Familiar with skiing in the Dolomites? If so, you may not need any further explanation as to why you should consider a Val Gardena ski resort for your next luxury ski holiday in Italy. Specifically, Selva Val Gardena. One of the three villages that make up the area, Selva is set in the heart of the Dolomites and considered as one of the best ski resorts in Italy. For stunning views across the Dolomites, access to the vast Dolomiti Superski region, exquisite traditional cuisine, and exceptional luxury chalets, there is nothing left to be desired from a ski holiday in Selva Val Gardena.
To truly show us what to expect from a Selva Val Gardena ski holiday, we caught up with Susanna. She manages Chalet Sella Ronda and a collection of luxury catered apartments in resort. Keep reading to discover an insider’s insight into this special ski resort in the Dolomites….
Tell Us About Skiing in Selva…
Skiing in Selva Val Gardena is simply magnificent! Selva is at the head of the Val Gardena ski area, with its 178km of prepared slopes. It is located right on the World famous Sella Ronda, a 40km ski circuit around the Sella Massif that offers access to a total of 500km of pistes found in the ski areas branching off it. All of these slopes are connected so there is a huge choice, varying from blues, reds and blacks. You can ski to within 200 metres of the chalets, plus we are ideally positioned between the three main lifts from the village; Col Raiser is just a two minute drive away, Ciampinoi 4 minutes, and Dantercepies 5 minutes.
The Dolomiti Superski pass covers the extended slopes of the Sella Ronda ski resorts plus many more. Altogether, although not connected, the region can claim to be the largest ski area in the world, covering 1,246km!
What level of skier and snowboarder is best suited to Selva Val Gardena ski resort and the Dolomiti Superski region?
With such a large ski area, ski holidays in the Dolomites offer a vast choice of terrain for all abilities. The Plan de Gralba is a great area for beginners to build confidence from the nursery slopes. Intermediates looking to perfect their technique will enjoy the long cruisy blues and reds in the Seceda ski area, as well as the large number of short blues and reds in the Alpe di Suisi area. The Sella Ronda ski resorts are best known as an intermediate skier’s paradise, with the large choice of medium-difficulty slopes. With the ability to access the quickest routes around the Sella Ronda, intermediates will cover the most ground, truly taking advantage of the connections between resorts.
For those in search of a challenge, black graded pistes can be found at the Dantercepies area or on the other side at Ciampinoi. Competent skiers should make sure to tick off the famous Sella Ronda Ski Circuit; a 40km round trip, it’s a full day out that encompasses 4 Sella Ronda ski resorts. A bucket list level challenge to complete. For more information, make sure to read Ski In Luxury’s guide to Skiing the Sella Ronda Circuit.
What makes the Dolomiti Superski area such a special place for a ski holiday in Italy?
Firstly the spectacular scenery. It is a simply stunning part of the world. Parts of the Dolomites are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the breathtaking views surrounding the Val Gardena valley are testament to the protected areas.
The weather also makes luxury ski holidays in the Dolomites pretty special. It benefits from 8 out of 10 sunny days! Combined with perfectly groomed slopes, these two factors make for ideal conditions for long, fun, challenging days skiing in the Dolomites; if that is what you are looking for. If you prefer to take it easy, there is a great choice of mountain huts with delicious food. You can sit out soaking up the winter sun and snowy vistas. It’s bliss!
What non-ski activities are there in Selva Val Gardena?
Selva Val Gardena ski resort offers several non-ski activities, many of which are free for our guests. You can go for a picture-perfect winter walk with an English speaking guide, take a cooking class and prepare some typical local cuisine, or indulge in local cheese and wine tastings.
Gourmands will also enjoy dinner in a traditional mountain hut or a magical sunrise breakfast at Dantercepies Mountain Lounge, watching the orange and pink hues paint the mountain vistas from 2,500 metres. Winter fat biking, tobogganing, ice skating or horse and sleigh rides are a few more non-ski activities in Selva Val Gardena.
Is Selva good for families?
A family ski holiday in Selva Val Gardena offers plenty of activities for all to enjoy. On the piste, the kids will love the Funslope Selva. They can meet the park’s mascot Slopy before they twist and turn down the slope and cross the finish line. The Val Gardena Funpark on the Piz Sella is also great fun. Beginner and family friendly, it’s a great area to practice a different ski style with kickers, boardercross and jumps.
Tobogganing is also a top choice for some wholesome family fun in Val Gardena. There’s a large choice of toboggan routes on offer. Beginner and experienced tobogganers can explore the mountains day and night in Selva, Ortisei and Santa Cristina. You can even stop off at mountain huts to refuel with a well-deserved hot chocolate.
