Not only skiing in Val di Zoldo
Nestling between Mount Pelmo and Civetta, the Val di Zoldo (Zoldo Valley) is one of the most unspoiled destinations in the Dolomites.
The valley still preserves its authenticity and the natural setting is both pristine and to a degree wild, but warm and welcoming. The wide choice of outdoor activities on offer will satisfy the curiosity of adults and kids, guaranteeing a fun-packed holiday in the mountains.
Dotted with characteristic villages, the Val di Zoldo will take you on a journey back in time and, as you stroll among the tabià (barns) and the ancient homes, it almost feels as if time has stood still.
In summer, you can go hiking or try out other activities like rock climbing and horse riding, which will allow you to connect with the mountains and nature. Local Mountain Guides are also on hand to take you to the summit of the two giants of the Dolomites, Pelmo and Civetta, along via ferratas and equipped paths affording breath-taking views.
In winter it’s all about the snow! In the Val di Zoldo there’s something for everyone!
Its slopes are part of the Ski Civetta ski area, so you can enjoy 72 km of pristine runs or treat yourself to a well-earned rest on one of the many sunny terraces of the mountain refuges. At Zoldo you can also ski after dark, experiencing the thrill of racing down the Cristelin or Foppe slopes under a magical starry sky.
In Palafavera you can relax, enjoy the fabulous views and get a bit of exercise all at the same time on the cross-country course, or try some target shooting on the biathlon range under the watchful eye of the specialised instructors.
The Val di Zoldo, with its fresh, powdery snow, is a paradise for adventure seekers who want the adrenaline rush of ski touring, but also for those who move at a slower pace and enjoy more relaxing activities like snowshoeing in the snowy woods.
Whatever the season, no day in Val di Zoldo is complete without a delicious artisan ice cream, still made in the same time-honoured way with the right dose of quality ingredients, passion and wholesomeness.
THINGS TO DO
In 2014 Val di Zoldo was designated a Mountaineering Village or “Bergsteigerdorf” thanks to its authentic character, its culture and traditions which are still very much alive and the beautiful unspoiled nature which surrounds it.
Being a member of the Mountaineering Villages network, found throughout Italy, Germany and Austria, means embracing the three principles of sustainability (environmental, social and economic) and living by the following values:
- stimulation without all the hustle and bustle
- a lively atmosphere but without the noise
- intimacy but with respect
- independent mobility
- enjoyment with no worries.
Val di Zoldo is also home to many important art treasures. It attracted some of the leading artists from Belluno, such as Andrea Brustolon (1662-1732), also known as the ‘Michelangelo of wood’, Valentino Panciera Besarel (1829-1902) and Angelo Majer (1865-1913), whose works adorn churches throughout the valley.
The Zoldo Loop (Anello Zoldano) is a circular hiking trail in several stages invented by Paolo Bonetti and Paolo Lazzarin in 1985. The 70-km route winds its way around the Val di Zoldo at an elevation of 2000 m nearly all the way. There are six stages and, at the end of each one, hikers can stay overnight in a refuge, giving anyone who decides to embark on this spectacular 6-day hike the chance to really connect with the mountains and enjoy the spectacular view of the sun as it rises and sets over the Dolomites from the warmth of the mountain refuge.
In summer the Val di Zoldo is all about getting excited about nature, with endless unspoiled places for you to explore with Mountain Guides or local experts. Check out the dates of the “Cammin@zoldo – get excited by nature” summer activities organised by the Val di Zoldo Tourist Board and sign up for a Dolomite experience you’ll never forget.
The choice of outdoor activities is endless: horse riding, hiking in the Belluno Dolomites National Park, excursions to look for plants and fungi, rock climbing lessons and canyoning, and every year new ones are added.
Kids will also have fun during the Zoldo Bimbo weeks, when woodland gnomes and other magical creatures teach them the secrets of life in the mountains in their own special way.
If you’re the kind of person who never gets tired, why not join us on the floodlit slopes of Pecol, which offers 5 km of fabulous runs and a warm, cosy 12-seater cable car to take you to the top in just five minutes. Come and experience the thrill of skiing at night, where you can enjoy spectacular views of Pelmo and Civetta, the twinkling lights of the valley below and the exhilaration of descending the black Foppe and red Cristelin runs.
When the slopes are open for night skiing, Noleggio Live Civetta ski rental, located near the cable car departure station, is also open. The refuges in the ski area are open in the evening too, so you can take a break and grab something to eat between your runs.
Val di Zoldo is perhaps best-known for its cross-country skiing and, in particular, biathlon. Zoldo has produced numerous local champions over the years and its Palafavera range, the only one of its kind in the region, hosted the retreat for the Italian Biathlon team in 2014 in preparation for the Winter Olympics.
The ‘Pompeo Fattor’ cross-country run, which lies at an altitude of 1550 m, is a real treat for lovers of this particular sport. With loops of varying difficulty, it affords stunning views over Pelmo and Civetta and, if you’ve always fancied biathlon, you can try your hand at target shooting assisted by highly qualified staff.
The Val di Zoldo is one of the valleys in the Dolomites with the most snow, thanks to the unique features of its land, and this makes it the ideal destination for snowshoe walks. In the winter the Val di Zoldo Tourist Board organises snowshoe walks during the day and in the moonlight. The itineraries are carefully chosen by the Mountain Guides who accompany the walkers, offering a variety of routes and different degrees of difficulty to cater to all participants.
Even children will enjoy snowshoeing through the snowy larch trees, where they might come across the magical creatures with their red hats who live in the woods!
The story that links ice cream and the Val di Zoldo is one of people, courage and determination. It is a success story that has grown over the generations and began in the late 19th century when the first people from Zoldo and Cadore set off for northern Europe, taking their ice cream expertise to countries like Germany and Austria.
What makes an ice cream an artisan ice cream are the carefully selected, fresh products: cocoa, vanilla pods, milk, eggs, sugar and fresh fruit. But the real secret which puts the artisan ice cream from Zoldo and Zoppè di Cadore head and shoulders above the rest are the genuine, top-quality ingredients used to produce it.
