Skiing holidays in Italy – Alta Badia
Each week at activityaway.co.uk we’ve been featuring guides on different ski resorts around the world, so that when the ski season finally arrives you’ll be prepared and know which one is the best for you. This week we’re focusing on Alta Badia ski resort in Italy.
Where is it?
Alta Badia is located in the spectacular Dolomites Mountains in northern Italy in a UNESCO World Heritage area of unique beauty.
What’s it all about?
Alta Badia lies at the heart of the Dolomiti Superski area, one of the best ski circuits in Europe. At an altitude of between 1,400m and 3,269m snow is guaranteed here and is soft and powdery, perfect for skiing. The entire ski area of the Dolomites is a true winter wonderland; formed over 200 million years ago it’s stunningly beautiful.
What’s the skiing like?
The resort provides 130km of skiable terrain and over 95 slopes. There is a total of 70km of blue easy runs, 52km of red intermediate runs and 8km of difficult black runs. Skilled skiers will enjoy the giant slalom world cup slope and can make use of the Dolomiti-Super-Ski pass, which allow them to visit other resorts. The resort also has 13 surface lifts, 31 chair lifts and nine gondalas to ferry visitors up and down the slopes.
For those who prefer to snowboard the resort has a new boarder park with top class facilities; however more experienced boarders should stick to the park with the slopes being too flat. Or if you want to try your hand a cross-country skiing then the resort has plenty of terrain perfect for that too.
Ski schools and ski rental
There are seven different ski schools in Alta Badia, so there’s plenty to choose from and with over 200 ski instructors in the area you’ll get all the training you need. Some good options are the Ski School Scolfosco, which offers fun lessons for kids as well as adults and snowboarders; Ski School Corvara Ladinia, which offers private and group lessons as well as race training; and Ski School La Villa, a friendly school housed in a traditional log house which also has a nursery for kids.
Many of the schools will also rent you ski equipment even if you don’t take lessons from them, however some other good rental places include da Carlo and Sport Alfredo.
Accommodation options
There are accommodation options to suit all budgets and tastes in Alta Badia, a good option for families is Apartamenti Loega, set in a charming wooden and whitewashed chalet, it offers self catering apartments. For those looking for a bit of luxury try the Hotel Relais & Chateaux Rosa Alpina, with its fairytale like turrets and cosy interior decorated with candles, fireplaces and plants. And for those on a budget try the friendly but basic B&B Iris.
Après ski and facilities
Alta Badia has a great après ski scene that is, beautiful and rustic as well as lively. Most places are located in the large village of Corvara. There are a number of good après ski bars as well as many cosy tea rooms where you can sit down to strudel and hot chocolate. The most famous après ski places here is Murin bar at the Hotel La Perla.
Best suited to… Beginners and families
