Italian
Sustainability that starts from the territory
Summer in Alta Badia is once again enriched by ATIRA, meetings and excursions dedicated to sustainability. Located in the heart of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this initiative represents a concrete step towards a more conscious and respectful tourism. The GSTC certification (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) marked the beginning of a deep commitment to make the destination a model of environmental, cultural, social, and economic sustainability.
Alta Badia (Bolzano) – In Alta Badia, talking about sustainability means talking about authentic values: Amur (Love), Teritore (Territory), Insegnamënt (Education), Respet (Respect), and Ambiënt (Environment). It is from this deep connection with their land that ATIRA is born, a Ladin word meaning “immediately”: an invitation to act now, with small but meaningful gestures. ATIRA is much more than a name: it is a program of meetings and excursions that, throughout the summer, involves guests and residents in a journey of awareness on sustainability issues. Thanks to the guidance of local experts, each activity becomes an opportunity to discover the mountains from new perspectives, understand their balances, and learn how to protect them. With ATIRA, participants are not just spectators, but active protagonists: true guardians of the Dolomites.
EXCURSIONS AND ACTIVITIES OFFERED WITHIN ATIRA
MICHOLOGY: THE FOREST SEEN FROM THE MUSHROOM
Andrea, a passionate mycologist, will lead participants on this excursion, on an exploratory adventure into the world of mushrooms, discovering their ecological role and medicinal properties. With Andrea, it will be possible to observe the forest from the fungus’s point of view, which is not simply a fruit of the earth, but the link that connects every form of life in the forest ecosystem. The excursion takes place in the woods of La Val, which harbor a diversity of mushrooms that goes beyond the well-known porcini and chanterelles. Andrea turns the walk into a true sensory and cognitive journey, where each encountered mushroom is the pretext for a story about ecology, biology, and chemistry. You will discover the fungal kingdom and its extraordinary medicinal property, which often has anticipated the new frontiers of pharmacological research. The appointments are scheduled for July 18, August 8, and August 22, always from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
THE FARMER: GUARDIAN OF MOUNTAIN MEADOWS
The excursion involves a simple walk in the company of a young farmer, guardian of the Ladin agricultural tradition, who accompanies the participants through the meadows he takes care of. The farmer reveals the art and science of scything, sharing with the guest the meaning and necessity of this practice. He also explains the various methods used, the timing for scything throughout the summer, and how each type of
Cutting influences the subsequent use of hay. Thanks to the young farmer, it is easier to understand how the consequences of neglecting mountain meadows and pastures can cause not only aesthetic but above all environmental damage. The guest also understands how important it is to respect the meadows, recognizing the hard work of the farmers who, season after season, take care of these spaces, vital for the mountain ecosystem. The activity concludes with a guided tour of the barn and the hayloft. Here the guest can observe up close mountain farm life, animals, equipment used for mowing and managing the meadows, and discover how hay is harvested, stored, and used. Appointments are scheduled for June 27, July 25, and September 12.
ECO-HIKER: RESPONSIBLE HIKING
The purpose of Alta Badia Eco-Hiker is to raise awareness among hikers about protecting the environment and the Dolomites, as a very fragile ecosystem. Too often, waste and litter are scattered in nature. During the Alta Badia Eco-Hiker events with Alessia, a hiking guide and ambassador of Alta Badia, participants will have the opportunity to actively help the surrounding environment. Gloves, tools, biodegradable bags, and everything necessary to bring back down the waste found in the meadows and woods along the route will be provided to participants. The experience concludes with a packed picnic, organized by Alessia, as a thank you for the commitment to the environment. Each guest will receive an eco-friendly box, useful for reducing packaging waste during mountain snacks. The events will take place on July 11, August 22, and September 5.
Booking for individual activities is mandatory and can be done online on the website www.altabadia.org, or directly at the tourist offices in Alta Badia.
DISCOVERING OTHER SUSTAINABLE ACTIVITIES
FOOD FOREST: FEASTING ON NATURE IN COMPLETE RELAXATION
The Food Forest, also called edible forest or forest garden, is a multifunctional cultivation, composed of trees, plants, medicinal and officinal herbs, berries, and other fruits of the forest. It is a productive system that also permanently captures CO2 and increases alpine biodiversity, while simultaneously improving soil fertility.
