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Table of Contents:
When to travel to Val di Fassa
How to get to Val di Fassa from Innsbruck
How to get to Val di Fassa from Verona
How to get to Val di Fassa from Milan
When to travel to Val di Fassa
Val di Fassa is one of the largest ski resort areas in Italy. The resorts of Val di Fassa have all the necessary infrastructure for skiing and other winter activities, which is why this place has been popular among lovers of active winter sport for more than 70 years, since the 50s. In the Val di Fassa valley you can find such ski resorts as Moena, Campitello, Canazei and some others. In addition, the Val di Fassa valley is a part of the Sella Ronda united ski area, which, in turn, connects ski resorts of Val Gardena, Alta Badia and Arabba-Marmolada.
After some research, I decided to put together information I have previously found out and create a complete guide on how to organize a holiday in Val di Fassa. I figured out how to get to the resorts, where to stay & what to do there. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to Val di Fassa.
Tourists can visit Val di Fassa resorts all year round. Winter season lasts from the end of November until mid.-April here and suits best to skiing and snowboarding, while the period of May-October suits best for sightseeing, hiking, rock climbing and other summer activities. Cable cars operate any season here, except the short period in November, between the summer and winter seasons. In my point of view, Val di Fassa is a very picturesque region so you can enjoy its natural landscapes during blossoming spring, green summer and colorful autumn as well as during snowy winters.
How to get to Val di Fassa
Where do you fly into to get to Val di Fassa? The closest cities with an airport in Italy that accept flights from around the world are Innsbruck, Verona and Milan. You can check the current flight timetable on the specialized services such as Aviasales and others. I usually use Aviasales when planning my trips in advance, because it can compare a great variety of available flight options and sort them as I may need. Then you can travel to Val di Fassa from those cities by public transport, by taxi or transfer services or by car.
How to get to Val di Fassa from Innsbruck
Based on my research, tourists can get to Val di Fassa from various Italian cities (Verona, Bergamo, Milan), as well as from the Austrian Innsbruck, which is geographically located closest to the resorts of the valley. The distance between Val di Fassa and Innsbruck is about 156 km, the cities are connected with highway No. E35. Then you can get from Innsbruck to the resorts of Val di Fassa by public transport, by transfer service or by rented car.
By public transport: Getting from Innsbruck to the cities of the valley by public transport is the least convenient, since you first have to get from the airport to the local railway station and then you need to take the train or bus that goes to Bolzano; from Bolzano there are regular buses to the resorts of Val di Fassa. The total travel time is at least 5 hours. You can check the train timetable at the Raileurope booking service. You can also check a bus timetable from Innsbruck to Bolzano at the Flixbus booking service. I like both services, be it Raileurope or Flixbus. They have a convenient search with a lot of detailed information on each option. Then you need to take a local bus in Bolzano directly to Val di Fassa villages; focus on regional bus line # 180.
By transfer service: Tourists use airport transfer service more often, because the total travel time is reduced to an acceptable 2,5 hours. You can order an individual transfer by the time of your arrival on various services such as Kiwitaxi and other similar ones. In case you have a lot of baggage or your own ski equipment, the transfer service will be also very helpful. I read the reviews of the service and most of them are positive. For sure, there are a lot of other taxi services available at the airport.
By rented car: Another convenient option is to rent a car. In that case you need to have an international driver’s license. You can find rental offices right at the Innsbruck airport. You can get from Innsbruck to the towns of Val di Fassa following the route # E35 in about 2,5 hours or a little faster (see on the map). You can book a car for renting in advance on the services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. I would recommend booking a car in advance as it is a very popular option among travellers especially during “high” skiing season. Please note you may need to register for a cross-border insurance to go to Italy.
How to get to Val di Fassa from Verona
Verona is located 188 km south of the valley resorts; direct flights from different cities of the world arrive in Verona, and the city is connected to Val di Fassa by highway No. A22/E35. You can get from Verona to Val di Fassa by bus, by transfer service or by rented car.
