Foodie Heaven

This winter there are a plethora of new food and ski attractions in the Alta Badia region on offer

BATTLE OF THE CHEFS: THE CUP SUDTIROL 2013

The focus on gastronomy reaches its climax with the Chef’s’ Cup Südtirol 2013, from 20th-25th January 2013. This eighth Cup will see some of the best chefs in the world, together with renowned international wine makers, come together in a blend of cuisine, sport, fun and charity events. The Michelin-starred chefs will prove themselves not only in the kitchen but also on the slopes in skiing contests with one another and international sports stars. The exciting programme also includes conferences, ski safaris, cookery courses, as well as music and dancing every evening in popular nightspots in the valley and on the mountains. The focus will also be on rising national and international young chefs, who will have the chance to take part for the first time. For more information, visit www.chefscup.it

ENJOY BREAKFAST ON THE PEAKS

Start the day in true style with Breakfast On The Peaks at the Col Alto and Las Vegas Refuges. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning the Col Alt will whisk patrons by snow cat from the centre of Corvara at 6.50am and 7.20am to the Refuge at 2000m. Here you can kick-start your day with a nutritious breakfast of Alto Adige products, such as cheese and jams from local farmhouses, honey, bread, speck, eggs, apples and apple juice. This will also be served at the Las Vegas Refuge every Wednesday and Friday at a cost of €15. Afterwards, everyone can take to the pristine slopes to reach the bottom of the valley in time for the ski lifts opening. For more information or to make your reservations, contact the Col Alto Refuge on +39 0471/836324 and the Las Vegas Refuge on +39 0471 840138

SAVOUR THE FLAVOURS

For those who love traditional Ladin cuisine the Santa Croce Ski Tour – Refuges & Traditional Flavours is a must. Simple, wholesome Ladin cuisine is the focus at eight refuges, with each one specialising in a special dish, created strictly according to grandmothers’ recipes. Every dish will be paired with a delicious wine from Alto Adige, and served against the magnificent, sun-kissed backdrop of the vast natural basin of forest and Ladin farmhouses. On the tour, you won’t want to miss the Badia parish church, birthplace of Saint Freinademetz, and the traditional “viles” farmhouses of Fussé, Coz and Pransarores, before arriving at the atmospheric little church of Santa Croce at the foot of the mountain. The Santa Croce Skitour area, which can be reached on skis from Piz La Villa, is particularly suitable as a family day out.

Anyone who wants to learn to make Ladin dishes for themselves can also take part in the Ladin Cookery Courses at the Sotciastel farmhouse, with farmer and culinary expert Erica Pitscheider. Courses take place every Wednesday at 10.30am, when Erica will teach you how to prepare the famous “turtres” (fried pasties with spinach and  ricotta or sauerkraut), “cajincí” (ravioli filled with spinach and ricotta or poppy seeds) and “furtaies” (spiral-shaped sweets made by the mother of the bride before a wedding and given to neighbours and relatives). 

DÉ DL VIN – A WINE SAFARI ON SKIS

On Sunday 17th March, 2013, Alta Badia brings the best wines of South Tyrol to 2000m for a tasting accompanied by speck, bread and cheese with the “Quality Südtirol” trademark. This is a great way to end the Winter season, with a day entirely dedicated to the very best wine and food.  Wines from South Tyrol stand out for their excellent quality, thanks to a favourable climate, fertile terrain and the dedication of their winemakers, and are an important element of Alta Badia’s gastronomic events. The Wine Ski Safari offers wine lovers the most fun way to discover the great variety of wines in the area for themselves. It is organised by the Alta Badia Tourist Board, in partnership with the Consortium Alto Adige Wines, and tickets can be bought directly from participating refuges. A brochure is also available from Alta Badia tourism offices.

NEW! GOURMET SKISAFARI

Slope Food will be presented for the first time on Sunday, 2nd December, as part of the new Gourmet Skisafari, with five of the chefs playing host at their refuges including TV chef John Burton-Race. Skiers will be able to ski from one refuge to another, where they can rest and savour the snacks. These are real works of art, designed not just for the palate but also for the eyes. There will also be an opportunity to meet the chefs and perhaps learn some tricks of the trade. A truly tasty start to the first skiing of the year! For more information on these events, please visit www.altabadia.org

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