Seek and find
Last updated: February 16, 2025
Let me tell you something. Skiing is the only sport I'm truly good at. And although I've been going on ski holidays since I was three, it's long since been just about the downhill runs for me. That's why I'm going to reveal one of Italy's best-kept secrets. For those who love a combination of skiing and top-notch food, there's only one ski resort you'll want to know about, and that's South Tyrol. Make Val Gardena your base and enjoy skiing in the impressive Dolomites while visiting a different culinary hut every day for lunch or an aperitif while skiing the Sellaronda slopes.
Which destinations are you absolutely not going to miss during your winter sports holiday in Val Gardena? In this new Little Black Book, I've compiled the best tips for you. From cozy mountain huts serving authentic South Tyrolean specialties to refined Michelin-starred restaurants: a culinary ski weekend in Val Gardena is a feast for your taste buds.
TIP: Make a lunch or dinner reservation before you leave to guarantee a spot. Most mountain huts have walk-in seating on the terrace, but inside is only possible with an (online) reservation.
Val Gardena Little Black Book full of culinary tips
Ski-in/ski-out stay: Hotel Monte Pana
Want ultimate convenience during your ski weekend? Then a ski-in/ski-out hotel is a must. Hotel Monte PanaLocated in the heart of Val Gardena, Monte Pana is a perfect base. This charming family-run hotel offers direct access to the slopes. Almost everyone stays here on a half-board basis, and the restaurant serves delicious food. Comfort food with a culinary twist, paired with a delicious local wine. After a long day on the slopes, you can also relax in the wellness area at Monte Pana, complete with sauna and pool, while gazing at the snow-capped peaks of the Sassolungo. While I highly recommend a long weekend getaway to Val Gardena for couples to truly savor the culinary offerings, Monte Pana is also perfect for kids. The ski school is right on the doorstep!
Skiing and enjoying: the green route of the Sellaronda
One of the highlights of skiing in Val Gardena is the famous Sellaronda, a beautiful ski tour around the Sella massif. The route can be skied both clockwise (orange) and counterclockwise (green). For a relaxed, culinary ski tour, the green route is ideal, and this is the route we skied.
The slopes on this variant are wide and often wonderfully long, allowing for some truly beautiful skiing. Along the way, you'll find plenty of places to stop for a bite to eat and a drink. A great stop along the way if you're taking the green route from Monte Pana is the Piz Boè Alpine Lounge.
This stylish mountain restaurant offers breathtaking views and a culinary menu featuring both local and international specialties. Enjoy a focaccia with local toppings on the terrace or a leisurely lunch indoors. We made a pit stop on the terrace before skiing down to Fienile Monte and enjoying a leisurely lunch not far from our hotel. Personally, I always prefer not to have to ski far after a drink on the slopes.
| HOW LONG DOES THE SELLERONDA GREEN ROUTE TAKE? Start your day early and take your time! Skiing the entire Sellaronda, including all the lifts and a stop, will take about three to four hours.
Culinary ski area: these are the 6 best restaurants and mountain huts in Val Gardena
Comici Refuge
This legendary mountain restaurant is known for its delicious high-altitude fish dishes. A must-visit for seafood and Italian wine lovers. Everyone is welcome on the terrace for the (also excellent) snack menu or an aperitif with delicious appetizers. Want to dine indoors and enjoy a leisurely meal? Then book your table online (and ahead of time!). After our first day of skiing, we thoroughly enjoyed a leisurely lunch here with a lovely bottle of wine. The fish platter to share is a must-order, as is the pasta vongole.
Restaurant Anna Stuben
Don't fancy a half-board in your hotel in the evening? No worries, there are plenty of good restaurants in the villages that make up Val Gardena for after-ski dining. What I find so special about this ski area is that several restaurants are listed in the Michelin Guide, including the Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant Anna Stuben in Ortisei. Here, the chef prepares innovative dishes using local ingredients.
| TIP: Ortisei is a lovely village to stroll through on the day of your departure and pick up some last-minute culinary souvenirs, such as cheese and speck.
Baita Sofie
During a ski tour through the Dolomites near Val Gardena, Baita Sofie is a real find. Among locals in the region, it's a favorite spot for a stop and a delicious meal. This tip simply can't be left out of this Val Gardena Little Black Book. Drift away in the breathtaking views and order something delicious from the menu, packed with South Tyrolean classics like speck platters, dumplings, and spätzle. To reach this mountain hut, take the lift from Ortisei to the summit of Seceda.
Baita Sangon Hütte
If you ski from Baita Sofie towards St. Christina, you'll pass Baita Daniel on the way, which is also a nice place for a stop. We skied a bit further to Baita Sangon Hütte. Here you can book a wine tasting And that's truly a must if you love discovering and tasting new wines. A charming hut that was passed down from father to daughter a few years ago, it takes authenticity to a whole new level. During the 1,5- to 2-hour wine tasting, you'll sample various local (natural) wines carefully selected in South Tyrol. Then it's just a short ski ride to the Colraiser valley station, where you can catch the ski train to St. Christina.
Fienile Monte
On the border of Val Gardena and Val di Fassa lies the must-visit Fienile Monte mountain hut. A culinary hotspot with a charming, large terrace and a small restaurant, this is the perfect place for refined and luxurious dishes prepared with local South Tyrolean ingredients. Will you go for pasta with fresh winter truffle, or will you, like us, be tempted by the daily specialty and go for the chateaubriand? A glass of champagne, and I bet this is one of those moments when you tell each other that from now on, you only want to go on a winter sports holiday to Italy ;-).
Another great thing is that this mountain hut is located at the end of the Sellaronda from Monte Pana and with just a few lifts and relaxed wide slopes you can be back at your hotel in Val Gardena in no time.
Alpenroyal Gourmet Restaurant*
Although I absolutely love skiing with the whole family, this culinary ski weekend in Val Gardena was the ultimate quality time together in the snow. Dinner at the Michelin-starred Gourmet Restaurant Alpenroyal* wasn't really on the agenda. However, after a few drinks at Fienile Monte, I couldn't resist checking if there was still room. So, that same day, we reserved a table for a lavish dinner. It was the perfect way to end the trip! The restaurant has a classic yet modern design, and although everything is meticulously meticulous according to the Michelin guidebooks, it doesn't feel stuffy at all.
We opted for the most extensive menu, which was accompanied by fantastic amuse-bouches. Chef Mario Porcelli joined us for the final course, which is always a delight at a restaurant of this caliber. Incidentally, you'll find this restaurant in the beautiful Alpenroyal Hotel, which I will now immediately put on my bucket list for a next trip to Val Gardena.
More addresses for your Little Black Book:
- Luislkeller in Ortisei, which I was recommended for its good local wines and cocktails in a pleasant atmosphere.
- La Stua in Selva for good food, a relaxing drink and regular live music.
- Vinothek Vives, where you can taste a wide selection of South Tyrolean and international wines.
Want more tips for Val Gardena? I previously wrote this extensive Val Gardena Travel Guide, where you will also find many tips for fun things to do in the area.
Have fun planning your ski holiday to Val Gardena! Let us know how you enjoyed the tips from Your Little Black Book.
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