One of the most luxurious resorts in Europe, Cortina d’Ampezzo is a member of the exclusive “Best in the Alps” club – a group of 12 resorts spread across 5 countries that see themselves as the best that Alpine skiing has to offer. Cortina d’Ampezzo is the only Italian resort to be included in the exclusive club, and what’s more, it’s also the only resort that isn’t actually located in the Alps, rather, it’s in the Dolomites.
Cortina d’Ampezzo has a rich and proud history, having hosted the Winter Olympics back in 1956 and also been the setting of several James Bond movie scenes during the years when Sean Connery was the main man. Such is its prestige that Cortina, as it’s often called, is not just a place to come and ski – many love to come here just to hang out and be seen. It’s a popular spot for members of Italy’s elite, as well as movie stars, designers and models.
Perfect for Family Skiing & Sightseeing
Sadly though, there are some who feel that Cortina d’Ampezzo has focused too much on its image as an elite resort and not enough on the actual skiing. As such, the options for advanced skiers appear to be somewhat limited. For intermediates and beginners, Cortina d’Ampezzo is a fine resort though, and there are few places that can compare to its breathtaking scenery, especially the notable sunsets which see the mountain peaks blend into shades of pink, purple and mauve.
Snow cover is pretty reliable at Cortina d’Ampezzo, thanks to the snowmaking machines which cover 95% of the slopes here, but the downside to this is that the resort becomes so popular sometimes that queues at the lifts are sometimes a problem. Another frustration is that the main ski areas are not lift-linked, and so bussing it is the only way to go from slope to slope, which can be rather tiresome.
Not Quite Year Round, But Almost
Still, Cortina d’Ampezzo is the best part of the amazing Dolomiti Superski Area, a region that encompasses more than 1,200km of pristine slopes, serviced by more than 450 ski lifts. What’s more, the ski season is about as long as it gets in the Alps, lasting from mid-November until the end of May.
Beginners have an astounding number of options at Cortina d’Ampezzo. The Socrepes area is especially well known for its friendly, green slopes. Intermediates meanwhile will get a thrill from the challenging yet achievable runs at Faloria and Tofana.
As noted above though, when it comes to advanced skiers the options are somewhat minimal. There’s a nice steep black at Tofana which can be a challenge, while Cristallo’s Staunies is a tricky one, but in order to find some real action most expert skiers opt to hire a guide and find some off-piste slopes, which the area is quite famous for.
Currency: Euro
Budget for one week: Over €1000 per week
Taxes and gratuity: Tipping is expected
Official language: Italian
Area: 254.51 km2 (98.3 sq mi)
Population: About 6,150
Electricity:
- Voltage: 220-240 Volts (U.S./Canada are 110-120 Volts)
- Primary Socket Type: Europlug, Schuko
- Multi-voltage appliances (laptops, etc.): Plug adapter
- 110-120V electronics: Plug adapter + step-down transformer
- 100V Japanese appliances: Japan to U.S. reducer transformer
Other key facts:
- Elevation – 2,930 meters (9,610 ft)
- Total Runs – 101
- Snowfall – 200 + in./year
Images courtesy:cbpikul, Javier Moreno Serrano, Michele Faggian - Fotolia.com
Report an error
