Santa Caterina nestles in the basin that opens out between Mount Tresero, at the far southern end of the Ortles-Cevedale range, and the Confinale, a mountain from which one can gaze out over an uninterrupted series of Alpine peaks that stretch as far as the eye can see. The houses stand close to one another, a charming collection in which houses in wood alternate with stone roofs, and the slopes around the town are covered with a thick forest of conifers. Santa Caterina Valfurva still has many examples of rural architecture, with buildings made entirely of wood going back to the 16^ century and more recent constructions of stone and wood or made entirely of stone.
There are more than 500 examples of these "Alpine herdsman's cottages" in Valfurva alone. Santa Caterina is situated in the heart of the Stelvio National Park, where respect for nature becomes a chance to enjoy the myriad nuances in each season of the year. During the summer, visitors can try different kinds of excursions: from walks along paths through the woods to alpine climbs up towards the peaks of the Ortles-Cevedale range.
The Forni glacier can be admired by visitors in all its majesty and unchanging grandeur: a white, apparently immobile ocean. The glacier extends for about 13 km square into the valley of the same name north of Santa Caterina Valfurva and crossing it is necessary on many climbs. For its length, and for the peculiarities of its landscape and events in its history, it has been one of the most visited and studied glaciers in the Alps since the days of the Abbot Stoppani, who dedicated a chapter of his Bel Paese to it.
Winter comes early to Santa Caterina; its mantle of snow transforms the meadows into ski runs and attracts skiing enthusiasts onto the slopes that seem to be specially designed by nature to enhance the skiers' technical qualities. This ski-area has already hosted important races for the World Ski Championships in recent years and it features a great variety of scenary: from the ski slopes going through the woods, to the steep slope near the peaks, and to the gentle descent from an altitude of more than 2.700 metres at its highest point, down to the valley, with the sun that accompanies the skiers as far as the town in spring.
Santa Caterina Valfurva - surrounded by nature
Bormio to Santa Caterina Valfurva Distance
 | Bormio SO, Italy |
 | 1. | Head east on Via Stefano Morcelli toward Via Don Giovanni Bosco | go 381 ft total 381 ft |
 | 2. | Turn right to stay on Via Stefano Morcelli | go 39 ft total 420 ft |
 | 3. | Turn left at Via Ezio Vanoni/ Continue to follow SS300 About 13 mins | go 7.3 mi total 7.3 mi |
 | Santa Caterina di Valfurva, Valfurva SO, Italy |
The wonders of the Alta Valtellina - The magic of snow
A third new ski-lift, the Bormio-Bormio 2000 cablecar, was built last year and replaces the Bormio-Bormio 2000 cablecar, which was constructed in 1969. The Oga-Valdidentro district is the ideal place for those who want to ski without stress, down gentle slopes that are always well covered with snow. The maximum altitude is 2.625 metres with 10 ski-lifts and no less than 30 kilometres of ski slopes.
Santa Caterina Valfurva is the domain of competitive skiers, who are spoilt by the maniacal care lavished on the slopes, which are always in perfect condition with plenty of snow and are often enlivened by the presence of numerous Ski Clubs. The maximum difference in height is around 1.000 metres, from 2.725 to 1.740 metres; From 2004/2005 season, two new cabin-cars for eight will be serving the 40 kilometres of ski slopes connecting Santa Caterina Valfurva to the valle dell'Alpe at an altitude of 2.725 metres.
Livigno, which is reached via the S.S. 301 road, welcomes enthusiastic skiers with its slopes that face different directions, so that it is always possible to ski in the sun, even on the shortest days, from early morning until sundown. The ski-lifts are right up to date: 3 cablecars, 14 chair lifts, 16 ski-lifts, making a total of 33 lifts with an hourly capacity for 46.460 people; the overall difference in height is 1.200 metres (1.800-3000 metres). The 115 kilometres of ski slopes are suitable for skiers with very varied technical abilities and an extensive snow making system is available.
