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Great après-ski
Snow-sure resort
Off-slope activities
Foodie paradise
Traditional charm
Stunning viewsGreat après-skiSnow-sure resortOff-slope activitiesFoodie paradiseTraditional charmStunning viewsGreat après-skiSnow-sure resortOff-slope activitiesFoodie paradiseTraditional charmStunning viewsGreat après-skiSnow-sure resortOff-slope activitiesFoodie paradiseTraditional charmStunning viewsCortina d'Ampezzo is the grande dame of Italian skiing, with a glamour and history that few resorts can match. Set in a wide, sun-drenched valley surrounded by the towering rock faces of the Dolomites, Cortina hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics and is co-hosting the 2026 Games, cementing its position as one of the world's most prestigious mountain destinations. This is a place where you ski hard all morning, have an exceptional lunch at a mountain rifugio, then spend the afternoon exploring the town's shops and cafés.
Skiing reaches 2,742m across several distinct areas: Tofana, Pomedes, Faloria-Cristallo, and the Cinque Torri sector, all connected by ski buses and served by lifts. With 120km of pistes, the terrain leans towards intermediates and advanced skiers, with sheltered nursery slopes for beginners and spectacular scenery at every turn. The Dolomiti Superski pass extends your reach to over 1,200km of pistes across the wider Dolomite region, though Cortina's own slopes provide more than enough for a week.
What sets Cortina apart is the combination of serious mountain terrain with Italian sophistication. The town has a distinctly elegant feel, with fashionable boutiques, excellent restaurants, and a lively passeggiata tradition that makes evening stroll feel just as important as the first morning run. It's skiing with style and substance.
Check out Cortina d'Ampezzo ski deals to start planning your trip.
Cortina d'Ampezzo is the grande dame of Italian skiing, with a glamour and history that few resorts can match. Set in a wide, sun-drenched valley surrounded by the towering rock faces of the Dolomites, Cortina hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics and is co-hosting the 2026 Games, cementing its position as one of the world's most prestigious mountain destinations. This is a place where you ski hard all morning, have an exceptional lunch at a mountain rifugio, then spend the afternoon exploring the town's shops and cafés.
Skiing reaches 2,742m across several distinct areas: Tofana, Pomedes, Faloria-Cristallo, and the Cinque Torri sector, all connected by ski buses and served by lifts. With 120km of pistes, the terrain leans towards intermediates and advanced skiers, with sheltered nursery slopes for beginners and spectacular scenery at every turn. The Dolomiti Superski pass extends your reach to over 1,200km of pistes across the wider Dolomite region, though Cortina's own slopes provide more than enough for a week.
What sets Cortina apart is the combination of serious mountain terrain with Italian sophistication. The town has a distinctly elegant feel, with fashionable boutiques, excellent restaurants, and a lively passeggiata tradition that makes evening stroll feel just as important as the first morning run. It's skiing with style and substance.
Check out Cortina d'Ampezzo ski deals to start planning your trip.
Skiing and snowboarding in Cortina feels dramatic in the best of ways. Runs weave through terrain that changes character with every descent, and in the background, you've got the pale Dolomite walls rising above the pistes like cathedral spires. Cortina's ski areas are spread across the valley rather than being linked on-snow, and ski buses connect them efficiently throughout the day. Each sector has its own personality, from the steep blacks of Tofana to the long, scenic cruisers around Cinque Torri.
The Tofana-Pomedes area, directly above the town, is the largest sector with the most vertical drop and the best variety of terrain. Faloria-Cristallo, on the opposite side of the valley, has a wilder and more natural feel with excellent north-facing snow. Cinque Torri and the Lagazuoi area add further scope, and are connected to the Armentarola run and the Alta Badia ski areas.
Cortina's terrain tilts towards intermediates and above, so beginners should plan carefully. That said, the Socrepes area near the town is a sheltered, approachable spot to find your feet. It's a centre with dedicated nursery slopes, gentle gradients, and surface lifts.From there, the blue runs on the lower Tofana slopes provide a logical next step, with well-groomed pistes and modern lifts.
Despite its expert reputation, beginners shouldn't be put off from skiing at Cortina. With the right ski school and a measured approach, slopes here are perfectly manageable. The scenery is inspiring rather than intimidating once you're on the right slopes, and the quality of instruction is high.
WeSki insider tip: Start at Socrepes for your first couple of days, then progress to the blues below Pomedes. They're wide, well-groomed, and the mountain restaurant halfway down makes a perfect confidence-building pit stop.
Cortina is a superb intermediate destination. Red runs across Tofana and Pomedes are beautifully groomed, diverse, and set against spectacular mountain scenery. The Cinque Torri area adds further variety, with rolling reds through open terrain. You can spend days exploring the different sectors, each revealing different terrain characters and aspects of the mountain.
