Almfest with Cheese Cutting at Laatscher Alm

An alpine pasture festival above Malles Venosta

The Almfest mit Käseanschnitt auf der Laatscher Alm is the traditional alpine festival held at Laatscher Alm, a mountain hut nestled at an altitude of 2,049 meters above the village of Malles Venosta (Mals) in the Upper Vinschgau Valley, Bolzano province (South Tyrol). It is one of those mountain celebrations that define the Vinschgau summer: visitors hike up the forest trail from Schleis (Clusio) or Laatsch (Laudes)—a journey of about two hours—to reach the high-altitude pastures where livestock graze during the warmer months.

The cheese cutting, the heart of the day

The most anticipated moment is the Käseanschnitt, the ceremonial cutting of the large wheels of alpine cheese produced with fresh pasture milk and aged over the summer. It is a symbolic gesture honoring the hard work of the alpine dairymen and the quality of genuine mountain cheese, which can be tasted and purchased on-site, alongside homemade juices and spirits that are a point of pride for the hut.

Outdoor mass, music, and farm-style cuisine

The festival begins in the late morning with an outdoor mass (Feldmesse), followed by an afternoon of South Tyrolean folk music, hearty food, and entertainment in a warm, convivial atmosphere. The menu features simple, substantial traditional alpine dishes: the home-style cooking of the family managing the Laatscher Alm sustains guests from morning until afternoon.

Tradition and community in Vinschgau

The festival is driven by the dedication of the Laatsch community, with organization managed by the alpine pasture association (Interessentschaft Alm Arunda Laatsch) in collaboration with the hut's team. The Laatscher Alm is open from mid-May to early October and is part of the hiking trails that form the Upper Vinschgau loop: the festival is therefore also the perfect excuse for a scenic high-altitude hike through meadows, forests, and panoramic views of the Vinschgau peaks.

An event of the Municipality of Malles Venosta

The Almfest is part of the summer calendar of the Municipality of Malles Venosta, located in the far west of the Bolzano province, just a stone's throw from the Swiss and Austrian borders. It is an authentic, non-touristy festival deeply cherished by locals, blending faith, gastronomy, and alpine culture in the classic style of South Tyrolean valleys.