Alta Badia - Culinary Delights In The Heart Of The Dolomites Unesco World Heritage Site

Alta Badia is becoming increasingly well known as a place where the mountains can be enjoyed in their fullest expression. This includes opportunities for discovering the culinary excellence of this destination. The starred chefs of Alta Badia have played a fundamental role in this process, succeeding in motivating the creation of an all round culinary concept, both up in the mountains and down in the valley. To date, in an area of just 15 km2, Alta Badia has an impressive four Michelin stars, three of which belong to the chef Norbert Niederkofler at the restaurant St.Hubertus / Hotel Rosa Alpina and one to Nicola Laera, Chef at the restaurant La Stüa de Michil / Hotel La Perla.

There are also numerous opportunities to eat and drink, organised during food and wine events both up in the mountains and down in the valley, during the summer months:

CUJINÉ TE ÜTIA – COOKING IN THE MOUNTAINS
At the mountain refuges Ütia de Bioch (26 July), Club Moritzino (9 August) and I Tablá (23 August), you can take part in an outdoor cooking course, immersed in a 360° view of the Dolomites. Every participant will have their own work station and can cook the various dishes with the chef, who will explain each step in detail. The event will start at 3 pm. Booking is compulsory at the Alta Badia tourist offices.

SOMMELIER IN THE HUT
The event, which is dedicated to the best wines of South Tyrol, will give participants the chance to enjoy an alternative afternoon, at 2000 m altitude, in the company of an expert sommelier. As well as tasting a wide range of wines from South Tyrol, there will be various presentations, all connected with the world of wine. Which glass to serve the different types of wine in, the ideal temperature of the wine, which one to combine with certain dishes, or how to make the most of the wine using sight, smell and taste... These are just some of the subjects that will be covered during the five events, which are to be held from July to September (19 July - La Tambra refuge, 2 August - I Tablá refuge - 16 August Ütia de Bioch refuge - 30 August Pralongiá refuge – 6 September Club Moritzino refuge).

GOSTÉ SÖN MUNT – BREAKFAST IN THE MOUNTAINS
There’s no better way to start the day than with a generous breakfast based on the best products of South Tyrol. Yoghurt, cheese, local bread, honey and homemade jam. These are just some of the products that will be offered during the “Breakfast in the Mountains” event, scheduled to take place on Thursday 18 July at 8 am. Everything will take place on the mountain pastures of Gardenaccia, from where you can watch the sun rise on the Santa Croce, Lavarela and Conturines mountains. You can easily get to the event by cable car from La Villa. And later, the more energetic participants can join the guided hike towards the top of Col Plö Alt, which offers a 360° view of the Dolomite landscapes. Booking is compulsory at the Alta Badia tourist offices.

VIVES ENROSADIRA – APERIDINNER AT SUNSET
Enrosadira is the term used to describe the natural phenomenon which paints the Dolomites red in the evening. There is no better place to be for admiring the colours of the sunset on these mountains, which Le Corbusier said were “the most beautiful natural architecture in the world”, than opposite the mountain range of Santa Croce, Lavarela and Conturines. For this reason, the meadows at the station upstream of the Gardenaccia facility have been chosen for an original aperitif with nibbles at altitude, organised by some restaurants in Alta Badia. Various nibbles will be served, including some Ladin dishes, accompanied by the best South Tyrol wines. The event will take place on Tuesday 27 August. To take part, you need to book at the Alta Badia tourist offices.

“Nos dales bales” – THE DUMPLINGS EVENING
“Nos dai strudli” – THE STRUDEL EVENING
There will be two culinary theme evenings in July. The first is dedicated to dumplings and the second to strudel.
On Thursday 11 July you can taste different varieties of dumplings, one of the dishes that best distinguishes the cuisine of South Tyrol. Sweet or savoury, traditional or innovative: dumplings can be prepared in an infinite number of variations, to satisfy the tastes of all the participants.

On Wednesday 24 July, it will be time to focus on strudel. This is a tasty and creative event, featuring strudel in all its possible varieties, from sweet to savoury, but above all according to the fantasy of the chefs and pâtissiers taking part.

Both events will be held along the central road of San Leonardo in Alta Badia, which will be closed to traffic for the occasion, from 7 pm onwards. The majestic church of San Leonardo, with candles and torches, as well as local music, will provide the setting for the evening. You can also buy and taste dishes at the various stands, that will be set up for the occasion. No booking necessary.

“Plajëis y duciaries” – SWEET DELIGHTS
On Tuesday 30 July from 5 pm to 10.30 pm, for the illumination of the Via Ferrata Tridentina by the Croderes - the Alta Badia Alpine rescue service - but also on Tuesday 6 August, the local restaurateurs will offer delicious sweet delicacies in the square in front of the church of Colfosco. Musical entertainment will liven up both the evenings.

SAUS DL ALTONN - FLAVOURS OF AUTUMN
There is no better time of the year than autumn to fully relax and enjoy the nature of the heart of the Dolomites UNESCO world heritage. From 15 to 29 September 2019, Alta Badia will be offering two weeks based on local culinary delights, promoting local produce and farmers. This will be the main focus at the seven mountain refuges, where over seven different days between the middle and the end of September, menus will be presented, created especially for the occasion. The farmers, who will be present at the various events, will be at participants’ disposal to illustrate the distinguishing features and properties of the products, that can be purchased on the spot. The refuges can be easily reached by cable car, which runs until the end of September.
Also, over the last two weeks in September, various activities are organised, with the aim of presenting the excellent produce of Alta Badia to anyone who has chosen to spend a few days’ holiday in the Dolomites during this magical period.