The region of South Tyrol boasts one of world's highest concentrations of Michelin stars , squeezing an impressive eighteen stars at sixteen restaurants into an area of just 7,400 square kilometres. This winter, chefs will be working with the cooks from mountain huts throughout the region to promote regional cuisine, with each mountain hut cook working with his or her Michelin-starred chef partner to prepare a Michelin star standard dish to offer guests throughout the whole 2009/10 season.

Until mid-January 2010, diners will be invited to vote for the dishes at each hut and the winning mountain hut cook will be entered free of charge into the biennial South Tyrol Chef's Cup in Alta Badia from Jan 17 to 21.

This winter, visitors to Alta Badia can enjoy an unforgettable breakfast of typical South Tyrolean produce at a refuge 2,000m above sea level. Every Tuesday morning throughout the winter the Col Alto refuge will offer trips from the centre of Corvara by snowcat departing at 7am and 7.30am. Guests can enjoy the views of the Dolomite mountains from the hut as they eat, before hitting the fresh powder on the Col Alto slope to reach the valley before the lifts open for the day.

The Dolomites are widely regarded as being one of the world's most attractive mountain landscapes and are home to the Dolomiti Superski area, the largest area available on one ski pass. What better way to enjoy the dramatic scenery of this new UNESCO World Heritage Site this winter than on a gastronomic ski tour? The Santa Croce Gourmet Ski Tour starts from either Col Alto or Piz Sorega and leads towards the Santa Croce church at the foot of the Santa Croce mountain via eight gourmet mountain huts, all accessible on skis. The tour is ideal for families and intermediate skiers, thanks to themix of easy and intermediate level slopes.