39th Alpine Ski World Cup in Alta Badia – The Gran Risa slope is ready for the show

Preparations for the two Alpine World Cup races are currently underway in Alta Badia. The special event will place on Sunday 22nd and Monday 23rd December on the famous Gran Risa slope, one of the most technically demanding and spectacular pistes in the entire white circus.

The renowned holiday resort in the heart of the Dolomites, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, can look back on a long tradition as a venue for Alpine Ski World Cup races. For no less than 39 years, Alta Badia has been one of the most anticipated stages of the Ski World Cup. Under the leadership of Andy Varallo, the organizing committee strives to ensure smooth operations and constant improvement every year.

The world’s best men’s alpine ski racers will compete in a giant slalom and a special slalom in Alta Badia on Sunday 22nd and Monday 23rd December. Thanks to the hospitality areas, this edition will also be dedicated to sport and lifestyle. Ski fans can support their favourites live, in the stands on the ground floor or in the three hospitality areas, which are prepared for the numerous fans.

Photo: Alex Moling / Alta Badia

Sport, music and culinary highlights

The region is increasingly developing into a place that offers the greatest wealth of valuable moments of enjoyment in the mountains. In this sense, the Ski World Cup races are a unique opportunity to discover the excellences of the destination. The races are indeed the highlight of skiing in Alta Badia. The event’s three hospitality areas offer authentic moments of enjoyment based on the region’s most important values, namely fine cuisine, the majesty of the Dolomites and Ladin culture. For example, the excellence of moments dedicated to gourmet cuisine is again at home in the Leitner VIP Lounge, located on the terrace of the building in front of the ground floor.

Photo: Alex Moling / Alta Badia

Leitner, one of the world market leaders in cable car construction, and Alta Badia share the same innovative strength. “Our company history is closely linked to Alta Badia. A relationship that began in 1947 with the first chairlift made in Italy, the Col Alt chairlift in Corvara. Over the decades, the collaboration has strengthened and developed into a friendship. Together we were able to overcome many challenges, which strengthened our bond, which is characterized by mutual help and the ability to learn from each other.” With these words Anton Seeber, President of Leitner, describes the relationship of appreciation and friendship that has been renewed time and again for more than 75 years.

Photo: Manuel Glira / Alta Badia

LEITNER’s VIP lounge offers the opportunity to watch the races from a privileged position and spend a few quiet hours with a good glass of wine, accompanied by magnificent dishes created by star chef Peter Brunel from the Peter Brunel Ristorante Gourmet in Arco on Sundays. Brunel has made a sustainable philosophy in the kitchen his calling and is inspired by the cuisines of the world, but always returns to his native Alps. Tina Marcelli from the Artifex restaurant (Pflerschtal) and chef Johann Lerchner from the Lerchner’s restaurant in St. Lorenzen are responsible for the culinary offer on Monday, December 23rd in the LEITNER VIP Lounge. Together, the two chefs will present a four-course menu that combines a passion for the region’s culinary tradition with a focus on sustainable sourcing of strictly seasonal ingredients. The interior design of the LEITNER VIP Lounge is modern and sophisticated, with shared areas such as the cosy wine bar and more intimate, secluded corners ideal for business meetings. The service for guests is continuous, some of the best South Tyrolean products such as bacon and cheese are served throughout the day, along with excellent South Tyrolean wines and sparkling wines in collaboration with the Consortium South Tyrol Wine, the Association of South Tyrolean Sparkling Wine Producers according to the Classic Method and IDM South Tyrol.

Photo: Alex Moling / Alta Badia

In the Red Bull Energy Lounge, the pioneering atmosphere of Alta Badia meets the high ambitions of Red Bull and together they have once again created a lounge that is unique on the entire World Cup route. Visitors can look forward to a building with a large terrace right in the finish area, where fans can watch the races from the front row and from a privileged position, just like in the starting boxes of a Formula 1 or MotoGP race.

Photo: Alex Moling / Alta Badia

In the Red Bull Energy Lounge, you can toast with the Drusian sparkling wine, which is also the sparkling wine used at the award ceremonies for the two races. “Being the official sponsor of the Ski World Cup races in Alta Badia for the third year in a row fills us with great pride,” says Francesco Drusian, owner of the eponymous winery in the heart of Valdobbiadene. “Our company shares with this prestigious event the values of determination and passion that characterize the athletes and that we promote in our work. For us, supporting the Ski World Cup is not only an opportunity to be present at an event of international importance,” continues Drusian, “but also a way to support and enhance two areas that are close to our hearts: the Dolomites and the Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, both listed as World Heritage Sites. We would like to thank the organization for this collaboration and look forward to once again being able to toast with our sparkling wine together with the many fans of this sport.”

Photo: Manuel Glira / Alta Badia

The more traditional, wood-panelled lounge is called the Gran Risa Chalet. This hospitality area is dedicated to Ladin traditions and culture and will host partners Forst, Oakley and Movimënt for the occasion. This lounge is not only furnished in mountain style, but also offers the opportunity to taste some of the best dishes of local, simple but genuine Ladin cuisine. The Gran Risa Chalet makes it possible to get in touch with personalities from the world of sports, as this hospitality area is also used as a stage for conversations and meetings with athletes.

Photo: Matteo Agreiter / Alta Badia

FURTHER INFOS

The Ski World Cup weekend begins on Saturday evening, December 21st at 7 p.m., with the drawing of the starting numbers in the center of La Villa, followed by the party organized by the fire department in the marquee, which is set up directly on the Gran Risa ground floor.

From Tuesday October 15th, all ticket types can be purchased online at www.skiworldcup.it

Tickets for a grandstand seat cost from €30.00 for Sunday and Monday and, like the lounge tickets

Tickets for the Red Bull Energy Lounge cost €245.00 for Sunday and €215.00 for Monday

LEITNER's VIP lounge tickets cost €310 for Sunday and €225 for Monday