena. She received her first pair of skis when she was two years and nine months old, and she can still remember how it felt to put them on for the very first time. ‘Absolutely great!’ She always loved snow and ice, she says, and when she looks back to her career today, she still remembers her big successes, but especially the ‘great feeling of being on the glaciers first thing in the morning.’ Her passion for skiing lived on and she goes for a ski ‘whenever possible.’ Her favourite mountain in Val Gardena is the ‘Seceda, because it’s sunniest there.’ Her insider tip is the Mont de Sëura ‘with two super slopes right under the northern wall of the Sassolungo,’ where ‘there’s not much going on compared to the other areas.’
Who would be better placed than Isolde Kostner to give us an insider tip on skiing in the skiing paradise? Three Olympic medals, two World Cup titles and two Downhill Cup victories
1 Sunset on Seceda 2 Skiing lesson at Mont de Sëura 3 Chairlift in the Seceda skiing area 4 Snack at the Daniel Hut (Seceda) 5 Isolde Kostner on Col Raiser vinttrëi 23
October
November
December
NEW YEAR’S EVE IN VAL GARDENA: 31.12.2017 - 02.01.2018 Numerous New Year’s Eve events
CHRISTMAS IN VAL GARDENA: 01.12.2017 - 07.01.2018 Christmas markets in a contemplative atmosphere in all three Val Gardena Villages
51. SERIES OF CONCERTS JËUNI DE MUJIGA: OCTOBER 2017-APRIL 2018 Classical music concerts with musical virtuosos
Janu
WEEKLY TORCHLIT RUNS AND SKI SHOWS with the ski schools of Val Gardena throughout winter
FIS SKI WORLD CUP: 15.-16.12.2017 Two races on the famous Saslong slope with its ‘camel humps’
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uary
February
March
April
ROCK THE DOLOMITES: 10.03. - 18.03.2018 Winter music festival in the Dolomites
SEASON’S END SKI PARTY SËLVA: 07.04.2018 Cool party for the end of the season SELLARONDA SKIMARATHON: 16.03.2018 Ski touring marathon on the four passes
VERTICAL UP VAL GARDENA / GRÖDEN: 27.01.2018 One hell of a run
SÜDTIROL GARDENISSIMA: 07.04.2018 The world’s longest giant slalom with 650 participants
CARNIVAL IN VAL GARDENA: 08.-13.02.2018 Carnival bonanza with local traditions
SÜDTIROL GARDENISSIMA KIDS: 08.04.2018 A fun parallel slalom for kids
Winter Highlights
SPRING RACE PARTY: 24.03.2018 Fun ski race from Seceda to the centre of Ortisei village
All events in the updated Val Gardena calendar
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Our ski schools and ski pass prices
SNOWBOARD AND SKI SCHOOL 2000
SKI AND SNOWBOARD SCHOOL SASLONG
Mëisulesstr. 244 and 290 · I-39048 Selva Gardena Tel. +39 / 04 71 / 77 31 25 - 04 71 / 79 52 55 Fax +39 / 04 71 / 77 32 83 · info@skischool2000.com www.scuolasci-selva.it
Reziastr. 10 I-39046 Ortisei Tel. +39 / 04 71 / 78 62 58 · Fax +39 / 04 71 / 78 94 57 info@skisaslong.com · www.skisaslong.com
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Your Val Gardena ski schools helping you and your family learn to ski and snowboard.