By public transport: The longest way to get to the valley village is by public transport; several changes are required, and the total travel time is about 4,5 hours. Firstly, you need to take a train or a bus from Verona to Bolzano town and then to take a local bus from Bolzano directly to the villages of Val di Fassa. You can check the train timetable at the Raileurope booking service. You can also check a bus timetable from Verona to Bolzano at the Flixbus booking service. I like both services, be it Raileurope or Flixbus. They have a convenient search with a lot of detailed information on each option. Then you need to take a local bus in Bolzano directly to Val di Fassa villages; focus on regional bus line # 180.
By transfer service: You can get there faster by ordering a transfer car, then the travel time is no more than 2,5 hours from the Verona airport. You can book a car transfer in advance via specialized services such as Kiwitaxi, Intui.Travel and others that provide similar services. I regularly check out both online services when planning my trips in advance and I can conclude either Kiwitaxi or Intui.Travel have a very convenient search and a great amount of useful information on each available option.
In winter, group transfer services also operate along the route. For example, Fly Ski Shuttle company operate between Verona and villages of Val di Fassa during the period from December until March incl., but only on Saturdays and Sundays.
By rented car: A popular option at the Verona airport is car rental. There are more than 9 different rental companies operating in Verona. Registration of a car for renting usually takes no more than 20 minutes, and the only documents required are a passport and an international driver’s license. Car rental in Verona, both in the city and at the airport, is a very popular option so I would recommend booking a car in advance. You can use such international online services as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others to book a car in advance. I check out both services when planning my trips as it lets me compare various available options. The travel time by car is about 2,5 hours (see on the map).
How to get to Val di Fassa from Milan
You can get to Val di Fassa from various Italian cities, including Milan, though the distance between Val di Fassa and Milan is almost 320 km. The destinations are connected with motorways No. A4 and A22/E45. You can get from Milan to the resorts of Val di Fassa by public transport, by transfer service or by car.
By public transport: Getting from Milan to the villages of the valley by public transport is the least convenient, since you first have to get from the airport to the Milan Railway Station and then to take a train or a bus that goes directly to Bolzano town; from Bolzano there are regular buses to the resorts of Val di Fassa. The total travel time is at least 6 hours. You can check the train timetable at the Raileurope booking service. You can also check a bus timetable from Milan to Bolzano at the Flixbus booking service. I like both services, be it Raileurope or Flixbus. They have a convenient search with a lot of detailed information on each option. Then you need to take a local bus in Bolzano directly to Val di Fassa villages; focus on regional bus line # 180.
By transfer service: Besides public transport, you can also use a taxi or transfer service. Transfer services can be group or individual. Kiwitaxi, Intui.Travel and other individual transfer services run along the route. The travel time from Milan airport to Val di Fassa villages is approximately 4 hours 10 minutes. Based on my experience and tourists’ reviews, I can recommend both online services. For sure, there are a lot of other taxi services available at the airport.
In winter, group transfers also operate along the route. For example, Fly Ski Shuttle company operate between Milan and villages of Val di Fassa during the period from December until March incl., but only on Saturdays and Sundays.
By rented car: Another convenient option is to rent a car. You can find rental offices right at the airport of arrival. You can get from Milan to the towns of Val di Fassa using the route # A4 and A22/E45 in about 4,5 hours (see on the map). You can book a car for renting in advance via different international services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. I check out both services when planning my trips as it lets me compare various available options. Car rental in Milan is a very popular option so I would recommend booking a car in advance, in particular, during the “high” season.
Where to stay in Val di Fassa
All the towns of the Val di Fassa valley are compact in size; you can look for accommodation near the ski areas in towns such as Moena, Canazei, Pozza di Fassa, Vigo di Fassa, Campitello, Soraga. The infrastructure here is well developed, but I recommend booking accommodation in advance due to their limited number. The ideal time to book is at least 2-3 months before your trip. Based on my research, tourists can stay in the resorts of Val di Fassa in hotels, apartments, guest houses, B&B`s. The pricing policy of the resorts, if you don`t book at the very last moment, is quite affordable.
In Val di Fassa you can also rent apartments of various types. These can be either detached houses or chalets, or separate rooms in apart-hotels. The main difference between accommodation in apartments and standard hotel rooms is that the apartments have their own equipped kitchen area. In general, apartments as holiday accommodation are more suitable for families with children, as well as for large groups of people.
