One of few ski resorts in Italy, where skiing is possible during the whole year ( thanks to the glacier ) is located in unique valley of Rio Senales.
On the area of just few kilometres the river goes down from over 2000 m to reach about 500 m near Naturno. The surrounding peaks far exceed the altitude of 3000 m, which gives even more
impression to the overall views. The highest peak here, Palla Bianca ( WeissKugel ) 3756 m is a popular destination of alpine skiing and hiking as well as other high peaks, which are the part of Ötztal Alps on the border with Austria. The other side of the mountains features famous Austrian summer ski resort Soelden.
Ötztal gave also the name to a peculiar finding in Similaun Mountain – over 5 000 years old mummy of male hunter, commonly referred as Ötzi.
In Archeoparc in Madonna di Senales one can see the interactive exhibition of life in the valley of Neolite people and excavation works, jet Ötzi himself is on display in South Tyrol Archaeological Museum in nearby Bolzano.
Around 700 years ago Carthusian Monks established the monastery to protect the pilgrims, who follow Val Venosta trail to Bavaria, and according to the story these pilgrims once found the beautiful sculpture of Our Lady, which was placed in the new church in the village called then Madonna di Senales, which is today the main municipality in Val Senales.
The other villages are Certosa ( with monastery ), Monte Catarina, Vernago on the lake and Maso Corto. Vernago ( Vernagt am See ) was not always situated on the lake. In 1950′s the artificial dam was created with irrigation channels ( Waale ) allowing to grow corn around 2000 m abouve sea level. The lake, however, flooded some old village buildings and so in 1970′s the farmers decide to switch more toward tourism. In 1975 the first cable car connected Maso Corto ( Kurzras ) with glacier Garwand. Today Val Senales is a popular all year round ski resort, where in the autumn, before the races many of international teams practice their skills.
The mountains tempt also for various form of climbing and hiking with several small lakes hidden within majestic Alpine peaks. In mid-June the visitors can see another attraction, the crossing of some 3,500 sheep moving to summer pastures in the Sonnenber Mountains. The flock returns back in the autumn. the area adjacent to Val Senales is a territory of Nature Park Gruppo di Tessa with a number of Alpine huts to stay overnight. Only few kilometers away from natural alpine sights is a completely different world. A respected thermal resort Merano with beautiful 19th century buildings, elegant shops and spa facilities.
The area was once under heavy influence of Bavaria and as a part of South Tyrol was a part of Austria Hungary Empire, hence there locations have names both in German and Italian languages, which may look completely different Val Senales – Schnalstal, Maso Corto – Kurzras or Certoza – Karthaus.
