Ortisei

For me, driving the passes, especially the Gardena Pass, is always number one on my list. It looks like a number of cable cars will be running as of 12/3/16, so I'd be doing those also.

www.valgardena.it/en/hiking-biking/walking-trekking/lifts/

Paul

I was there is early December 2 years ago, and there was skiing above Selva, and that was a light early snow year.

I've been looking at some cable cars like Mont Seuc, and most of the pictures look like summer. What do you find at the top in December? Do you have favorite cable car runs? I'm not familiar with the area, and I'm uncertain where the cable cars take you compared to where cars can go in the Val Gardena. Thanks for your help.

It was hikeable in early December when I was there 2 years ago. Some old snow from an early season storm, but still not winter. 30 days from now, who knows?

My favorite thing to do in Ortisei is having lunch at El Tubladel. Not cheap but worth it.

It is certainly worth going up to Mont Sëuc for the view and hiking if it is dry. You can hike any time of the year if the lift is open. We like to walk from Mont Sëuc to Compatsch, ride the lift down to Sius and take the bus back to Ortisei. But you have to check locally on opening.... I see some lifts are scheduled to open Dec, 3 but they are not all posted.

On the Val Gardena website they have live webcams of some of the areas that the cable cars bring you to.
There are 3 lifts/cable cars in the town of Ortisei that each bring you somewhere different. At the top of Seceda there will most definitely be plenty of snow, it is already snow covered and I imagine there will be skiing there in early Dec as well.
Alpe Di Suisi where the cable car drops you off not positive if snow yet but imagine there will be when you go and walking around this area would be enjoyable all seasons.

For me that is the top thing to do, ride the lifts/cable cars and walk around seeing the breathtaking views all around you.
Also at the lift/cable car top there are cafes to grab a drink/something to eat while you admire the view so you don't have to be a hiker at all to enjoy them.
As far as driving the mountain passes, since I did not care for it in nice weather, fairly certain I would have no interest in doing that in Dec but to each there own.

2 nights means you really only have 1 full day, so other than riding a cable car or two you don't have time for anything else.
Take the cable car to Alpe Di Suisi, walk around see the views from there and then the other half of the day do the same with the even better view by taking the cable car up to the top of Seceda.

Thank you, everyone who has responded. You were all helpful. I have a much better idea now of what's atop the lifts and where to go.

Most hotels will give guests at check in a pass that offers free bus rides in the area so from Ortisei you can reach nearby towns St. Christina or Selva free of charge for example.
They also sell at the front desk typically day and multi-day passes for the lifts/cable cars. The pass is usually a good value if taking more than one cable car/lift and the pass works on all lifts in Val Gardena towns not just Ortisei.
If your hotel or place of stay does not sell them they can be purchased at the lifts.

Many of the hotels have other perks like free bike rentals, guided walks/hikes, activities for kids, etc....
Additionally many have a meal plan with excellent food at a cost not much different than rooms booked without meals included.
We stayed at Hotel Genziana just recently and I was quite shocked by the high level of service/luxury and overall value for everything included.