Ski pass | Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi 78 LIFTS, 175 KILOMETRES OF SLOPES | WINTER SEASON 2017/2018 | 06.12.2017 - 08.04.2018 VAL GARDENA SUPERPREMIÈRE 4=3 06.12.2017 - 23.12.2017
SEASON: 07.01.2018 - 03.02.2018 18.03.2018 - 08.04.2018
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PEAK SEASON: 24.12.2017 - 06.01.2018 04.02.2018 - 17.03.2018
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6
€ 246,00
€ 172,00
€ 221,00
6
€ 273,00
€ 191,00
€ 246,00
Ski pass | Dolomiti Superski 450 LIFTS, 1.200 KILOMETRES OF SLOPES | WINTER SEASON 2017/2018 | 25.11.2017 - END OF SEASON DOLOMITI SUPERPREMIÈRE 4=3 25.11.2017 - 23.12.2017
SEASON: 07.01.2018 - 03.02.2018 18.03.2018 - END OF SEASON
PEAK SEASON: 24.12.2017 - 06.01.2018 04.02.2018 - 17.03.2018
Days
Adults
Juniors born after 25.11.2001
Seniors born before 25.11.1952
Days
Adults
Juniors born after 25.11.2001
Seniors born before 25.11.1952
Days
Adults
Juniors born after 25.11.2001
Seniors born before 25.11.1952
1
€ 47,00
€ 33,00
€ 42,00
1
€ 53,00
€ 37,00
€ 47,00
1
€ 59,00
€ 41,00
€ 53,00
2
€ 92,00
€ 64,00
€ 83,00
2
€ 103,00
€ 72,00
€ 93,00
2
€ 115,00
€ 80,00
€ 103,00
3
€ 134,00
€ 94,00
€ 120,00
3
€ 150,00
€ 105,00
€ 135,00
3
€ 167,00
€ 117,00
€ 150,00
4
€ 171,00
€ 120,00
€ 154,00
4
€ 193,00
€ 135,00
€ 173,00
4
€ 214,00
€ 150,00
€ 193,00
5
€ 205,00
€ 144,00
€ 185,00
5
€ 231,00
€ 161,00
€ 208,00
5
€ 256,00
€ 179,00
€ 231,00
6
€ 235,00
€ 165,00
€ 212,00
6
€ 265,00
€ 185,00
€ 238,00
6
€ 294,00
€ 206,00
€ 265,00
In addition: season tickets | choice ticket: 10 day ski pass spread over 14 days’ holiday or 5 day ski pass spread over 6 days’ holiday | Dolomiti Superski choice season ticket: 8 day ski pass throughout the whole season | transferable ski pass valid for several days for families with children below the age of 3 | prepaid ticket | single tickets/multi journey tickets | children up to the age of 8 (born after 25.11.2009) get a free ski pass (except season passes), if the accompanying person buys a ski pass for the same period. | Where can you buy your ski pass? In the branches of the Cassa di Risparmio in all three villages of Val Gardena and at the valley station of the Val Gardena Ronda Express. Further info and reduction at www.valgardena.it Skiing cannot be guaranteed on all facilities from beginning to end of season. The prices of ski passes can be subject to alteration due to exceptional changes in taxation, exchange rates or social provisions.
Follow the the white white line line Follow SCUOLA SCI SCUOLA SCI E SNOWBOARD E SNOWBOARD CRISTINA S.S. CRISTINA Iman Center Iman Center I-39047 S.Cristina I-39047 S.Cristina +39 0471/792045 Tel.Tel. +39 0471/792045 +39 0471/790053 FaxFax +39 0471/790053 info@santacristinaski.com info@santacristinaski.com www.santacristinaski.com www.santacristinaski.com
SCUOLA SCI SCUOLA SCI E SNOWBOARD E SNOWBOARD ORTISEI ORTISEI Piazza Rezia 75/a Piazza Rezia 75/a I-39046 Ortisei I-39046 Ortisei +39 0471/796153 Tel.Tel. +39 0471/796153 +39 0471/797907 FaxFax +39 0471/797907 info@scuola-sci.com info@scuola-sci.com www.scuola-sci.com www.scuola-sci.com
SCUOLA SCI SCUOLA SCI E SNOWBOARD E SNOWBOARD SELVA GARDENA SELVA GARDENA Dantercëpies 4 Str. Mëisules 178 Str.Str. Dantercëpies 4 Str. Mëisules 178 I-39048 Selva Gardena I-39048 Selva Gardena +39 0471/795156 Tel.Tel. +39 0471/795156 +39 0471/794257 FaxFax +39 0471/794257 info@scuolasciselva.com info@scuolasciselva.com www.scuolasciselva.com www.scuolasciselva.com
WWW.SCUOLE-SCI.COM WWW.SCUOLE-SCI.COM
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Gherdëina Metropolitan Ortisei The main village resting at the entrance of the valley has made local woodcarving an international phenomenon. Ortisei has been a holiday destination since the 19th century and the village can boast about its role in starting the tourist fascination with Val Gardena. Traditional hotels and many homes from the turn of the century are a nostalgic nod to the pioneering times of mountaineering. Mountain cable cars and footpaths provide an easy way to hike and ski as much as you want. The high street winding its way between the alleys and squares from the parish church of Sant’Ulrico to the San Antonio Church sings its siren call for tourists wanting to explore the cafes and shops. The Museum Gherdëina is packed with unique treasures from the Ladin culture and nature, and guests can also visit the permanent exhibition of contemporary Val Gardena woodcarving pieces.
