With red dye laser excitation, site-selective upconversion properties of three Ho3+ centres (C,,, C,,, and dimer) in CaF, : 0.1 at% Ho3+ crystals are studied. The energy level diagrams for the three centres are deduced from the spectral data. The excited state absorption from the 51, level plays a very important role in the upconversion coming from C,, and C3" centres, whereas the ground state absorption of 'I, dominates for that from the dimer centre. The upconversion of C,, and C,, centres is explained by a sequential two-photon excitation mechanism. For the dimer centre, the predominant upconversion mechanism is energy transfer.