Villabassa Dobbiaco introduction
General Information
Villabassa Dobbiaco is in the South Tyrol region of the Italian Alps and is in Val Pusteria. From Villabassa there are wonderful views of the Dolomites which have been named a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO. Villabassa Dobbiaco is at an elevation of 1,256 meters or about 4,100 feet. There are a number of chapels and churches to visit; one of which, St. Anne’s is the oldest building in Val Pusteria. Along with a number of museums, there is also a thermal power station that was built in 1995. The trail leading to the power station is the first European biomass teaching trail. Visitors can learn how wood refuse is converted to thermal and electric energy.
Winter Activities
There is skiing and snowboarding for all levels of experience. Hikers, snowshoers, and cross country skiers will find miles of trails leading to alpine huts and other points of interest. Ski championships take place throughout the winter, especially for cross country skiing, which is quite prominent in the valley with 200 km of trails available. Dobbiaco is the hub for Nordic skiing and has hosted the World Cup Cross Country Ski Championship competitions four times. The snow conditions in here are so magnificent that Snowboard’s World Championship are hosted here every year. Horse drawn sleighs are available to take visitors to Lake Dobbiacco. Ice skating is available in the sports arena. There are also toboggan runs. Since the ski area at Villabassa Dobbiaco is linked to others, there are plenty of ski lifts and slopes for the enthusiasts. In December, the locals re-enact St. Nicholas and Krampus passing through town, with St. Nicholas bringing sweets to the children.
Summer Activities
Hiking is popular during the summer. The Fanes-Senes-Braes Nature Park is nearby and Lake Braes is the deepest lake in the area. There are boat tours of Lake Dobbiacco. There are summer toboggan runs as well, especially for children. Mountain biking is also popular with competitions periodically through the valley. There are many trails and guides who will take groups up on the trails. There are a number of ways to sample the local culture, culinary treats, and history. Gustav Mahler Music Weeks are celebrated every summer. There are many concerts and festivals to attend as well as sports competitions for running and mountain biking.
Other Information
The Cross Country Skiing World Cup is being held in Dobbiacco again in 2011. The Nordic Arena has a variety of facilities including meeting rooms, indoor climbing, and an adventure park where zip lines and rope bridges are used to swing through the trees. There are also tennis courts, a rollerskating rink, and a restaurant in the Arena. Visitors can also walk to the Hornberger Tower which is also called the Red Tower because it is painted in red.