Top Skiers In Alta Badia - The Ski World Cup Presents Its Brand New Look

Alta Badia is becoming increasingly well-known as a destination offering the best in mountain pleasures.  In this regard, the Alpine Skiing World Cup represents a unique chance to discover the area’s points of excellence, with the races being Alta Badia’s top ski event. The event’s three hospitality areas offer real moments of pleasure, with each being based on the core values of this ski resort, i.e. excellent cuisine, the majestic Dolomites (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and Ladin culture.

The men's races taking place in Alta Badia on Sunday 16th and Monday 17th December 2018, which count towards the Alpine Skiing World Cup, are also becoming more about the Alpine lifestyle. Excellent food and wine, Ladin cuisine and adrenalin-filled moments, rubbing shoulders with ski champions, will accompany this competition, which will see the best world cup athletes competing on the Gran Risa, one of the most technical and spectacular slopes out there.

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

You’ll find excellent gourmet cuisine at the LEITNER Ropeways VIP Lounge, located on the rooftop of the building opposite the Gran Risa slope. From here, you can watch the races and relax for a few hours, enjoying a glass of great wine with dishes prepared by top gourmet chefs. On Sunday 16th December, guests will be treated to a four-course menu by Gerhard Wieser** (Trenkerstube Restaurant at Hotel Castel, Tirolo/Merano, two Michelin stars) and Alfio Ghezzi** (Locanda Margon, Ravina/Trento, two Michelin stars), whereas Monday evening will see local chef Andrea Irsara take to the stoves (La Stüa dla La Restaurant at the Gourmet Hotel Gran Ander), together with Karl Baumgartner* (Schöneck Restaurant, Falzes/Brunico, one Michelin star).

The Alpine Stube Gran Risa wine bar, inside the LEITNER ropeways VIP Lounge, only serves the best wines from South Tyrol, in collaboration with South Tyrolian wineries and Cantine Ferrari sparkling wines.

In 2018, guests of the LEITNER ropeways VIP Lounge will also be able to enjoy themselves in the new “Gran Risa Style”, a lounge-bar by Bonaventura Maschio which serves aperitifs and cocktails in an elegant and sophisticated setting. Just like the entire LEITNER ropeways VIP Lounge, this venue has been fitted out by Wohnstudio Steurer using Faustig chandeliers, with the help of a special partner: Swarovski.

Tickets include entry to the La Crusc Grandstand, entry to the LEITNER Ropeways VIP Lounge, including the four-course meal, and entry to the Gran Risa Style. The price to watch the Giant Slalom on Sunday 16th December is €240.00, whereas it costs €170.00 for the Parallel Giant Slalom on Monday 17th December. 

THE NEW RED BULL ENERGY LOUNGE: LIFESTYLE, SPORT AND ADRENALIN, RUBBING SHOULDERS WITH ATHLETES

The pioneering vibe of Alta Badia meets the high ambitions of Red Bull: together, they have created the Red Bull Energy Lounge - a first for an Alpine Skiing World Cup resort. Situated directly in the finish area, this large lounge has a terrace where you can get the best view of the Giant Slalom and Parallel Giant Slalom, right from the front row. The Red Bull Energy Lounge will exclusively host Moon Boot®, the iconic brand that has always brought style and fashion to the most prestigious high-altitude locations. The Lounge is the only place where spectators will have the chance to rub shoulders with Ski World Cup athletes.

In this carefree, adrenalin-filled yet glamorous venue – precisely Red Bull’s target - there will be a "flying buffet" accompanied by wines from the D'Isera winery and Zardetto Prosecco. Expect the high hospitality and service standards that Red Bull has managed to achieve by supporting and creating the best global sporting and other events. The atmosphere is made even more enchanting by the majestic Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which are the backdrop to the finish line.

Tickets including entry to the Red Bull Energy Lounge and buffet cost €150.00 on Sunday 16th December and €125.00 on Monday 17th December. 