Popular resort accommodations in Val di Fassa include:
GH Hotel Monzoni 4* (Pozza di Fassa) – the hotel is a 10-minute walk from the ski lifts and QC Terme Dolomiti spa complex. The hotel has a restaurant. Guests can stay in one, two, three or four-bed rooms. Breakfast or half board is included. Wi-Fi is available in public areas and is free of charge. Luggage storage services are provided at the front desk;
Garni Aritz 4* (Campitello di Fassa) – the hotel is located just 200 m from the nearest ski lift. The hotel has a wellness center with a sauna, a Turkish bath, Kneipp baths, hydromassage and a fitness room. Guests can choose different room categories, including family rooms. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Free public parking is provided on site. The front desk is open 24 hours a day and there is storage area for skis and luggage;
Hotel Miravalle 3* (Soraga) – the hotel is located in a picturesque place and provides a free shuttle bus to the ski slopes. It features a swimming pool, a spa area and a panoramic Alpine-style restaurant. You can stay in single or double rooms. Breakfast or half board is included. Wi-Fi is provided in the hotel rooms and is free of charge. Free public parking is available nearby. The front desk is open 24 hours a day and provides ski pass sales, ski equipment rental, ski and luggage storage;
Family Hotel La Grotta 4* (Vigo di Fassa) – the hotel has a convenient location, surrounded with a garden, and offers a wellness center. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar. You can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Breakfast or half board is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Free private parking is provided on site. The front desk is open 24 hours a day and offers ski passes sales, rental of ski equipment, storage of skis and luggage;
All of these are eco-hotels, designed in the Alpine style and having the necessary set of options for a ski resort. Popular aparthotels also include: Residence Contrin (Canazei) and Apartment Nonna Teresina (Moena).
What to do in Val di Fassa
Val di Fassa, as a ski resort, offers many opportunities for active winter sport. There is some useful information for visiting that I discovered:
- The total length of the routes is 133 km;
- Of these routes, 42 km are easy, 73 km are of medium difficulty, 18 km are difficult;
- In addition, there is an opportunity to try the Sella Ronda slopes, which unite several resort areas and extend over 1000 kilometers (a “Dolomite super-ski” ski pass is required);
- There are 53 lifts in the Val di Fassa region;
- If you plan to actively engage in snowboarding, then it is better to stay in Canazei, since there is a snow park with a halfpipe and boardercross.
After an active day, in the resorts of Val di Fassa you can relax in the numerous spa and wellness centers. Many spa complexes can be found right next to hotels. So, in Terme Dolomia (located in the town of Pozza di Fassa) you can try the healing power of mineral springs, mud therapy, balneotherapy, thermal pools, showers, waterfalls, salt caves, various types of massages and spa treatments. Beauty salon services are also offered here.
In addition, Pozza di Fassa is also home to the QC Terme Dolomiti Spa and Vidor Water Park; in Canazei there is a family aquatic entertainment center called Dolaondes; in Campitello you can find a sports club and beauty salon at the Gran Chalet Soreghes hotel; the Terra and Aqua spa and other wellness areas at hotels in Moena, Vigo and Soreghes are also can be found.
In addition to traditional skiing and spa relaxation, Val di Fassa also offers other entertainment, for example, the resorts have sports centers where you can practice tennis, football, baseball, volleyball, rock climbing on artificial climbing walls, mini -golf, etc. Thus, such sports centers as “Ischia” (in Campitello), “Vigo di Fassa” (in Vigo), “Navalge” (in Moena) are open here. In the fresh air, you can master 28 hiking routes, snowshoeing, sledding and tobogganing, paragliding, and cross-country skiing.
In general, I can conclude that holidays in the Val di Fassa are very diverse, and local resorts offer a large number of entertainments for every taste, be it active sport or relaxation. The resort ski slopes are considered to be one of the best in the region of Dolomites; it is also possible to combine skiing in Val di Fassa with skiing in other regions using a special ski pass “Dolomiti superski“, which, in turn, opens up opportunities for exploring new ski areas.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Italy, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Sjaak Kempe
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…