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Hello, traveling friends! I am Pilar, a travel lover and mother of two wonderful children, with a passion for motorhome and family trips throughout Europe.

Today I bring you a special, fun and adventure-filled story about our recent getaway to Zoldo Valley, a magical corner in the heart of the Dolomites in Italy that our It has totally stolen the heart forever.

La Val di Zoldo: a valley full of peace and tranquility

Zoldo Valley It is a unique valley in the Dolomites, where the essence of family and culture are kept alive. Imagine a place with friendly people, postcard landscapes, tranquility, peace, many leisure and activity options and of course, the best ice cream in the world! That place is Val di Zoldo, world capital of artisan ice cream and capital of tranquility and familiarity in the Dolomites.

Summary:

Feature	Detail
Environment	Family and quiet
Culture	Rich in traditions
World specialty	Handmade ice creams
Activities that can be done in winter:	Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, snowshoe excursions, horseback riding in the snow, snowmobile excursions, ice skating, Christmas market...
Activities that can be done in summer:	Climbing, trekking to Mount Civeta, horseback riding, visiting the Museum of Iron and Nails...

Where is it and how to get there from Spain

The Val di Zoldo in Italy It is located in the territory of the Veneto Region, in the province of Belluno, its main population is in Forno di Zoldo and in Pecol in winter, right in the heart of the Dolomites, World Heritage Site.

In own vehicle

From Barcelona, ​​it is 1300 km and almost 12,5 hours of driving, but every kilometer is worth it!

From	Destination	Distance and Time
Barcelona	Val di Zoldo, Italy	Approx. 1300 km / 14 hours of driving

In this case we do not advise you to take ferry, From Barcelona you can go to Civitavecchia by ferry but the journey takes almost 24 hours and then you will also have to drive 8 hours to reach the Dolomites.

Why visit the Val di Zoldo, at the foot of Monte Civetta

Winter en Zoldo Valley It is synonymous with pure tranquility, quality snow, and ideal ski slopes for the family. Here, everyone will find their corner of happiness, whether skiing, ice skating or enjoying a horseback ride among snowflakes. It is a paradise for families who like snow and tranquility, getting away from the crowds of other valleys in the Dolomites.

Advantages	Description
Peace of mind	Away from crowds with an atmosphere of total relaxation
Snow quality	Perfect snow for skiing and other family winter activities
Variety of tracks	Ideal for all levels, from beginners to experts.

Y In summer, you will find the same quiet and familiar valley but full of intense green and ice cream parlors that will delight you.

Mount Civetta

Few famous mountains of the Dolomites, preserve an atmosphere of solitude and silence, where its imposing walls make you feel tiny before its greatness.

The Civetta mountain range, with its 3220 meters, is a clear example of this rare beauty in the middle of the Dolomites.

Although hundreds of hikers walk its routes every year, such as the well-known Alta Vía number 1, you can still find moments of solitude and feel small but connected to this incredible world of paths, alpine trails, via ferratas and climbing routes that reward the effort with intense emotions.

In the world of mountaineering, The north wall of Civetta is known as "The wall of walls" or “La parete delle pareti” for its numerous and challenging climbing routes.

What to do and what to see in the Val di Zoldo in winter: 9 essentials

Below, we share our experience with you, taking advantage of every moment in the Val di Zoldo during our Christmas getaway to the Dolomites. It was an experience where we discovered how amazing this valley is, full of peace but also a wide variety of leisure and fun activities for the whole family.

In this video we show you what to see and do in the Val di Zoldo in winter, and then you can read the details of where and how to do each proposed plan.

 Skiing in the Civetta domain, ideal for families

If you like skiing and mountains, the resorts Val di Zoldo ski They are the perfect place. Here you will find many different tracks within the large Civetta ski area. Not only will you be able to ski, but you will also fall in love with the beautiful mountains Mount Civetta and Mount Pelmo.

Val di Zoldo has chairlifts in Pecol and Palafavera. It is part of a larger ski area called Owl, what's wrong with it 72 km of slopes. These tracks are part of the Dolomiti Superski, one of the largest ski areas in the world with 1200 km of slopes in 12 different places in the Dolomites.

At the Ski Civetta domain, you can ski between 1300 and 2400 meters high. There are 72 km of slopes connecting different ski areas such as Val di Zoldo, Alleghe and others. This area is large, not crowded and has long trails that take you to beautiful places and charming little towns.

In particular, the Val di Zoldo Ski Area has about 21 km of slopes offering you incredible views of the snow-capped mountains, from the impressive Pelmo to the Civetta and Moiazza ranges.

A summary:

Keyword	Description
Val di Zoldo ski	Ski area with varied slopes within the Civetta ski area
Mount Civetta and Mount Pelmo	Beautiful Dolomites mountains with their characteristic peaks
Dolomiti Superski	One of the largest ski areas in the world with 1200 km of slopes, including the Civetta domain and the Val di Zoldo ski area.
Ski Civetta	Ski area with 72 km of slopes between 1300 and 2400 meters high
Val di Zoldo Ski Area	21 km of slopes with views of snow-capped mountains within the Civetta ski area.