The Alta Badia, in collaboration with Etifor (spin-off of the University of Padua), has identified the Masisti Forest at Passo Campolongo as the ideal place to create a Food Forest. Thanks to the WOWnature Alta Badia project, the reforestation process began in this forest five years ago, after it was severely damaged by the Vaia storm. In this forest, an excellent biodiversity has been created and it is possible to find tasty surprises, including blueberries, raspberries, wild strawberries, juniper berries, elderberries, and other berries and fruits all waiting to be discovered. Even during the upcoming summer, it will be possible to create your own self-guided path. Along the trail, informative panels have been installed, providing the opportunity not only to walk but also to learn all the secrets of the surrounding forest.
GO GREEN
When it comes to environmental conservation, it is essential to think about reducing emissions.
caused by car traffic. This also includes the summer opening of ski lifts, allowing people to move around using this means of transportation. In recent years, this service has been further enhanced with the summer opening of the Borest gondola lift, the perfect way to travel between Corvara and Colfosco without using a car. From the Colfosco station, you can continue using ski lifts towards Valle Stella Alpina, or reach the Plans-Frara ski lift that leads to Passo Gardena.
The chairlifts La Fraina and Bamby on the plateau of Piz Sorega and Piz La Ila conveniently connect the villages of La Villa and San Cassiano.
From July 1st, the new La Crusc 1 cable car will be in operation, making it even more comfortable to reach the little church at the foot of Santa Croce, a place of pilgrimage and starting point for numerous walks.
There are a total of 19 ski lifts open from June 14th to October 5th, 2025, which can be used thanks to the Alta Badia Summer Card. In summer, ski lifts become a real mobility tool, allowing you to move around the resort and fully enjoy its beauty in a sustainable way.
The Guest Card, which allows all people staying at a facility associated with the Alta Badia Tourist Cooperative, to use all regional public transport in South Tyrol for free, will be available again soon.
The sustainable mobility project also includes the E-Bike Sharing service at 2000m.
Thanks to E-Bike Sharing, it is possible to pedal comfortably from one place to another, reaching the most scenic points of the area and the three parks within the Movimënt Area at 2000m. It is also important to underline that the bicycles are electric, so you can pedal with less effort, thanks to assisted pedaling. Outdoor activity is therefore also suitable for a less sporty audience, who simply wants to enjoy the Dolomite panorama on two wheels. The stations where you can pick up or drop off the bikes are located near the top stations of the ski lifts Col Alto, Piz La Ila, and Piz Sorega. You can also rent the latest generation e-bikes at sports shops and rental shops in the area.
THE WATER OF OUR MOUNTAINS
The Alta Badia wants to raise awareness among citizens and visitors to adopt environmentally friendly behavior. One of the main themes of the project is drinking water. The consumption of water in plastic bottles leaves permanent traces, and for this reason, the tourist destination wants to encourage people to consume tap water and fountain water, using reusable bottles and flasks. In fact, the Alta Badia has created a branded bottle that can be used for this purpose. The bottles can be purchased at the Alta Badia information offices.
SUSTAINABILITY, NOT JUST ENVIRONMENTAL…
In addition to environmental sustainability, the criteria of GSTC certification focus on three other fundamental concepts: socio-economic sustainability, cultural sustainability, and sustainable management. In this sense, Alta Badia has created an internal “green team” that works daily on projects.
sustainable in all areas. They are born, thanks to the commitment of all local tourism operators, activities and initiatives, in addition to environmental ones, aimed at achieving ever better quality standards. During the summer and winter months, for example, the event “Nos Ladins-Noi Ladini” is proposed, which includes a series of experiences to be lived with the local people and which allow you to deepen your cultural knowledge of the Ladini world. Furthermore, local producers and farmers are involved in tourist initiatives, organizing activities such as days at the farm, or Ladino cooking courses, thus reinforcing socio-economic sustainability.
