Pontives is located at the junction to the Valgardena road and the road to Ponte Gardena and Laion/Chiusa. This is where the valley narrows in order to get wider farther in the east, merging into an area that is dominated by Ladin language and culture. This little settlement in the north of the homonymous artisan area is located at 1,100 m a.s.l., only 2.5 km from Ortisei, in a central and strategic location.

By the way, the rescue air ambulance Aiut Alpin Dolomites is headquartered in Pontives. When the helicopter of the mountain rescue is flying over the Dolomite peaks in order to help mountaineers in danger, it has probably taken off from Pontives.