![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
First holiday being planned in the Dolomites and looking at Val Gardena a
Can people tell me what they think will be the best village in VG for beginners/intermediates - we are a mixed Family group ranging from a nervous skier to some of the group being OK on easier reds
Going over Christmas so also want a nice Christmas and village feel
Look forward to you help
Thanks
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Ortisei is a very attractive village/small town and conveniently placed for Alpe di suisi which is pretty much an area of exclusively gentle skiing. Tough it's less well situated fo rthe main Sella if people want to do it. It's still possible. Can't say I've visited at Christmas but I'd imagine it would work well.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Thank you for the reply
Do people have thoughts on Selva for a beginner that's quite nervous
Thanks
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@Sn42or, I've taken beginners to Selva, but I don't think it is the best ; Have you had a look at Colfosco?
If you are set on the Gardena valley - Ortisei as @T Bar suggests
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I took my girlfriend who is early intermediate to Val Gardena, it destroyed her confidence completely. But beginners can navigate to Calfosco and Alta Badia with plenty of gentle runs.
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Thanks guys
Are there nursery slopes in Selva
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From memory there is a beginner's area on the Dantercepies side of the road (still the centre of Selva), and the blues above Plan de Gralba were pretty gentle. The most direct lift-accessed route to the Plan de Gralba blues from the town includes a short but somewhat more tricky red mountain road so beginners could take the bus to Plan de Gralba I guess. As others have said all of Alpe di Siusi was gentle and confidence-building - and it's easy to get to by bus even if you actually stay in the main Selva town.
I guess conditions are a big factor - the snow was very forgiving when we were there - but our overwhelming feeling was that we found the Dolomites significantly easier than, say, the Three Valleys (comparing colour-with-colour).
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Alpe Di Siusi is appropriate but there is a red to navigate if you take the cable car from Ortisei. Plan Gralba is best for beginners but you have to get there first.
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Given all that's available I wouldn't be bothered about taking a family of this kind round the Sella Ronda which is likely to be busier than the alternatives, especially at Christmas. People who are more confident on easier runs often prefer quieter ones, too.
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Went to Selva in Jan. The main ski area is great but not suitable for first week beginners imo. While there is a very mellow, proper beginner area right next to the town, to get to any kind of progression area could be tricky. Alpe di Siusi is defo the way to go.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Sn42or, My beginners started on the Larciunei area - very good for them ; and advanced to the Risaccia area, that bit steeper (both near the village)
The more advanced ones were taken to the Plan de Gralba area, which involved a bus journey or ski the tricky RED mentioned above..
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Many thanks for you input on this guys
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From S. Cristina the Mone Pana area would be good for first timers and has has access to Alpe Di Siusi and the main Selva area for those with more experience.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You know it makes sense.
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Missed the bit about a nice Christmas feeling - Ortisei would hit the spot but might not be so good for beginners, there are some nursery slopes in the town but no idea what they are like! Val Gardina, S. Cristina and Ortisei are all close together with a free bus linking or easy to drive if you have a car.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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How easy is it to travel between Selva, S. Cristina and Ortisea. I assumed there was a Chair lift that went between all three. Also is Alta Badia an option.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Poster: A snowHead
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You can travel between all three using lifts, but it would be rather convoluted ! :: there is a 'Valley Bus' service.
Alta Badia is a 'Blue' heaven !! - so definitely an option
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Sn42or wrote: |
How easy is it to travel between Selva, S. Cristina and Ortisea. I assumed there was a Chair lift that went between all three. Also is Alta Badia an option. |
There are buses between them free to visitors staying locally and you can get between them by lift but the lift connections are not straightforward for a beginner and depending on which bits you want to go between can be time consuming.
The Alta Badia resorts certainly offer some very pleasant beginner and early intermediate skiing.
Edit
Beaten to it. basically I agree with above post.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I would say Corvara, good mix of skiing so beginners won't be intimidated. Much as i like Selva, the run down the back of Ciampinoi can test even a decent intermediate depending on conditions. Conditions regularly include a mix of moguls and mounds of beginners lying on the slope Add in a blizzard and it really isn't much fun, and it's a choke point.
