Dive into the past

The Pescollderungg family was one of the first to host guests. They opened one of the first hotels in Alta Badia, the Hotel Dolomiti La Villa (La Ila). The couple had 17 children – not so uncommon back then – and three of them were very enthusiastic mountaineers and back-country skiers. Konrad, Siegfried and Peter soon discovered that they could pass their passion on to the hotel guests and began taking them on guided ski tours. The "Prà lunc," which translates to "long meadow" in English, was already one of the most popular destinations back then – simply because it offers a wonderful panoramic view of the surrounding Dolomites. This is where the name "Pralongià" comes from.

Because they couldn't get enough of its beauty and wanted to experience it all day long and throughout the year, they soon had a brilliant idea - in 1932, a small mountain chalet was built right in the middle of the alpine pasture and opened in 1933. It had a few bedrooms and a nice dining area. At this time, there was still no kitchen, with food instead being delivered from the Hotel Dolomiti. That went very well for several years. In the post-war period, Konrad then took care of this small, wooden gem alone. In 1959, the first ski lift was built, making the hut quick and easy to reach. From then on, skiers, and not just back-country skiers, also came here. More and more people visited, as this place was popular not only for its beauty but also for its hospitality. It became clear that the hut needed more space, both for dining and sleeping.

In 1975, a new and considerably larger building was constructed at its current location near the old structure and opened in 1976. Konrad and Antonia's daughter, Erica, skilfully managed the business. Today, Erica’s son, Dieter, along with his wife, Sylvia, and family runs the mountain inn. Newly renovated, it exudes modern principles – simplicity and the use of natural materials such as wood, stone and glass. Mother Erica is still active in the hospitality operation. The pioneering intent of the grandfather has survived to this day in that every stay at the Pralongià should always be a little better than the last and more pleasant all around. Despite all the changes – or precisely because of them – this special mountain inn remains a unique place where one can fully savour the primal world of the mountains. The large windows make it possible to clearly see the Dolomites, whether by day or by night – and in between at twilight too.

Perhaps you have already wondered what the story of the small chapel is. Konrad had it built in memory of his late wife, Antonia, which is why the small house of worship is dedicated to St. Anthony (Hl. Antonius).