Discover the most famous artisan ice cream in the world and exported internationally

you can't stop Val di Zoldo Italy without trying your famous artisan ice cream. A tradition that has made Italian ice cream world famous!

The history of ice cream in Val di Zoldo is full of brave and hardworking people. This success story began a long time ago, late 1800s, and continues today.

En At that time, the people of Val di Zoldo were already traveling the world selling ice cream. Although we don't know where the original recipe came from, it's clear that these travelers were the first to bring Italian ice cream, one of the most beloved desserts, to the entire world.

The simple ingredients and great skill of these travelers made their ice cream special and of very good quality. That's why, Don't be surprised if you find people from Val di Zoldo selling ice cream in big cities in Spain, Italy or in places like Frankfurt, Tokyo or Buenos Aires.

El home made ice cream is special. Unlike other types, it is made with fresh and natural ingredients such as cocoa, vanilla, milk, eggs, sugar and fresh fruit.

Making artisanal ice cream is an art that requires care when choosing ingredients and skill in mixing them well.

Here I leave you some secrets that the inhabitants of Val di Zoldo have given us to make a delicious ice cream:

1. Select the best raw material.
2. Cook the mixture well.
3. Prepare the machine with ice and salt.
4. Put the mixture in the machine.
5. Mix everything well.

Go snowshoeing under the stars

Snowshoe excursions in Val di Zoldo are becoming a essential experience For those who want to immerse themselves in the serenity and beauty of the landscape winter of this quiet and beautiful valley.

 These activities not only offer a unique opportunity to connect intimately with pristine nature but are also a wonderful and accessible alternative for those who don't ski or are simply looking for a change of pace from the traditional slopes.

Using snowshoes allows you to walk through deep snow without sinking, opening up a world of calm, slow-paced exploration. It is an exceptional way to absorb the fresh winter air, while you immerse yourself in the magical silence of snowy forests and discover hidden corners and spectacular panoramas that often remain invisible to skiers.

The Val di Zoldo area is full of suggestive routes that cross these impressive alpine landscapes, routes that you can do with or without a guide.

Our top recommendation

For those looking for a truly unique experience, The Val di Zoldo tourism consortium organizes snowshoe outings. What we recommend are night outings with snowshoes to see the stars and have dinner in a mountain refuge, the Baita Civetta (Baita means cabin in Italian).  These excursions guided by alpine experts from Guide Alpine, will take you through the stillness of the winter night, under starry skies and surrounded by the imposing landscape of the Dolomites to a unique and easy experience, suitable for all ages and physical conditions of a 2-hour excursion to and from and less than 200 meters of elevation gain.

 Imagine the tranquility of the night as you walk along paths illuminated only by moonlight and headlamps, a truly unforgettable experience with a delicious dinner of regional products at the refuge.

More information and registration place: https://www.valdizoldo.net/

Nordic skiing

Cross-country skiing, or Nordic skiing, is an ancient discipline with origins in the Nordic countries of Europe and that has found a special place in the hearts of sports enthusiasts in the Dolomites. This practice is not only a sport, but also a traditional and harmonious way to explore and enjoy winter landscapes, combining physical exercise with a deep connection with nature.

Nordic skiing is the most traditional sport and one that Val di Zoldo is most proud of. Many skiers from this valley have participated in World Championships, Olympics and other important events, winning many medals.

If you like cross-country skiing or want to learn, Val di Zoldo has many options for you. For example, him Palafavera Fund and Biathlon Center, which since 2017 has artificial snow and is the only place in Veneto where you can practice biathlon.

The center is located in front of Monte Pelmo to 1520 meters high and next to the Palafavera alpine ski slopes.

Its cross-country ski routes are suitable for both classic cross country ski within traces like for cross-country skiing skating. 

At the same time, they are suitable both for beginners to experts of cross-country skiing. There are three tracks, of 3 different difficulties, they have ski rental and teachers.

Learn to shoot in the middle of the snow with Biathlon instructors

At Palafavera Fund and Biathlon Center You can practice or learn biathlon, a type of cross-country skiing that combines knowing how to shoot targets in the middle of a ski race.

A biathlon class, like the one we did, will excite the whole family, for the little ones the targets and distances are adapted.

Further information: http://www.asfondozoldo.com/il-poligono-di-biathlon.html

Taste local delicacies

For lunch or dinner, the shelters, baitas as they call the cabins, and local restaurants await you with delicacies such as 'casunziei'. And don't forget the staple to finish!

At Pecol we can recommend you Baita Ru, where in addition to eating wonderfully you can skate on their ice skating rink after a day of skiing.

In addition, Baita Civetta, in Pecol or the Tana de l’Ors in Forno di Zoldo, are restaurants with a lot of essence of the Dolomites, beautiful and with good local food.

