Thu, 05/06/2010 - 12:20pm• 3 The upmarket resorts: Alta Badia (South Tyrol region)

This is the collective name for six traditional villages nestled beneath the Dolomites' dramatic backdrop.

Most of the action takes place in Corvara, the largest and best developed, while four of them are linked into the Sella Ronda circuit. The entire region is rich in beginner and intermediate terrain, with more sun and great grub than you can shake a ski pole at.

The majority of Alta Badia’s slopes are an intermediate’s paradise, and even the extensive Sella Ronda circuit is suitable for less advanced riders. Beginners, however, should build their confidence on the village runs in Corvara, Colfosco and La Villa – as well as the smaller areas at San Cassiano and Pedraces – before progressing to the higher, more challenging slopes of the La Brancia area. Once linked into the Sella circuit you can expose yourself to more challenges.

The World Cup run down to La Villa is on most good skiers’ ‘to do’ lists. Various off-piste routes vie for the attention of more advanced riders, especially from the central Sella Massif. Most famous is probably the long Hidden Valley run from the top of Sella down Val Mezdi to Colfosco, covering the better part of 1500m of vertical descent and fringed by towering cliffs. There’s no terrain park in Alta Badia, but the La Para lift in San Cassiano runs above a popular skiercross course on which to challenge your mates.

• www.altabadia.org

Resort Check Dolomites navigation menu:

• The Dolomites, an introduction

• 1 The classic resort: Cortina d’Ampezzo (Veneto region)

• 2 The all-round resort: Kronplatz/Plan De Corones (South Tyrol region)

• 3 The upmarket resorts: Alta Badia (South Tyrol region)

• 4 The wide open resort: Val Gardena (South Tyrol region)

• 5 The valley resorts: Val di Fassa/Carezza (Trentino region)

• 6 The village resort: Arabba/Marmolada (Belluno Veneto/Trentino regions)

• 7 The South Tyrolean border resort: Alta Pusteria/Hochpustertal (South Tyrol region)

• 8 The cross region resort: Val di Fiemme/Obereggen (Trentino/South Tyrol regions)

• 9 The laid back resort: San Martino di Castrozza (Trentino region)

• 10 The traditional resorts: Tre Valli (Trentino/Belluno Veneto Regions)

• 11 The mighty Sella Ronda: The biggest round-trip on skis?

• The riding, in a nutshell : Fall-Line’s top runs/ Take me to the freeride skiing / Where can I take fledgling skiers / And if I’m all about freestyle?

• Eating and drinking: Where’s good for a night out? / Bring me the finest food

• Getting there for yourself and the damage: What's the best way for me to get there? / What liftpass special offers are available / Techonlogical advances

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