The Gardena Pass covers summer ski-lifts and buses within the Val Gardena area (Sella refuge to Ortisei). The 2008 price is €60 per person – for 6 consecutive days (activated on its first use) of the lifts. The free accompanying bus pass is valid for 7 days (not 6). There is also a 3-day Gardena Pass for €48.
They can be purchased from the tourist offices, the Ciampinoi cable-car office, and some hotels (if you are a guest). One person can purchase a number of passes. The instructions say you should carry photo identity with you when using the pass.
The pass consists of two cards; one for buses, one for lifts.
Put the bus pass into the ticket machine as you get on the bus, telling the driver where you want to go (you don't have to, but the driver can't tell you you're on the wrong bus if he doesn't know where you're going).
The lift pass should be waved in front of the detector at the gate – do not put it in the slot which is for single tickets only. The lift passes are coloured according to gender.
The lift pass can't be used on lifts in the adjoining valleys, but it may get you a discount on the tickets there.
The bus pass, officially the Mobilcard Est, is also available separately for €15 for 7 days.
If you're staying in Val Gardena, the Mobilcard Est can be used to and from Bolzano, Castelruth, and Siusi in the west; Gardena Pass, Colfusco, Corvara (+ Falzarego Pass, Sare', S. Cassiano, La Villa) in the east; Sella, Pordoi Pass, Arabba, Canazei (+ Penia, Alba, Fedaia Pass/Lake) in the southeast.
It is valid on the Val Gardena Express, on the Selva Summerbus, on the Ortisei Summerbus, on the Sellaronda, and on the Carosello della Dolomiti, but not the Val Gardena Night Bus (which had a standard €3 fare in 2008).
It can also be used as a transport card for - according to its brochure - the train and bus services between Bolzano and San Candido (Innchen); bus routes from the Pusteria and Isarco valleys to the Sciliar plateau, as well as on the Rio Pusteria-Maranza ropeway and the urban bus network in Bolzano, Bressanone and Brunico.
It is not valid on Trasporti Trentino buses, which you may encounter in the Canazei area (Fassa Valley) to the south.
Lance Chilton and Marengo 2009
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