Laid-back S. Cristina Located in the middle of the valley, Val Gardena’s smallest village allows its visitors to commute between two completely different worlds. A timeless and peaceful life on the farm can still be enjoyed at the top of the village, peppered with farmsteads and its church and graveyard; head down below to experience the buzz of the hotels, cafes, and shops along the main street. Tank up in beautiful views on the path running along the old Val Gardena rail track. The legendary Sassolungo rises into the sky, cutting an imposing silhouette across the horizon: an impressive sight when conquering the heights using one of the cable cars from the village, during winter and summer. Run across the meadows of Cisles and Mastlé stretching out between Seceda, the summits of the Odle and Stevia, and revel in some of the wonderful mountain lakes such as Lech Sant at 2,096 m.
Sporty Selva Val Gardena
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What a tremendous sight, this mountain arena at the foot of the Sella Massif, right at the centre of Val Gardena’s highest village. Outdoorsy people and fitness buffs will fulfil their dreams at this location with a blast on the slopes during winter and a hiking paradise during summer. It also serves as a direct gateway to the Sellaronda, the most spectacular Dolomite circuit with stunning views for both skiers and mountain bikers. The second-largest village is a sightseeing experience to behold thanks to the vicinity to the Puez-Odle Nature Park. However, if you’re not physically inclined, don’t worry too much, as the area also offers relaxing farming experiences on the mountain farmsteads, in this protected rocky enclave where you’ll discover the beauty of nature. Monuments such as the medieval castle ruins of Wolkenstein, perched on its scraggy outpost, and the picturesque Castel Gardena between Selva Val Gardena and S. Cristina are also well worth a visit.
DIRECT BOOKING PAYS www.valgardena.it
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In good hands It’s the journey that counts. This maxim could have been thought specifically for Val Gardena. Regardless of where you go, you’re constantly surrounded by an incomparable scenery: the Dolomites, the most beautiful mountains in the world. During summer, the mountain pastures sprout a lush, green bed, unfurling at the feet of the craggy rocks on the warm southern side of the Alps. From here, most paths will lead you upwards. Reinhold Messner could often be found climbing as a child across the peaks of the Odle Group on the northern side of Val Gardena. The Sassolungo was Luis Trenker’s very own favourite mountain during his youth, found on the southern side of the valley. Adam Holzknecht is a mountain guide, just like Trenker was back in the day, working across the Passo Sella below the Sassolungo. He’s a member of the Catores Climbing Association, a community of the most skilled climbers in the
valley boasting a long-standing tradition. Moreover, he’s been working as a mountain rescuer since the age of 17, and currently active with the Aiut Alpin Dolomites, an air rescue service. Experience, and buckets of it, is a must if you’re planning on exploring the Dolomites by climbing on or across them. The traditional climbing trails were left as untouched as can be since their first ascents to preserve the feeling of a real adventure in the mountains for climbers. Less experienced climbers are advised to rely on the help of a local mountain guide. Just like our Adam. When asked what prerequisites one should have when climbing in Val Gardena, his answer is the following: ‘If you rely on a local guide to accompany you and advise you, then motivation and passion for climbing is all you need.’ He also knows which errors should be avoided at all costs in the mountains: ‘Staying down...’
