From 1,000 to 2,177: the hourly passenger capacity that will arrive in just a few minutes from Campitello to Col Rodella in Val di Fassa this winter has more than doubled (and could almost triple in the future) thanks to the 3S lift, set to be the most innovative in Italy. This three-cable gondola lift, which will be inaugurated in December, will replace the historic cable car (opened in 1986) that connected the village to Col Rodella, in the heart of the Val di Fassa - Carezza ski area, at the centre of the Sellaronda and Dolomiti Superski. It is automatically coupled and has 16 cabins that can accommodate up to 30 people each. This is a real revolution in the Val di Fassa (and beyond) lift system, changing mobility even at the bottom of the valley and promoting the flow of skiers heading up the slopes, especially during peak season. Heated seats, large windows to bring the peaks inside every ride, futuristic technology: 3S is an engineering project developed by Dopplmayr for Sitc in Canazei, which, with an investment of over 50 million euros, offers its guests an innovative journey to the wonders of the Dolomites and splendid ski slopes, but also to extraordinary trails and panoramic viewpoints to be discovered in summer: a lift that not only transports people, but also experiences and dreams. However, this is not the only new installation of the season: in the Belvedere ski area in Canazei, the new ten-seater Lezuo gondola lift replaces a chairlift to take passengers from Pont de Vauz to Sas Becè. In the Carezza Dolomites ski area, on the other hand, skiers will find the new ten-seater Franzin gondola lift in place of the historic ski lift, comfortably transporting skiers from Moseralm to Franzin Alm. Finally, in the San Pellegrino Ski Area, the Cima Uomo chairlift has been upgraded from a two-seater to a four-seater. These innovations alone would be enough to liven up more than one winter, but the Val di Fassa in the 2025-2026 season also surprises with major sporting events, activities and experiences for skiers and lovers of snow holidays.
Ski stars light up the valley
When snowflakes whiten the peaks, the spotlight of world sport turns to Val di Fassa. The fate of the Alpine Skiing World Cup for women will be decided in the Ladin valley with the penultimate races of the season: on 7 and 8 March, the La VolatA slope in the Ski Area San Pellegrino will host a downhill and a super-G. In these two crucial challenges, the snow becomes the stage, the athletes take centre stage and the valley, once again, thrills the world. To witness this extraordinary spectacle, you can book a weekend with 50 exclusive seats in the front row and entry to the VIP area on the parterre of La VolatA. A few weeks earlier, also in the San Pellegrino Ski Area, the Ski Cross World Cup will take place: on 30 and 31 January, along a 1,300-metre track, between jumps and parabolic curves, the sixth and seventh races of the season will be held, the last test before the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games. The classic Men's and Women's Snowboard World Cup is also back on the Pra di Tori slope at Passo Costalunga on 18 December, with two parallel giant slalom challenges. Not to be outdone in terms of sporting and media attention are the European Cup men's special slalom, which takes place on 20 December at the Aloch Ski Stadium in Pozza, and the SKILV Cup Val di Fassa competitions, scheduled from 12 to 23 January and from 6 to 27 March. On 25 January, the 53rd Marcialonga di Fiemme e Fassa takes centre stage, while from 13 to 15 March there is the “Scufonèda”, a free heel skiing festival, and on 20 March the Sellaronda Ski Marathon, the world's most famous night-time ski mountaineering race for pairs.
That white beat that wakes you up in the morning
The succession of competitions lights up the winter season in Val di Fassa, the beating heart of alpine skiing. From 29 November, when the first ski lifts open, winter here is lived every day on spectacular slopes. This valley, with its Ladin language and culture, stretches for about twenty kilometres between Moena and Canazei: an authentic embrace for those seeking passion, adventure and nature. Whether you are an expert skier or a slalom novice, a whole world opens up every morning: 210 kilometres of exciting descents in the Val di Fassa - Carezza and Alpe Lusia - San Pellegrino ski areas, which have around eighty modern lifts that can be used with the SmartPass: from this winter, anyone who purchases a ski pass online for both ski areas can choose the SmartPass function. Thanks to the My Dolomiti app, all you have to do is scan the QR code generated at the time of purchase and link it to your smartphone. With Bluetooth Low Energy technology, the turnstiles recognise the ski pass on the user's device, who simply has to keep their smartphone in their pocket. This useful new feature allows you to enjoy hundreds of kilometres of slopes even more, as well as six ski tours, including the legendary Sellaronda, the splendid Skitour Panorama and the new Skitour Trevalli - Dolomiti, between Alpe Lusia and San Pellegrino, which offers a skiing experience spanning several Dolomite areas, as well as exciting ski safaris and various snow parks that enhance freedom. And what about learning or improving with a smile? Five ski schools have been awarded the “Sigillo d'oro” (Golden Seal) for the quality of their teaching, true temples of knowledge on the snow. And for the little ones? There is an enchanted world of nurseries and playgrounds at high altitude and in the valley, where snow becomes a fairy tale.
Val di Fassa celebrates twenty years of ‘Piste Azzurre’
This winter, Val di Fassa celebrates twenty years of collaboration with FISI thanks to the Piste Azzurre project, which sees the valley as the headquarters of the Italian men's and women's national alpine skiing team. It all began after the 2006 Turin Olympics, when a federal centre of excellence was created in Fassa, where Italian skiing champions train on the legendary slopes of the Ladin valley, in particular the Ski Stadium Aloch in Pozza and La VolatA in San Pellegrino, to prepare for the big challenges of the season. A winning synergy between FISI, the Val di Fassa Tourist Board, Dolomiti Superski and Trentino Marketing.
