Superstar Dolomites

Superstar Dolomites
Trentino-Alto Adige
Magazine: December 2007

To chose the ideal “ultra cool holiday” is a bit like looking for the perfect ski boot: attractive, comfy, functional, trendy and hi-tech. More than any other Alpine region the Alto Adige offers a winter season that is “the height of pleasure” stimulating and appeasing all the senses. By day one can ski surrounded by the breathtaking panorama of the Dolomites or the perennial glaciers of the Ortles or participate in variety of alternative sports: Nordic walking, trekking with snow shoes, cross country skiing, skijoring (skiing pulled by huskies or horses), glacier climbing, and alpine ski. The après ski buzzes with life in trendy locations, oyster bars and on piste DJs. For alpine evenings, one can enjoy the charm of the antique stubens (cosy, heated, wooden rooms that originally were used as sitting and dining rooms) while pampering the palate with mountain haute cuisine. Plus, in the new “snow & spa” market the Alto Adige is on the cutting edge and offers luxury spas in almost all the valleys. Morning skiing is followed by afternoons in steaming outside pools or relaxation in the saunas and hamman or pampered with ayurvedici, Thai or Hawaiian massages. We have chosen 4 destinations for you (Alta Badia, Val Gardenia, Valdaora in Val Pusteria and Solda all’ Ortler in Val Venosta) for “chill thrill” holidays hedonistic style. The road that links Corvara with the Val Gardena is a series of simply breathtaking views, overlooking the cluster of the Sella and Sassolungo peaks. The fi rst town is Selva Gardena with its ancient Romanesque church and gaily coloured houses decorated with Baroque friezes and fi gures in traditional costume, motifs also found in the other two areas of the valleys, Santa Cristina and Ortisei. All around are stunning peaks: Sella, Sassolungo, Cir, Odle. You can ski on the Piz Sella piste then hop on the chair lift to a ski run that crosses the “City of rocks” with huge boulders that rise majestically from the snow. Ski and admire Sassolungo and Punta Gramam. Leaving the city of rocks one arrives at Passo Sella and Col Rodela with a stopoff at Friederich August for a hearty polenta with mushroom or sausage. Alternatively, at Ortisei treat yourself to a gastronomic pause at the Hotel Gardena restaurant. Be tempted by the pan-fried foie gras with wild camomile and potato tortelloni with braised onions, anchovy paste and white truffl es from Alba. For dessert: the Cohiba Gold (a criollo chocolate cigar with soft, Lebanese cedar wood fl avoured ice cream, with tobacco and rum). For a cosy “cocoon” break the best address is the Mirabell Wellness Residenz in Valdaora, Val Pusteria, with a Spa that specialises in ayurvedic therapies. Situated at the foot of the Plan de Corones ski district, with a majestic plateau at the peak, from which one can enjoy the stunning views. On the plateau there are traditional hostels offering nourishing cheese, speck and strudel delights. After a day of chilly, outdoor sports, revitalise in the Finnish sauna or hammam. Leaving the Dolomites, cross the Val Venosta to reach the Solda all’Ortles, in the famous Stelvio National park. Even high altitude hostels follow the trends and the terrace at Madriccio is the latest “in” place, with its stube made with huge wooden trunks and an igloo-bar. To pay homage to the “principles of ice” Reinhold Messner has opened a cool Ice Museum in Solda. Next to the museum, a 14th C homestead with Yak & Yeti, Messner’s restaurant serving Tibetan and Tyrolese specialities.