Val di Sole Ski Resort

The Val di Sole in the west of Italy’s Trentino region is one of the Alps’ top sure-shots for snow, and it links the ski areas Campiglio Dolomiti Brenta Val di Sole Val Rendena, Adamello Ski Pontedilegno - Passo Tonale and PEJO 3000. Together, these areas boast a whopping 270 kilometres of slopes and 97 lifts.

More than half of these runs, roughly 150 km, are located in the Campiglio Dolomiti di Brenta ski area, which extends up the mountains surrounding the towns of Folgarida and Marileva. The close connections to the ski areas Madonna di Campiglio and Pinzolo are a dream for visitors, as all three can be explored with the same ski pass. The runs here are largely marked blue and red and are therefore an ideal choice for some laid-back exploring on two skis. The red-marked trail from Monte Vigo to Marilleva is the longest run in the ski area at 5 km, and is also among its most eye-catching. Experts shouldn’t miss the chance to try the black-marked Piste Nera di Folgarida. There is also a terrain park located next to the Copai-Panciana lift with enough features to keep freestyle skiers and snowboarders happy, while the Folgarida side also offers a compact park for honing your skills. The latter is also home to the Family Park, which is specially designed to help youngsters learn to ski.

The ski area Adamello Ski am Tonale Pass is a little more compact, though it still boasts some 100 kilometres of runs. Thanks to its location on the Presena Glacier, the season here extends from autumn well into the spring. The undoubted highlight is the run from the Presena Glacier down to the town of Ponte di Legno. This monster 11 km trail descends no less than 1,800 vertical metres! Over the past few years, the ski area administration has put a great deal of effort into creating an outstanding offering for fans of freestyle skiing. The Freestyle Area includes some 25 obstacles which allow you to hone new tricks in the air and on the ground. The Easy Area serves up smaller features for those wanting to dip their toe into the freestyle world, while the Chill Out Area is a great place to catch some rays between jumps. If thrills and spills are your thing, you could try the Skicross course which offers plenty of rollers, sharp turns and bumps.
The third ski area in the region, Pejo 3000, is located in the heart of the Stilfser Joch National Park and is particularly popular with families.

The town of Pejo is the highest in Trentino at 1,585 meters and is a truly idyllic spot to get away from it all. There are just 16 km of runs here, all of which are red and blue-rated with the exception of the Freeride delle Gole run. The Pejo 3000 gondola built in 2011 carries skiers up to the highest point at around the 3,000-metre mark. An incredible panorama unfolds as you emerge from the lift, and the views continue down the Doss dei Gembri – Tarlenta run.

The Biancaneve Snowpark is also the place to come for fun and frolics in the snow for youngsters. The focus here is not only on learning to ski and snowboard, but also on letting off some steam in beautiful surroundings. One particularly popular feature is the snowtubing run.

No holiday in this part of the world would be complete without delicious food. The lodges in the three ski areas across Val di Sole certainly don’t disappoint in this respect. Many of them are self-service restaurants, though there are also plenty of lodges with table service. A cosy choice for a meal is the Doss del Sabion, which proudly looks out from the mountain station of the Doss del Sabion lift. If you like wine, you will love their sizeable wine menu.

The stone-walled Montagnoli lodge at the Monte Spinale middle station exudes a romantic atmosphere. It’s a great place to warm cold hands by the fireplace and quench thirsty mouths at the bar. The Graffer Hütte at the Pian del Grosté is not only a good choice for food and drink, but also offers a cosy bed for the night. There are around 20 different lodges to choose from in the Val di Sole.

The varied range of runs to explore throughout the valley is a treat for any skier. Among the most beautiful are without doubt the Orti runs in Marilleva.

The Val di Sole also offers up plenty to do away from the slopes. There are numerous well signposted hiking and snowshoe routes which lead through the untouched natural surroundings. It’s hard to think of a better way to recharge your batteries and immerse yourself in the wonders of the natural world. There is also the option of booking guided tours to the hidden corners of the national park here.

If you are looking for something a little more laid-back, then you could take a dog or horse-drawn sled through the snowy winter landscape. There are no less than six ice rinks in the towns within the Val di Sole. And if you are looking for a long, relaxing soak, head for the spa centre in Peio. Three local springs provide a plentiful supply of healing water, and the centre’s offering includes applications for the respiratory system, a department of cardio-vascular pathology and traditional baths.

The towns scattered throughout the valley offer plenty in the way of discos and bars to shake your tail feathers or enjoy a drink after the mountain closes. Popular spots include Antaros Disco Pub and the Heaven Disco Pub at the Passo Tonale. In Folgarida, you are spoilt for choice as the Dream Pub, Eta Beta and Gaglioppo are all good options. In Marilleva, night owls are best advised to head for the pubs Dai Angioi, Daniel and Oscar Wilde.

The South Tyrol region is known far and wide for its great cuisine, and the Val di Sole is no exception in this respect. Foodies should look no further than Salvadori in Marilleva. This restaurant in the hotel is known for its typical regional dishes. Here, the head chef still cooks himself and welcomes guests in this very personal and cosy establishment. The Monte Giner Hotel is also in Marilleva and serves wonderful Mediterranean and traditional food from Trentino. Without doubt, another highlight is the Il Gallo Cedrone in Madonna di Campiglio. The restaurant exudes a kind of stylish mountain chic. The menu here varies from week to week and only deals in fresh seasonal dishes. There is always a wine recommendation – invaluable help for guests, as the restaurant’s wine cellar is said to house some 20,000 bottles.

The Val di Sole is around 360 km from Munich and easily accessible via the Brenner Motorway (A 22). Leave the motorway at the San Michele all’Adige exit and take the SS43 towards Val di Non. Then turn left at the crossroads with the SS42 towards the Tonale Pass. From here follow the signs for your respective destination.

There are direct rail connections between Munich and Trento. Several hotels in the valley offer free shuttle services from Trento station. Alternatively, the Trento-Malé-Marilleva train offers a convenient link to the Val di Sole.