#2: Wine Ski Safari in Alta Badia, Dolomites, Italy

If you’ve never heard of the wine ski safari in Alta Badia, welcome to heaven on Earth. Ski or ride between four Italian alpine huts in the heart of northern Italy’s Dolomite mountains and sip over 60 regional wines. I speak with local producers, restaurant owners, and the brand manager of the Alta Badia region in Südtirol/Alto-Adige. EDF offers Custom Adventures and sommelier ski services if you ever want to go.

4 alpine huts.
66 wines.
One day in March.

This episode focuses on one of my favorite ski areas, Alta Badia, and skiing experiences, the wine ski safari. Alta Badia is part of the Dolomiti Super Ski region in northern Italy’s Dolomite mountains. The sheer beauty is overwhelming, and it is no surprise UNESCO made this place a World Heritage Site in 2009.

I spent a day speaking with wine producers, restaurant owners, and brand managers to learn about the local wine, food, and culture. This episode covers the significance of the region as one of Italy’s first ski areas, the beautiful wines from Südtirol/Alto Aidge, how Alta Badia mixed culinary excellence, wine, and skiing to create unique world-class events, and the uniqueness of local Ladin culture, including its language and food.

The map below is centered on the village of Corvara, where I prefer to stay. From Corvara you have direct access to the 40km (25 mile) Sella Ronda ski circuit, which you can experience in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The mountain huts and restaurants offer spectacular views and unique regional cuisine. The added value of Corvara is that it is home to several exceptional gastronomic and wine events, the valley is drenched in sunshine, and the expansive slopes are perfect for both beginners and expert skiers. But summer in the Dolomites is also special - you have the Maratona dles Dolomites bicycle race, beautiful hiking trails, and a myriad of other activities.

Year after year, this is a place to which I find myself returning , and each time I learn and taste something new. The wine ski safari in Alta Badia is unique, but its format is being imitated across the Alps. Imitation is, after all, the most sincere form of flattery.

LINKS

Interviews with:

• Alta Badia

• Wine Ski Safari

• St. Pauls Wine Cooperative

• Alpine Restaurant Piz Arlara

Wines and vintners I recommend:

• St. Pauls - Weissburguner Riserva Passion

• Elena Walch - Beyond the Clouds Chardonnay Blend

• Wine Cooperative Colterenzio - Gewürztraminer

• J. Hofstätter Steinraffler Vigna Lagrein

• Elena Walch - Website / Instagram

• Colterenzio Winery - Website

• Alois Lageder - Biodynamic wines

Other Links: 

• Corvara in Badia

• Sciare con Gusto culinary event

• Maratona dles Dolomites bicycle race

• Webcam from Piz Arlara

• Ladin Language and Culture

Music:

• Dan Henig

• Joey Pecoraro

SHOW NOTES

• [00:46] Intro

• [04:07] History of Alta Badia - Sylvia, Alta Badia Brand Manager

• [05:40] Overview of the Wine Ski Safari, Nora, Kellerie St. Pauls

• [08:30] Deep dive on Südtirol wines and terroir

• [14:43] Transforming Alto Adige into a gastronomic tourism destination

• [16:35] Sciare con gusto - Skiing with Taste

• [19:03] Lagrein, a rich, complex, and delicious local red wine variety

• [19:53] Ladin culture, traditions, and language

• [21:55] Regional cuisine - “the dumplings!”

• [23:26] Pairing food and wine - the speck and cheese!

• [25:26] Summer activities in Alta Badia

• [26:30] Upcoming events - the original ski sommelier experience