The long run down from Tofana to the town is a particular highlight, with sustained, satisfying pitch and with views that make you want to stop and look. Another must-do for intermediates is the Armentarola run from Lagazuoi, a 7km descent through a wide valley with pale Dolomite towers on either side. It ends with a horse-drawn sleigh ride back to the lifts, which is as charming as it sounds.
WeSki insider tip: The Armentarola run is best done in the morning when the snow is freshly groomed. Take the first bus to Cinque Torri, ride up to Lagazuoi, and enjoy the descent while it's quiet and pristine.
Advanced skiers will find plenty of challenge on the Tofana sector's steeper blacks, which include the Olympic downhill course, Olympia delle Tofane, a run with real history and sustained pitch. The Forcella Staunies route from Cristallo is exposed and technically demanding, requiring good conditions and confidence. Off-piste between the marked runs provides excellent terrain when the snow is right, particularly in the north-facing gullies of Faloria.
For experts seeking full-day adventures, the Hidden Valley route from Lagazuoi to Armentarola combines off-piste sections with one of the most dramatic descents in the Dolomites. The First World War tunnels and galleries above Cinque Torri add a sobering historical dimension to the mountain experience.
WeSki insider tip: Ski the Olympia delle Tofane downhill course and then ride back up to the Duca d'Aosta refuge for lunch. The combination of racing history and rifugio dining is peak Cortina.
Cortino's wide, well-groomed pistes suit snowboarders well, and the natural Dolomite terrain provides banks, drops, and natural features between the marked runs. For riders who want freestyle experience, a terrain park on Tofana has jumps and features that lean towards intermediates. The main logistical consideration for boarders is the need to use ski buses between areas, so plan your day to minimise transitions and maximise time on snow.
Off-piste around Cortina requires local experience and knowledge of the complex Dolomite terrain. The north-facing slopes of Faloria-Cristallo hold powder well after storms, and the area between Cinque Torri and Averau has broad, open sections when conditions align. Couloirs and gullies off the higher ridges provide technical challenges for expert skiers. A qualified guide is essential, avalanche risk in the Dolomites is real and the terrain can be deceptively challenging.
Cortina has several excellent ski schools, with instructors who teach in English, Italian, German, and other languages. Group and private lessons cover all levels, from first-time skiers to off-piste guiding and racing technique. The Scuola Sci Cortina is one of the oldest ski schools in Italy, with a strong reputation for quality instruction.
The Tofana sector has a terrain park with a selection of jumps, rails, and features suited to intermediate freestyle riders. It's compact but well-maintained, and the setting beneath the pale Dolomite rock faces makes it one of the more photogenic parks in the Alps. For more extensive freestyle facilities, the wider Dolomiti Superski area has larger parks accessible by car or bus.
Cortina works well for families who want quality and culture alongside their skiing. The town is walkable, safe, and full of life, with a proper Italian community that makes children feel welcome. You'll appreciate Cortina's restaurants, shops, and traditions, such as the passeggiata, an evening stroll along the Corso Italia - all of which make you feel part of the town's social life.
Ski schools have dedicated children's programmes with nursery areas and patient instructors, and the Socrepes beginner zone provides a sheltered, stress-free learning environment. Older children and teenagers can enjoy some independence here, exploring different ski sectors, riding the cable cars for views, and enjoying the town's shops and gelaterias.
Off the slopes, an Olympic ice stadium, swimming pools, and toboggan runs provide excellent non-skiing options. The Dolomite scenery makes every activity feel special, and even a simple walk through town has a dramatic mountain backdrop. Family dining in Cortina is also a pleasure. Italian restaurants are naturally welcoming to children, portions are generous, and the quality ranges from excellent pizza to mountain rifugio classics.
Cortina is a complete Italian mountain town, not just a ski resort. A combination of Olympic heritage, Dolomite scenery, Italian culture, and excellent shopping and dining means rest days and non-skiers are exceptionally well catered for. This is a place that rewards time spent off the slopes just as much as time on them.
Beyond the pistes, Cortina's Dolomite setting provides an exceptional range of winter experiences:
Cortina provides a richness of off-slope experiences that few ski resorts can match:
Cortina's dining scene blends mountain rifugio traditions with sophisticated Italian gastronomy, and the quality is consistently excellent, from a plate of pasta at a slope-side hut to a multi-course evening at a fine-dining restaurant. The Ladin and Ampezzo culinary heritage adds distinctive local flavours to the Italian classics.
WeSki insider tip: Try casunziei (beetroot-filled half-moon pasta with smoked ricotta and poppy seeds), it's Cortina's signature dish and utterly delicious. Pair it with a glass of local Prosecco from the nearby Valdobbiadene hills.
Après-ski in Cortina is elegant and sociable. First thing off the slopes, the tradition is to take a passeggiata (an evening stroll along Corso Italia) and stop for a Spritz or hot chocolate at one of the town's bars. Later in the evening, Cortina has cocktail bars, wine bars, and a handful of livelier clubs for those who want to extend the night.
