Resort / Trip Reports

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Resort: Selva Val Gardena

Country: Nestled in the Italian Dolomites

Domain: Dolomiti Superski Area featuring the Sella Ronda Circuit where you can ski round the Sella Gruppa mountain through: Selva, Colfosco, Corvarra, Arraba, Canazei, Campitello and back to Selva.

Author: Mrs Johnboy

Date: 17-24 January 2009

Our holiday: Johnboy and I have always wanted to ski in Selva - attracted by beautiful scenery, varied skiing and the promise of good food and wine!

Website : http://www.valgardena.it/en/ http://www.dolomitisuperski.com/

Basics : Flew from Belfast to Brescia with Neilson Holidays staying half board at the Hotel Flora

Lift system : The majority of the lifts were fast chairs or gondolas. We only faced queues on the day we completed the Sella Ronda circuit - especially in Corvarra.

The terrain : The pistes were varied and fun with some lovely tree lined runs in St. Christiana. Johnboy took the speed trap run in Alpe Di Suzi hitting 90.50 km/hr. The Saslong black run was exhilirating, winding its way through the trees down to the venicular in St. Christiana. On the first two days we took up the offer of free ski guiding provided by Neilson and joined a small group of similar level skiers to explore the area with our guide Elaine. This provided an excellent opportunity to explore the mountains and experience runs that we may not otherwise have found.

The snow : We had lots of snow (first holiday in about 4 years where we've had snow!), with one day pretty much a white-out as it dumped all day. Visibility on occasions was pretty poor and as a result the slopes could get very churned up in busy spots.

Off-piste : There seemed to be plenty of off-piste but it wasn't tracked at all. Although having seen an avalanche on to the side of a red run I can see why people were reluctant to go off-piste. There seems to be very few snow boarders in the resort.

The resort : Selva is a pretty, compact village in close vicinity to St. Christiana and the bigger town of Ortisez. The nightlife is limited but there are nice hotels and bars, including Yellos (very grumpy barman!). The Piz Seteur offers apres ski up the mountain featuring some scantily-clad dancers! Otherwise the apres-ski bars are more relaxing than jumping!

Food : We enjoyed some really good meals on the mountain. As the resort has a heavy Austrian influence (the area was once part of Austria) food served in the restaurants can include both Weiner Schnitzel and pizza. Several of the mountain restaurants cook fresh pizza for around 7-8Euros and excellent pasta for the same price. I especially enjoyed the local speciality of goulash and dumplings. Beer (birra grande) cost 3-4euro.

Accommodation : We stayed at the family-run Hotel Flora (5 minute bus ride to slopes). Although the hotel is noted as 3 star we found it to be of a very high standard. Rooms were of a good size, food was excellent - usually a 4 (sometimes 5) course meal offered with our host Petra taking into account any fussy eaters!!! Johnboy had steak 3 nights!

Costs: We travelled to Selva with Neilson for around £650 including lift pass - I think we got excellent value for money in terms of range of skiing, excellent accommodation and the free ski guiding services of our rep Elaine.

Conclusion: Excellent location for couples and families. Will definately go back again. Very Happy

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