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My advice would be to ditch VG and go to the Alta Badia. You have a choice of Corvara/Colfosco/La Villa/San Cassiano who would suit your beginner/early skiers far more
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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strmin wrote: |
. But beginners can navigate (from Selva) to Colfosco and Alta Badia with plenty of gentle runs. |
Assuming you mean via Dantercepies, I wouldn’t recommend it.
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SnowMonkey69 wrote: |
My advice would be to ditch VG and go to the Alta Badia. You have a choice of Corvara/Colfosco/La Villa/San Cassiano who would suit your beginner/early skiers far more |
Agree 100%. Colfosco for absolute beginners would be perfect. I always tell people that their first experience on skis should be as pleasant as possible.
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Pasigal wrote: |
SnowMonkey69 wrote: |
My advice would be to ditch VG and go to the Alta Badia. You have a choice of Corvara/Colfosco/La Villa/San Cassiano who would suit your beginner/early skiers far more |
Agree 100%. Colfosco for absolute beginners would be perfect. I always tell people that their first experience on skis should be as pleasant as possible. |
Or La Villa, which is quieter than Colfosco and has a 100% dedicated total beginner area plus direct access to more blues.
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As others have said, Selva has a nice nursery area for complete beginners, but lacks convenient progressor blues for nervous skiers. Val Gardena is quite a steep sided valley.
In the next valley over, Colfosco has a quiet nursery area and some great easy terrain for nervous skiers to progress to. Would be my choice if you can afford it.
La Villa is a good shout with quiet nursery slopes and a longer blue in the village and gondola access (up & down) to Piz la Ila and the gentle terrain of the Pralongia plateau.
Other Dolomite areas worth considering with good progressor terrain are Carezza & Passo San Pellegrino and Cortina has a mass of nice quiet blues above Socrepes which would be great for confidence building.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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In short, anywhere other than Selva. As said, Selva can be challenge for nervy skiers. The obvious progression off of the nursery slopes is Dantercepies which can be a challenge if chopped up and moreso, Ciampinoi on the other side of the valley. My recommend would definitely be Colfosco. Gentle slopes, beautiful accommodation and easy progression in the direction of Corvara. If all goes well, you could take a look at Dantercepies (at the head of the valley) and if you fancy it, you could slip into Selva and have a look at the place.
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SnowMonkey69 wrote: |
My advice would be to ditch VG and go to the Alta Badia. You have a choice of Corvara/Colfosco/La Villa/San Cassiano who would suit your beginner/early skiers far more |
+1 for this advice : first ski holiday was in San Cassiano in '76 - been back to the Dollies many times & would still recommend the Alta Badia for beginners
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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+1 for Ortisei with access to Alpe di Suisi.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Skiing to Alta Badia from Selva is simple enough and you can always download on Dantercepies on the return (I have on occasion if light or legs fading). But Colfosco or Corvara for beginners definitely.
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Ghost Dog wrote: |
Skiing to Alta Badia from Selva is simple enough and you can always download on Dantercepies on the return (I have on occasion if light or legs fading). But Colfosco or Corvara for beginners definitely. |
That's actually a good shout. Hadn't thought of that.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You know it makes sense.
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Cheapski wrote: |
+1 for Ortisei with access to Alpe di Suisi. |
Good shout if it must be Val Gardena. A bit disconnected for any that want to explore the further reaches of the Sella Ronda linked areas though.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Alpe DS could feel a little small after 2/3 days for anyone beyond a week one beginner.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Poster: A snowHead
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We loved Ortisei, but... At the top of the gondola you get onto the beginner area after a narrow ish 'lane'. OK. But then, if you want to cruise the motorway blues, you take a chair which drops you straight onto a red to get the Alpe di Suisi. It's nothing special, but quite daunting for total beginners or the more nervous.
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