At Hotel La Perla, a five-star retreat in Italy's Dolomites, guests can enjoy baking, crochet and medal-making sessions led by local artisans, thanks to a community initiative from the Alta Badia tourist board. Olivia Palamountain reports

Guests staying at Hotel La Perla in the Dolomites this winter can get involved with a range of unusual activities facilitated by the Alta Badia tourist board and its "Nos Ladins – We Ladins" initiative.

This quirky programme enables visitors to spend time with local Ladin residents for a taste of regional life, joining in everything from culinary workshops to traditional craft-making sessions and winter sports.

New for the winter 2024/25 season, guests can join Michele, a local baker who learned his craft in his father's bakery, for hands-on sessions making cookies (January 15), dumplings (February 12), and authentic strudel (March 12). Each participant receives detailed recipes to recreate the dishes at home.

For those interested in craftsmanship, Daniel hosts workshops showcasing genuine Ladin artisanship, including the creation of medals for the Maratona dles Dolomites-Enel using local materials such as hay and flowers. Sessions are scheduled for December 19, January 8, and February 20.

The programme also features crochet sessions with Gemma, a Spanish-born resident who has embraced Ladin culture and language. Her workshops run on December 12, January 22, February 6, and March 19, allowing participants to work with colourful yarns and crochet hooks.

Winter sports enthusiasts can experience cross-country skiing with Egon, director of the Alta Badia Cross-Country Ski School. These two-hour sessions, which include visits to the new cross-country centre and introduction to biathlon, are scheduled for December 23, January 6, February 17, and March 3.

Seeking a more unusual skiing experience? Telemark master Arthur shares his expertise in this elegant skiing discipline during sessions on December 11 and March 26.

The family-run Hotel La Perla, which reopens for the winter season on December 6, 2024, has recently undergone significant renovations.

The property now features three new one- and two-bedroom suites designed in traditional Ladin style, using locally sourced materials and handwoven textiles.

A brand-new spa, Salus Per Aquam, offers treatments including the Alpine Pine Massage, while dining options include the Michelin-starred La Stüa de Michil and the hotel's impressive Mahatma Wine cellar, housing 30,000 bottles.

Located in the pretty village of Corvara, the ski-in, ski-out property offers direct access to the Dolomiti Superski area, which features 1,200 km of slopes and 450 lifts.

Rooms start from 645 euros per night on a bed and breakfast basis, with a special offer available for a complimentary fourth night during select periods in December, 2024 and March, 2025.