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Summer, sun, sports Adam Holzknecht still remembers his first summit experience as though it were yesterday: we’re talking about the Fermeda summit, right next to his home, part of the Odle Group. When ascended using the traditional route, it’s classed as a Level III trail, and he did it without ropes! In fact he didn’t have ropes back then, and he only received such as a present from a member of a local group he met when out and about. When asked today about his most
Val Gardena Active: experience nature and culture up close Adam Holzknecht recommends the climbing trail on the Pößnecker, ‘not because of its difficulty but due to the exposition and quality of the rocks and its centuries-old history.’ It’s never a dull day when visiting Val Gardena during summer. That’s also because Val Gardena Active offers plenty of interesting activities in and around the valley where nature and culture take centre stage. The weekly programme was developed by the Tourist Offices of Selva Val Gardena, S. Cristina, and Ortisei. How about taking an excursion around the Puez Odle Nature Park and walk across veritable oceans of flowers? Or a more demanding excursion to the Sassolungo summit? Val Gardena can also be explored by mountain bike and e-bike; you can also go and visit a wood carving workshop or a taster session of a Ladin language class. ‘Come and cook with farmer Anna!’ is a great opportunity to learn a bit
beautiful climbing trails in Val Gardena, he mentions Brunsin on the western Mëisules Tower in the Sella Group, one of his many first ascents: ‘The excursion is steep from the start to the end, it’s a good rocky wall, and you can place your own safety pinions...’ You can feel it: climbing is his passion and yet only one of many sports activities available in Val Gardena. more about traditional Ladin cuisine, and ‘Experience art up close’ is the perfect excuse to take part in woodcarving courses. A climbing lesson for beginners is also included and a family excursion with a visit to a local farm and cheese tasting is also planned. Take a look at Val Gardena with your own eyes during our photography workshop, and welcome the sun with our yoga session. Jogging and geo-caching can also be chosen, or you can go on a walk discovering local herbs and plants and take a detour to the City of Rocks at the feet of the Sassolungo, visit a traditional mill and stop at the rosary in Bulla. Don’t forget about the magical starry nights on the Alpe di Siusi, Nordic Walking and Kneipp trails in Val d’Anna, the S. Giacomo church excursion and another sunrise hike with breakfast at a local mountain hut, crossing the Sella Group with mountain guides from the Catores Climbing Association, a geological excursion on the Geotrail Bulla... If that’s not enough for you, then there are still plenty of special offers complementing the varied weekly programme of the three Tourist Offices. For example, our Ladies Special event!
1 Stop at the Pieralongia hut 2 Mountain bike tour on the Cisles high-altitude trail 3 Climbing galore with Adam Holzknecht 4 Circular trail under the Odle Summits 5 The journey matters 6 Val Gardena: where life is good trënttrëi 33
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Hinein ins Abenteuer! Happy Holidays Let’s be honest for a second: having a family holiday is great and all, but sometimes the kids just want to be with other kids. That’s not a problem in Val Gardena thanks to ‘Kids Active’, a holiday programme specifically developed for children between 6 and 12. Between June and September, the Dolomites will transform into a treasure chest full of surprises! Fun and relaxation guaranteed!
Cosima ‘Coco’ Heuer is nine years old and goes to the Waldorf school in Landsberg am Lech. During her last summer holidays, she travelled with her parents to Val Gardena and, while her father was taking pictures for this magazine, she tested our Kids Active Programme for us. Here she reveals what she liked more than anything else and leaves us with a special tip for your holidays in Val Gardena.
A holiday playground in the Dolomites
‘I really liked baking and eating campfire bread, and I liked climbing, too. I felt really safe attached to my rope, and getting to the top was really quick, too! Only getting back down was a bit difficult to start with - you have to place yourself in the rope and point your feet upwards and your head backwards. I especially liked mountain biking, I tried a couple of routes, and we also went slaloming...’
‘A fun holiday for our younger guests in Val Gardena’ is the slogan of the Kids Active Programme. It goes without saying that everyone involved will have a blast, but the programme also wants to recognise and develop the children’s individual talents in a fun way. Take Tuesdays in Ortisei, for example: ‘Kids Active: put your thinking cap on!’ is where they’ll learn about industrious bees and expert mountain bikers. Or Wednesdays in Selva Val Gardena: ‘Kids Active. Out about in nature’ where they’ll learn about castle ruins and mountain climbing. Our younger guests will go on a treasure hunt in S. Cristina and Selva Val Gardena on Thursdays, while Fridays will be for ‘Kids Active with all your senses - animals and geological fun’ in S. Cristina. In the unlikely event of bad weather, nobody has to be bored
Her TIP: ‘I believe other kids like me will love visiting the riding centre, Pozzamanigoni, in Selva Val Gardena. My horse was called Emma and had a plaited braid. My dad was really proud of me and praised me because I really knew how to go about with Emma: just like a horse whisperer, he said.’
to death: our indoor climbing hall, game room, children cinema and much more will take care of that! As a special August offer enjoy a night-time adventure in the woods with animal sounds under the moonlight...
