Ütia Lè Mountain Hut
The Ütia Lé is set on the meadows at the foot of the imposing rock walls of the Sas dla Crusc, capturing the attention of hikers with its harmonious and elegant appearance, thanks to the natural materials of wood and stone.
The terrace, along with the entire structure of the hut, has the scent of larch and offers a panoramic view of the valley framed by the beautiful DOLOMITES, an UNESCO World Heritage site.
About us
The Ütia Lé hut, built in 1962 by Paolo for the opening of the cable car, was continued by Anna, Stefan's mother, and her husband Federico. Today, under Stefan's management, it has become a modern, ecological hut combining tradition and sustainability in the Dolomites.
In 1962, Paolo, Stefan’s uncle, built Rifugio Lé with the opening of the cable car that still today takes tourists up to the refuge for winter skiing or enchanting summer walks.
Anna, Stefan’s mother, a professional cook by trade, succeeded her uncle and, together with her husband Federico, who helped her as the host, became the managers of the refuge. The building was expanded and renovated several times to offer a greater variety of culinary choices and better hospitality.
Young Stefan, during his school vacations, would already wander among the tables, serving a few dishes or preparing the bill with a pad and pen. Tourists were amazed at this little boy working at such a young age, already showing a certain familiarity with the trade.
Stefan grew up, studied, and soon followed the Valentin family tradition by becoming a refuge manager. For twenty-seven years, he has been running Rifugio Lé with dedication and great passion.
With the renovation in 2021, the choice of natural, locally sourced building materials has made Rifugio Lé a high-level eco-friendly construction: the timber used comes from the three coniferous trees that grow in the valley—spruce, larch, and pine. Some walls and floors are made of stone. Large windows let in patches of blue sky, creating a visual continuity between the interior and exterior that transforms the spaces into a bright, open area with views of the Dolomites.
Winter
Rifugio Ütia Lé is located on the slope of the La Crusc - Santa Croce ski area, which is part of the Dolomiti Superski network and connected to the famous Alta Badia - Sellaronda ski carousel. It enjoys an excellent panoramic position overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites. The sun shines for long periods throughout the winter at Rifugio Ütia Lé, making our terrace the perfect place to relax and immerse yourself in the special atmosphere of the Dolomites during winter.
Summer
On foot, by covered lift, or by mountain bike, Rifugio Ütia Lé is easily accessible and offers entertainment for families. The summer is the ideal season to enjoy nature, immersed in flowering mountain meadows and the spectacular scenery of the Dolomites in Alta Badia.
Children
Ütia Lé is the ideal destination for children and families, offering unforgettable experiences in the Dolomites, thanks to the nearby Summer Park, exciting play stations, a mini zoo, themed educational trails and relaxation areas.
Near the top station La Crusc 1, you can find a real paradise for young and old alike.
It starts at the Summer Park, where you will find various play stations connected by a circular path:
- Water Games
- Marble Game
- Dragon’s Cave
- “Le iat dala nëi“(The Frogs)
- Gold Panning
- La Crusc’s Best Shooter
- Marmot Battle
- Cabin with Photo Exhibition
- Giant Wooden Chairs
- Relaxation Area
- Smart working Area
Continuing along the path, you can visit the garden with friendly animals that delight both children and adults. In our Mini Zoo, you will find sociable alpacas, Andean camelids, dwarf goats, and breed rabbits. These curious animals are eager to show you how they play, move, eat, and sleep.
Do you know the characteristics of the different animals? Discover them all!
In our park, located between meadows and forests, you will also find other fun games:
- Giant Slide
- Zip Line
- Climbing Games
- Acrobatic Games
- Witch’s House
- Sandbox with Excavator and other fun games
- Swings for All Ages
- Bouncy Castle
- Slide for Toddlers
...and while the children have fun, you can relax on the shaded benches, sunbathe on the loungers, or enjoy the breathtaking panorama of the Dolomites from our terrace.
But the fun doesn’t end here. Do you want to take a peaceful walk with your children? Then the “Wild Animal Tracks” themed trail leading to the Lech Dlá Lé Lake is perfect for you. This educational trail includes 2 enjoyable games: the stamp collecting game and the famous treasure hunt. Here is a brief description:
To participate, pick up the participation map at the lift stations or at Rifugio Ütia Lé. The 7A themed trail starts from Rifugio Ütia Lé and leads to the natural lake Lech Dlá Lé (also designated as a “Natural Monument”), reachable in about 20 minutes of easy walking, suitable for strollers.
Along the trail, you will find various wooden sculptures created with a chainsaw by a South Tyrolean artist. They depict wild animals living in the Dolomites and next to each sculpture are details about their life habits, diet, habitat, and other interesting facts.
With this information, participants will place the correct animal stamp on their map. The stamp is provided next to each sculpture. The map also contains clues for the treasure hunt that help participants find the hidden stamps. At the end of the game, participants can visit Rifugio Ütia Lé to receive a small prize.
And to end the day on a high note, how about a fun family competition with the 7 Dwarfs? It’s delightful Mini Disc Golf. Pick up the discs, paper and pen at our hut and start the game. The first dwarf “Dopey” awaits you on the meadow near the bouncy castle for your first shot. The game continues through the forest below our refuge.
From the forest, you can also admire the “Enrosadira”, the spectacular phenomenon where, at sunset, the Sasso Croce massif is bathed in a fiery red glow.
Hiking and Walks
Ütia Lé is the perfect starting point for unforgettable hikes and mountain adventures. From easy walks and family-friendly trails to challenging via ferrata routes to the peaks of Sasso della Croce and other Dolomite giants. Lovers of nature and mountain sports will find plenty to do here.
The fresh forest air, the blooming meadows, and the majestic view of the Sasso Croce and other Dolomite peaks will make your hikes unforgettable.
In the La Crusc area, you will find both easy and more challenging trails, suitable for hiking, mountain biking, and partially accessible with strollers.
For the more experienced, there are via ferrata routes and equipped trails to reach the famous peaks of Sas dla Crusc (2,907 m), Piza dales Diesc (3,026 m), Lavarela (3,055 m), and Conturines (3,064 m).
Sas dla Crusc is also known as a free climbing mountain for professionals and climbing enthusiasts.
Tip: you can also take the La Crusc 1 cable car from Badia to reach our refuge, with the option to transport both bikes and strollers.
