Ortisei Ski Resort in Italy – Ultimate Guide to the 2024-2025 Season

Ortisei – one of the oldest resort towns in the Val Gardena Valley, situated at an elevation of 1234 meters, is an excellent destination for family vacations and is conveniently close to the panoramic zone of the valley.

In Ortisei, the predominant population consists of Ladins, a people belonging to the Rhaeto-Romanic group, while Italians make up only 5% of the total residents, and Germans account for 11%.

Resort Highlights in Ortisei

Ortisei is lower than most ski resorts in Italy, making it a popular choice for beginners and families with children. Notable features of the resort include:

1. Ideal for novice athletes and intermediate skiers;
2. Numerous sunny slopes, particularly around Alpe di Suisi;
3. Part of the vast Dolomiti Superski area, providing easy access to the Sella Ronda route;
4. Combines picturesque nature with modern infrastructure.

Hotels and Apartments in Ortisei

In Ortisei, every traveler can find hotels and apartments to suit various tastes and budgets.

Garni August

• • A family room with a balcony for a week will cost 1600 euros. A four-person family semi-suite for five people per week will be priced at 1400 euros.

The 3-star Garni August hotel is conveniently located at the base of the ski slopes, 900 meters from the center of Ortisei.

The interior predominantly features a traditional style – wooden furniture, carpeted flooring, and rooms equipped with flat-screen televisions. The hotel has a garden, and a children’s playground is available for young visitors. Nearby is Mar Dolomit, a seafood restaurant.

A free taxi service operates between the lift and the hotel every 5-10 minutes from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Parking spaces are available, making it an excellent choice for families with children.

Hotel Garni Snaltnerhof

• The cost of accommodation for a week is 1900 euros.

At the 3-star Garni Snaltnerhof Hotel, located in the center of the resort near the main lift, there is a restaurant with traditional cuisine and a pizzeria.

The establishment has been owned by the Hofer family since 2014, and in the 17th century, it housed a bakery. Although the bakery is no longer operational, the hotel still sells fresh bread, jam, and meat products. Guests have access to their own kitchen. Residents receive passes to a spa complex located across the street, as well as a 10% discount on ski equipment rental.

Guests can use storage facilities for ski equipment. A pass is provided for the duration of the stay, allowing easy movement around Ortisei.

Residence La Rondula

• The cost of apartments with 4 bedrooms for up to 9 people per week is €3800 (approximately $4450).

Residence La Rondula apartments are within walking distance of the Seceda ski lifts, and the windows offer views of the Dolomite Mountains.

In addition to rooms, the hotel includes chalets and bungalows. They feature separate bathrooms and safes. Complimentary bus transportation and vouchers for discounts at local restaurants are provided.

Guests can visit barbecue areas, restaurants, and an elevated above-ground pool in the garden.

Pra Palmer The Green B&B

• The price for a week-long stay is €1700 (approximately $1995).

Pra Palmer The Green B&B, a 3-star hotel, is located on the slopes of Palmer. It’s a five-minute walk from the center of Ortisei. In January 2020, the hotel underwent renovations with the use of modern equipment.

Each room is bright and ergonomic, offering picturesque mountain views from the balcony. Some rooms are combined with saunas. The breakfast is diverse, including muesli, fruit salad, sausage products, prunes, dried apricots, nuts, and options to order boiled eggs and cappuccino. There is a chairlift right outside the door, a well-equipped ski room, and an electric car charging station. The trail leading from the hotel is connected to a major ski lift.

Guests have the opportunity to enjoy free access to the sauna and pool at the Mardolomit complex, located two hundred meters from the hotel. The Gherdëina Local Heritage Museum is within walking distance.

When to Visit Ortisei

The skiing season in Ortisei spans from early December to the end of March. During this period, there is minimal precipitation, sunny days, and daytime air temperatures of -2.2°C (28°F), dropping to -12.5°C (9.5°F) at night.

Trail Layout

Ortisei offers 25 ski trails, including 12 blue trails, 11 red trails, and 2 black trails. Twelve lifts service these runs:

• 4 gondola lifts
• 1 funicular
• 3 T-bar lifts
• 3 chair lifts
• An underground cable car

The shorter descent of Alpe di Siusi is ideal for beginners. More confident skiers who aren’t yet at a professional level will find the Sella Ronda and Mont de Seura trails more comfortable.

The 3 km long Saslong descent is categorized as a black trail designed for experts. Adrenaline enthusiasts should consider attending training sessions in St. Christina at the top of Ciampinoi, as well as exploring the Marmolada glacier, which is part of the highest mountain in the region.

