Alta Badia in South Tyrol (Italy): 27 tips for a culinary ski holiday

Enjoy a Michelin-star lunch while skiing

Last month I went skiing in Italy for the first time and I can honestly say that South Tyrol has captured a place in my heart. I skied for almost a week on the extensive slopes of Val Gardena and Alta BadiaAlthough I've been skiing for over 30 years (I sometimes joke that it's the only sport I'm really good at), I have to admit I wasn't very familiar with the ski resorts in South Tyrol, also known as "Südtirol." It's a shame, because if you're a foodie like me and enjoy winter sports, you'll want to know this ski resort. In Alta Badia, the sun shines 300 days a year, the slopes are perfectly groomed, and snow is guaranteed all season long. Combine your winter sports with culinary experiences on the slopes, from Michelin-starred restaurants to wine tastings!
Combine your winter sports with culinary experiences on the slopes, from Michelin-starred restaurants to wine tastings!
In this Alta Badia Travel Guide, I share my top tips for this Italian ski resort in South Tyrol. I've supplemented my personal tips with tips from my local guides so you can visit the most beautiful and delicious spots during your winter sports holiday in Alta Badia!

Have fun planning your winter sports holiday in South Tyrol!

| TIP: both Alta Badia as Val Gardena are part of Dolomiti Super Ski. With a single ski pass, you can ski in both areas. I personally recommend spending a few nights in Val Gardena and a few days in Alta Badia so you can explore more restaurants and villages during a week of winter sports in South Tyrol.

CLICK HERE FOR THE VAL GARDENA TRAVEL GUIDE

Travel tips for booking your winter sports holiday to Alta Badia in South Tyrol

► Are you looking for hotels in Alta Badia? Via Booking.com you will find a wide range of options, both in the valley and in hotels located directly on the slopes. Click here to view the offer >>

Several tour operators offer apartments and chalets in Alta Badia. You can find the perfect apartment for your winter sports trip through these providers:
⋙ For example, take a look at AlpenReizen, Snowmania, Chalet.nl of Skichalets.nl.

Prefer to skip the hassle and book a package holiday that often includes your ski pass? These tour operators have already taken care of everything for you:
⋙ Straight from the hotel onto the slopes, book an 8-day ski holiday from €810 per person. View the offer via TUI here >>

► Do you like to go on a winter sports holiday by car or by plane? Skyscanner you can search for winter sports flights offered by airlines such as Easyjet, Transavia and KLM. Click here to search for an affordable flight immediately >>

► Don't forget to offset your CO2 so we can all enjoy skiing in the Alps for a long time to come. Read our Green Policy How you can offset the CO2 emissions from your car or flight to your winter sports destination.

Vallon (2550 meters)

8 things you want to know about Alta Badia in South Tyrol / SüdTirol

The best thing about traveling to new destinations is that there's so much to discover on a first trip. From the best villages to stay in to the best restaurants. It always takes a few days to get to know a new ski resort. To help you plan the perfect culinary ski vacation, I'm kicking off this Alta Badia Travel Guide with some helpful tips!

❶ The locals in Alta Badia are called Ladin. This refers to the ancient Romance language they speak in both Alta Badia and Val Gardena. Have you been practicing Italian words for months in preparation for your winter sports holiday? Don't worry, besides Ladin, the locals also speak fluent German and Italian!

❷ From Amsterdam, you can reach the Alta Badia region in South Tyrol by car in about 11 hours. It's a fun road trip that you can also combine (with a short detour) with a city break to Munich, for example. The fastest and most relaxing way to reach the slopes of Alta Badia in no time is to fly to Innsbruck (Austria) or Venice and use the shuttle service to Alta Badia.

❸ Are you planning your ski trip to Alta Badia and still unsure about which village to stay in? The most popular villages in the region are Corvara, Colfosco, La Villa, San Cassiano, Badia, and La Val. If you're looking for a central location, I can recommend the village of Corvara, where I stayed. From Corvara, you can start your ski day with the cable car to the Boé piste and end the day with dinner at one of the village's excellent restaurants. Read more about Corvara here >>

Chairlift to La Crusc, a must-visit in Alta Badia

❹ Alta Badia is part of the famous Sella Ronda, and you can start skiing this ski route directly from almost all villages. Purchase a ski pass for the complete Dolomiti Superski area you have access to more than 1200 kilometers of slopes with one ski pass, of which about 500 kilometers are directly accessible from Alta Badia. View the Alta Badia ski map here >>

❺ Later in this Alta Badia Travel Guide, I'll share an itinerary for the perfect day of skiing. How did I map it out? You can create a profile on the website using the unique ID number on your ski pass. dolomitisuperski.com. In your personal 'My Dolomiti' environment, you can then view your performance, such as the number of kilometers you've skied and see which ski lifts you've taken.

