Corvara in Badia Ski Resort in Italy – Ultimate Guide to the 2024-2025 Season

Corvara in Badia is a modest ski resort located in the Trentino-Alto Adige region in northwest Italy. It is nestled among the Dolomites and is connected by a unified system of cable cars to five neighboring villages: La Villa, San Cassiano, Pedraces, and La Val. Together, they make up the Alta Badia resort, part of the largest skiing region in Italy and the world, known as Dolomiti Superski.

Corvara Resort Highlights

Corvara is a haven for those who enjoy “beach skiing,” offering comfortable skiing on gentle slopes. Everyone who has the privilege of visiting here experiences the almost unreal pleasure of skiing down slopes of enchanting beauty. Intermediate skiers will appreciate the challenging sections that occasionally appear on the slopes.

Experienced professionals and seasoned enthusiasts can find a couple of worthy slopes in Alta Badia, allowing them to hone their skills on any of the 12 resorts in Dolomiti Superski. Corvara, as part of this skiing domain, undoubtedly appeals to all. The resort maximizes the opportunities for skiing in Italy while providing a close connection to nature.

The downside of the resort is the higher prices, but all good things come at a cost.

Preseason, Intermediate, and High Seasons in Corvara

Skiing on the slopes of Alta Badia begins at the end of November and continues until early April. In the Dolomiti Superski area, two seasons determine pricing: the shoulder and high seasons, each with pros and cons.

1. Preseason: November 26 – December 24. There is hardly any real snow at this time, and the slopes are groomed with snow cannons, particularly at lower elevations. Tourists are scarce, and prices for ski passes, accommodations, and food are at their lowest, with no queues anywhere.
2. High season: December 25 – January 7. Christmas in Europe and winter holidays for residents of neighboring Austria and Italian cities are celebrated here. Long queues form at key lifts, and restaurants and hotels are bustling. Naturally, prices during the holidays are higher.
3. Intermediate season: January 8 – February 4. Genuine snow covers everything, from the roofs of picturesque Tyrolean houses to the forested slopes and trails. The winter landscapes are picture-perfect, and there are virtually no queues. Skiing is comfortable, and prices are low.
4. High season: February 5 – March 18. Carnival season, excellent skiing, festive hustle and bustle on the slopes, at the lifts, in restaurants, and on the streets. The sun provides a great tan. Dry snow starts deteriorating only by mid-March. Prices for all amenities are elevated.
5. Low (spring) season: March 19 – April 2. Farewell to the skiing season, with many people visiting during weekends. The last weeks of skiing come with some risks, as high-speed descents can lead to areas with melted snow and potential injuries.

In conclusion, the best time to visit Corvara is January and early February.

How to Get to Corvara

Corvara in Badia is located in the Bolzano province in northern Italy, near the Austrian border. The province is also known as South Tyrol. The closest cities to reach the resort are Bolzano (73 km, approximately 45 miles) and Innsbruck (150 km, approximately 93 miles). Italian cities like Venice (200 km, approximately 124 miles), Verona (250 km, approximately 155 miles), and Milan (410 km, approximately 255 miles) are much farther away.

To explore the slopes of the entire Dolomiti Superski area, you can rent a car from rentalcars.com (Check Italy Road tips in that section). The rental cost with insurance starts at $40 per day. Keep in mind that winter weather in Italy can be unpredictable, and the roads often have steep climbs and descents. Some companies offer summer tires (with snow chains at most), but renting a car with winter tires is more reliable. Another factor to consider is parking near the lifts. Parking in unauthorized areas can result in fines of 50-70 euros.

From Bolzano

If renting a car at the airport upon arrival is inconvenient, there are other ways to get to Corvara from Bolzano. You can reach Corvara from here using three methods:

By Taxi

Travel time by taxi is 1 hour and 10 minutes, with a cost of approximately $100. It is recommended to book the transfer.

By Bus

The bus journey takes over 3 hours with three transfers, and the total cost is around $50. The route is as follows: Bolzano → Sëlva, Sëlva → Colfosco, Colfosco → Corvara. You can check the schedule at altoadigebus.com.

By Train and Bus

The journey takes about 4 hours with four transfers, and the total cost is approximately $12. The train route is as follows: Bolzano/Bozen → Ponte Gardena/Waidbruck; Ponte Gardena → Stazione → Selva → Piazza Nives. You can find the schedule on bahn.de or trenitalia.com. Continue the journey by bus: Selva → Piazza Nives → Sëlva; Sëlva → Corvara.

