The Dolomiti Superski is one of the biggest ski areas in the world, but with great size, comes great difficulty in finding specific information. To help you get the great Italian ski holiday you want and deserve, here’s the first part in a new series designed to help you deconstruct the Dolomites.

Part One: Corvara & Colfosco

The Skiing

Neighbouring villages, Corvara & Colfosco make up the 130km Alta Badia ski area, 122km of which is easy and intermediate piste. A gondola between the two villages takes just seven minutes, so there’s no need to limit yourself to just one side of the resort!

If you’re after real variety and a proper challenge though, you can catch the lifts up onto the Sella Ronda and the wider Dolomiti Superski from either village: the lift from Colfosco takes you straight to the Edelweiss Valley, and lifts from Corvara give access to the Gardena Valley.

The Villages

Both villages are traditional Ladin settlements, and typical of the South Tyrol region. Corvara has a pretty central piazza with a real mix of après options – from casual to high-end – and unbeatable views up to the towering Sassongher mountain.

Colfosco is perched just above Corvara, nestled at the foot of the majestic Sella massif and known for its beautiful Gothic church.

Eating Out

Between the two villages, there’s a very good range of around 40 restaurants. Traditional Ladin and Italian cuisine features on most menus, often sharing with Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Most places are hotel-based and the quality is generally very high – there’s even one with a Michelin star. Check out the resort info on our website for some in-depth recommendations.

Après

Across Corvara & Colfosco you’ll find a real mix of après options for the early afternoon all the way to the early hours. From casual to chic, there will be something that’s bound to take your fancy. Our top pics are:

• Iceberg Lounge– This ‘cool’ cocktail bar and lounge serves a wide range of champagne, wines and cocktails to accompany the rhythmic sounds coming from the various live musicians.• Altrove Bar – With chalet-style decor, tree-trunk tables and unique chairs, this sophisticated bar is an ideal venue for admiring the scenery and relaxing after an exhilarating day on the mountains.

Who’s it for?

With a fantastic foundation of easy and intermediate runs, the whole Alta Badia ski area makes for spectacular family skiing, and while the bars are out there for people who want them, Corvara & Colfosco are very family friendly.

A more laid-back atmosphere with such excellent links to the wider Dolomiti Superski also lends itself very well to Mile Munchers. Looking for a pretty base from which to explore the Sella Ronda? You’ve found it.

If the South Tyrol’s starting to sound like your kind of ski holiday, keep an eye out for the rest of our blog series, coming soon. For a more immediate ski fix, read more about the South Tyrol here, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter & Instagram or check us out on Pinterest. You could even sign up to receive our emails – go on, they’re awesome.