Seiser Alm / Alpe di Siusi Ski Resort Review & Guide

Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi) is a vast ski area within the Val Gardena Ski Resort in the Dolomites, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Sassolungo (Langkofel) and Schlern (Sciliar).

Your impression of Seiser Alm will largely depend on your skill level as a skier. For beginners, it’s a true paradise. The slopes are wide and open, with little to no shade, which means icy patches are rare. Steep runs are virtually nonexistent, and even the red trails feel more like blues.

Read my review to find out whether Seiser Alm is the right ski destination for you. 

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Pros and Cons of Skiing Seiser Alm

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My Impression of the Seiser Alm Ski Resort

Seiser Alm is the best ski resort in the Dolomites for beginners and families with children who are learning to ski.

For seasoned skiers, however, Seiser Alm will likely feel too flat. Looking at the ski map, it seems like there’s plenty of intermediate terrain, but in practice the slope gradients across the plateau consistently feel more like blue runs. Even so, the views of the Sassolungo (Langkofel) Group and Sciliar (Schlern) alone are reason enough to spend a day on the slopes. 

Though I found the skiing altogether underwhelming, I loved experiencing the plateau from a new perspective, seeing how all the areas connect in winter. Prior to this trip, we had visited Alpe di Siusi numerous times in summer and autumn. 

As far as ski resorts go, Alpe di Siusi is unique in that it caters to so many different winter activities, including winter hiking (prepared paths) and cross-country skiing. I was astonished by the sheer number of walkers hiking along perfectly prepared paths across the resort. At times, those trails intersect with the ski slopes, but it’s never bothersome. Staying on the plateau is a great option for travelers who want to partake in numerous activities. 

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Seiser Alm Ski-in Ski-out Accommodation

Personally, I wouldn’t stay in a ski-in ski-out accommodation atop Seiser Alm just for skiing. I’d stay here for the divine winter wonderland views, winter hiking possibilities, cross-country skiing, and the pink sunsets. The best ski-in ski-out hotels are COMO Alpina Dolomites (5-star hotel with on-site ski rental), Hotel Seiser Alm Urthaler (5-star), Hotel Goldknopf (4-star), Hotel Seelaus (4-star), Hotel Paradiso Pure.Living (vegan hotel), Hotel Rosa Eco Alpine Spa (4-star hotel), ICARO hotel (4-star hotel), Sporthotel Sonne (4-star hotel with on-site ski rental), and Hotel Schmung (3-star hotel).

On a previous trip, we stayed in Hotel Steger-Dellai (4-star hotel), which enjoys a quiet  location, set apart from the commotion of Compatsch. We loved the half board dining experience and professional staff. Since our visit, the spa has been renovated. 

If you stay in Seiser Alm and you want to access the greater Val Gardena ski area, you can either ski Pilat (red #8) down to Ortisei. From the valley station, you have to walk across the village to access the Seceda cableways. Alternatively, you can ski down to Saltria and take the bus to Monte Pana (check schedule in advance), which connects to Mont de Sëura and onwards to Ciampinoi. If you plan on utilizing the Monte Pana bus often, consider staying in Saltria in Sporthotel Floralpina (4-star) or Brunelle Seiser Alm Lodge (4-star).

Strong intermediate and advanced skiers should stay in Val Gardena instead (Ortisei, Santa Cristina, or Selva) and ski Seiser Alm along the Val Gardena Ronda ski circuit. These Ortisei accommodations are located close to the Ortisei-Alpe di Siusi ski lift: Hotel Ronce (3-star hotel), Garni Hotel August (3-star hotel), Hotel Garni Walter (3-star hotel), Hotel COSMEA Dolomites (3-star hotel), Rainell Dolomites Retreat (4-star hotel), and Gardena Grödnerhof (5-star hotel).

Because there’s a lift connecting Siusi (Seis) to Compaccio (Compatsch), it’s also possible to base yourself in Siusi in Sensoria Dolomites (adults-only & all-inclusive), Floris Green Suites (tree-house suites), or La Paula Apartments & Suites (apartments) if you want to spent the majority of your vacation skiing Seiser Alm. 

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Alpe di Siusi Ski Season

The Seiser Alm ski season runs from early December through early April. The best times to visit are early December (before the Christmas rush), January (after the holidays), and March. I would avoid February if possible. I skied Seiser Alm in late February and the lift lines were excruciatingly long and the whole experience was frustrating.

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Dolomites Winter Travel & Skiing

Skiing:

• Skiing in the Dolomites
• Ski-in Ski-out Hotels Dolomites
• Cortina d’Ampezzo Ski Resort
• Val Gardena Ski Resort
• Alta Badia Ski Resort
• Kronplatz Ski Resort
• 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort
• Sella Ronda Ski Circuit
• Hidden Valley Run: Lagazuoi to Armentarola
• Carezza Ski Resort
• Latemar Dolomites Ski Resort
• Arabba Marmolada Ski Resort
• Val di Fassa Ski Resort
• San Pellegrino Ski Resort

Winter Travel:

• Dolomites in Winter: Top Things to Do
• Visiting the Dolomites in December

Dolomites Travel:

• Dolomites Travel Guide

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