Milan, Verona, Venice. You can view all travel options to Corvara from these cities at www.rome2rio.com. It provides information on the cost of travel and links to schedules.

From Innsbruck

By Car

Getting to Alta Badia from Austria is more convenient than from major Italian cities. From Innsbruck, cross the Italian border and head to Bruneck (Brunico). From there, the road leads south through the picturesque Val Badia Valley, which is part of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park (Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga).

By Train

There is a direct train from Innsbruck to Bolzano every 2 hours. The ticket costs 27 euros in second class and 39 euros in first class, and the travel time is exactly 2 hours.

You can check the current schedule and purchase tickets in advance on the official Austrian railway website www.bahn.de.

Trail Map

Out of 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers) of trails in the Dolomiti Superski region, 81 miles (130 kilometers) belong to Alta Badia. In the Corvara resort (5,151 feet or 1,568 meters), you’ll find 36% of blue trails, 46% red, and 18% black.

To enjoy the trails in perfect condition, it’s best to start skiing early in the morning as soon as the lifts start operating. The main rush of skiers usually happens around noon, so after a morning of skiing, you can relax at a scenic spot, sipping on an Aperol Spritz and breathing in the mountain air with a hint of orange.

Blue Trails

For beginners on the resort’s trails, there are two challenges:

• On trails marked as blue, you may encounter areas with nearly vertical sections where skiers stumble, fall, and gather. These trails can turn into a mix of snow, ice, and moguls.
• In the maze of cable cars and trails, getting lost and missing your descent is easy. So, skiing with an instructor on the first day makes sense to avoid wasting precious skiing time.

Good descents for beginners can be found in areas like:

• Ulita La Brancia (6,706 feet or 2,044 meters)
• Piz Sorega (6,572 feet or 2,003 meters)
• Pralongia (7,107 feet or 2,157 meters)
• Cherz (6,854 feet or 2,088 meters)

To avoid confusion in Corvara’s ski areas, you can take a bus or drive to Colfosco (5,394 feet or 1,645 meters), where there are ideal spots for beginners.

Red Trails

Intermediate skiers will find plenty of enjoyment on Alta Badia’s trails, allowing you to explore new routes in the region every day.

• You can start your skiing adventure at Piz la Ila, one of the main ski centers in Alta Badia. From here, follow this route: Piz la Ila (6,792 feet or 2,077 meters) – Bamby (6,004 feet or 1,830 meters) – Sorega (6,673 feet or 2,033 meters) – Ciampai (6,227 feet or 1,898 meters) – Biok (6,815 feet or 2,078 meters) – Pralongia (7,087 feet or 2,140 meters) – Cherz (6,874 feet or 2,095 meters) – Passo Campolongo (6,152 feet or 1,875 meters) – cross the road – Grep de Mont (6,398 feet or 1,959 meters) – descend into the Corvara resort valley.
• The Lagazuoi route begins at the Passo Falzarego pass (6,906 feet or 2,105 meters), which can be reached by cable car from San Cassiano. The descent on this route, with the same name, is the longest on the resort at 4.5 miles (7.2 kilometers).
• Other interesting routes include Santa Croce from Pedraces, Dolina Stella Alpina from Colfosco, Super 8 Ski Tour.
• The most famous circumnavigation route in Alta Badia called Sella Ronda, which translates to “patrol around the saddle.”
• Download the route diagram in PDF.

Sella Ronda is a rocky massif with sheer walls reaching up to 2,625 feet (800 meters) in height. Ski trails patrol the area, connected by lifts at four main passes: Passo Gardena (7,011 feet or 2,137 meters), Passo Campolongo (6,102 feet or 1,875 meters), Passo Pordoi (7,347 feet or 2,239 meters), and Passo Sella (7,359 feet or 2,244 meters). The total length of the circular route is 24.8 miles (40 kilometers), and an average skier can cover this distance in 5-6 hours. There are Sella Ronda Skimarathon races where athletes complete the circuit in 3.5-4 hours.

A unique feature is that clockwise and counterclockwise movements are two different trails, marked in orange and green, respectively, so getting lost is impossible. However, there is a risk of miscalculating time and missing the last lift, which would require taking a taxi (70-100€) back home, as taxis circulate around the massif.

Changing landscapes, each better than the last, is the main charm of the Sella Ronda routes. Their downside is the abundance of shallow, uninteresting slopes that prevent gaining high speeds.

Read also about Monte Rosa Ski Resort.

