Partnering with Local Associations: Why Supporting Ortisei’s Firefighters, Sports Clubs and Cultural Festivals Matters to Us

If you’re looking for a stay that feels rooted in place, partnering with local associations makes all the difference. At Classic Hotel am Stetteneck in Ortisei, partnering with local associations isn’t a slogan—it’s how we ensure quality, reduce traffic, and strengthen our valley’s craftsmanship and economy. Here’s how that commitment benefits our community and enriches every guest experience.

What “partnering with local associations” means here

Partnering with local associations is our way of aligning hospitality with community. In South Tyrol, artisans belong to a global elite—especially in woodcraft—and many local service providers have been pioneers in their fields. By collaborating closely with them, we:

• Ensure exceptional quality in renovations, furnishings, and specialist services.
• Reduce traffic through short supply chains and on-site expertise.
• Support the regional economy and craftsmanship, so skills and traditions thrive.

We maintain long-standing collaborations with South Tyrolean craftsmen for renovation and construction. Our interiors are furnished with high-quality materials crafted and delivered by local artisans. And because local experts excel, we consciously outsource services to trusted partners such as the mountain bike school, ski school, ski rental, and the Catores mountaineering school.

Our commitment in Ortisei: firefighters, sports clubs, and cultural events

Community is strongest when safety, sport, and culture are all supported. We proudly back:

• The fire department in our valley.
• Local sports clubs, including the ski club and hockey club.
• Cultural initiatives, such as Unika and the Gherdëina art biennale.

Beyond sponsorships, we engage with culture in practical ways: we support cultural events financially and purchase artworks, and our rooms, corridors, and common areas showcase paintings, sculptures, and drawings by artists connected to the Dolomites. Through Val Gardena Active, we help organise visits to local sculptors and carvers, offering guests respectful access to living traditions.

Creating tangible benefits for locals and employees

Sustainable hospitality includes social wellbeing. Our approach includes:

• Val Gardena Club Card partnership: card-holding locals and employees receive discounts at the bar and spa.
• Social projects: we support integration of employees with disabilities and offer internships.
• Volunteer involvement: as a family, we contribute to local organisations including the Hotel- and Restaurant Association (HGV), the local tourism association, the GSTC: Green Team, the Ortisei Energy Team, and Familiam.

We see our team as hosts whose passion shapes each stay. By valuing, supporting, and encouraging employees, we foster a workplace that benefits both staff and guests.

Crafted locally: from renovations to outdoor adventures

Partnering with local associations goes beyond building and décor. It also powers the outdoor experiences Val Gardena is known for:

• In cooperation with the MTB School St. Ulrich, guests enjoy free rental of well-maintained mountain bikes and guided MTB tours with a certified instructor.
• Through the same partnership, e-bikes and full-suspension bikes can be hired at preferential rates.
• Cyclists have access to a video-monitored, locked bike room, a dedicated wash station, and an on-site e-bike charging station. A laundry service for cycling apparel is available for a fee.
• With Val Gardena Active, guests join organised hikes, bike outings, and cultural excursions that connect them naturally with local landscapes and people.

These collaborations help sustain local skills and sports culture—and they give guests seamless, high-quality experiences in every season.

Culture you can see and feel

Art and craft aren’t abstract concepts here—they’re part of your surroundings. Throughout the hotel you’ll find works by local and international artists with ties to the Dolomites. We also purchase artworks and support cultural events, ensuring that creativity remains a living force in the valley. With organised visits to sculptors and carvers, guests meet artisans where they work and learn how tradition evolves over time.

Sustainable mobility and community-friendly travel

Local partnerships also make mobility smarter:

• Public transport in South Tyrol is well-developed, with half-hourly services that make it easy to explore without a car.
• From Ortisei, cable cars lead to Alpe di Siusi, Seceda, and Rasciesa in the Puez-Odle Nature Park.
• Frequent buses run between St. Ulrich and Wolkenstein, helping guests travel comfortably while reducing traffic in the valley.

Community-friendly choices continue at mealtimes and on the trails. We offer fresh drinking water free of charge at every table. We do not prepare packed lunches, encouraging guests to dine at managed huts and pastures to support local businesses and avoid unnecessary packaging. Our guided hikes and snowshoe tours are planned to steer clear of crowded hotspots whenever possible, ensuring a more tranquil and sustainable experience for everyone.

These efforts sit within a broader sustainability journey marked by the Sustainability Label South Tyrol Level 3 and GSTC recognition.

How partnering with local associations enhances your stay

When community thrives, your holiday does too. Here’s how guests benefit directly:

• Better quality, inside and out: locally crafted furnishings, expert-led activities, and top-tier outdoor partners.
• Richer cultural immersion: artworks on-site, events we support, and guided visits to artisans via Val Gardena Active.
• Effortless adventure: free MTB rentals and guided tours, plus preferential e-bike rates through our local MTB school partner.
• Smoother, greener mobility: easy access to cable cars and frequent buses to explore the Dolomites without a car.

And after a day in the valley, you can unwind in our bright sun-lit indoor pool with large arched windows, sauna, herbal steam bath, and infrared cabin.

Quick reference: where our support goes

FAQs about partnering with local associations

Which local associations does the hotel support?

We support the fire department, ski club, hockey club, Unika, and the Gherdëina art biennale.

How does this partnership show up in the hotel?

You’ll see artworks throughout the property, have access to cultural visits via Val Gardena Active, and benefit from expertly run outdoor services delivered by local partners.

Do locals and employees receive any hotel benefits?

Yes. As a partner of the Val Gardena Club Card, we grant card-holding locals and employees discounts at the bar and spa.

What cycling services are available through local partnerships?

Free mountain bike rental and guided tours with a certified instructor via the MTB School St. Ulrich, plus preferential rates for e-bikes and full-suspension bikes, and secure on-site facilities.

How does the hotel promote sustainable mobility?

We highlight South Tyrol’s well-developed public transport with half-hourly services, frequent valley buses, and easy access to cable cars from Ortisei, so guests can forgo using a car.

Practical ways to support local associations during your stay

• Join Val Gardena Active hikes, bike outings, and cultural excursions.
• Travel car-free using buses and cable cars from Ortisei.
• Experience culture first-hand by visiting local sculptors and woodcarvers.
• Dine at managed mountain huts instead of packing lunches, supporting local businesses and reducing waste.
• Choose responsible routes: opt for guided hikes that avoid crowded hotspots.
• Shop thoughtfully: purchase locally crafted items and artworks that keep traditions alive.

Conclusion: Community roots, unforgettable stays

Partnering with local associations is how we turn a stay into a shared success—for guests, for artisans and athletes, and for the Ortisei community we’re proud to call home. If you value authentic culture, expert-led outdoor adventures, and travel that gives back, you’ll find it all here in Val Gardena.

Ready to plan your stay? Contact Classic Hotel am Stetteneck, Str. Rezia 14, 39046 Ortisei. Tel. +39 0471 796563 • info@stetteneck.com • www.stetteneck.com

For related reads, explore our Sustainability insights, Val Gardena Active experiences, Bike Special, and Winter & Relax offers.