Col Raiser Dolomites Hotel
Val Gardena, Italy
The Personalities
Alpine purists. High-altitude hikers and climbers. Winter sport enthusiasts. Seekers of silence and authentic South Tyrolean culture looking for an elevated mountain sanctuary directly on the slopes..
Moments
Pure high-alpine air. Morning mist drifting across the needle-like Odle peaks. Stepping directly onto quiet trails before the world wakes up. Sunset casting the Enrosadira across the cliff faces, turning raw rock to rose pink. Nightfall bringing deep, absolute silence over the mountain. Floating in a heated outdoor whirlpool high above the clouds as dusk settles.
Best Visiting Months
From June through October, the high terrain awakens with alpine wild flowers, climbing, sunrise walks, and direct access to the iconic Seceda ridgeline. From December to April, the plateau transforms into a pristine winter sanctuary featuring direct ski-in and ski-out access to the Dolomiti Superski network, snowshoeing, winter hiking, and peaceful snowy landscapes. Every season reveals a distinct perspective of the UNESCO-protected Dolomites.
COST
Why Stay
Situated as one of the few high-altitude hotels in the heart of the Puez-Odle Nature Park in Val Gardena at 2,106 meters above sea level, Col Raiser occupies an incredible UNESCO World Heritage site. You don't just visit the Dolomites. You wake up in them, walk into them, and, after the last gondola leaves, have them almost entirely to yourself. Once the daily cable car ceases operation, a rare sense of quietude settles over the mountain as day visitors depart and only hotel guests remain.
Family-run by the Schenk family for three generations, the intimate retreat offers genuine mountain hospitality away from valley crowds with only 15 individually designed rooms and suites. The architecture pairs traditional Alpine warmth with contemporary interiors, natural wood, and handcrafted details. Guests also discover the hotel's private collection of 20th-century Alpine paintings and sculptures, offering a quiet cultural narrative amidst the high peaks.
Wellness revolves around a dedicated area complete with an indoor pool, Finnish sauna, steam bath, relaxation room, and a heated outdoor whirlpool overlooking the Sassolungo. The tranquil high-altitude setting ensures pure mountain air and an unhurried, restorative pace far away from the valley crowds.
Why Wander
Step directly outside to reach the Seceda ridgeline in early morning solitude, or set off along countless hiking and climbing routes traversing the Puez-Odle Nature Park. Scattered across these trails and slopes are small, rustic private huts that offer authentic mountain shelter and local hospitality during summer treks or winter ski days.
In winter, ski directly into the Dolomiti Superski network with over 1,200 kilometers of slopes. From sunrise walks to technical climbing, the area embraces slow mountain exploration over high-intensity sports, encouraging guests to restore mind and body through natural movement, pure high-altitude air, and the deep stillness of the peaks.
Indulge In
Refined South Tyrolean cuisine crafted by Chef Rita Schenk. Bringing decades of culinary experience enriched by stages in renowned Michelin-starred kitchens and encounters with celebrated European chefs, including Andreas Caminada and Hans Haas, Chef Rita crafts a daily changing gourmet dinner showcasing regional producers, mountain herbs, homemade pasta, and seasonal ingredients. Meals are paired with exceptional South Tyrolean and Italian wines, enjoyed in the dining room or on the panoramic terrace overlooking the dramatic limestone peaks.
Getting There
Col Raiser is located above Santa Cristina, Val Gardena, in the Italian Dolomites. The Col Raiser gondola is the only regular way to reach the hotel, creating an intentional boundary between the valley below and the mountain above. Guests leave their cars at the valley station parking area and ascend by cable car directly into the sanctuary. The nearest airports are Bolzano, Innsbruck, Verona, and Venice.
Wild Initiatives
Rooted in small-scale hospitality with only 15 rooms, the hotel minimizes environmental impact through careful stewardship of the surrounding alpine environment within the protected Puez-Odle Nature Park. The car-free high-altitude location encourages slow travel, eliminating vehicle traffic on the mountain. Seasonal menus prioritize regional ingredients sourced through close partnerships with local farmers and artisan producers, while family stewardship across three generations ensures the preservation of traditional Alpine culture and mountain heritage.