Coco explores the Kids Active Programme in Val Gardena 1 and 3 Baking campfire bread as the knights did in the past across an outdoor camp fire 2 Introduction to climbing 4 , 5 and 6 Fun days at the Bike Park in Ortisei (with adventure playground) trëntcinch 35
Aug
July
June
DOLOMITES HORSE SHOW: JULY 2018 Show jumping event par excellence
WEEKLY FARMER AND CRAFTSMAN MARKET in July and August in S. Cristina
LONG SUMMER NIGHTS AND APERITIFS in July and August in the traffic-free area of Ortisei
DOLOMITES SUMMER MARKET: AUGUST 2018 with Strudel & Dumpling Festival in Selva Val Gardena
HERO SÜDTIROL DOLOMITES: JUNE 2018 MTB marathon in Europe, with an elevation difference of 4.500 metres SËIRA DL VIN: 13.07.2018 Wine-tasting on the red carpet in S. Cristina
SELLARONDA BIKE DAY: JUNE 2018 Car-free day around the Sella Group, only open to bikers
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VAL GARDENA FOLKLORE FESTIVAL IN S. CRISTINA: 05.08.2018 The biggest folklore festival of the valley with a procession of traditional costumes
gust
September
October
UNIKA: 30.08.-02.09.2018 Large exhibition of Val Gardena’s sculpture and art BIENNALE GHERDËINA throughout summer in the traffic-free area of Ortisei
SEPTEMBER 2018: Ladin hiking weeks in Selva Val Gardena and Ladin culture weeks in S. Cristina
“FERRAGOSTO” IN VAL GARDENA: 13.-18.08.2018 Numerous events during the mid August Ferragosto holiday
Summer Highlights
SPARKASSE ATP CHALLENGER VAL GARDENA-SÜDTIROL - 64.000 EURO: OCTOBER 2018 International Men’s Tennis Championship
All events in the updated Val Gardena calendar
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An explosion of colours: Burning Dolomites
Enjoy an Indian summer by flying all the way to Canada?
magic in a yellow glow of the huts and pleasant hours in
Sure, why not. But why go to all that trouble and fly all
front of the roaring fireplace, the usual questions come
that distance when beauty is just around the corner? You
up: who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we
can find a special natural phenomenon in Val Gardena,
going?
namely the Burning Dolomites. During September, October, and November the valley gradually calms down,
‘Faith is a bird that sings when the night is still dark.’
and the larch woods don their brown-yellow-red-orange
This sentence applies just as much to Buddhist monks
shimmering garments, and very special sunrays shine on
in the Himalayas as to Christians in Val Gardena. Both
the pale mountains, they being pale no more! You simply
places feature the fascinating diversified mountain world
have to see it with your own eyes.
that characterise its people: in both places religion ties in to everyday life. The countless, famous beyond our own
Autumn in Val Gardena is also a time for some quiet
borders wood-carved religious figurines (famous both
introspection. When nature changes yet again, the hot
here and abroad) prove that, in Val Gardena, we still feel
days on the shimmering rocks on lush green mountain
a deep connection with faith, which has got much to do
pastures lie behind us, and we can look forward to the
with the quiet reverence in light of the constant wonders
ice-cold times with snow and aprés ski, Christmas market
of nature as the singing birds at night.
