Alta Badia
Alta Badia is located in the southern part of Val Badia in South Tyrol in a vast and sunny valley basin amidst unspoiled alpine pastures and forests.
Three more Dolomite valleys are near this area, which are separated from Alta Badia via Val Gardena Pass leading to Val Gardena, via Campolongo Pass leading to Arabba and Cordevole Valley, and the two mountain passes Valparola and Falzarego leading to Cortina d'Ampezzo and to the Boite Valley.
The following villages are part of this area in Val Badia:
- Badia, the main village of the valley with the village districts Pedraces and S. Leonardo
- Colfosco, part of the Puez-Odle Nature Park
- Corvara, the touristic centre of Alta Badia, which welcomed its first visitors during the 18th century
- La Valle, the quietest of the villages where you can visit the typical harbours called les viles
- La Villa, where the Alpine Ski World Cup takes place on the Gran Risa slope every year
- S. Cassiano, home of the Ladin Museum Pic' Museo Ladin with the skeleton of the cave bear "Ursus ladinicus"
Most inhabitants of Alta Badia, between 85 to 90 %, speak Ladin as their native language. This is due to the fact, that the Rhaetian population was pushed back during the course of Romanisation of the region, which had an effect on the culture and the language of the inhabitants.
Summer and winter in Alta Badia
Two nature parks cover the area of Alta Badia: The Puez-Odle Nature Park, which was established in 1978 and is of great interest for geologists, and the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park, which was recognised as a nature resort in 1980, and which is characterised by numerous lakes.
In summer, you can fully relax in Alta Badia and enjoy the quietness and peaceful atmosphere in the mountains or enjoy various sports like hiking, cycling or Nordic walking (on a 400 km long trail network). All those who long for a thrill can enjoy a climbing tour or paragliding. If you love horses you should visit one of the riding farms, and golfers can enjoy a game on the 9-hole Tranrüs golf course.
Many tourists choose this valley for their winter holidays. If you love winter sports, Alta Badia is the ideal destination. 54 lift facilities, more than 130 km of perfectly groomed slopes for downhill skiing and great cross-country tracks await you. Those who love sledging and snow-shoe hiking will not remain disappointed either. And the ice stadium is ideal for ice-skating. An outing on a horse-drawn sleigh also provides a great adventure.