Freeriding

Freeriding in Ortisei, as in the Val Gardena Valley, isn’t particularly popular. However, experienced free-riders are advised to descend to the lower station of the chairlift in the Seceda area.

Since slopes are often covered with icy patches, riding can be hazardous. It’s recommended to practice freeriding in the first few days following a snowfall.

Lift Pass Prices in Ortisei

To access the lifts, you need to purchase Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi or Dolomiti Superski ski passes. The former provides access to 79 lifts and ski tracks in the valley, while the latter allows skiing across the entire Dolomite mountain area. Prices vary according to the season.

Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi Ski Pass Prices:

• From November 30 to December 21, for adults – 46 euros, for children – 32 euros per day.
• From December 22 to January 6 and from February 2 to March 21 – 57 and 40 euros per day, respectively.
• From January 7 to February 1 and from March 22 to April 14 – 51 and 36 euros.
• Unlimited ski pass for adults costs 700 euros, for children up to 16 years – 580 euros, for children aged 3 to 8 – 260 euros.

Dolomiti Superski Ski Pass Prices:

• From November 30 to December 21, for adults – 50 euros, for children – 35 euros.
• From December 22 to January 6 and from February 2 to March 21 – 62 and 43 euros.
• From January 7 to February 1 – 56 and 39 euros per day.
• An unlimited ski pass for adults is priced at 890 euros for children up to 16 years – it is 585 euros, and children up to 8 years old go for free.
• For seniors aged 65 and above, an unlimited ski pass costs 830 euros, and for those aged 70 and above – 695 euros.

Ski Schools in Ortisei

Ski schools in Ortisei offer lessons in Italian, English, and German. They provide instruction in skiing, snowboarding, carving, and prepare students for competitive sports. After payment, students can purchase equipment at a discount. Local instructors offer individual lessons ranging from 38 to 51 euros per hour per person. Group lessons last 5-6 days, with an average price of 187-280 euros.

• Official school website: www.scuola-sci.com

Things to Do Besides Skiing

If you want to take a break from active pursuits, Ortisei offers indoor pools, ice skating rinks, and wellness centers. There are dedicated areas for tennis and squash as well.

In the evenings, the town center comes alive with bars playing lively music all night long. In Santa Cristina and Selva, you can explore souvenir shops and specialty ski stores.

I recommend visiting the Wellness & Spa Cleopatra complex, which covers 10,000 square feet and is located at Via J. Skasa 68. Here, you’ll find pools with Jacuzzis, saunas, and beauty salons. The complex also boasts its own fitness center with panoramic windows showcasing picturesque mountain views. Don’t miss the opportunity to stop by Sporthotel Alpenroyal Gourmet & Relax – a spa hotel offering a wide range of treatments.

Ortisei is also popular for paragliding, cross-country skiing, heli-skiing, and ice hockey matches.

Read also about Corvara in Badia Ski Resort.

Attractions in Ortisei

The main attractions in Ortisei are its local sculptures. Notably, there’s an annual art exhibition showcasing paintings, as well as the Museo della Val Gardena (Val Gardena Museum), where you can delve into the history and culture of the Val Gardena valley.

Walking along the town’s streets, you’ll easily spot ancient churches and Gothic buildings.

Getting There

The most convenient airport to reach Ortisei is Verona Airport (Aeroporto di Verona-Villafranca). The distance from Verona to Ortisei is 118 miles, and the nearest city with high-speed train connections is Bolzano.

From Bolzano, you can take the 350 bus line, use the Südtirol transfer, or take a taxi.

By Car

To drive to Ortisei, it’s best to come from South Tyrol province via the A22 highway, using the coordinates 46.573351, 11.674132. If coming from the north, follow the route Innsbruck-Brennero-Chiusa; if from the south, take the Verona-Trento-Bolzano route. The drive takes approximately 20 minutes.

By Train

Getting to Ortisei by train from countries such as Germany, Austria, Belgium, or the Netherlands is relatively straightforward. However, trains only run to major cities like Bolzano or Brennero, from which you can easily reach Ortisei by bus.

• You can find the schedule for Italian trains on websites like www.trenitalia.com and www.italotreno.it.
• For German trains, check www.bahn.com
• For Austrian trains, visit www.oebb.at.

By Bus

To get to Ortisei from Bolzano, you can conveniently take bus line 350. The fare will be 5 euros. You can also use the Val Gardena Express.

I recommend purchasing a ticket for the Val Gardena Ski Express ski bus. The current schedule for all lines can be found on the page www.valgardena.it/en/bus-schedule/.