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Totems and taboos If it’s indeed true that art comes with experience, then Adolf Vallazza must be a great artist. Because his craftsmanship is understood by the artist, born in 1924 in Ortisei, like no other. Art, however, also has to rely on taste. And in this case Vallazza relies on foreign voices for recognition: renowned sponsors the like of well-known American art critique and Guggenheim curator Fred Licht,
Adolf Vallazza You can always expect one surprise or another in Val Gardena. You could end up visiting artist Adolf Vallazza, for example, in his atelier in Ortisei and learn in passing that many years ago, a certain Roman Polanski (ring a bell?) visited him in his atelier. At the time the director was shooting the outdoor scenes for his cult movie, Dance of the Vampires, in Val Gardena. On that occasion Polanski also bought one of his early pieces of work. A female bust that was unequivocally figurative in style, making it an atypical work compared to the other archaic and secretive pieces of art that made Adolf Vallazza famous: totems, creatures from fairy tales, standing stones and thrones. What is essential for Vallazza’s art is the material he shapes: wood. In line with the tradition of Val Gardena woodcarving, which led him to such perfection, so much so that he could
for example. In Val Gardena, some people at the beginning didn’t want to understand why such a gifted woodcarver like him wanted to open a door to a new kind of art, and leave the good old traditions of religious figurines in the valley: the world of art. This world was and still is Vallazza’s elixir of life.
live off it. So good that he could make his own path as an artist, as he found it a pity to always carve figurines for the stations of the Cross. And this is where chance dealt him a good hand. Because Adolf Vallazza used not just any wood for his art, but one that according to Fred Licht ‘features the traces of a very long life.’ Vallazza still remembers how it all happened: one of his neighbours had some wood from an old barn that he wanted to burn, as he couldn’t find another use for it. When Vallazza saw that, he thought, ‘how can you even think about burning such a beautiful material.’ He asked the neighbour whether he didn’t want to give him some... and as he worked with it for the first time, he knew right away, he had found his very own personal form of expression. Because in the interplay of structure, the fibres of the old wood which shaped the forms and his own creative power he created something that still spoke of its craftsmanship, but which is much more than that: namely great art.
Autumnal impressions from Val Gardena: 1 S. Giacomo Church on the southern hang of the Pic mountain 2 Terpsichore, muse of dance by Dominik Mahlknecht in Ortisei 3 On the Juac Alp 4 Pumpkin soup, perfect for autumn 5 Larch branch 6 Vallazza in the showroom of his atelier carantun 41
The most beautiful time of the year!
Holidays in Val Gardena mean family fun for all the family. The whole year. After all, aren’t holidays the best time of the year? And in Val Gardena, you can go on holidays whenever you want. And finally enjoy life.
Find an overview of the most interesting special offers for our guests at participating establishments. The list should give you an idea of what to look forward to and when to book your dream holiday!
Val Gardena SuperPremière:
Single & Kids:
Between 24 November and 23 December 2017. One, two, three, four, and it’s take-off! Namely, you can book 4 nights, 4 daily ski passes and 4 days of ski equipment rental for the price of 3!
While the mountains have meant everything to us in Val Gardena since the immemorial, that doesn’t mean we`re stuck in the past. In summer, from the start of the season until end of July and from the end of August until the end of September we also offer great special offers for single parents with children in a double room.
Fis Ski World Cup Val Gardena: At the speed of light! If you want to experience the thrill of pure speed and support the best skiers out there, choose our World Cup Package between 15 and 17 December 2017. Entrance to the race and the Dolomiti Superski ski pass for a discounted price. Val Gardena SuperSun: Pack your ski suit, and we’ll help your wallet feel a bit heavier: from 17 March 2018 to the end of the season, get a free day on us when booking for 6 days (6+1 formula)! Val Gardena Family Special: We’ve also thought about our dearest, youngest guests. From 17 March 2018 to the end of the season participating venues will secure special conditions for children when it comes to booking, purchasing ski passes, renting equipment and at the ski school.
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Val Gardena Active 2018: Val Gardena Active means a lot of action and fun. And what’s so good about this diverse weekly programme is that the guests of participating establishments can choose from many interesting activities for free or for a discounted price. Val Gardena Children’s weeks: Pointing is usually considered rude but it won’t be when you point to this amazing offer: Children pay NOTHING! Between 9 and 29 June 2018 make the most of special offers and discounts when going on holiday with your kids. Free accommodation (in an extra bed in the parent’s room) if the kids are under 8 years old!
