Cortina d'Ampezzo: The Kingdom of Luxury and Wealth

Cortina d'Ampezzo is Italy’s most glamorous and internationally renowned ski resort, located in the heart of the Dolomite Alps. Known as the “Queen of the Dolomites,” it has hosted the Winter Olympics and is part of the famous Dolomiti Superski area, offering more than 120 km of pistes with spectacular panoramic views.

Location and Access

Cortina lies in the wide, sunny Ampezzo Valley, surrounded by dramatic Dolomite peaks. It is easily accessible:

From Venice Marco Polo Airport: approx. 150 km (2.5 hours by car).
From Innsbruck, Austria: approx. 170 km (3 hours by car).
From Milan Malpensa Airport: approx. 400 km (5 hours by car).

Shuttle buses connect Venice and Treviso airports to Cortina, and private transfers can be arranged through ExoticItaly.com.

Ski Areas and Slopes

The resort features three main ski areas — Tofana, Faloria-Cristallo, and Lagazuoi-5 Torri. Each is connected to the Dolomiti Superski network, allowing seamless skiing across multiple valleys.

Tofana: Famous for World Cup downhill races. Offers short but excellent red runs near Pomedes and fun descents to Ra Valles.
Faloria-Cristallo: A fan of red slopes with great snow conditions; steep descents from Forcella Staunes challenge advanced skiers.
Lagazuoi-5 Torri: Known for scenic routes and historical World War I ski tours.

Most slopes are perfect for beginners and intermediate skiers, while advanced skiers will still find challenging runs. Artificial snowmaking ensures reliable conditions throughout the season.

Luxury and Lifestyle

At the heart of Cortina is the famous Corso Italia, a pedestrian street lined with luxury boutiques, jewelry shops, art galleries, and exclusive fur salons. Après-ski is vibrant with fine dining restaurants, lively bars, elegant wine lounges, and stylish nightclubs. Cortina is also home to world-class spas and wellness centers.

Things to Do Beyond Skiing

Cortina offers a wide variety of winter and year-round activities:

Snowshoeing and winter hiking with Dolomite views.
Ice skating and curling at the Olympic Ice Stadium.
Cross-country skiing on over 70 km of tracks.
Heli-skiing and paragliding for adrenaline lovers.
Summer hiking, cycling, and climbing on UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites.

Best Season to Visit

The ski season runs from late November to early April. January and February bring the best snow, while March offers sunny days perfect for both skiing and après-ski relaxation. Summer is equally popular for hiking and mountain biking.