Gran Risa slope - La Villa - Dolomites
La Gran Risa is a ski slope located in La Villa, South Tyrol. On the slope that winds its way up Piz la Ila, in the Alta Badia ski area, part of the Dolomiti Superski, men's giant slalom races of the Alpine Ski World Cup are held annually.
The slope is 1,255 meters long, with an elevation gain of 448 meters and a maximum gradient of 63% (28°)[1]; it winds its way down the slopes of Piz la Ila on the side of La Villa surrounded by a pine forest and is therefore almost completely in the shade throughout the day, which makes it most of the time hard or icy.
Since 1985, the Gran Risa has been approved as a venue for the men's giant slalom races of the Alpine Ski World Cup and is considered one of the most beautiful slopes for this specialty, together with the Chuenisbärgli in Adelboden. During the summer of 2005, two gigantic humps were built in the final stretch, called cat humps (gobes dl' giat in Dolomite Ladin), 150 meters long and with a slope of more than 40%, which made it possible to homologate the slope also for special slalom races.
In 2015, a parallel giant slalom was held for the first time.
Over the years, the great ski stars have met on the Gran Risa. The great Alberto Tomba celebrated some of his great successes there and in addition to him, the following have won: Ingemar Stenmark, Ted Ligety, Mark Girardelli, Michael von Grünigen, Bode Miller and Marcel Hirscher.
With its slopes and curves, the Gran Risa is considered one of the most beautiful and technical slopes of the Alpine Ski World Cup and represents a challenge even for the greatest champions.
The descent that winds through the woods begins just below the fork of the black and red slopes of Piz La Ila and extends through the forest close to La Villa. Since the trail extends mostly to the north and for long stretches in the forest, it remains in the shade for the entire day. This makes it particularly hard and sometimes even icy.
After overcoming the steep slope at the beginning, a sharp bend leads the descent over a steep and narrow gully. The descent then leads to a second change of direction to end up at the finish line.
If you want to follow in the footsteps of the best skiers in the world, you need to be a trained skier.
But the satisfaction is great because Gran Risa means emotion and pure adrenaline!
The Gran Risa can be reached from the Sellaronda route. Once you arrive in Corvara, take the chairlift towards La Villa and follow all the signs to reach the black slope GRAN RISA.
Technical data of the Gran Risa slope
- Start: 1,868 m
- Finish line: 1,420 m
- Difference in altitude: 448 m
- Length: 1,255 m
- Maximum gradient: 69%
- Average gradient: 36%
