We're optimistically planning a December visit to Val Gardena for winter hiking, but unsure if we should book accommodation in Selva, St Cristina or Ortisei. We won't have a car, so will rely strictly on public transport.

Any thoughts on which town would make a good base for easy access to cable cars and gondolas to access winter hiking trails?

Many thanks in advance.

Mel, I have no idea but I would say that they are very close to each other. I stayed in Ortisei in the summer and jogged to/from Santa Cristina in the mornings.

Check out:
https://www.valgardena.it/dl/stchris...te_groeden.pdf

and maybe make your choice based on the info there.

Thanks Leely, I'll take a look.

The lower part of Val Gardena had 20 inches of snow last December. I'm curious; are you planning to hike with snowshoes?

Michael - maybe. Depends on conditions, although snowshoes wouldn't be my preference.

We've found that most ski areas groom their winter hiking trails. Hoping that's the case in Val Gardena. Still researching.

Mel, you can download suggested winter hikes here:

https://www.valgardena.it/dl/stchris...te_groeden.pdf

I would not stay in Wolkenstein/Selva, which attracts mostly downhill skiers/snowboarders, I think St. Ulrich/Ortisei or Sta. Cristina are nicer.

And you certainly know this page:

https://www.valgardena.it/en/winter-...71915,46.56547

HI Mel, you know that we are not proper winter hikers but we really love St.Ulrich/Ortisei and cannot wait until we are allowed to return.
I think Adelaidean has had an extended stay there and wrote about it?
We only managed four hotel nights there in 2019: little did we know our plans for a longer stay the following year would not come to fruition!
Happy planning.

Thanks for the links, I'd found one of them, but not the PDF posted by Leely and Ingo. I knew there were plenty of hikes, but wasn't sure if we should base closer to one ski lift vs another. Looks like there's no shortage to do from any of the three villages.

Funny, Ingo, we were leaning towards Selva, but now we're rethinking. It might come down to wherever we can find an apartment with the best cancellation policy.

Nice to see you here love_travel_Aus.

Looks like it'll be St Cristina. I've just booked a very nice apartment there. Fingers crossed we actually get to go.

Would love to hear about it. On FB, I belong to a group of Italian fans/owners of English cockers (il nostro amore cocker spaniel) and they post some fabulous photos and trip reports of winter travels in that region.

Cute photo Weissertee!