It goes without saying that Italians are passionate about sharing their love of food and wine. Each region is proud of their local specialties which not only vary depending on the ski resort you stay in, but are different from the traditional pasta and pizza we normally associate with Italy.
Wherever you visit though, you’re sure to get the freshest produce using local ingredients for recipes passed down from ‘nonna’s’ kitchen.
From Arraba and Corvara to Badia and Penia di Canazei - the resorts within the enormous 1220km Dolomites ski area have evolved from sleepy farming villages to thriving meccas for not just skiers and boarders, but for foodies too. It has a healthy amount of Michelin starred restaurants to shout about but their recipes come from a simpler time.
There’s a distinctly Austrian Tyrolean influence to the menus and food as local cereals, meats and cheeses are still used. With over 450 mountain refugios in the Dolomites ski area, it really is a foodie heaven.
Some dishes to try include…
1. Canederli – These dumpling type balls of bread have different fillings and use the local speck or cured hams and cheese. Canederli is often served in a broth like soup.
2. Polenta(pictured)– This was the staple diet in days gone by. It’s made with corn maize and used in hot stews or grilled/fried with local mushrooms.
3.Apple Strudel or Kaiserschmarrn – Made with local Trentino apples and pastry, this classic dish is accompanied with local jams and preserves.
The local Pinot Grigio wines are some of the best in Italy, but if red is your choice, the Lagrein is definitely worth a try.
Sauze d’Oulx and Sestrière are In the Piemonte region where meats and truffles are local specialities, accompanied of course by the lovely full red wines typical to the region. The mountain forests are full of mushrooms, nuts and berries which are all used in the typical dishes.
4. Bagna Cauda (pictured)– This dish is served a bit like fondue where raw vegetables are dipped into a ‘hot bath’ (literal translation) of anchovies, garlic, olive oil and butter. Try it with the local grissini (breadsticks).
5. Risotto con Toma – A creamy risotto made with a local Aosta Valley cheese.
6. Brasato al Barolo – Marinated veal or meat is soaked overnight in local wine and then braised in herbs and vegetables until tender – a true winter warmer.
7. Torta di Nocciola – Piemonte is famous for its hazelnuts and of course Nuttella! This traditional cake is made with roasted hazelnuts and is great accompanied by some Asti sweet wine.
Local red wine specialities to try would be the Barolo or Barbaresco.
Being located in Lombardia in the Alta Valtellina region on the Swiss border means that local dishes in Livigno are again very different. What are the ski slopes in winter are home to the cows in summer and there is an abundance of local cheeses and meats on offer. The local latteria (dairy shop) features all the local produce including the best ice creams!
Although Livigno sits at a high altitude, the local red wines of Valtellina use the nebbiola grape which produce the delicious Superiore and Sforzato Valtellina wines.
8. Bresaola – This is air dried salted beef that has been left to dry for two to three months. It’s great when accompanied with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice and local bread.
9. Sciatt – These are small cheese fritters which use buckwheat flour and melted cheese.
10. Pizzocheri Pasta (pictured)– This pasta again uses buckwheat flour and its sauce is a mixture of cheese, potatoes and Swiss chard – very filling after a day on the slopes
Eating local dishes is a pleasure in all the resorts but we can’t forget the Italian tradition of aperitivo time. After a day on the slopes, pop into one of the bars or hotels for the refreshing aperitif, Aperol Spritz. It’s made with Aperol (a bitter-sweet orange liqueur), prosecco and soda water, all accompanied by delicious nibbles. The choice of aperitivo in some bars is so big that you won’t need dinner!
Being Italy we can’t forget the coffee – from creamy cappuccinos served with pastries to an espresso after lunch or dinner.
To find you're perfect spot in Italian foodie heaven, visit our Italy ski deals page.
A skiing holiday in Italy has it all; a diverse range of resorts with terrain for all abilities, a relaxed and fun ambience, good food, legendary hospitality and some of the best après-ski in the mountains.
Its wide, confidencebuilding slopes, excellent ski and board tuition, superb nightlife and tax-free status cement Livigno as the right choice for beginner skiers and boarders.
Like all sports, skiing and snowboarding has its own language that, as a newbie, you probably won't understand.
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