Alpe di Siusi and Val Gardena are one of the best combinations if you’re looking for skiing in the Dolomites that will entertain small children and really good skiers alike. The combined area offers 181 km of slopes and 79 lifts, with Alpe di Siusi known mainly for its wide and gentler runs, while Val Gardena offers more sporty skiing, long descents, and direct access to the famous Sellaronda, which is our heart’s desire. One ski pass is valid for all 181 km.
Both parts have a different character, so they complement each other perfectly. Just keep in mind that it’s not a single resort that you can ski through entirely without taking off your skis. For example, a paid ski bus is used when crossing between Saltria on Alpe and Monte Pana in Val Gardena. This is also where the Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi Ronda circuit leads.
TOP 10 ACCOMMODATION IN SELVA DI VAL GARDENA
Alpe di Siusi
Verified accommodation near the lifts:
4* Hotel Seelaus – wellness hotel with half board
On Alpe di Siusi, I recommend Hotel Seelaus. It stands right by the slopes, so it offers ski-in/ski-out, which families with children will especially appreciate. It has excellent ratings and you can also look forward to an indoor pool, sauna, steam bath, and hot tub. Breakfast is included in selected stays, and a half-board option can also be booked.
Hotel Seelaus
4* Hotel Sun Valley in Selva
In Val Gardena, Hotel Sun Valley in Selva is a great choice for me. It lies about 150 meters from the Ciampinoi area, offers an indoor pool, three saunas, a Turkish bath, and a very good breakfast. Half board can also be booked.
Hotel Sun Valley
Cadepunt – The Dolomites Lodge
If you’re looking for an apartment instead, I recommend the luxury Cadepunt – The Dolomites Lodge in Selva. It has great ratings and offers ski-in/ski-out access. The Cadepunt lift is right by the house, from where you can get into the Dolomiti Superski system and towards the Sellaronda. Some apartments have their own sauna, and the accommodation also offers breakfast in the room. Popular dates tend to be booked up early!
Cadepunt The Dolomites Lodge
2 ski resorts on 1 ski pass
Alpe di Siusi: for us, the best for families with children
Alpe di Siusi, or Seiser Alm, lies on the largest high-altitude pasture in Europe. The skiing here is clear, sunny, and a large part of the offer consists of wide blue and gentler red slopes. That’s why I would head here with children or an adult beginner. The resort is also ideal for seniors who are already looking for quieter runs.
For your first turns, Al Sole, Panorama 2, Paradiso, Laurin 1, Euro 1, or Strega 1 are suitable, for example. Moreover, children don’t have to just practice technique all day. There are fun parks, timed runs, Skimovie at Bamby, and the Seiser Alm Ronda family circuit.
For intermediates, I recommend the Punta d’Oro, Florian, or Steger slopes. Even sporty skiers don’t have to skip this ski area entirely: black runs include Puflatsch Race, Puflatsch Freccia, and Mezdì, for example. However, the selection of challenging runs is significantly smaller than in Val Gardena.
TOP 10 ACCOMMODATION IN ALPE DI SIUSI
Val Gardena: Saslong, Seceda, and Sellaronda
In my opinion, Val Gardena is better for skiers who want to clock up more kilometers during the day and are looking for longer and more technical slopes. The main resorts are Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva di Val Gardena.
One of the most beautiful descents is La Longia, which leads from Seceda all the way to Ortisei. It measures over 10 km and covers 1,273 meters of elevation, yet it is classified as intermediate. Another experience is the red Saslong B or the runs around Ciampinoi.
If you’re looking for truly sporty skiing, head to the black Saslong, where World Cup races are regularly held. Ciampinoi 3, Cir, or La Ria are also challenging. However, families with children don’t need to be afraid of Val Gardena either. You’ll find easy runs like Biancaneve, Cadepunt, and Risaccia right by Selva, and there are also pleasant nursery slopes on Monte Pana.
A big advantage of Val Gardena is the Sella Ronda. If you want to continue through Alta Badia, Arabba, and Val di Fassa around the Sella massif, you’ll need the broader Dolomiti Superski pass, for which I’ve written a separate report for you.
Sella Ronda
One of the biggest attractions of Val Gardena is the Sella Ronda, the famous ski circuit around the Sella massif that connects Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Arabba, and Val di Fassa. The entire circuit measures approximately 40 kilometers and can be skied in both directions, with most of the route following blue and red slopes.
I recommend heading out first thing in the morning and allowing for a time buffer, as it’s a full-day trip and you need to catch the last connecting lifts before they close in the afternoon. Once we extended a sunny lunch at Belvedere and then had to rush to catch the last lifts. If you happen to miss them, you’ll have to arrange transport by ski bus or taxi.
You might also be interested in:
- Dolomites in summer: 15 verified tips for my favorite trips
- Seceda, Dolomites in summer: route, viewpoints, ski pass, and accommodation tips
- Kronplatz skiing: slopes, ski pass, and accommodation right by the lift
Cross-country skiing on Alpe di Siusi and in Val Gardena
If you love cross-country skiing, I recommend heading especially to Alpe di Siusi. At an altitude of approximately 1,800–2,200 meters, there are about 80 km of cross-country trails prepared for both classic and skating. The trails are suitable for beginners and sporty skiers alike, and thanks to the high altitude, they have very good snow conditions.
In Val Gardena, we especially recommend Monte Pana, where there are over 30 km of trails, and Vallunga near Selva. More experienced skiers can also use the challenging Monte Pana-Alpe di Siusi connection. The entire Val Gardena area, including Alpe di Siusi, offers you over 133 km of groomed tracks.
Ski pass and opening hours 2026/2027 – Alpe di Siusi / Val Gardena
The winter season is planned from December 4, 2026, to April 4, 2027. Most lifts in Val Gardena operate from approximately 8:30 AM to 4:30–5:00 PM. The main Alpe di Siusi cable car has longer hours, standardly from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- A one-day combined Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi ski pass costs approximately €75–83 for an adult in the 2026/27 season depending on the period, €53–58 for children and juniors, and €38–42 for small children.
- When buying online at least two days in advance, you can get up to a 5% discount on ski passes.
Official map of the Valda Ora – Alpe di Siusi ski area
New for 2026/27: new Steger Dellai eight-seater chairlift – Val Gardena
The most important news for the winter of 2026/27 is the new eight-seater Steger Dellai chairlift. It replaces a two-seater from 1994 and will feature weather protection covers, modern child safety features, and a significantly higher transport capacity. It will also improve the connection of the Piz area with the rest of the resort and the route towards Val Gardena.
For me, the combination of the Alpe di Siusi and Val Gardena ski resorts is ideal mainly for families or groups with different skiing levels. On Seiser Alm, you’ll enjoy more relaxed skiing for children, seniors, and on cross-country skis, while Val Gardena adds long red runs, racing black slopes, and the chance to head out on the experiential Sellaronda.
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