La Villa
La Villa, in ladino La Ila e in tedesco Stern, è una rinomata località turistica dell'Alta Badia, frazione del comune di Badia in...
Actualizado el 18 julio 2026
Esta temporada · Julio · Verano
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El relato
La historia de La Villa
La Villa and its location in Alta Badia
La Villa, called La Ila by the Ladin community and Stern in German, is one of the most cherished resorts in Alta Badia, the upper section of Val Badia in the province of Bolzano. Administratively part of the municipality of Badia, it nonetheless keeps a distinct tourist identity, with a compact village center surrounded by meadows, conifer woods and the Dolomite walls closing the horizon. Its central position in the valley makes it an ideal base for exploring the whole area, with lift systems, trails and mountain huts all within easy reach of the village.
History and Ladin culture
La Villa belongs to the Ladin valleys of the Dolomites, where the Rhaeto-Romance Ladin language, a protected linguistic minority in South Tyrol, has been passed down for centuries. In the village and in the farmsteads scattered across the meadows, this identity is still very much alive: bilingual or trilingual signage, traditional wood-and-stone architecture, and religious and folk festivals marking the alpine calendar. Ladin culture, shared with the other villages of Val Badia and neighboring valleys, remains a distinctive trait that visitors can discover through ethnographic museums, local crafts and the everyday life of the community.
Nature among the Dolomites and the Sassongher
The landscape of La Villa is dominated by the Sassongher, the emblematic mountain of Corvara and Alta Badia, whose vertical walls rise above the valley and are visible from the village itself. All around unfold the Dolomite groups of the area, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their geological and scenic value unmatched anywhere else. Spruce forests, high-altitude pastures and streams fed by melting snow make up an unspoiled alpine environment, a destination for hikers, nature photographers and mountain lovers in every season.
What to do: skiing, Gran Risa and hiking
In winter, La Villa is linked to the vast Dolomiti Superski network and to the Sellaronda ski circuit, with slopes suited to every skill level. Its flagship is the Gran Risa, a steep and technical run that has historically hosted Alpine Skiing World Cup giant slalom races, drawing enthusiasts from around the world every year. In summer the same mountainsides turn into a network of hiking trails and mountain bike routes, with huts offering refreshment along the way and panoramas stretching across the surrounding Dolomite peaks.
Ladin flavors and traditions
The cuisine of La Villa is rooted in the farming traditions of the Ladin valleys, with dishes designed to provide energy after a day outdoors: canederli dumplings in broth or with melted butter, filled cajincí pastries, and polenta served with mountain-pasture cheeses and local speck. Many farmsteads and mountain huts still produce dairy products and cured meats following methods handed down through generations. At the table one senses the blend of Ladin, German and Italian culture that characterizes all of Val Badia, a gastronomic experience that rounds out a visit to the village as much as its landscapes do.
Not to be missed
- The Gran Risa slope, the legendary giant slalom World Cup course
- The views of the Sassongher, the emblematic mountain of Alta Badia
- Summer hikes among mountain huts and scenic Dolomite trails
- The Dolomiti Superski ski area and the Sellaronda circuit
- The crafts and traditions of the local Ladin culture
Rutas · Trovido Route