❻ In 2019, the impressive Dolomites will celebrate ten years on the UNESCO World Heritage List. I can tell you from experience that skiing among these enormous "giants" is quite impressive. From the Vallon (2550 meters) and the Lagazuoi (2778 meters), you can take fantastic ski tours! Curious what the ski area looks like in real life? Then take a look at one of the webcams in Alta Badia here >>

❼ The slopes in Alta Badia are open from late November to the first weekend of April. The ski area is known for being very suitable for families with young children, thanks to its large number of blue runs.

❽ Are you in Alta Badia around the holidays? Then a visit to the Christmas market in San Cassiano Don't miss it! Visit Paisc da Nadé between the first weekend of December and the first weekend of January.

Piz Arlara

10 culinary destinations to discover during your winter sports holiday

Of all the ski resorts in South Tyrol, Alta Badia is undoubtedly the most culinary-focused region. They organize various culinary events on the slopes, and the region boasts no fewer than three restaurants with a total of six Michelin stars. Unique for such a small valley! It almost goes without saying that I had an absolutely delicious meal during my winter sports holiday in Alta Badia. In this section, I'll share my best restaurant tips with you, from mountain huts on the slopes to fine dining. Want to read along?

 TIP: To guarantee a table, it's best to book a table in advance (especially during peak season). Most fine dining restaurants in the valley are only open in the evenings.

⋙ Piz Arlara / Bistro L'Pom: This mountain hut with a large terrace is a well-known spot for lunch and aperitifs. You can eat at Piz Arlara itself or at the bistro L'Pom, which serves the same menu. I had lunch there, and because it only has a few tables, it's very cozy. As I've come to expect from South Tyrol, they serve matching wines with lunch. Tip: ask for a regional wine! The gnocchi with shrimp and mushrooms is highly recommended and perfect for a cold day on the slopes.

Ütia la Tambra

⋙ Ütia la Tambra: This modern mountain hut is located on the edge of Alta Badia. The chef hails from Puglia and uses local ingredients to create delicious dishes for during or after skiing the Sella Ronda, as this mountain hut is situated on the Campolongo Pass of the ski route. The spinach spätzle is a typical regional dish and absolutely delicious!

⋙ Scotoni: halfway up the beautiful descent of the The cozy Scotoni mountain hut is located on the Lagazuoi ski trail. Time seems to have stood still here, and you can sit down for a leisurely lunch! The restaurant is known for its meat dishes from the charcoal grill, which you share with the whole table. Next time, I definitely want to have lunch here, but you can also stop for a warm-up with hot chocolate.

⋙ Piz Boé Alpine Lounge: This mountain hut has recently been completely renovated and is the perfect location to enjoy a cup of coffee or espresso before starting a day on the slopes.

⋙ L'Osti: In the center of Corvara, you'll find the new restaurant L'Osti. A must-visit for foodies! The restaurant boasts a modern design, yet the abundance of wood creates an immediate sense of warmth. The extensive wine list offers a variety of white and red wines from South Tyrol. You can choose from the chef's menu or order à la carte. The dishes are prepared with the finest regional ingredients. Local cuisine with a modern twist.

L'Osti, Corvara

⋙ Stüa dla Lâ: One of my local guide's favorite restaurants is Stüa dla Lâ. Here, chef Andrea Irsara serves a mix of authentic Ladin, South Tyrolean, and Italian dishes with a modern twist. This restaurant is located in the charming Hotel Gran Ander.

⋙ St. Hubertus: For my next trip to Alta Badia, I plan to stay overnight and dine at St. Hubertus on my bucket list. This restaurant led by chef Norbert Niederkofler has been awarded no fewer than three Michelin stars. I've thoroughly explored the photos on the website, and it must be an incredibly special experience to dine here. The menu is seasonal and takes you on a journey through time. The rooms of the Rosa Alpina Hotel, where the restaurant is located, look just as beautiful as the food. And I haven't even mentioned the spa!

⋙ The other starred restaurants in Alta Badia are the two-Michelin-starred Siriola at Hotel Ciasa Salares under the leadership of chef Matteo Metullio and the one-Michelin-starred La Stüa de Michil at Hotel La Perla under the direction of Chef Nicola Laera.

⋙ Just like in Val Gardena, many hotels in Alta Badia offer half-board. A relaxing way to forget about anything during your winter sports holiday. Normally, I'm not a fan of half-board, but believe me, you will be if you sit down for dinner in a culinary ski resort in Italy. You can (often) choose from a variety of dishes for your starter and main course. I stayed in Hotel Col Alto in Corvara and you definitely don't want to miss the strudel dessert buffet!

MORE RESTAURANT TIPS

Hotel Col Alto, Corvara

5 fun things to do in Alta-Badia

It won't surprise you that in a culinary region like Alta Badia, tips for fun things to do during your winter sports holiday revolve around food and drink. While you're in Alta Badia, inquire with the local Tourism Office about booking various experiences.