Here I leave you some local foods of the Dolomites that you can taste in the Val di Zoldo:

Ladin plate	Description
Casunziei	Crescent-shaped ravioli, typically filled with red beet and ricotta, served with melted butter and sprinkled with poppy or parmesan cheese.
dumplings	Balls of seasoned bread, mixed with milk, eggs, and sometimes speck or cheese, cooked in broth or served with butter and cheese.
Speck	Tyrolean smoked cured ham, with a distinctive flavor and smoky aroma, often served as an antipasto or used in cooking to flavor various dishes.
Polenta	A basic dish made of cooked cornmeal, often served with cheese, mushrooms, or meat. It can be creamy or hardened and then roasted or fried.
Barley Soup	A comforting soup made with barley, vegetables, and sometimes meat, typical of the region and known for being nutritious and comforting.
Goulash	A spicy meat stew, native to Hungary but popular in the Dolomites, often prepared with paprika, tomatoes, and onions.
Strangolapreti	Spinach gnocchi, often mixed with breadcrumbs and cheese, cooked and served with butter and Parmesan cheese.
Tutres	Dumplings filled with spinach, cottage cheese or cabbage, traditionally steamed and served with melted butter.
Apple strudel	A popular dessert, puff pastry filled with apples, raisins, sugar and cinnamon, heritage of the Austrian influence in the region.
Grappa	Brandy distilled from the pomace of grapes, a strong and clear drink, often enjoyed after meals as a digestive.

Great local recipes

The 'casunziei' They are an emblematic example, crescent-shaped ravioli typically filled with ricotta and melted butter, although they can also contain spinach, potatoes or the tasty wild herbs known as “grìsoi or gameita”.

Speck is a type of cured ham that comes mainly from the Tyrol region, in northern Italy and Austria. It is known for its distinctive flavor that combines smoking and air curing techniques.

As for desserts, don't forget the ice cream from the Val di Zoldo and for the culinary experience to be complete finish with the traditional grappa, traditional Italian brandy.

Ice skating

In the Val di Zoldo you can enjoy skating on authentic ice rinks prepared so you can rent skates and enjoy like a child.

There are two options where you can ice skate as a family:

Baita Ru, in Pecol, which is a restaurant with a skating rink, very close to the cable car of the Val di Zoldo ski resort.

Zoldo Ghiaccio, in Forno di Zoldo, a sports skating rink where the local team plays Hockey, but where it is also open every day to the public until 17 p.m. to rent skates and enjoy ice skating on a large rink.

Visit the Museum of Iron and Nails

In the Val di Zoldo you can also enjoy the history and culture of a valley of humble but hard-working people, with a very own essence that is alive today.

Here, the slopes were marked by excavations, and the constant sound of mallets and hammers, along with the smell of coal smoke, defined the landscape of these mountains.

In Val di Zoldo, villages with names like “Fusine”, “Fornesighe” and “Forno» remember the ancient craft of working iron and making nails of the people of this valley. Despite time, the community has kept history alive, sharing oral and written accounts of the past.

This museum takes us on a journey through individual and collective memory, reconstructing the lives of the “ciodarot” (nail makers) and its forges between the 19th and 20th centuries. He relives events and memories, from the specialization in the production of nails and "shoe tacks" to the slow abandonment of these trades linked to iron. A whole museum that works thanks to the people of these towns in the valley, functioning exclusively with volunteers.

It was said that "Negún fèa ciòdi come in Zoldo" (no one made nails like the Zoldans).

El Museum of Iron and Nails located in Forno di Zoldo is dedicated to them, occupying two floors of the historic Palazzo del Capitaniato that can be visited from July to September every day or on special occasions or arranging a visit at the tourist office in Pecol or Forno di Zoldo, where the museum is located.

Here, you can immerse yourself in the world of these workers, exploring raw materials, tools, and ancient customs. All narrated with images, sounds and texts so that visitors can feel, even for a moment, the atmosphere of that time.

Visit the Pecol Christmas market

If you come during the Christmas holidays, don't miss the beautiful, small and magical Vall di Zoldo Christmas market located in Pecol.

Where to sleep in the Val di Zoldo

During our visit, we stayed four days at the Camping Civetta in Pecol, and we definitely recommend it as the best place to stay in Val di Zoldo. We chose it mainly for two reasons: its location and its services.

Firstly, it is exceptionally located right in front of the cable car to the ski slopes and in Pecol, which is one of the busiest centers in Val di Zoldo with many shops and restaurants.

Second, the campsite offers excellent services. It has modern and clean bathrooms, showers, washing areas, as well as recreation spaces for children and families, perfect for relaxing after skiing in winter. Whether you choose to stay in their apartments, bungalows or pitches for motorhomes and caravans, this campsite is a wonderful option to enjoy Val di Zoldo. You can see all this clearly in the video about what to see and do in Val di Zoldo through our own 4-day experience in the valley.

Official tourism websites of the area

For any questions about this area, do not forget to visit the websites of the official organizations in this area:

• https://www.valdizoldo.net/es/info/el-consorcio-val-di-zoldo
  • https://www.dmodolomiti.it/
  • https://www.provincia.belluno.it/home

Well, friends, this was just a glimpse of what the Val di Zoldo in the Dolomites, Italy, offers. Do you dare to discover more? See you on the slopes! And remember, the Val di Zoldo is not just a winter skiing place, it is an experience that you carry in your heart forever!

Until the next adventure!

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