A true paradise for winter sports enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, Cortina is a captivating town in a truly spectacular setting. Although a famous racing town and host of the 1956 Winter Olympics, Cortina is also Italy’s most fashionable resort where culture, shopping and gastronomy are considered just as important (if not more so) than the skiing. However, if skiing is your priority then Cortina certainly delivers. The resort is part of the Dolomiti Superski, one of the world’s largest ski circuits with 1,200 km of slopes across 12 ski regions, accessed with a single ski pass.
At the heart of Cortina is the cobbled Corsa Italia, a top spot for those who like to shop. The town centre offers a wealth of stores ranging from fashion, accessories and home furnishings to sport and art. Cortina’s excellent restaurants serve a variety of dishes from the Venetian tradition as well as typical Tyrolean specialities, showcasing the fresh local ingredients. In high season, Cortina has a lively apres atmosphere with sophisticated cafes serving divine cake and pastries at tea time and a variety of excellent wine and cocktail bars for a late-night tipple or two. Although the lodging is dominated by hotels it is worth seeking out the increasing number of impressive luxury ski chalets in the resort for a truly indulgent holiday.
Cortina has three main ski areas: Cortina Cube (Cristallo, Faloria, Mietres), Tofana and Lagazuoi-5 Torri, offering 115 km of slopes. The Cortina Cube area offers spectacular views across the Ampezzo valley and a selection of scenic red and black runs, whilst Tofana ranges from beginner slopes to the unforgettable runs of the 1956 Winter Olympics. Lagazuoi-5 Torri has a wide variety of scenic slopes set in a spectacular landscape. In the company of guides, adventurous skiers can enjoy fantastic off-piste terrain and there are possibilities for ski touring too. Snow is not a problem here as 95% of the pistes are covered by excellent snowmaking facilities meaning the ski season runs from the end of November until late April.
There is much to do off the slopes here too, including popular walks, swimming and skating. There is even a planetarium and observatory at Cold Druscie and you can also visit First World War tunnels at Lagazuoi.
