Peak Luxury
There’s just something about luxury and high-altitude skiing that go together like a pair of tight lycra ski pants. And in terms of both the luxury part and the high-altitude skiing, you just can’t go past The recently opened Como Alpina Dolomites.
Located in Val Gardena on the expansive high-altitude plateau of Alpe di Siusi, a Dolomites UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, the resort’s 60 rooms are a testament to the art of understated luxury, with views that make even the most seasoned traveller stop and stare. It’s like waking up inside a panoramic snow globe every day, except the minibar is significantly better stocked. The Alpina Chalet Suite, with its circular view of the Dolomites, bio-ethanol fireplace, and balcony, serves as the ultimate alpine den – a place to reminisce about the day’s exploits with a single malt in hand, even if said exploits were more ‘après-ski’ than ‘extreme downhill’.
The resort’s architecture and interior design reflect a deep respect for the natural surroundings, incorporating natural materials such as original quartzite stone and a wooden roof that mimics the terrain’s silhouettes. Each room, especially the Alpina Chalet Suite, offers a special connection with the mountains, providing guests with stunning circular views of the Dolomites’ peaks.
Como Alpina Dolomites is quite the adventure base, offering direct ski-in and ski-out access to the world-class slopes of Val Gardena, part of the Dolomiti Superski circuit. And for the warmer months, the resort also caters to a variety of outdoor activities beyond skiing, including hiking, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking.
And when you are done adventuring you can get some rest and recovery in with the Shambhala Retreat, a wellness sanctuary within the resort that includes a 22-metre indoor pool with panoramic views, a 7-metre outdoor pool, sauna, fitness centre, beauty sanctuary, and relaxation zones. It’s the pit stop every adventurer needs. It’s where bruised egos and sore muscles find solace, and where one can quietly concede that maybe, just maybe, the black run was a tad ambitious.
Dining here is an affair that marries the hearty with the haute, where local dishes like Kaiserschmarren are served with a side of sophistication. The Lobby Lounge’s afternoon tea is a nod to the civilised, a gentle reminder that even the wildest of snow-bound adventurers can appreciate the finer things in life.
Peak Downtime
The Alpe di Siusi is a 56 square kilometre high alpine pasture in Northern Italy, the largest in Europe. It’d be a shame not to explore it to it’s full potential, so when you’re done swanning around the resort, check out these other activities.
During the summer months from April to November take advantage of the thaw to hit a couple holes of golf at the Golfclub St. Vigil Seis. It’s 18 holes surrounded by the most incredible vistas you’ll ever experience in your life. As far as alpine golf goes it doesn’t get better than this.
While you’re on the range, stop in at the Restaurant R19 to freshen up with some Alpine-Mediterranean delicacies like pasta dishes and salads… Or a burger.
If you don’t want to ruin a good walk with golf, COMO has expert guides that can take you snowshoeing during the winter to remote locations inaccessible to the casual skier and hiker. The area is riddled with beginner and expert hiking trails for all seasons. There are 450km worth of trails around the Seiser Alm. Pick a section and breath deep of that fresh alpine air and forget your emails for an hour.