There's a see-and-be-seen quality to Cortina's social life that reflects its fashionable reputation, but it's welcoming and the atmosphere is genuinely warm. The overall mood is sophisticated, with well-dressed Italians enjoying good wine and conversation. It suits visitors who appreciate quality nightlife without an intense party scene.
Après-ski spots to know:
Accommodation in Cortina ranges from luxury five-star hotels to comfortable apartments and B&Bs. The town is spread along the valley floor, and most properties are within walking distance of the Corso Italia or the main lift stations. More upmarket hotels tend to cluster around the centre, while quieter options are found along the valley's edges.
Staying near the Tofana or Faloria lift bases gives you the quickest access to the slopes, while the town centre puts you in the heart of the shopping and dining scene. The Pocol area, slightly elevated above the main town, provides a quieter base with excellent views. Cortina's ski bus connects all areas efficiently throughout the day.
The Cortina d'Ampezzo ski pass covers all the local ski areas, including Tofana, Faloria-Cristallo, Cinque Torri, and more. The Dolomiti Superski pass extends access to the entire 1,200km network, including the Sella Ronda and resorts like Canazei and Alta Badia. For visitors staying a week, the Dolomiti Superski pass is worth considering for the freedom it provides.
Check for family and multi-day pass options when booking your Cortina d'Ampezzo ski holiday through WeSki to find the best fit for your trip.
Cortina has numerous rental shops in the town centre and near the main lift stations. These carry a full range of ski and snowboard equipment including high-performance and demo skis, and the town's reputation attracts quality gear.
WeSki partners with SkiSet shops in Cortina d'Ampezzo, letting you pre-book equipment, add it to your package and collect on arrival. Browse Cortina d'Ampezzo ski deals to build your perfect trip.
Cortina's town centre is walkable, with the Corso Italia connecting the main shops, restaurants, and bars in a pleasant stroll. A comprehensive ski bus service connects the different ski areas throughout the day, running on regular schedules. These buses are efficient and well-used, and the service is essential, as the ski areas aren't linked on-snow.
In the evening, taxis are available for getting back from restaurants or events, and many hotels provide shuttle services. The town is compact enough that most evening outings are walkable from central accommodation. If you're based slightly out of town, a car provides useful flexibility and parking is available at the main lift stations.
The nearest airports are Venice Marco Polo (around 160km), Treviso (around 140km), and Innsbruck (around 160km).Verona Airport is another option further away at approximately 265km. Venice is the most common choice for UK travellers, with frequent direct flights from London and other UK airports. The drive from Venice heads north through the Veneto plains and into the dramatic Dolomite valleys.
WeSki offers car rentals from the airport as well as private, shared, and scheduled transfers to Cortina d'Ampezzo. Add them to your Cortina d'Ampezzo ski holiday package for seamless door-to-door travel.
Both. Cortina has 120km of pistes, serious mountain terrain reaching 2,742m, and excellent off-piste opportunities. It's a proper ski resort with genuine credentials. The fashion and social scene are real too, but they complement rather than overshadow the skiing. You'll find serious skiers here alongside those who come primarily for the town.
Not on-snow. Cortina's ski areas, Tofana, Faloria-Cristallo, Cinque Torri, require ski bus connections between them. The buses are frequent, and efficient, but it does mean you need to plan your day around the different sectors. New lift infrastructure being built for the 2026 Olympics is improving connections.
Both are elegant Italian ski towns with excellent dining and a fashionable atmosphere. Cortina has more varied terrain across its multiple sectors and a stronger town identity. Courmayeur has the Mont Blanc massif and a more compact, ski-focused experience. Cortina is the better choice for those who want a complete town experience beyond skiing, while Courmayeur for those prioritising ski terrain density.
Cortina is a premium resort, so accommodation, dining, and ski passes are at the upper end of Italian ski resort pricing. However, it's not uniformly expensive, there are affordable apartments, reasonable trattorias, and good-value mountain lunches alongside the luxury options. Booking your Cortina d'Ampezzo ski holiday through WeSki can help secure competitive packages that bring the overall cost down.
Cortina is co-hosted the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which has triggered significant infrastructure investment. New lifts, upgraded facilities, and improved connections between ski areas are being developed. The events will be held on the existing terrain, including the Olympic downhill on Tofana, so the mountain's character remains, but the facilities are being modernised substantially.
Excellent. Cortina has around 75km of groomed Nordic trails through the Ampezzo valley, making it one of the best cross-country destinations in the Dolomites. The trails wind through beautiful scenery and cater to all levels, from gentle valley loops to more challenging altitude routes. Biathlon facilities add a unique experience for those who want to try something different.
Courmayeur - Sestriere - Sauze D'Oulx - Pinzolo - Cervinia - Livigno - Val Gardena - Campitello di Fassa - Madonna di Campiglio - Canazei - Ortisei - Val di Fiemme - La Thuile - Kronplatz - Alta Badia - Pila - San Martino di Castrozza - Bardonecchia - Passo Tonale
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