The Group of Sella is one of the most popular resorts to practise freeride and skialp: ist gullies, its canyons and the wide plateau of the Mesules are a great attraction for the lovers of this sport, especially for the most expert.  In this page you can find the description of three very popular gullies in the Group of Sella.

The first is the Holzer Gully, a steep canyon that from the top of Sass Pordoi, west to the cableway station and Refuge Maria (2950m), goes down until Lasties Valley. The complete descent until Pian Frataces implies a difference in height of around 1800 meters and the snow conditions are often changeable, due to the aperities of the track: in case of of heavy snowfalls the discent shouldn't show any problem, except for the danger of avalanches, that in this area could be dangerous; in case of cold climate and scarsity of snow the gully is not recommandable: ice and rocks make it almost unpracticable. It is recommandable to equip yourself with a climbing rope. The sight from the beginning of Holzer Gully is so striking that the ones who are not used to face an incline over 45° could have some problems. Aftre 600 meters you'll reach the eastern part of Lasties Valley; the last part of the track is easier and stretches through a wood with a rather soft incline; the end si by the Refuge Lupo Bianco, in Pian Fraraces (1850m).

Photos Holzer Gully - Group of Sella

Another popular freeride tour in the Group of Sella is Joel Gully, a steep canyon that from Sass Pordoi reaches the war memorial on Pordoi Pass; the starting point lies east to the Forcella Pordoi (2829m), just on the western side of Punta Joel. The difference in height is around 700 meters and the track is a little easier that the one of Holzer Gully. The width of the trackm is around 5-6 meters, except in the narrow passage in the central part, where it's around 1-2 meters. Due to its southern exposure the snow conditions are often very good; in spring it is necessary to pay attention to probably sags and little avalanches. At the end of the Gully you'll reach the wide slopes of Pieralocia, at the feet of Sass Pordoi; in a few minutes you can reach Pordoi Pass.

Photos Joel Gully - Group of Sella

The last freeride tour in the Group of Sella is the Valle delle Fontane, a steep gully that from the top of Piz Boè (3152m) reaches the slopes of Pordoi Pass. The difference in height is notable (900 meters) and the final part of the track is particulary difficult: at the end of the gully  it is recommandable to turn right, avoiding the other passage that leads to an iced waterfall that requires crampons and ice axes. A breathtaking freeride tour in the middle of a wonderful mountain landscape.

A special thanks for the photos and the infos to www.skiforum.it