❶ A Taste for Skiing: This winter event alone is reason enough for me to return to Alta Badia. Especially for this annual event, which celebrates its 10th edition in 2019, the best (Michelin-starred) chefs from all over Italy create a dish that will be served throughout the ski season at participating mountain huts. How fun and delicious is it to have lunch at a different mountain hut every day and sample dishes normally served in high-end restaurants? A Taste for Skiing was created 10 years ago by the three-Michelin-starred chef Norbert Niederkofler and continues to be a huge success every year. These are the participating culinary mountain huts in 2019: Bioch, Bamby, Jimmi, L'Tamá, I Tablá, Las Vegas, Pralongiá, Lee, Moritzino, and Piz Arlara. Curious about which dishes will be served? Click here for more information about A Taste for Skiing >>

❷ Sommeliers on the slopes: Are you planning to ski in Alta Badia this year and will you be there on January 29th, February 5th or 19th, or March 12th? Good news! Then you can participate in the culinary event Sommeliers on the Slopes. Along with a sommelier, you'll taste various South Tyrolean wines on the slopes. A fun way to learn more about the region's wines while enjoying views of the Dolomite peaks. Of course, after the final tasting, you'll only have a short ski trip to do!

❸ De dl vin – Wine Skisafari: On March 24, 2019, you can ski from hut to hut and sample wine during the Wine Ski Safari. You can purchase a stamp card at the four participating huts: Bioch, I Tablá, Piz Arlara, and Pralongiá, and no reservation is required. A unique opportunity to taste wine at an altitude of 2000 meters.

❹ Taste the Ladin dishes: Want to sample authentic regional dishes? Ladin rustic cuisine is simple in origin, but its lack of ingredients makes it incredibly creative. There are several places in Alta Badia where you can enjoy a traditional Ladin dinner. A special highlight is the Agip Turismo Maso Runch farm. This farm and restaurant offers a 6-course Ladin menu for €32, available Monday through Saturday. Click here for more restaurants offering special Ladin menus >>

❺ Sunrise breakfast & first to ski: The Las Vegas Mountain Hut offers the option of taking a snow truck up the mountain to the restaurant before the lifts even open. Enjoy breakfast there while watching the sunrise, then be the first to hit the slopes and make fresh tracks.

❻ Ski de Sella Ronda: I mentioned the Sella Ronda I've mentioned this before, and it's definitely a must-do if you're in Alta Badia. From Corvara, you can immediately start skiing this unique 26-kilometer circuit. A special feature of this route is that you can ski the Sella Ronda counterclockwise (green route) or clockwise (orange route). This is clearly indicated on the slopes with the color-coded signs! The Sella Ronda connects the ski areas of Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Arabba, and Val di Fassa.

❼ Winter hike to La Crusc: According to the locals, this is where you'll find the best Kaiserschmarrn. While you can also go skiing, I hiked there on my last morning in Alta Badia. Perfect for a Sunday morning! From the village of Badia, take the Santa Croce chairlift to the top, and from there, it's a few minutes' climb to the La Crusc church at 2045 meters. You can eat and drink at the mountain hut of the same name. In good weather, you can enjoy the sun on the terrace!

MORE TO DO IN ALTA BADIA

The Crusc

Route for the perfect day on the slopes of Alta Badia

When I tell you that Alta Badia has over 500 kilometers of slopes, you can imagine that you'll hardly have to take a lift twice in one day, and can ski all day long. Start your day with an espresso at the Alpine Lounge Piz Boè and then take the lift all the way to the top of the Vallon for a photo opportunity and a run of the black run. Between lifts 6 and 7, take the shuttle service to the Lagazuoi ski tour. A special highlight is the greenest ski lift you'll ever take on the way back from the Lagazuoi descent. From the end of the run, you'll be pulled along by a rope in a horse-drawn sleigh before taking the regular ski lift at Armentarola (8). Truly exceptional!

Scotoni

One of the highlights of the Lagazuoi ski tour: the horse lift at Armentarola

tips for nice hotels in Alta Badia

In the villages of Alta Badia, you'll find beautiful hotels, B&Bs (called "garni" here), and apartments for every budget. From basic to ultra-luxurious! Just to thoroughly test all these hotels and their accompanying restaurants and spas, I'd love to return to this region of South Tyrol. During my stay in Alta Badia, I stayed at the family hotel Col AltoA lovely Alpine-style hotel in the heart of the village, run by the same family for three generations.

In part of the hotel, the rooms were recently renovated. I stayed in one of the modern "Sassongher suites," which sleep 2-4 people. It's a spacious, tastefully decorated room with lots of wooden details, a large bathroom with a bathtub and separate shower, a balcony with a view of the Sassongher, and a sitting area (with a sofa bed). Perfect if you're traveling with small children, for example. You can choose between bed and breakfast or half board. As I mentioned before, the latter is also very relaxing after a day of skiing and being outdoors.

View of the Sassongher

Another reason to stay at Col Alto is the excellent Wellness Center. It's a real luxury to be able to visit this extensive spa after skiing. It features a swimming pool and various saunas, including a salt steam sauna, herbal sauna, Finnish sauna, and classic steam sauna. You can also book various treatments at the wellness center using the natural products of Team Dr. Joseph.

MORE HOTELS IN ALTA BADIA