Kari,
I answered your PM earlier with some ideas. Interestingly, I recommended you either drive to Selva or stop at the Seiseralmbahn for your adventure. If you go to Selva and take the hike I recommended there, you will pass through Ortisei and can easily stop there on your way back. Great gelato right on the main street, east of Piazza San'Antonio! You might even have time to ride the funicular to Rasciesa, but do the hike from Ciampinoi first (if that is your decision) and see what is left of the day and your energy. You could indeed spend the day in Ortisei riding lifts (there are three right in the town) but probably not have much time for hiking.
FYI, check out the DolomitiSupperSummer Card. You can buy it at the first lift you use and share the points for the family. Note children under 8 are free anyway. You buy 800 or 1400 points and then each use deducts points. So if you use the lift at Ciampinoi, for example, it "costs" 82 points for each person > 8 years old to go up. This points are deducted from the card if you buy the pass. See the chart here. Or you can pay per ride. It can be confusing. Just ask at the lift station and tell them your plan. They will help you figure out if a pass is a good thing.
We'll still be here Saturday. Maybe we'll run into you! Not too many Americans here right now!