Black Trails

• The championship trail Gran Risa descends from the heights of Piz la Ila to the village of La Villa, where World Cup competitions take place.
• Another descent, Vallon, leads to Corvara, with a length of 2.7 miles (4.3 kilometers) and an elevation drop of about 2,953 feet (900 meters).

Prices for Ski Passes and Lifts in Corvara

The resort is serviced by 53 lifts with a capacity of approximately 85,000 people per hour. During peak season, queues can form at the Sella Ronda routes’ lifts.

In the Dolomiti Superski region, you can purchase two types of ski passes:

• The Dolomiti Superski ski pass allows you to explore the entire region and access the slopes of 12 resorts covering a total distance of 1,200 kilometers. It’s essential for those who want to tackle the Sella Ronda route, plan to stay for an extended period, and have solid skiing experience. The cost of a one-day adult pass is €57 during the high season and €51 at all other times.

• The Alta Badia ski pass is valid within the skiing area of a resort that combines five villages. The price for a one-day adult pass is €56 during the high season and €50 at other times.

In the village of Corvara, you can purchase passes at the Boe cable car station located at Strada Burjé, 39033 Corvara In Badia, BZ.

Hotels – Where to Stay in Corvara

When choosing accommodation, especially in the expensive Corvara resort, it’s important to prioritize your preferences. If you’re looking for convenient access to skiing, consider staying at a hotel near the ski lifts. You can find reasonably priced apartments in these areas, but it’s advisable to book them in advance. In the town center, you’ll find luxurious hotels with vibrant nightlife.

5 Stars

Sassongher

The five-star Sassongher Hotel is located near the town center. It offers free parking and shuttle services to the resort’s ski lifts. The hotel features a spa center, a solarium, and the option to order half-board with a diverse menu.

4 Stars

Greif

The Greif hotel is situated right in the heart of the resort and provides rooms adorned with light wood in a mountain cabin style. It has a sauna, a pool, and a restaurant serving local cuisine. The hotel is conveniently located near a shuttle stop that takes you to the ski lifts.

Col Alto

The Col Alto Hotel stands at the foot of the mountain. After skiing down the slopes, you can ski directly to your accommodation. The hotel boasts an excellent wellness center with a cosmetic salon and a pool. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the ski lifts.

3 Stars

Italia

The three-star hotel Italia is conveniently located in a lively resort area, just a few minutes’ walk from the ski lift. Friendly hosts shower guests with attention and care. There is free internet and a spa center. In the mornings, a buffet breakfast is served, and in the evenings, dinner is offered in the restaurant.

Planac

The Planac Hotel, located near the “Pralongia” ski lift, is very popular among tourists. It offers parking and the use of a bathroom.

Corvara Apartments and B&B

Residence Salvan

Residence Salvan apartments are situated in the village center near the bus stop that takes you to the ski lift. The rooms are in an Alpine style, and there’s a restaurant serving local cuisine, as well as a room for ski equipment at guests’ disposal.

Nei Y Suredl NeveSole

The cozy guesthouse Nei Y Suredl NeveSole has a convenient location for those primarily interested in skiing. It’s located just 10 meters from the ski lift, and the slope ends right at the entrance. Finnish and Turkish saunas, underground parking, ski storage, and a well-equipped kitchen make it an ideal place for skiers.

Restaurants in Corvara

The cuisine in the Alta Badia region carries the Tyrolean flair: turtres pastries, bales da ciocie dumplings, panicia soup with barley grains, fresh cheeses, and meat delicacies turn ordinary meals into a culinary celebration.

Pizzeria Fornella

Pizzeria Fornella is so popular that getting a table isn’t always easy due to the wait for available seats. It’s renowned for its incredibly tender pizzas.
Address: Strada Rütort, 1, 39033 Corvara in Badia BZ, Italy

Restaurant Adler

Despite being located in a basement, reservations are recommended at the Adler Grill restaurant. The food is delicious, portions are generous, and the local house wine is excellent. It’s a top destination for gourmands in the village.
Address: Str. Col Alt, 24, 39033 Corvara in Badia BZ, Italy

Taverna Restaurant

The Taverna restaurant in the Zirm-Post hotel offers typical European cuisine but is famous for its entertainment programs and the authentic aprés-ski atmosphere.
Address: Str. Col Alt, 95, 39033 Corvara in Badia BZ, Italy

The aftertaste of winter holidays spent in the Dolomites fills you with positivity for the rest of the year.

Feel free to leave a review of your vacation in the Corvara in Badia ski resort in the comments.