The middle village of Val Gardena, between the Saslong World Cup slope and the Col Raiser gondola towards the Odle.
A short history
Santa Cristina, S. Crestina Gherdëina in Ladin, is the middle village of Val Gardena, between Ortisei and Selva, at 1,428 metres. Smaller and quieter than its neighbours, it keeps the soul of the Ladin village made of farmsteads, carved wood and mountain life.
Its name is tied to skiing. Here runs the Saslong, the World Cup slope where every December the best downhillers compete, with the jumps of the famous Camels. In summer the same slope becomes a balcony of meadows and paths towards the Sassolungo and the Odle.
Above the village the Col Raiser gondola takes you to the foot of the Odle group, while the sunny Monte Pana plateau is an area loved by families, hikers and cross-country skiers.
The Saslong takes the Ladin name of the Sassolungo. The World Cup has run here since 1969, with a downhill and a super-G every December. The most feared stretch is the "camel humps", the Camels, which the downhillers try to clear with a single jump at over 120 km/h. It is one of the most famous slopes on the circuit.
In the centre stands the church of Santa Cristina and Sant'Antonio abate, among the oldest in the valley, recorded from 1343. Inside it keeps a Gothic wooden choir and a Baroque altar of 1690 by the Vinatzer family of sculptors. Monte Pana, between 1600 and 1800 metres, is a small paradise for cross-country skiing in winter.
How to fit Santa Cristina Valgardena into a three, five or seven day trip: The Dolomites in 3, 5 or 7 Days: How to Plan Your Trip.
What to see
- The Col Raiser and the paths towards the Odle, which you reach by gondola from the village.
- The Seceda, shared with Ortisei and Selva, with its ridge dropping sheer over the Odle.
- The Saslong World Cup slope and the Monte Pana plateau, between skiing in winter and walks in summer.
How to get to Santa Cristina Valgardena
By car you leave the A22 Brenner motorway at Chiusa/Val Gardena and continue on the SS242 past Ortisei to Santa Cristina. The nearest railway station is Chiusa; from here and from Bolzano the Val Gardena scheduled buses serve the village. The Col Raiser gondola leaves from above the built-up area.
When to go
In winter the draw is skiing, with the Saslong slope and the connections to the valley's lift network. In summer the same slope becomes ground for hikes towards the Odle and the Sassolungo, with the Monte Pana plateau good for families. The best-known event is the World Cup round on the Saslong, in December.
Frequently asked questions
What to see in Santa Cristina?
The Col Raiser with the paths towards the Odle, the Seceda, the Monte Pana plateau and the Saslong World Cup slope. It is a good quiet base for exploring the whole of Val Gardena.
Why is Santa Cristina famous for skiing?
Because it hosts the Saslong, the slope where the Val Gardena downhill and super-G World Cup round is held every year, famous for the jumps of the Camels.
How do you get up to Col Raiser from Santa Cristina?
From the village the Col Raiser gondola leaves, taking you to the foot of the Odle group. From there paths lead to the mountain huts and into the Puez-Odle Nature Park, suitable for walkers of medium experience too.
Is Santa Cristina a good base for Val Gardena?
Yes. It sits in the middle of the valley, between Ortisei and Selva, so you easily reach both by car or bus. It is quieter than its neighbours and has direct access to the lifts towards Seceda, Col Raiser and Monte Pana.
What to do in Santa Cristina?
In winter you ski the Saslong and the valley's lift network, and do cross-country skiing at Monte Pana. In summer you go up the Col Raiser towards the Odle or walk the meadows of Monte Pana. In the centre the church of Santa Cristina is worth it, with its Gothic choir and the Vinatzer Baroque altar.
What is the Saslong slope?
It is the World Cup slope of Santa Cristina, which takes the Ladin name of the Sassolungo. It hosts a downhill and a super-G every December, and has since 1969. Its signature stretch is the "camel humps", the Camels, where downhillers jump at over 120 km/h.