Lara Colturi, Linus Strasser, Emma Aicher: the destination's ambassadors
The Ambassador Pro project (launched in the 2022/23 season) continues, organised by the Val di Fassa - Carezza Consortium (which brings together the various ski areas in the Ladin valley) in collaboration with ApT Val di Fassa, to promote the Val di Fassa tourist destination brand on the international skiing scene. After in-depth scouting, analysis of values, communication figures and recognition in the relevant alpine skiing markets, three top athletes from the World Cup circuit were chosen: Lara Colturi, a very young versatile skier who competes for Albania and has achieved excellent results in the World Cup. She lives and trains for most of the winter in Val di Fassa with her mother Daniela Ceccarelli, father Alessandro Colturi, brother Yuri and all her staff; German slalom skier Linus Strasser, winner in Kitzbühel and Schladming, among others, and Emma Aicher, a young star of German skiing. The Ambassadors' task is to promote, in their respective countries and communities, experiences, culture and local food, sustainable tourism and respect for the environment, which they express through their sporting activities. The visibility of the Pro Ambassadors is not linked to the Val di Fassa logo, but to the narration of experiential values that can be witnessed in combination with training, competitions and life in the valley. A sincere account, therefore, of the quality and enjoyment of the experiences lived in Val di Fassa.
Unforgettable experiences on the snow
In the valley, you can enjoy special sensations from dawn onwards with “Trentino Ski Sunrise”: there are 7 events over three months in each ski area of the valley, with exclusive skiing at sunrise on a freshly groomed slope and a hearty breakfast in a mountain hut based on local products. Those who prefer the sunset should not miss “Enrosadira Time” on 29 December and 5 March: at 2950 metres on Sass Pordoi, you can take the cable car up and then go on a short hike with a mountain guide to admire the ‘enrosadira’, as the Ladins call the phenomenon that sees the mountains, struck by the last rays of the sun, tinged with all shades of pink and red. This natural spectacle ends on a delicious note with a tasting of local gastronomic specialities at the Maria Refuge on the Terrazza delle Dolomiti. In addition to downhill skiing, Val di Fassa offers many other opportunities during a winter stay. Those intrigued by freeriding can enjoy many trails in the Dolomites, to be experienced with alpine skis or snowshoes, winter boots and crampons (depending on snow conditions). These are activities that are best enjoyed in the company of a mountain guide to appreciate every moment, along unusual itineraries that lead to the heart of the mountains. Among the sports to try is undoubtedly cross-country skiing, which allows you to combine outdoor activity, at your own pace, with the immaculate landscapes surrounding, for example, the Marcialonga di Fiemme e Fassa trail or the loops of the Alochet centre at San Pellegrino.
Walks, passions and taste in Val di Fassa
The Dolomite environment in Fassa can also be fully appreciated in (seemingly) simpler experiences, such as winter excursions in the valley, often themed loops around the villages from which they depart and arrive, and at high altitude. This winter, more than fifteen of these trails will be specially groomed to make walking in the snow even more enjoyable, thus meeting the needs of guests who love to explore the area in all its different aspects and corners. The most sincere contact with nature can be experienced with “Forest Bathing”, which can be tried on several occasions in Val di Fassa, even in winter: a forest bath, with expert instructors, awakens all the senses and frees the mind. But you can also be amazed by horse riding on the snow, following wonderful itineraries almost in symbiosis with your horse, or by short tours on horse-drawn sleighs. Those who love to be pampered after days spent in the crisp air of the cold months should not miss the Aloch spring in Pozza, the spa capital of the Dolomites. There are two options available: the Terme Dolomia, renowned for its treatments and therapies (affiliated with the National Health Service), and the QC Terme Dolomiti. This centre covers more than 4,000 square metres of whirlpool baths, Kneipp courses, waterfalls, Japanese baths, steam baths, saunas and bio saunas, salt rooms and massage areas. An event that has been captivating visitors to Val di Fassa for thirty years is the “Dolomiti Ski Jazz” festival: from 6 to 15 March, over twenty concerts, street parades and jam sessions allow visitors to vibrate together with the soul of the Dolomites. Where? Fascinating performances by internationally renowned musicians can be heard on the panoramic terraces of many mountain huts in the Fassa, Fiemme and Cembra valleys, in the town squares as well as in the coolest clubs and theatres. You can explore the villages of the Fassa Valley and discover the unique Ladin culture, shop for typical products and sample the local cuisine. Here, the cuisine will literally leave you speechless thanks to the care taken in selecting the ingredients and the creativity of the chefs who, from mountain huts to taverns to Michelin-starred restaurants, put their heart into every dish.
Il Gioco dei Podi takes you straight to Val di Fassa
Il Gioco dei Podi by Neveitalia, the free competition that tests the knowledge and intuition of alpine skiing enthusiasts, has Val di Fassa as its “name sponsor” for the 2025-2026 season. Those who take part by predicting, race after race, the results of the great champions of the technical and speed disciplines will have the opportunity to win not only the legendary “crystal cup” but also a dream weekend on the snow of Val di Fassa. This exclusive experience will allow the winner to live like an Italian athlete: they will be able to enjoy their stay within a year and choose the date so that they can watch the Italian Alpine Ski Team train, breathing the same atmosphere and sharing the real conditions of their training on the slopes of Val di Fassa. Taking part is easy! All the information can be found at www.giocodeipodi.it.