Taxis and Transfers

It’s advisable to pre-book a taxi to Ortisei in advance so that the car is waiting for you at the airport. Private carriers provide transportation from Bergamo, Innsbruck, Bressanone, and Ponte Gardena train station.

You can book a group transfer with Südtirol from Bolzano or Bressanone on the website www.suedtiroltransfer.com.

There are two taxi consortia that offer transportation to Ortisei: Autosella Taxi & Bus (you can order by phone at +39 0471 790033) and Autonoleggio Taxi & Bus Gardena (orders can be placed at +39 0471 797097 or +39 335 6814400).

I recommend submitting a request in advance on the website www.taxiautodul.com.

Restaurants – Where to Eat Well in Ortisei

There are several good restaurants in Ortisei, located in the town center or in mountainous areas. When choosing a restaurant, I suggest using TheFork app. I also recommend visiting the following establishments:

In the Mountains

In the mountains, I recommend visiting these restaurants:

1. Viel dal Pan is where you should try traditional dishes. Located at the top of the Porto Vescovo cable car.
2. Utia Pradat has three sections: self-service, self-service tables, and a lounge on the terrace. Situated at the top of the Col Pradat cable car.
3. The cozy but small Fienile Monte, whose waitstaff offers local cuisine. It’s located on the Col Rodella piste slope.

In the City

Here’s a compilation of the finest urban restaurants in Ortisei:

1. Mauritz Keller Pizzeria: Offers a wide range of delectable pizzas and pasta and features DJ entertainment in the evenings.
   Address: Strada Rezia, 32, 39046 Ortisei BZ, Italy.
2. Tubladel Restaurant: Signature dishes here include ribeye and venison steaks. Waiters also introduce guests to local cuisine, such as gnocchi with polenta and truffle foam or white chocolate soup garnished with ice cream and passion fruit.
   Address: Via Christian Trebinger, 22, 39046 Ortisei BZ, Italy.
3. Caffe Val d’Anna: Provides menus for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free options. Situated by the ski lift, it offers dishes with ample portions. A bonfire adds to the cozy ambiance. I recommend trying the Augustiner draft beer, mulled wine, venison carpaccio, and pork knuckle.
   Address: Str. Val d’Anna, 39, 39046 Ortisei BZ, Italy.
4. Mont Seuc: Offers a breathtaking view of the Alps from the summit of a cable car. Besides tables, it has loungers and relaxing chairs for quick bites. I suggest trying the mushroom soup and cheese polenta with sausages. In the evening, you’ll find people in traditional costumes playing the accordion at the entrance.
   Address: Bergstation Seiser Alm, 39046 Ortisei BZ, Italy.
5. VIVES: Located a 7-minute walk from Ortisei’s central square. I recommend the octopus and venison tartare, with pre-dinner aperitifs like light alcoholic lemonades. Takeout orders are available.
   Address: Strada Rezia, 231, 39046 Ortisei BZ, Italy.
6. Baita Pauli Hütte: Found near the La Longia skiing area in Seiceda, it features a gazebo and offers delights like Ciacolatta calda con Panna and Dolce de la nonna for dessert, as well as hot chocolate with rum and whipped cream. A separate children’s area with games is available, and soft cushions adorn the chairs.
   Address: Str. Val d’Anna, 24, 39046 Ortisei BZ, Italy.
7. Costamula: Located halfway up the Furnes-Ortisei slope, near the frozen waterfall and the 10.5-kilometer ski trail “James Bond.” The atmosphere is cozy, and the venue was restored in 2020. The diverse wine list pairs well with offerings like pumpkin and risotto, along with hot chocolate infused with cinnamon.
   Address: Strada Cuca, 184, 39046 Ortisei BZ, Italy.
8. Vinoteque La Cercia: Renowned for its cheese platters, I recommend trying the Tyrolean platter and fresh oysters. The extensive selection of Italian wine includes the notable Ferrari Perle variety. The establishment offers a splendid view of Ortisei’s pedestrian area.
   Address: Strada Rezia, 30, 39046 Ortisei BZ.

Pros and Cons of the Resort in Ortisei

Among the positives of the resort, some notable points include:

• There is a wide range of hotels to choose from.
• Picturesque landscapes that offer stunning views.
• Well-equipped slopes and trails for skiing and snowboarding.
• Local schools that provide lessons for beginners and children.
• Excellent service and delicious cuisine in the restaurants.

On the flip side, there are some drawbacks to consider:

• Ski slopes and lifts can get crowded at times.
• Limited options for nighttime entertainment.