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One of the busier Italian ski-resorts, Selva is the largest of 3 valley communities, the others being Ortisei and Santa Cristina. The 3 villages together stretch over 6 mls along the valley with most buildings concentrated around the main road (although much of the accommodation is in the smaller hillside suburbs). The liveliest part of town is around the Ciampinoi cable-car station, where most of the apres-ski activity is situated. Part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918, the Tyrolean influence is still evident in the local architecture, cuisine and linguistic heritage (Selva is equally well known by its German name, Wolkenstein). Selva is also the heart of a distinct local culture and language called Ladin, which is spoken by most of the town's 2,500 inhabitants. |
| Suitability |
Upmarket and middlemarket visitors, with a good mix of age groups. Something for all grades of skier but best for intermediates. A range of non-ski-related attractions make it a reasonably entertaining option for nonskiers. Also a summer destination. |
| Accommodation |
Good choice of hotels, apartments and pensions, a handful almost adjacent to ski-runs. |
| Shopping |
Usual range of ski-wear and souvenir shops; a few supermarkets; number of shops selling local produce such as wooden carvings, wine and food. Traditional Christmas market (5 to 30 Dec) in Santa Cristina. |
| Entertainment |
Daytime: ice-skating, cross-country sleigh rides, tobogganing and mountain walks; several local churches of historical interest; ruins of Wolkenstein Castle; local heritage museum; indoor tennis, billiards, bowling and squash; minigolf. In summer, hiking, bird-watching and horse riding.
Nightlife: quite lively apres-ski with numerous tavernas, bars and 2 discos (open winter only). |
| Eating |
A fair choice of restaurants, many of them in hotels. Majority are Tyrolean or pizzerias. |
| Public
Transport |
Local ski-bus operates around Selva and along the valley to Ortisei and Santa Cristina (every 10 mins; charges apply); connecting services to other resorts. No buses at night, but there are 2 taxi ranks in the town centre. |
| Excursions |
In winter, exploring the town and nearby resorts; ski tours. In summer, half day: tours of the Dolomites. Full day: nearby towns of Merano, Bolzano and Innsbruck (Austria); Lake Garda. Two days: Venice; Salzburg (Austria). |
| Location |
In the Alto Adige area of N Italy, within the Dolomites mountain range. 25 mls NE of Bolzano. 50 mls S of the Austrian border. 140 mls NW of Venice. 130 mls NE of Verona and its airport. 75 mls S of Innsbruck airport. |
| Position |
At the E end of the undulating Val Gardena, occupying the valley floor along the line of the river and straggling up into the foothills leading to Passo Gardena and Passo Sella. |
| Contact
Information |
Post Code: 39048
Website: www.valgardena.it
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| Serving
Airports |
Airport : Verona
Airport Code: VRN
Flight time from ther U.K.: 2 hrs
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