A Ladin village in Alta Badia known for the Gran Risa World Cup piste and as a base for the Pralongià and the Fanes Dolomites.
A short history
La Villa, La Ila in Ladin, sits at 1,433 metres along the valley floor of Val Badia, between San Cassiano and Corvara. It is a Ladin village that grew up around its farms and farming life, and with tourism it has become one of the best known ski centres in Alta Badia.
Its name in the world of sport is tied to the Gran Risa, the giant slalom piste where a World Cup race is held every December. It is a steep, technical run, one of the most feared on the circuit, that over the years has seen the greatest slalom skiers win.
The village keeps its Ladin identity in the language, in the architecture of the farmhouses and in its traditions. All around lie the pastures of the Pralongià and the slopes that climb toward the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, one of the wildest in the Dolomites.
What to see
- The Pralongià plateau, reached from the town lifts, with its meadows and huts between La Villa and Corvara.
- The e-bike tour on the Pralongià, a loop among the pastures and refuges of the plateau above La Villa.
- The Gran Risa World Cup piste, which in winter cuts down the slope above the village, and the trails toward the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park.
Frequently asked questions
What to see in La Villa?
The Pralongià plateau with its mountain huts, the Gran Risa World Cup piste and the trails toward the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park. It is a good central base for all of Alta Badia.
Why is La Villa famous for skiing?
Because it hosts the Gran Risa, the piste where the Alta Badia World Cup giant slalom is run every December, famous for its steepness and for the great champions who have won there.