The review Cortina d'Ampezzo was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
The Cortina d'Ampezzo ski resort offers well over 100 km of slopes with its three ski resorts (Cinque Torri-Lagazuoi, Tofana und Faloria-Cristallo). It is therefore one of the largest ski resorts in the region of Venice and a part of the Dolomiti Superski ski carousel.
Altitude difference
1726 m (Valley 1224 m - Mountain 2950 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
35
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 5 ← 4
Slope offering, variety of runs
You will find runs of all difficulty levels throughout the ski resort. The variation between forest runs and the slopes on the open terrain between the mighty cliffs is very interesting. The slopes in the upper area of Tofana are located between the large cliffs and are mainly difficult to intermediate in level. In the lower part, the slopes are mainly easy and wide. You can also ski between the mighty cliffs on Cristallo. Faloria offers pretty forest runs in the lower part of the resort and intermediate and difficult runs in the top area. In Cinque Torri and Passo Falzarego, you can enjoy the panorama view while skiing on easy and intermediate runs that are usually above the tree line.
Run location
above tree line, under tree line
Worth knowing
- Speed measurement course offered
- Public race course with time measurement
The majority of the runs are accessible via chair lifts. There are also some older chair lifts though. There is a modern, detachable (rapid) 6 person chair lift as well as two quad chair lifts with weather protectors, and some detachable (rapid) quad chair lifts. The older cable cars function as feeder lifts. There are j-bar lifts provided for the beginners.
Total capacity
48471 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
36.4 km Total
Almost the entire ski resort has snow-making capabilities and due to the high altitude, it is usually possible to ski here from the end of November until April.
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
130 Snow canons
95 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is open most of the time.
Season 2008/2009
120 Days open
110 Days when valley run open
Season 2009/2010
125 Days open
125 Days when valley run open
Season 2010/2011
155 Days open
110 Days when valley run open
The slope preparation is excellent.
They prepare the slopes with great attention to detail. They are even sometimes groomed and cleaned by hand.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
Cortina d'Ampezzo is located in the Dolomites in the Province of Belluno and is only 44 km from the Austrian border and 162 km from Venice. The nearest expressway is over 50 km away from Cortina d'Ampezzo. The parking lots are usually free of charge, but you will have to pay to park in the village. You can also access the resort by helicopter by landing at the Fiames Heliport.
Access via Autobahn A27 Autostrada d´Alemagna, Ausfahrt Ponte Nelle Alpi
Cortina-Mandres-Faloria (Cortina d'Ampezzo), Entry suitable for day visitors
Distance: 57 km · approx. 60 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available,
Tarred parking lot,
for a fee
Fedare-Forcella Nuvolao (Colle Santa Lucia), Entry suitable for day visitors
Distance: 57 km · approx. 65 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, with significant incline
Parking spaces: limited amount available,
Stone parking lot,
free of charge
Cortina-Col Druscié (Cortina d'Ampezzo), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 58 km · approx. 65 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available,
Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot,
free of charge
Guargnè-Col Tondo (Cortina d'Ampezzo), Entry suitable for day visitors
Distance: 59 km · approx. 65 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available,
Tarred parking lot,
free of charge
Roncato (Cortina d'Ampezzo), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 60 km · approx. 68 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available,
Stone parking lot,
free of charge
Falzarego-Lagazuoi (Cortina d'Ampezzo), Entry suitable for day visitors
Distance: 71 km · approx. 79 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available,
Tarred parking lot,
free of charge
Access via Brenner-Autobahn, Ausfahrt Klausen-Gröden
Falzarego-Lagazuoi (Cortina d'Ampezzo), Entry suitable for day visitors
Distance: 67 km · approx. 79 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, Mountain pass road, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available,
Tarred parking lot,
free of charge
Access via Brenner-Autobahn, Ausfahrt Brixen-Pustertal
Rio Gere-Son Forca (Cortina d'Ampezzo), Entry suitable for day visitors
Distance: 82 km · approx. 71 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available,
Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot,
free of charge
Cortina-Col Druscié (Cortina d'Ampezzo), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 86 km · approx. 74 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available,
Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot,
free of charge
Orientation (trail map, information boards, sign-postings)
Trail map and overview maps:
The trail map depicts the area surrounding Cortina d'Ampezzo very well. All lifts and cable cars are indicated by number. Altitudes, restaurants and the mountain passes are also shown. In addition, the following ski resorts are also shown: Auronzo di Cadore, Misurina and San Vito di Cadore
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
It is easy to find your way in the ski resort. However, the information about open lifts and slopes is very localized and the employees are often not able to answer questions regarding this. It would be helpful if information about the operating status at the different resorts in Cortina d'Ampezzo would be included at the main points in the resort.
They place a high priority on cleanliness.
Environmentally friendly ski operation
Free ski buses connect the ski resorts. The mountains surrounding the Cortina d'Ampezzo were designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2009. New construction of lifts and any expansions are therefore prohibited.
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- No direct train connection
The nearest train station is Calalzo di Cadore, about 35 km away from the resort. You can access the resort comfortably from the Mestre train station in Venice via the "Cortina Express" in about 2 hours.
- Comprehensive ski bus network
- Scheduled busses
- Ski buses, which come every 15 minutes, connect all valley stations in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
The staff is very friendly and usually help guests boarding the lifts. However, it is sometimes difficult to obtain information about the operating status of the lifts from the personnel.
