Winter Opening in Val Gardena

If you want to start skiing early in the season and enjoy your first turns already in December, Val Gardena offers ideal conditions for an early start to winter. During the ski opening, the valley combines skiing in the Dolomites with a festive pre-Christmas atmosphere, authentic Val Gardena traditions, culinary highlights, attractive offers and major international sporting events.

The lifts in Val Gardena and the Sellaronda will open on 4 December 2026 and are scheduled to remain in operation until 4 April 2027. This makes the Val Gardena–Alpe di Siusi ski area, part of Dolomiti Superski, the world’s largest ski carousel, an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy their first ski days in the Dolomites at the beginning of December. Direct access to the Sellaronda opens up a wide range of possibilities from the very start of the season, with varied ski days, extensive slopes and unforgettable views of the spectacular Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage landscape.

Numerous international awards confirm that Val Gardena is one of the leading ski destinations in the Alps. The ski area has repeatedly been recognised as the best ski area in Italy and the Dolomites, receiving accolades from renowned ski portals as well as the World Ski Awards. Val Gardena also regularly ranks among the best ski resorts in the world, underlining the outstanding quality, variety and exceptional skiing experience that await guests in the heart of the Dolomites.

Enjoy 4 days of skiing, pay for only 3

The start of the winter season is especially attractive thanks to the Val Gardena SuperPremière. With this traditional early-season offer, guests staying at participating accommodation establishments receive one night free when booking a four-night stay. The same 4-for-3 principle also applies to the ski pass and selected participating service providers. The Val Gardena SuperPremière is therefore the perfect opportunity for anyone who wants to enjoy their first ski holiday of the season in December, combining early-season skiing in the Dolomites with particularly attractive benefits.

Beyond skiing, Val Gardena reveals its especially romantic side during the Winter Opening. After a day on the slopes, the Christmas markets in Ortisei and Selva di Val Gardena invite you to enjoy a festive après-ski atmosphere filled with lights, local specialities and traditional craftsmanship. It is the perfect contrast to an active day of skiing in the Dolomites.
Christmas in Val Gardena is also deeply connected to the valley’s centuries-old woodcarving tradition. Val Gardena is renowned far beyond the region for its skilled woodcarvers and nativity scene makers. Finely carved figures, handcrafted nativity scenes and lovingly created details bring this heritage to life during Advent and give Christmas in Val Gardena its unmistakable character.
One of the most remarkable highlights is the largest hand-carved nativity scene in the world, a unique expression of Val Gardena’s long-standing artistic tradition.

World Cup today, Ski World Championships 2031 – skiing at the highest level

Another major highlight in December is the men’s FIS Alpine Ski World Cup on the legendary Saslong. When the world’s best ski racers compete in Val Gardena, the festive pre-Christmas atmosphere meets top-level international sport, adrenaline and the unmistakable excitement of a World Cup weekend. Secure your tickets now and experience the action live.

And Val Gardena is already looking ahead to the next major milestone: in 2031, Val Gardena will host the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. Following the legendary World Championships of 1970, the event will return to the valley after 61 years. The awarding of the 2031 Ski World Championships once again underlines Val Gardena’s outstanding importance in international alpine skiing.
Skiing in Val Gardena means skiing where the world’s elite compete – on slopes that meet the highest standards of World Cup and World Championship racing.

This makes Val Gardena one of the best destinations for an early-season ski holiday in the Dolomites: skiing from the beginning of December, the benefits of the Val Gardena SuperPremière, atmospheric Christmas markets, authentic local traditions and thrilling World Cup racing on the Saslong combine to create an exceptional start to the winter season.