Val Gardena on the web REALTIME WEATHER WEBCAMS
PARTNER WEBSITES
Val Gardena has now 20 livecams and panocams, which are unique in the Alps and transmit weather conditions and panoramic views in real time. www.valgardena.it/livecam www.dolomitesalpine.it
www.mtb-dolomites.com
www.sellarondabikeday.com
www.gardenissima.eu
VALGARDENA.IT IS MOBILE Our responsive website can be easily viewed and used on all mobile devices.
FREE WIFI Free wifi hotspots Selva Val Gardena: hotspot in Nives Square and at the Tourism Association Office. Ortisei: hotspots in S. Antonio Square, in the pedestrian area, in Church Square and on a stretch of the Luis Trenker walk.
www.valgardena-active.com
www.transfertovalgardena.com
VAL GARDENA ONLINE SHOP BOOKING DIRECTLY OFFERS MANY ADVANTAGES Val Gardena offers you an avantgarde room availability system. Booking directly your accommodation which is bookable online at valgardena.it, offers many advantages.
Visit our online shop where you can easily view and buy many interesting articles regarding Val Gardena, such as the new excursion maps, posters etc. shop.valgardena.it
NEWSLETTER Do you wish to receive the latest news and information regarding events in Val Gardena? Then subscribe to our free newsletter.
APP VAL GARDENA - GRĂ–DEN The official Apple and Android APP to discover and experience Val Gardena, which you can use both in the valley and at home for your holiday planning.
SOCIAL NETWORKS Val Gardena is present in all the most important social networks - become our fan and follower and stay updated!
www.facebook.com/VGardena
@valgardenadolomites
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Serve and protect: our duty to this terrestrial paradise Column by Robert Fischer
It simply can’t be chance that here, in this beautiful mountainous land, the concept of ‘summer freshness’ was born. On a hot summer day in the 17th century, the Lord Mayor Eberschlager of Bolzano, so the story goes, rode up to the Renon and noticed the incredible difference between the heat in Bolzano and the fresh air up there. And as he found this difference highly refreshing, he wanted to enjoy it for longer rather than during only his occasional rides. So he had a refreshing house built in the lofty heights. Others followed his example, and if they couldn’t afford their own house, they found a way to rent their own space in the new summer breeze. This blessed strip of land today welcomes visitors all year round: in spring because the mountain pastures are as good as they get, when on the silvery shimmering summits there’s still a bit of snow and the valley blossoms in an explosion of floral colours; in summer because it’s summer, in autumn because people come to admire the Burning Dolomites, in winter for the sporty pleasure of snow and ice. Nature is at the heart of everything, protecting it is a duty and job of everyone here in the valley. The job has been assigned to the people of Val Gardena ‘officially’ since 26 June 2009. On that day, the Dolomites were recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and as a region of ‘incredible, universal significance,’ and whose preservation ‘is the responsibility of
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all humanity.’ If you’re wondering how to do justice to such a responsibility, it could be helpful to consider not relying on humanity as a whole, but start locally: in South Tyrol, where the Tre Cime, Fanes-Sennes-Braies, Puez Odle, SciliarCatinaccio Nature Parks make up together with the Latemar range and the Bletterbach Geopark the majority of the 142,000 hectare World Heritage Site. Paradoxically, this recognition, comparable to a Nobel Prize for natural heritage sites, means a huge ecological footprint: with a growing interest from the rest of the world, new tools and paths have to be found to include an increasing number of visitors with the duty to protect nature, too. UNESCO surely knows about the issue. Their role also includes planning of a strategy for the development of sustainable tourism in the area. The UNESCO Dolomites Foundation was founded in May 2010 to overcome a conflict of interests. Its Board of Directors is composed by the municipal councils of the five provinces. Its chair changes every three years in alphabetical order of the province name, a Solomonic solution and as such no bad prerequisite for the work of the association. There’s still plenty of work to be done in both South Tyrol and the remaining provinces. And the whole world is watching what will happen here in the future.
