Cortina

A chic resort with breathtaking scenery and remarkably un-crowded slopes.

In favour of Cortina

The elegant resort of the Cortina d'Ampezzo is surrounded by an extensive ski area covered by the Superski Dolomiti Ski pass (12 ski areas all on one pass). A large part of Cortina's visitors do not come here for the skiing resulting in remarkably sparsely populated slopes. They come for the food as the range of fashionable mountain restaurants is impressive (need to eat early), the shopping and the nightlife. Most Cortina holidaymakers rise late, lunch at length and leave the slopes early. Foremost however, many of the Italians who come are there to see and be seen primarily during the passegiata, which takes place daily from about 5pm along the Corso Italia, the pedestrian area of the town.

The skiing is ideal for intermediates. The immediate area of Cortina is divided into two areas, Socrepes which boasts wonderful nursery slopes and some of the high level challenging skiing and Faloria which has some wonderful tree lined runs and a steep chute through the jagged peaks of the Cristallo mountain. The highlight however, is probably the Lagazuoi area, which is one of the most beautiful runs through a hidden valley past a frozen waterfall. The run ends with a linkup lift where several teams of horses pull skiers on long ropes across a flat area back to the ski bus stop. If more skiing is desired then the 450 lifts of the Dolomiti Ski Pass await. The Sella Ronda circuit being the most popular day trip.

There are 3 competing ski schools and by Italian standards the childcare is outstanding, with a choice of all-day care for any age. The ski shuttle buses are small minibuses but are frequent and punctual.

Disadvantages

The skiing may at first seem fragmented but the pistes are superbly groomed, few queues, and the stunning colour and craggy texture of the Dolomites makes up for this. The mountains are noted particularly for the colour transition from bright pink in the mornings to a deep magenta in the evenings depending on how the sun catches them.

The snowfall record can be erratic so over 90% of the pistes have snowmaking.

The fragmentation of the lift system can make travelling around difficult.  The restaurants can get crowded during Italian holidays so you need to arrive early or book in advance.

Non-skiing activities

Day trips to Venice are easy as it is just 2 hours by car from Cortina. Off the slopes there is ice-skating and dogsledding. Additionally you can have a run down the Olympic bobsleigh run - accompanied by a driver at speeds of over 75 mph! (Dec - Jan only) Public swimming pool.  Over 40 restaurants and cafes in town. Snow shoe guided walks.