Your first day in Val Gardena sets the rhythm for your entire holiday. You have two main opening moves: heading up Seceda (2,518m) for the sunny panoramas and long cruising runs, or tackling Ciampinoi (2,254m) for World Cup terrain and direct Sellaronda access.
The Short Answer
Choose Seceda if: You are an intermediate skier who loves long, wide cruising runs and wants to ease into your holiday with stunning scenery.
Choose Ciampinoi if: You are an advanced skier eager to test your legs on steep blacks or want to jump immediately onto the Sellaronda circuit.
Seceda: The Panorama Giant
Seceda is the most photographed mountain face in the Dolomites. Accessible via the cable car from Ortisei center (or the Col Raiser gondola from Santa Cristina), it feels like a separate kingdom high above the valley.
The Vibe: Wide-open, sun-drenched alpine meadows with the jagged Odle peaks looming overhead. The atmosphere is relaxed and scenic. It is not about how many laps you do—it is about the journey down.
Seceda Cable Car
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Key Runs
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La Longia: The star attraction. At 10.5 km long with a 1,283m vertical drop, it runs from the summit all the way down to Ortisei. This Red run feels like an endless journey through canyons and past frozen waterfalls.
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Gardenissima: A 6+ km Red run heading toward Santa Cristina. It is famous for hosting the world’s longest giant slalom race and offers wide carving terrain perfect for getting your ski legs back.
Seceda faces south, making it the perfect choice for morning sun—especially in December and January when the valley floor is still shaded. The light on the Odle peaks before 10:00 is spectacular for photography.
Ciampinoi: The Sellaronda Gateway
Rising directly above Selva to 2,254m, Ciampinoi is the pounding heart of Val Gardena’s ski network. It is the main junction connecting the valley to the Sellaronda (both Orange and Green directions), making it a bustling hub for serious skiers.
The Vibe: High energy and technical. This is where the circuit skiers pass through and where the World Cup racers train. The runs are steeper, harder, and busier than Seceda.
Ciampinoi Gondola
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Key Runs
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Saslong: The legendary World Cup Downhill course dropping 839m over 3.4 km. Even if you don’t race it, the famous “Camel Humps” are a test of nerve.
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Ciampinoi 3: A technical Black run that hosted the Giant Slalom World Championships in 1970. It often gets icy in the afternoon—a true test of edge control.
Ciampinoi is a major intersection. The gondola from Selva can develop significant queues between 09:30 and 11:00 as Sellaronda skiers pass through. Arrive before 09:00 to avoid the rush.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Seceda | Ciampinoi |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Altitude | 2,518m | 2,254m |
| Primary Difficulty | Red (Intermediate) | Black (Expert) |
| Longest Run | La Longia (10.5 km) | Saslong (3.4 km) |
| Sellaronda Access | No (requires transfer) | Direct Access |
| Best For | Scenery & Cruising | Steep Skiing & Circuit |
| Crowds | Moderate | High (Main Hub) |
| Afternoon Conditions | Can get icy (north-facing lower) | Softer snow (sunny lower slopes) |
Our Recommendation
If this is your very first day of the trip, we recommend starting at Seceda. The wide slopes allow you to warm up your technique without the pressure of steep, crowded bottlenecks. Plus, the view of the Odle peaks is the perfect welcome to the Dolomites.
Save Ciampinoi for day two, once your legs are ready for the vertical drop of the Saslong and the mileage of the Sellaronda.
Local Insider Tip: If you want a hidden gem, the run connecting Col Raiser down to Santa Cristina is often overlooked but offers excellent skiing away from the main traffic. It is the perfect warm-up before committing to the full La Longia descent.
