Ortisei, Italy

* Attractive market town...

* Extensive gentle slopes...
* Fabulous Dolomite scenery...

Ortisei is a delightful little market town just a few kilometres from better known Selva in Italy’s world-famous Val Gardena.

With lots of smart shops and tempting cafés lining its pedestrianised centre, Ortisei is one of the most animated villages in the Dolomites and makes a great family resort. The local slopes are mostly gentle, but very extensive, and linked to the Sella Ronda circuit via nearby Selva.

Ortisei at a glance...

Resort height:	1236m
Slopes:	1005-2520m	(1005-3270m - Sella Ronda)
Pistes:	175km	(433km - Sella Ronda)
Snow rating:	☆☆☆☆☆

Suitability			Skiing
Beginners	☆☆☆☆☆		Blue runs	●	38%
Intermediate	☆☆☆☆☆		Red runs	●	53%
Advanced	☆☆☆☆☆		Black runs	●	9%

Resort			Transfer time
Charm	☆☆☆☆☆		Verona	2hr
Convenience	☆☆☆☆☆		Innsbruck	1hr30
Après-ski	☆☆☆☆☆
Family	☆☆☆☆☆
Non-skiers	☆☆☆☆☆

Snow reliability

General snow cover	3.5/5
Snow quality – upper	3.5/5
Snow quality – lower	3/5
Resort level snow	3/5
Powder potential	2.5/5

The skiing

There is skiing on both sides of town, but the greater extent is at Alpe di Siusi, a huge area of gentle but fabulously scenic slopes that are perfect for easy cruising.

Across the valley, the Seceda sector is a little more challenging, with links to Selva and other Sella Ronda resorts beyond.

The resort

Ortisei itself is a proper year-round lived in town, with a fabulous array of shops, bars and restaurants and lots to amuse non-skiers. There are no less than six toboggan runs, a large hot spring, an excellent sports centre with pool and ice rink, and lots of winter walking.

Après-ski is lively and continues late into the evening for those who want it.