The village at the head of Val di Fassa, below the Sella and the Marmolada, a base for the Sellaronda and the Vajolet Towers.
A short history
Canazei, Cianacei in Ladin, closes off Val di Fassa at 1,465 metres, where the valley narrows under the big peaks. It is the highest and most touristic village in the valley, ringed by the Sella, Pordoi and Fedaia passes and by three of the most famous Dolomite massifs.
For centuries it was a village of Ladin farmers and herders, with scattered barns on the slopes and life set by the mountain pasture. The turning point came with mountaineering: between the 19th and 20th centuries the first climbing parties chose Canazei as a base to reach the Catinaccio, the Sassolungo and the Marmolada.
Today the village lives on tourism all year round. In winter it is a stop on the Sellaronda, the ski circuit around the Sella group; in summer it is the starting point for the cable cars up to the Pordoi and towards the highest of the Dolomites. The Ladin language and festivals stay alive in the centre and the hamlets.
What to see
- The Marmolada glacier, the highest peak in the Dolomites, reached by cable car from the nearby Fedaia Pass.
- The Vajolet Towers and refuge, in the heart of the Catinaccio, a classic goal for those setting out from the valley.
- The Sella and Pordoi passes, with their cable cars and the Sellaronda, the famous loop around the Sella group.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Canazei?
The Marmolada glacier by cable car from the Fedaia Pass, the Vajolet Towers in the Catinaccio, the Sella and Pordoi passes with their cable cars and, in winter, the Sellaronda that circles the Sella group.
How do you get to Canazei?
By car you leave the A22 Brenner motorway at Egna/Ora and drive up Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa to the head of the valley. You can also come down from Bolzano or over the Dolomite passes. The nearest train station is Bolzano, then you continue by bus.