How to reach Val Gardena
HAMBURG 1.040 km BERLIN
850 km
FRANKFURT 660 km MÜNCHEN 270 km
STUTTGART 490 km
KUFSTEIN / INNSBRUCK 110 km
KEMPTEN 250 km ZÜRICH 330 km LANDECK 180 km
Passo Resia / Reschenpass
SALZBURG 290 km
BRENNERO / Brennerpass
BREGENZ 290 km
WIEN
Passo Rombo / Timmelsjoch
AUSTRIA / ÖSTERREICH
580 km
AUSTRIA / ÖSTERREICH
VIPITENO / Sterzing BRUNICO / Bruneck
Passo Giovo / Jaufenpass
SVIZZERA / SCHWEIZ SILANDRO / Schlanders
CHIUSA / Klausen FS
MERANO / Meran
Tubre / Taufers i.M.
FS BRESSANONE / Brixen
LIENZ 130 km
Passo Monte Croce / Kreuzbergpass
MEBO
BOLZANO / Bozen FS
Passo Stelvio / Stilfserjoch
Passo Gardena / Grödnerjoch Passo Sella / Sellajoch
CORTINA 60 km VENEZIA 200 km
Trentino
Passo Costalunga / Karerpass TRENTO
LEGENDA / Legende / Legend:
90 km
VERONA 190 km MILANO 310 km
AUTOSTRADA / Autobahn / Motorway
MODENA 280 km ROMA
STRADA STATALE / Staatsstraße / State Road
690 km
USCITA AUTOSTRADA / Autobahnausfahrt / Motorway Exit STAZIONE FS / Zugbahnhof / Train Station
ITALY
SOUTH TYROL
VAL GARDENA
CONNECTIONS By car The Val Gardena road network is directly connected to the motorway Autostrada del Brennero (A22). Arriving from the south drive past Verona, Trento, Bolzano to Chiusa and take the exit Chiusa/Val Gardena. Arriving from the north, drive past Innsbruck – Brennero – Bressanone to Chiusa and take the exit Chiusa/Val Gardena. Following the road signs you reach Ortisei in about 20 minutes and a few km further you find S. Cristina and Selva Val Gardena. The mountain passes at the end of the valley are only a few minutes drive away. In Val Gardena, however, it is possible to do without a car for the whole period of your stay as the public transport connections are excellent in the high season and there are many lift facilities from each locality to the high altitude excursion and skiing areas. Many guests are happy to leave their car at home and reach Val Gardena by public transport. By train Val Gardena is connected to the rest of Italy and Europe by Intercity and Eurocity trains which all stop in Bolzano and Bressanone and some even in Chiusa. Deutsche Bahn runs 5 services a day from Bologna, Venice and Verona to Bolzano, starting from 9 Euro and 5 services a day from Germany, starting from 29 Euro. For information: www.valgardena.it/train By bus There are various buses which leave from Bolzano, Bressanone and Chiusa to Val Gardena (public bus service timetable available at www.sii.bz.it). Some hotels offer a shuttle bus service to and from the stations.
By airplane The nearest airports are located in Bolzano, Verona, Innsbruck, Bergamo, Munich and Milan. The Bolzano airport has daily flights to and from Rome. Transfer from the airport Furthermore, transfers have been organized between the airports of Verona (Catullo), Bergamo (Orio al Serio), Milano Malpensa, Milano Linate, Innsbruck and Munich (at the main station also) and Val Gardena. For further information and ticket sale, please go to www.transfertovalgardena.com For information regarding the taxi service to and from the stations and the airports, please contact our information offices or go to www.valgardena.it Taxi & Bus Gardena: Tel. +39 366 47 47 327 Taxi & Bus Autosella: Tel. +39 04 71 79 00 33
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INFO VAL GARDENA Tel. +39 04 71 77 77 77 info@valgardena.it www.valgardena.it SKYPE NAME: info_val_gardena
TOURIST OFFICE I-39048 Selva Val Gardena Mëisulesstr. 213
TOURIST OFFICE I-39047 S. Cristina Chemunstr. 9
TOURIST OFFICE I-39046 Ortisei Reziastr. 1
Room availability information By phone: from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 7pm
Tel. +39 04 71 77 79 00 Fax +39 04 71 79 42 45 selva@valgardena.it
Tel. +39 04 71 77 78 00 Fax +39 04 71 79 31 98 s.cristina@valgardena.it
Tel. +39 04 71 77 76 00 Fax +39 04 71 79 67 49 ortisei@valgardena.it
24-hour information system: www.valgardena.it facebook.com/VGardena