THE NEW ‘LES VILES BY BLIZZARD-TECNICA’: SKIING IN THE HEART OF LADIN CULTURE AND TRADITIONS

The term ‘Les viles’ refers to the buildings that were home to the first farmers who settled in the valley. They are isolated groups of houses and private barns with a number of basic amenities such as a bread oven and water fountain, which were shared between the families who lived inside a vila. Unlike individual farm barns, Ladin viles created a sort of community that strengthened the sense of solidarity and social relations between the families. The viles were built away from rushing streams and strong winds, close to sources of water and on stable terrain. When building the houses, the maximum amount of sunlight during the winter was taken into consideration, together with the amount of rain, cold weather and snow.

The aim of the Les Viles by Blizzard-Tecnica, located in the World Cup finish area, is to promote Ladin culture by replicating the traditional architecture of the viles.

Ladin culture will also feature in the traditional local cuisine on offer. In fact, a number of Ladin dishes, created by the La Stria Restaurant, will be served at a buffet during both competitions.

Les Viles by Blizzard-Tecnica is also the ideal place to spend time together in the hours after the race, tasting local products and enjoying themed parties.

Tickets including entry to the La Crusc Grandstand, to Les Viles byi Blizzard-Tecnica and the buffet, cost €80.00 on Sunday 16th December and €50.00 on Monday 17th December. For information and/or bookings: www.skiworldcup.it

THE RACES/THE PROGRAMME

The weekend dedicated to the Ski World Cup races officially kicks off on Saturday 15th December at 7pm, when the bibs of the fifteen best athletes will be picked. These athletes will be battling it out at the first stage of the Giant Slalom on Sunday 16th December, at 10am. The second race on the Gran Risa slope will begin at 1pm, after the now traditional display by the “PAN Frecce Tricolori” (the Italian air force aerobatic team) at 12.30, which will fly over the finish area of Alta Badia’s Giant Slalom. The official award ceremony will take place at 6pm in the centre of La Villa, featuring trophies specially designed for Alta Badia by the artist Daniele Basso in collaboration with Swarovski.

On Monday 17th December, guests can actually take to the slopes of Alta Badia themselves.  ALTISSIMO – The Dolomites’ Most Exclusive Brunch, the best culinary lifestyle event in the Dolomites, will be held at the Club Moritzino lodge, from 11am onwards. Three Michelin-star chefs from Alta Badia will be cooking for guests:  Norbert Niederkofler (St. Hubertus Restaurant at Hotel Rosa Alpina, 3 Michelin stars), one of the nine three-star Italian chefs, Matteo Metullio (La Siriola Restaurant at Hotel Ciasa Salares, 2 Michelin stars) and Nicola Laera (La Stüa de Michil Restaurant at Hotel La Perla, 1 Michelin star). The event, which is reserved to a limited number of guests, will highlight Alta Badia’s excellent cuisine.

At 6.15pm, under the starry sky above the Gran Risa, lit up especially for the occasion, the nighttime Parallel Giant Slalom will take place. This is a knock-out competition in which the 32 best athletes will race in pairs in a showcase of speed and technique.

Advance tickets can be purchased online from the website www.skiworldcup.it.

SÜDTIROL SKI TROPHY: AWARDING THE FASTEST ATHLETE OF THE FOUR SOUTH TYROLEAN MEN’S SKI WORLD CUP RACES

At the end of the four competitions taking place in Val Gardena (downhill and SuperG) and in Alta Badia (Giant Slalom and Parallel Giant Slalom) from 14th to 17th December 2018, a special award will go to the athlete with the highest FIS score over the four race days. To be eligible for the trophy, athletes must participate in at least one competition in Val Gardena and one in Alta Badia, where taking part in the Parallel Giant Slalom is compulsory.  The winner will receive €20,000 and a special prize consisting of a life-size wooden bust of themselves. The bust will be exhibited in the Hall of Fame at the Saslong Lodge in Val Gardena. The winner of the first edition was Kjetil Jansrud, while the last edition was won by fellow Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. In honour of the winner, a South Tyrolean Michelin-starred chef creates a gourmet dish each year, which is then served in different lodges in the two World Cup locations.