This winter we visited Corvara, a picturesqure village in the Dolomites, Northern Italy.
After flying into Venice, we drove a brief two and a half hours north to the region with stunning views along the way. Corvara sits at an elevation of around 1,568 meters (5,141 ft) above sea level and is surrounded by majestic peaks like the Sassongher.
Where to stay in Corvara
We'd suggest staying within the village of Corvara for ease of winter activities right at your fingertips. For a blend of local charm and a luxury hotel, Hotel La Perla will not disappoint. A family run hotel with an incredible spa and several cosy restaurants throughout, it is our favorite in the area. They also have an incredible spa - perfect for an early evening sauna or swim after a long day on the slopes.
Just across from the Hotel La Perla you will find their sista hotel, Berghotel Ladinia. A perfectly quaint and charming small Ladin-style hotel and certainly less frills to its older sister nearby. The restaurant at Berghotel Ladinia is wonderful, in traditional Alpine fashion and a cosy atmosphere for breakfast or dinner. The rooms are simple and will make you feel like you have stepped back in time in a wonderful, authentic way.
Winter Activities Nearby
Corvara offers a wealth of activities available just within steps of the village. Chair lift and gondola access are right in town as well as several hiking trails for snowshoeing throughout. The ski rental, Sport Alfredo, is in the center of the hotel, making it incredibly easy if you haven't brought your own.
Rifugio Marmotta
Perhaps our favorite activity of the trip was embarking on a wonderful snowshoe journey from town to the charming Rifugio Marmotta. Marmotta is situated at an elevation of about 2,000 meters (6,561 ft) making it the perfect place to stop in for a meal after you've traveled a few hours by foot. Known for its traditional Tyrolean and Ladin cusine, the menu offers classics like hearty dumplings, speck and polenta. We parked near Hotel Costes nearby for access to the trail. Following trail heads for La Marmotta, we found our way through stunning trails and mountain ranges to the rifugio in about two hours time. The way back is certainly quicker, and easier, with about a 45 minute return journey.
Rifugio Pralongiá
If you continue upwards from Marmotta, you will eventually reach Rifugio Pralongiá. Located at 2,150 meters (7,054 ft), this rifguio offers incredible views of the Sella Group and Marmolada ranges. This hut is also accessible via the Pralongiá lift if you are not up for a snowy hike up the mountain. Enjoy the Ladin dumplings on the hopefully sunny terrace for a perfect afternoon in the region.
Alpine Restaurant Piz Arlara
Another wonderful hike that is accessible from the Corvara town is the approximate 3.5 mile journey to the wonderful Alpine Restaurant Piz Arlara. In the winter this hike will take anywhere from two to three hours given the uphill nature to reach the altitude of 2,000 meters (65,561 ft. where the restaurant is). Alternatively, there is about a cable car ride portion to help with the incline if you'd like.
Notes for Future Visits
-Ask your hotel for the Alta Badia mountain range trail guide. This will be extremely helpful to keep on hand throughout your hikes and planning out your next day.
-The region has a wealth of both hiking trails and ski slopes so we found it enjoyable to switch off activities to see all the region had to offer.
-We stayed at our hotel for dinner most nights with a full-lodging approach which made for an incredibly relaxing and cosy stay.
