S. Cristina - St. Christina ski | ski holidays in Italy

Santa Christina — © DOLOMITES Val Gardena

S. Cristina - St. Christina in short

St. Christina, or Santa Cristina, is located at an elevation of 1,428 meters, at the foot of the Sassolungo in South Tyrol. This sun-drenched village is centrally located in Val Gardena and offers access on both sides of the valley to the ski area, which features over 181 km of slopes. St. Christina has a traditional charm but also incorporates modern influences. The houses and accommodations are mostly built in chalet style, which adds to the village’s charm.

St. Christina: Centrally Located in Val Gardena

St. Christina lies between the villages of Ortisei and Selva/Wolkenstein, and wherever you look, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Dolomites. Towering over the landscape are the Sassolungo (Langkofel, 3,181 m) and Sasso Piatto (Plattkofel, 2,956 m). The village has a rich history, and cultural events, clubs, and folk music are particularly important here. To give you an idea: the village band has been around since 1856! Throughout the year, all kinds of festivals are organized, bringing together both locals and tourists. St. Christina is quieter than the other villages in the valley, though there are certainly opportunities for après-ski, and you’ll find plenty of good restaurants and cozy cafés. After a day of skiing, be sure to take a stroll through the village and admire the many beautiful buildings and the parish church. In St. Christina, people speak Italian, German, and Ladin (an ancient, Retro-Romance language from the Dolomites).

Review of S. Cristina - St. Christina

Winter hiking
Cross-country skiing
Aprés-ski
Family/children
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Skiing in St. Christina on the slopes of Val Gardena

You can access the slopes of Val Gardena from both the left and right sides of St. Christina. On one side, the Col Raiser gondola provides access to the slopes on Col Raiser and Seceda; on the other side, you can take a chairlift up Monte Pana and a gondola to the slopes on Ciampinoi. To make the crossing, you don’t need a ski bus—you’ll take the Gherdëina Ronda Express. This 200-passenger mountain train easily takes you from one valley station to the other. The Val Gardena ski area, together with the Seiser Alm (above Ortisei), boasts 181 km of slopes and is also part of the massive Dolomiti Superski ski region. If you purchase this ski pass, you can ski more than 500 km of interconnected slopes and also access Val di Fassa, Arabba-Marmolada, and Alta Badia—for example, via the Sellaronda ski tour. Another must-do ski tour is the Val Gardena Ronda.

Saslong World Cup Run

In St. Christina, you’ll find one of Val Gardena’s most legendary runs, the 3,750-meter-long Saslong. Every December, the best male competitive skiers compete against each other during the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup. Outside of the competition, the run is open to recreational skiers. The Saslong starts at Ciampinoi and ends at the valley station of the gondola of the same name in Val Gardena. The run has a maximum gradient of 56.9% and an average gradient of 24.95%. In total, you’ll descend 830 meters in elevation. If you’re not up for the black run, you can also opt for the red version of the Saslong. On the way down, you’ll come across the cozy mountain hut “L Muliné,” where you can catch your breath before tackling the final stretch.

Winter Sports with Kids in St. Christina

St. Christina is a great destination for winter sports with kids. This charming village offers a variety of amenities for families. For example, there are plenty of kid-friendly accommodations available, and there’s a large children’s play area both in the center of the village and on Monte Pana. Ski lessons are offered by Scuola Sci & Board Schule St. Christina, among others, and childcare options are also available. For a break during a day of skiing, there are plenty of family-friendly ski huts to choose from. There’s also plenty for families to do off the slopes. Want to go sledding together? In Ortisei and on the Seiser Alm, you’ll find all kinds of fun, natural toboggan runs. Other tips for a winter sports vacation with children in St. Christina include ice skating at the Center Iman rink and a horse-drawn sleigh ride.

Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing

From St. Christina, you can enjoy beautiful winter hikes through Val Gardena. Set out on your own or with a guide. There are also several snowshoe trails to choose from. Various rental companies offer snowshoes for rent. A lovely hiking route is the 4.3-km trail past the farms, where signs along the way show you what life was like in the past. Be sure to take the chairlift up to Monte Pana. From there, you can enjoy a hike of over 14 km beneath the Sassolungo or a 6.6-km easy hike to Mont de Sëura, among other options.

Cross-Country Skiing in St. Christina

Val Gardena is a paradise for cross-country skiers. The valley features a network of 133 km of trails for both classic and skating styles. Many of the trails are at high elevation, with the majority—and the most scenic—located on the Seiser Alm (80 km). From St. Christina, there is a 4-km trail that leads from Monte Pana to the Seiser Alm. Other recommended trails on Monte Pana include the 6.7-km La Buja, the 5.2-km Palusc, and the 7.5-km Val Scura. Cross-country skiing equipment is available for rent at various rental shops.

A Cozy Après-Ski Experience in St. Christina

St. Christina is less lively than Ortisei and Selva/Wolkenstein, but it still offers plenty of fun after a day on the slopes. At the bottom of the Saslong, the Apreski Snowbar is a great spot to unwind after a day of skiing. When the weather is nice, everyone hangs out outside with a beer, glass of wine, or Aperol Spritz in hand. The DJ completes the party atmosphere. There are also several hotels with bars where you can enjoy a cozy atmosphere after a day of skiing.