Mountain restaurants, ski huts, gastronomy
Cozy ski huts are distributed throughout the ski resort. The flair is typical Italian and many huts serve high quality wines and food. There are also snack bars on the slopes for those who don't have much time for dining.
30 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Gastronomy tip
-
Rifugio ScoiattoliIn front of the Cinque Torri at 2255 m.The Rifugio Scoiattoli offers cozy dining rooms with ceramic ovens and high quality meals including a view of the Cinque Torri. The highlight is a bath in the wooden barrel outdoors.
-
Rifugio Capanna TondiOn Faloria at 2327 mThe Rifugio Cappan Tondi offers traditional cooking and even fresh fish (if pre-ordered).
-
Rifugio Pomedes
On Pomedes at 2303 m
Located at the beginning of the Olympic run, the ski hut offers typical regional specialties and a large sun terrace.
-
Rifugio Duca d'Aosta
At the mountain station of the Rumerlo quad chair lift at 2098 m.
Rustic and cozy hut with an excellent menu and sun terrace.
-
Rifugio AverauBetween Passo Giau and Cinque TorriThe ski hut was designated by the Sunday Times as a Gourmet Hut. You can enjoy a beautiful view of the Dolomites from the sun terrace.
It is usually a bit calm in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Umbrella bars and loud Après-Ski parties are not found here. You can let the ski day come to an end at one of the ski huts. In the village of Cortina d'Ampezzo, there is the La Suite Wine Bar (excellent wines) or the LP 26 (young clientele, live music, appetizers with San Daniele ham).
Accommodation offering directly on the slopes and lifts
The accommodations in Cortina d'Ampezzo are usually not located directly on the slopes. You can walk to the slopes or take the ski bus. There are a few accommodations located directly on the slopes. Some of the huts in the ski resort also offer accommodations.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are some accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Towns/villages
- Cortina d'Ampezzo
Distance to ski resort fewer than 1 km
Guest beds 23000
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
Cortina d'Ampezzo is family and child-friendly. There is a children's slope with its own double chair lift at the base area of Socrepes. The little ones can play on the many easy slopes near the valley. There is a children's area in the village of Cortina d'Ampezzo and there are swings and slides at some of the mountain stations. The toboggan run from Col Tondo is also very popular.
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
Special tips for children
-
Socrepes children's slope
The ideal area for kids is accessed by the child-safe Baby Socrepes double chair lift. Everything your child needs is found here. A people mover located within the fenced-in area is also available.
-
Guarngè children's slope
The children's slope is accessed with its own j-bar lift and is ideal for the little ones. There is a playground with swings and funny characters right near the lift.
-
Snowdreamers + Kids Village The children's area in Pocol offers castle slides and swings as well as its own tubing run.
Almost half of all slopes in Cortina d'Ampezzo are easy. Beginners can find many easy slopes beneath Tofana between Pocol and Socrepes that are accessible by chair lifts. There are also many easy slopes on Passa Falzarego and Cinque Torri. There is a sunny and beautiful practice area on the edge of Cortina d'Ampezzo on Col Tondo (Guargnè-Mietres) where usually only beginners are found. When coming from Tofana, beginners should take the cable car back down to the valley. Cristallo and Faloria are less suitable for beginners.
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
- Separate lift ticket for beginners / point ticket
Ski schools on-site
Advanced skiers, freeriders
Cortina d'Ampezzo lures advanced skiers with its steep runs including the Forcella Staunies on the Cristallo. It is one of the steepest slopes in Italy. The Rinne Creste Bianche from Cristallo can only be skied with a mountain guide. Further highlights are the Bus di Tofana, Canalino del Prete and Forcella Rossa. Skiing off the slopes in Cortina is also fascinating and very popular.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- some freeride / deep snow areas
Slope offering advanced skiers
Most difficult run
-
Forcella Staunies · Length 2 km · Altitude difference 730 m
It is the steepest slope in the entire Dolomiti Superski resort with an incline of 64%.
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Information for Snowboarders
- the following runs are not suitable for snowboarders
Faloria Normale
- some freeride / deep snow areas
Snow parks
Snowpark CortinaThe brand new Snowpark Cortina in the Tofane area in the Socrepes district on the historical San Zan slope was opened in the 2010/2011 season. It stretches over 500 metres, has its own quad chair lift and is separated into two difficulty levels: one easy line and a medium line. Lots of fun with jumps and obstacles for every ability level is guaranteed!
Offering snow parks
Cross-country skiing and trails
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 70 km
In the direct vicinity of Cortina d'Ampezzo, there are 75 km of cross-country trails. It is part of the Dolomiti Nordic Ski with a total of 1300 km of trails.
Trail tip(s)
-
Ferrovia
Length: 23.0 km ▪
Altitude: 1000 m - 1293 m
Difficulty level: easy
Track: double track
Cross-country skiing style: classic, skating
fee: no
-
Passo Tre Croci
Length: 10.0 km ▪
Altitude: 1700 m - 1800 m
Difficulty level: difficult
Track: double track
Cross-country skiing style: classic, skating
fee: no
Conclusion
Gorgeous panorama view of the Dolomites, optimally prepared runs, many exciting and steep slopes
Cortina-Cinque Torri connection, some of the ski resorts are not connected, no valley run to Cortina d'Ampezzo from Faloria, parking fees in Cortina d'Ampezzo
Test Report issued on 2012-02-16