Alta Badia - Gourmet Creations To Get The Ski Season Off To A Flavoursome Start

Over the last few years, Alta Badia's tourism industry has become increasingly characterised by moments of culinary pleasure. The events dedicated to the Alpine Skiing World Cup, to be held on 16th and 17th December, are set to be full of excellent food and wine from this area in South Tyrol. The LEITNER ropeways VIP Lounge and the  ALTISSIMO   The Dolomites  Most Exclusive Brunch  event are the two highlights for the start of the season.

LEITNER ROPEWAYS VIP LOUNGE: AN ELEGANT COMBINATION OF WINES AND GOURMET DISHES

The LEITNER ropeways VIP Lounge, situated on the terrace of the building in front of the Gran Risa slope, is home to top-quality gourmet cuisine. Guests in this hospitality area have the chance to watch the races, dominating over the spectators below, enjoying an unparalleled view from above of the slope. Here, they can spend a few hours in peace and quiet, in elegant and sophisticated surroundings.

On Sunday 16th December, the culinary experience will begin in the morning with a hearty breakfast, during which guests will be able to try the pastries prepared by Richard Wieser from the local patisserie,  I Dolci di Ricky .  At lunch, a menu created by two Michelin starred chefs will be presented, prepared by Gerhard Wieser** (Trenkerstube Restaurant at Hotel Castel, Tyrol/Merano, 2 Michelin stars) and Alfio Ghezzi** (Locanda Margon owned by Cantine Ferrari, Ravina/Trento, 2 Michelin stars).

A selection of cheeses and speck from South Tyrol will be offered as a starter, followed by Alfio Ghezzi's first course: cream of chickpea, chestnuts and rosemary tagliatelle. Rainbow trout with sauerkraut sauce, celeriac and rustic speck will then be served by Gerhard Wieser. Lunch will continue with guinea fowl and dried porcini mushroom extract served with cabbage leaves in black butter, by Alfio Ghezzi, finishing with a Dulcey mousse by Gerhard Wieser, with cream of dry prunes, red apple and crisp-flavoured ice-cream. On Monday evening, local chef Andrea Irsara (La St a dla La Restaurant at Gourmet Hotel Gran Ander) will be taking to the burners, together with Karl Baumgartner* (Sch neck Restaurant, Falzes/Brunico, 1 Michelin star).

Here are the dishes to be served at the event:

• Fillet of local char slightly smoked with aromatised wood, cream of yoghurt and horseradish mousse, crunchy breadsticks;
• barley risotto with wild herbs and cheese from the Chi Pr  Alpine cottage;
• Shoulder of veal cooked at a low temperature with herbs, Val Pusteria turnip ratatouille and potato pur e;
• Chestnuts in a glass. All made with the best products by Galloni, a symbol of excellence in the food industry.

Each dish will be accompanied by a wine from South Tyrol, carefully selected by some of the best local sommeliers. The waiting staff will be made up of young students from the Hotel School of Brunico, giving them the possibility to put their studies and training into practice.

The Gran Risa Alpine Stube wine bar, a small architectural gem that's warm and cosy, inside the LEITNER ropeways VIP Lounge, will only be serving the best wines from South Tyrol, in collaboration with the Alto Adige Wine Consortium, and sparkling wines from Cantine Ferrari winery.

As a new feature, guests in the LEITNER ropeways VIP Lounge will also be able to relax and have fun in the new Gran Risa Style lounge bar, where they can try aperitifs and cocktails made by the best bartenders from Bonaventura Maschio, in elegant and sophisticated surroundings. As is the case for the entire LEITNER ropeways VIP Lounge, this bar has been completely furnished by Wohnstudio Steurer with Faustig chandeliers, together with a top-quality partner: Swarovski.

Leitner, the company that produces cable transport systems, has had a close relationship with Alta Badia for many years now. Just think that it was Leitner that built Italy's first chairlift in Col Alt in Corvara, back in 1946, upon the request of the winter sports pioneer, Erich Kostner.  Alta Badia has evolved thanks to creative innovations and high-quality tourist services, becoming a top destination for winter sports. Together, we have been able to face and overcome many challenges, which have only strengthened our relationship - a relationship that is characterised by mutual support and an ability to learn from each other.  Anton Seeber, President of Leitner Group.

Tickets include access to the  La Crusc  grandstand, entry to the LEITNER ropeways VIP Lounge, including the four-course menu, and entry to the Gran Risa Style bar. This is an excellent choice if you're looking for ideas for your company s Christmas dinner, for example, or the perfect networking venue. The price for the Giant Slalom on Sunday 16th December is   240.00, whereas it costs   170.00 for the Parallel Giant Slalom on Monday 17th December. For information and/or bookings www.skiworldcup.it<http://www.skiworldcup.it>

ALTISSIMO   The Dolomites  Most Exclusive Brunch: NEW FOR 2018/19 On the same weekend as the Alpine Ski World Cup, the best culinary lifestyle event in the Dolomites will be taking place.  On Monday 17th December, from 11am until 5pm, the first edition of  ALTISSIMO   The Dolomites  Most Exclusive Brunch  will be held. Three Michelin-star chefs, headed up by Norbert Niederkofler (St. Hubertus Restaurant at Hotel Rosa Alpina, 3 Michelin stars), one of the nine three-star Italian chefs, will be presenting this brand new initiative, set to be the jewel in the crown of the tenth edition of the A taste for skiing event. Together with Matteo Metullio (La Siriola Restaurant at Hotel Ciasa Salares, 2 Michelin stars), Nicola Laera (La St a de Michil Restaurant at Hotel La Perla, 1 Michelin star), and Marco Spinelli (chef at Club Moritzino), Norbert Niederkofler will be shining the spotlight on Alta Badia s excellent food and wine at this exclusive, top-quality event, reserved for a limited number of carefully selected guests.

The event, which will be attended by a number of leading producers, will take place at the Club Moritzino mountain hut. The location, right at the top of the Gran Risa slope, has been chosen in honour of the skiing World Cup races. The event will take place throughout the day, starting in the morning and ending late afternoon, just before the start of the night-time Parallel Giant Slalom at 6.15pm, to be held on the last section of the Gran Risa slope. What s more, those who buy tickets for the event will get the chance to ski with some former Alpine skiing champions.