Cortina is located in the Ampezzo Valley in the beautiful Dolomite Mountains of Northern Italy. The town has a much more Italian influence than other more German-type ski resorts in the area. The charm of this Tyrolean town lies in its architecture and the atmosphere created by the chic Italians that flock there.

The town is connected with other resorts in the area through the Dolomiti Super Ski Pass, which gives skiers over 740 miles of runs. There are great beginner slopes, intermediates and black-coded expert runs, which allow skiers of any ability to enjoy this resort. From the ski-jumps to the long sweeping runs, skiers will find that Cortina is an ideal resort. In the summer, the plastic slopes at the Ski Stadium offer basic skiing on a interesting medium.

For the sport enthusiast that does not ski, do not despair; there are many options for you in Cortina. The outdoor sports include: snowmobiling, ice climbing, tobogganing, ice-skating and much more. This guarantees that any sportsman will be able to enjoy himself at this resort.

For the non-athlete, yes, even you will be happy here. The shopping at Cortina is not to be missed. And further, one can eat in fabulous restaurants, relax and take a beautiful stroll though the streets of a picturesque town, or dance the night away, in one of the happening locales in town.

miles of beautiful runs. A dream for beginners, the ski school and the perfect conditions combine to make Cortina a great place for novice skiers. Intermediates and experts alike will not be disappointed because 65% of the trails are for the more advanced skier. In addition, the off-pist skiing will appeal to the more experienced skier.

Problems with Cortina can include the sometime lack of snow covering the slopes. Due to the location of the runs, and where they face can cause thin snow and unsuitable slopes in some areas. Also, as with other Italian resorts, the holidays and weekends will find the resort more crowded.

beginner runs, there are more than enough slopes to keep beginners skiing for days on varied terrain. In Cortina itself, 39 of the trails are blue-coded and there are 259 in the whole region.

Some of the best places for beginners are: Passo Falzarego or Tofana and Socrepes. These trails are very gentle and the lift system that supports them is perfect for someone who has never attempted a lift before.

Located at the bottom of the mountain and facing towards the south, the slopes can experience a lack of snow at the beginning and end of the season. There are snowmakers in place that seek to keep the slopes covered and in ski-able condition.

of a problem of lack of snow for the red-coded runs, and almost no problem for the runs located on the upper half of the mountain. However, the beginning and end of the season may see thinning on the slopes.

Some areas for intermediate skiers to try include: Cinque Torri (which means five towers), Faloria, and Tofana. There is a six-mile cruising run, which goes from Lagazuoi in the direction of Armentarola, from where one can take a taxi back to town.

the off-pist/backcountry areas.

As the host of the Winter Olympics in 1956, Cortina first made a name for itself in the international arena. There are but a few trails for racing, however those are open to the general public.

The racecourses are the Super G and the GS, while the Canalone, is the slope where the women’s Alpine Ski World Cup is held every January.

There is a wide range of other outdoor sports activities in which to engage in Cortina and the surrounding areas.
Cortina is paradise for outdoor sports enthusiasts.

The Cortina area offers great opportunities for the advanced and expert ice climber. The season runs from December to March.
The ice falls of Lucy in the Sky and No Hai Mas are challenges climbs that pass nearby the Freccia nel Cielo cable car. The Borca di Cadore has three 300-foot climbs of icefalls at la Lastra, Otuia, and Ru d’Assola. Near Toblach, at the Cascata del Castello, another icefall has a 200-foot climb while the Crepa San Florian has an almost 270-foot climb.

backcountry. The Gruppo Guide Alpine Cortina offers also many guided snow shoeing excursions throughout the backcountry around Cortina. People off all ages and abilities can snowshoe and rental equipment is available at most of the rental shops in town.

One of the great things about the resort is Cortina Adrenaline Center. This is an organization that offers adventures for the person that requires a bit more excitement. They offer rafting, but not on your usual river, instead, here they raft down a ski jump. Other activities available through this group are bobsledding and hiking through the backcountry.

For the daring, but traditional there are two places that one can rent snowmobiles in the area. One in Sappada is almost an hour from Cortina, but has a great private course, with guided and independent tours available. There are mini Ski-Doos for children and night adventures that include dinner are an option here.

The other place to rent is in Misurina, which is about 10 minutes from Cortina. There are vehicles for rent per hour in a course across the lake.

The Scuola Italiana di Sleddog organizes excursions with Sled dog as well.

There are also two ice skating rinks in the area. The outdoor rink in the town of Fiames is a sport where the speed skaters like to practice, while the Olympic Ice Stadium, (outdoors as well) is open in the town and offers lessons, and skate rentals in addition to ice hockey and curling.

A more quiet activity but so gorgeous is horse-drawn sleigh riding in the town of Cortina if there is ample snow. At Armentarola, the sleigh rides can be combined with dinner at one of the rifugios.

It’s the after-ski that is makes Cortina really famous in Italy. The passeggiata, or evening walk is an activity that most Italians engage in. Sort of like cruising the strip in the States, this walk is usually done before dinner and one can go for a cocktail or just browse through the many shops in the town.

With more than enough cafes, restaurants and bars to keep the average person happy, one will not find Cortina lacking in nightlife. There are discos in which to dance, wine bars, relaxing pubs and even piano bars to explore.

Cafes will have a wide variety of pastries and are a must for anyone with a sweet tooth. Try a sandwich or a “toast” which is grilled. The café is a great place for a quick bite and a great cup of coffee, whether cappuccino, espresso or any of the other coffee drinks available.

from 7 to closing, whenever that may be.
The cafes and coffee bar are open all day long and one can be sure to get a quick bite here if time is of the essence. Go to one of the “rifugio” on the mountainside for a meal with a beautiful view.

There are so many different clubs and bars to party the night away in Cortina. It’s hard to choose just one. There are many different bars to choose from. From piano bars to wine bars, to pubs and laidback lounges; there is something for everyone here in Cortina.
The discos get going around 11, and include the Hyppo, Limbo, Metro, and VIP. One can have drinks and dance until the wee hours of the morning.