Brand Summit | Dolomites 2023

We return to our brand's second home in Alta Badia. A place that has already brought our brand and people so many stunning moments on and off the bike.For thousands of years, the Dolomites have been home to the Ladin people. In part descended from the Romans in the middle ages, the Ladin culture is rich in traditions and customs that recall ancient times. Before the invasion of the Germanic tribes from the north and the Italian people from the south, the Ladins inhabited the entire Alpine region. As a result of the fighting, however, they were forced to separate. Three linguistic islands have been left: the Ladin Grisons in the west in Switzerland, the Dolomite Ladins in the center and the Friulian Ladin in the east of Italy. The Ladin language is much older than the Italian or German one. In 1785 the Austrian emperor Joseph II closed the convent and the Marebbano territory was annexed to the Tyrol. In 1918, at the end of the First World War, the Ladins of the Dolomites, until then Austrian citizens, were assigned to Italy. The remains of this bloody battle between the Austrians and Italians is visible throughout the Ladin Valleys as we will find out during our trip.Around 30,000 people still make up the Ladin-speaking community in this mountainous region. With their own language, traditions and cuisine the Ladin culture is unique to the dolomites.There are five main areas of the Dolomites where the Ladin tradition is still prevalent and the language spoken fluently: Val Gardena, Val Badia, Val di Fassa, Val de Fodom and Valle di Ampezzo. These are officially known as the Ladin Valleys.The routes in this collection are an appreciation of this ancient culture and its valleys & peaks. Enjoy riding them!