Off the mountain, the sports centre is a great option. There’s ice skating, football and basketball available, as well as watching international ice hockey teams play. Also, Chalet Sella Ronda features some top facilities to enjoy quality family time after a day skiing in Selva Val Gardena. It is surrounded by fields so there is plenty of space for fun and games in the snow. Our younger guests have a lot of fun building snowmen!
In your opinion, what is your top highlight of a ski holiday in Selva?
Apart from all the things I’ve mentioned, I must also talk about the cuisine which is influenced by the area’s interesting past. It used to be part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, therefore the local cuisine is more similar to Austrian food. Whilst most chefs in the area are Italian and Selva is of course part of Italy, there is a delicious mix of the two influences.
What are the best après ski bars in Selva?
There are some great options for après ski in Selva Val Gardena ski resort. La Stua is one of the favourites. Once a farmhouse, La Stua is a traditional après bar at the foot of the Ciampinoi N° 3. It has a welcoming, friendly atmosphere but also a vibrant après ski scene. From 3:30pm daily, enjoy live music, vintage wines and a champagne terrace. Dancing is highly encouraged; so naturally this après bar in Selva is a must on your ski holidays in the Dolomites.
The Luiskeller has daily music and entertainment too and is arguably one of the best après ski bars in the Dolomites. It is the place to be for a couple of shots or beers, and dancing in your ski boots before heading back to the spa facilities and dinner. Perfectly positioned in the centre of Selva Val Gardena, it’s impossible to resist the urge to stop for a well-deserved drink and boogie after a ski day. Kicking off at 3pm, you might even find yourself getting carried away until the early hours of the following morning!
What makes your chalet offering stand out?
Undoubtedly the attention to detail. My husband and I have been in the business for over 20 years. We have acquired the necessary experience and know-how to feel confident in what we do. Whilst we keep a personal involvement in the running of our chalets and boutique hotel, we are also proud of our highly professional team and their local knowledge.
How would you describe the service in your chalets?
Roman (Chalet Sella Ronda’s butler), has a motto, “to know what the guest would like before they know it themselves”. Being in one of the best ski resorts in Italy, we know the service has to match. We get to know the client to the best of our ability once they have booked. Then we can understand their needs and desires for when they arrive. With the high level of attention to detail in our concierge, catering, housekeeping and front of house service, we are sure to provide a special experience tailored to each guest we welcome through our doors.
For each stay, guests can benefit from the use of a driver service from 8am – 7pm, a fully catered service to include an extensive buffet breakfast, afternoon tea and a 5 course meal (on 6 nights), as well as housekeeping and concierge. Our properties include their own private wellness facilities, but guests can also take advantage of the partner Hotel Rodella’s facilities and spa which is a bonus.
Describe the standard of catering and the types of cuisine guests should expect from a stay in your chalets
If you have guests looking for top luxury catered ski chalets in Italy, you can rest assured that they are in good hands. Roman says: “Our menu proposals are all carefully chosen to combine local delicacies, fine flavours, and Italian cuisine. We are also happy to accommodate any special requests”. We are dedicated to fuelling our guests for their day ahead with top quality, nutritious meals.
It all starts with a large breakfast buffet complete with fresh pastries, an array of fruits, and warm plates of choice. Upon return to the chalet, guests can indulge in afternoon tea to tide them over before multiple courses at dinner. Our chefs are carefully selected to deliver super special meal times for our guests. With 4 or 5 courses for dinner, guests can indulge in culinary excellence, handpicked South-Tyrolean wines, and good company.
How do you ensure every guest will have a memorable time?
By aiming to personalise our luxury chalet experience as much as possible. Our staff are at the guest’s service and are highly passionate about what they do. They will go out of their way to be flexible and help the guests in any way they can.
What makes Chalet Sella Ronda so special?
The stunning views all around, the cosy feel of the lounge area combined with the local wood cladding, and the log fire. We have made the most of the views from all the bedrooms plus the lounge with lot of glazing. The feel of the place is cosy yet stylish with all the commodities necessary. The entertainment room is a great feature. It’s a perfect space for younger ones or the young at heart to have a party, play games or billiards.
The outdoor hot tub is just outside the lounge and offers breathtaking views. It is the perfect place for a glass of champagne whilst watching the sunset. The indoor/outdoor heated pool has one of the best views in the Dolomites.
Thank you Susanna for taking the time to answer to our questions, and share your expert recommendations. It is great to get an in-depth understanding of your offering at the Selva Chalets and Chalet Sella Ronda. It’s clear that a luxury holiday in Selva Val Gardena ski resort is one not to be missed! Discover more about the properties by clicking below…
For exceptional ski holidays in the Dolomites like this, get in touch to start planning! You can reach our Ski Specialists by sending an email or giving us a call on +44 1202 203650.
