Tantalizing gourmet food, perfect powdery skiing and a heavenly spa you can enjoy with your kids? That is what I’ve recently been enjoying in Alta Badia snow paradise resort, which rises high at the heart of Italy’s pinkish Dolomites mountain range. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, I highly recommend the hotel Ciasa Salares for your accommodation, a beautiful 4-star property nestled close to the picturesque village of San Cassiano.
The wood-floor rooms with panoramic terraces overlooking the snow-capped peaks are cosy, warm and ever so inviting. The spa is simply divine: after a day skiing, treat yourself to an Alpine Healthcare Bath with straw blossoms and juniper, while the kids play in the pool or in the hotel’s playground under the supervision of professional babysitters.
And the best bit is that there is no need to plan much ahead, because family-friendly, luxury tour operator Powder Byrne delivers a client-tailored service according to your exact needs. From your driver to local guides, skiing instructors for the kids to baby crèche managers for toddlers, there is nothing that can’t be arranged for you.
The Yetis snow camps for 3-9 year olds will turn them into little ski champions in no time, while Snozone (for those aged 10-14) gives older ones an adrenaline fix at the Snowpark and Funslope freestyle courses.
And while you might find yourself at 1,600 meters altitude, the delicacies on offer in the hotel’s three restaurants are unrivalled. Leading the pack is Michelin-starred La Siriola, the helm for one of Italy’s youngest chefs, Matteo Metullio.
The Wasabi mayo and trout caviar may be too sophisticated for your kids’ palates but you will, no doubt, love it; the cheese-filled ravioli and white chocolate will keep them extremely happy. Matteo is happy to satisfy any request, whether it comes from you or the little ones. Wine flows in abundance, too. (After all, the region produces some of Italy’s finest). The cellar of the hotel, Cantina de Stefan, boasts a fine selection built up over the past 25 years.
One thing not to be missed is “powder snow breakfast” at the Las Vegas Lodge: a snow cat will take you up early in the morning to 2,000 meters altitude where you can begin the day with local, home-made fare. You’ll then be free to enjoy the thrill of skiing on virgin snow before all lift facilities open for the day.
Lunchtime is just as well considered. In between ski lessons, hungry little stomachs will love the “Slope Food,” a sort of alpine version of Street Food for skiers. It’s not just an adult-thing: the Col Alto refuge serves a delicious venison cheeseburger with french fries and BBQ sauce, while Moritzino serves sweet, mouth-watering, almond-crusted prawns. Dotted around the slopes lie 14 mountain huts, each showcasing a special treat created by a Michelin-starred chef and based on a mixture of traditional, local Ladin cuisine and modern favourites. This is foodie heaven whether you love to ski or not and, with so much for the kids, the Dolomite region of Italy caters to every possible family-friendly skiing need, no matter what the age of your children.
Prices start from £1,760 per person sharing a superior twin room on half board for a 7 night stay. This includes return flights from the UK, transfers and the Powder Byrne resort service.
Powder Byrne also offer Luxury Ski Weekends, starting at £1,179 per adult for 4 nights from 20th March on a half board basis. Price includes return flights, transfers and concierge service.
Kids’ skiing programs are an average of €450 per week, with some including meals.