Italy's Highest Village In The Dolomite Mountains Is Perfect For A Winter Ski Trip

The Dolomites, a northern Italian mountain range defined by breathtaking jagged peaks, hairpin turns, and deep valleys, is a dramatically beautiful, imposing, and formidable landscape. Serving as the backdrop for countless movies and TV shows and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Dolomites have an even more astonishing origin story than any Hollywood blockbuster could script. Situated beneath the sea for millennia, this soaring range was once part of an ancient coral reef forced skyward and carved into the striking formations so many adventurers descend on today.

As the highest village in the Dolomites, it's no surprise that Selva di Val Gardena is often considered one of Europe's best ski destinations. Nestled directly below the Sella massif, Selva di Val Gardena boasts no less than 110 miles of prepared ski slopes. With a variety of ski slopes ranging from blue to black, intermediate and experienced skiers are sure to find it to be a challenging, yet rewarding, winter playground, while the slopes around nearby Plan de Gralba are a go-to snow-laden haven for beginners to hone their skills.

The closest international airport to Selva di Val Gardena is Bolzano Airport, which is just under an hour away by car. However, there are no direct flights to Bolzano from the United States. If you're up for an epic road trip through the dramatic mountain cliffs and snow-covered meadows of the Dolomites, fly into Innsbruck Airport in Austria, which offers direct flights from New York and New Jersey. From there, you'll enjoy a scenic 3.5-hour bus or train journey to Selva di Val Gardena.

Selva is one of three villages that make up the region and serves as the gateway to the Dolomiti Superski region. One of the main attractions in the area is the nearly 25-mile "ski-fari" centered around the imposing Sella group. This epic circuit winds through four valleys and five mountain passes and can be done in as little as a day without the need to take off your skis even once. The ski-fari is challenging, geared toward active and experienced skiers, and should be started in the morning to be completed before nightfall.

Nearby, the Sellaronda ski area boasts more than 300 miles of ski slopes and over 200 lifts that offer adventurers a much-needed rest between runs. As host of two FIS World Cup races annually, the Saslong downhill in the Santa Cristina region of Val Gardena challenges advanced skiers and serious athletes with both a downhill and Super G slope, while stunning Mount Pana offers an idyllic retreat for cross-country skiers.

With multiple top destinations, countless circuits, and numerous ski pass options — including the Dolomiti Superski ski pass, which serves multiple resorts and slopes throughout the region — there is no shortage of exciting and affordable ways to explore Selva di Val Gardena. And on the off chance you tackle all the runs, slopes, and circuits the region has to offer, head over to Cortina d'Ampezzo. Nicknamed the "Queen of the Dolomites," Cortina is a premier ski retreat with Michelin-star dining and offers legendary alpine skiing, breathtaking landscapes, and outdoor adventures worth every second of the two-hour drive from Selva di Val Gardena.

Less than a mile from the center of Selva, Hotel Chalet Dlaces is the quintessential embodiment of a true Italian ski resort. Just steps from majestic Sassolungo ski slopes, Dlaces offers guests a tranquil respite from the biting winter and challenging ski conditions. The property is home to an array of elevated hotel rooms, tranquil suites, and private apartments. Its on-site wellness amenities feature Turkish baths, an open-air whirlpool bath, a full gym, and a Finnish sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the serene snow-draped valley. 

With a charming mix of modern finishes and traditional chalet features on the Sellaronda slopes, Garni Tramans is also strategically located in front of the La Selva Sasslong bus stop. Featuring wood-clad rooms and suites with ample natural light and comfortable furnishings, Tramans provides guests with a warm, inviting base to unwind between Alpine adventures. Grab a bite before hitting the slopes at Tramans' Tyrolean-style breakfast buffet, or whip up a meal in the hotel's fully equipped guest kitchen.

For those who prefer a more hands-off approach to their meal preparation, head over to the Michelin-recognized Mountain Lodge at Chalet Gerard. This seasonal powerhouse is open from early December to mid-April and again from late May to mid-October, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a setting seamlessly integrated into the stunning surrounding landscape. For more casual fare after a long day on the slopes, the chalet-style Medel Pizzeria offers a curated menu of pizzas starting at less than $10 (as of this writing) and traditional Trentino-Alto Adige cuisine, while a few surprises, including sushi and chocolate fondue, round out the highly rated menu.