It's hard to write a single review of the Alta Badia, as the different villages have different characters.

The ski area itself is my favorite, though I've been only to a small number. I learnt to ski there and would recommend it to others (indeed have taken other beginners there where they've made good progress). In many resorts even after a week of tuition the options are really to return to resort down the blue run or to return to the resort down the blue run. In the Alta Badia, there is the possibility of exploring a big network of blue runs, getting to several different villages, after just a few days, and experiencing a wide range of different scenery. But that's not to say that there's nothing for intermediates - there are a reasonable number of red runs, some black runs (one quite demanding), and the possibility of excursions, around the Sella Ronda circuit itself, to the other valleys that are part of the Sella Ronda and to other nearby areas such as Marmolada, Lagazoui and Santa Croce. Really demanding experts may find it a bit limiting - there isn't much off piste, though I have seen some people in the area ski-touring.

Good for
- exceptional range of pistes for beginners and intermediates: you will be kept amused for weeks and weeks
- exceptionally beautiful and dramatic mountains
- generally good facilities, with programme of up-dating lifts where queues build up (though because there are so many lifts there are still some older slow ones and a few draglifts remaining)
- good range of mountain restaurants, some of which are excellent
- nice villages, with interesting culture (they have their own language, Ladin, up there)
- good food in the villages: the local cuisine is very good, and, if your budget is up to it, there are Michelin-starred restaurants in Corvara and San Cassiano
- cosy hotels/bed and breakfasts/pensione that aren't too expensive
- comparatively few other British people (may be an advantage if you want to avoid crowds of Brits, or a disadvantage if you want to socialise in English, as many visitors are Italian monoglots)
- good ski schools (one in each village) generally with English-speaking instructors

Not so good for
- noisy, party-all-night apres ski (to be perfectly honest I've not looked for this too much, but I think there isn't as much as in some other resorts)
- non-skiers and other activities; there is an ice-rink in Corvara and a swimming pool (basic) in La Villa
- access: easiest from Venice or Venice Treviso, but a 3 hour drive via Arraba, and no direct public transport
- range of accommodation: there are no chalets and not as many apartments as other resorts, with most rooms being in hotels (on half-board terms) or bed & breakfasts/pensione

Can't comment on snow-boarding, but most people here ski. There's a terrain park over above Selva (I think), but that's quite a trek for quick thrills!