Cortina dAmpezzo Ski Resort
Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of Italy,s most complete ski resort villages. Part of the Dolomiti Superski area it benefits from having access to over 1,000 kilometres of ski area as well as being classified under the illustrious UNESCO World Heritage Site banner due to its location within the stunning Dolomites. The village is blessed with a multitude of impressive assets which makes it one of the most desired ski destinations in Europe. It is ranked as one of the most beautiful ski resorts anywhere in the world thanks to its breathtaking scenery and location in the region. Its glorious landscapes and features some of the most picturesque views of the mountain range from every angle in the resort. It is not called the “Queen of the Dolomites” for nothing. One of Europe's oldest ski resorts, it also has the prestige of being identified as Italy’s most upmarket ski resort thanks to its elegant surroundings, expensive arts stores and stylish high fashion, designer shops that grace its central, pedestrian streets. It has authentic old buildings with fine architecture; most of which host its great accommodation, top restaurants and cafes.
Not called the “Queen of the Dolomites” for nothing; one of Europe's oldest ski resorts, Cortina d'Ampezzo also has the prestige of being identified as Italy’s most upmarket ski resort thanks to its elegant surroundings, expensive arts stores and stylish high fashion, designer shops that grace its central, pedestrian streets. It has authentic old buildings with fine architecture; most of which host its great accommodation, top restaurants and cafes.
Not called the “Queen of the Dolomites” for nothing; one of Europe's oldest ski resorts, Cortina d'Ampezzo also has the prestige of being identified as Italy’s most upmarket ski resort thanks to its elegant surroundings, expensive arts stores and stylish high fashion, designer shops that grace its central, pedestrian streets. It has authentic old buildings with fine architecture; most of which host its great accommodation, top restaurants and cafes.
Cortina is not only about luxury and glamour lifestyles, the resort is also very family-friendly and has a lot of activities for the entire family including small children and with less than a 2-hour transfer from either Treviso or Venice airports, getting there should normally not take its toll on the kids. In addition to its undeniable beauty and welcoming atmosphere, Cortina d’Ampezzo also has a credible and impressive snowsports history. Its fantastic slopes were once home to the Winter Olympics in 1956 and are currently billed to host the event once again in 2026. The resort is no joke when it comes to skiing as there is a lot of potential for some superb and memorable experiences to be had on the slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo. We have detailed the skiing experience below.
The ski area local to just Cortina d’Ampezzo covers three mountains; Tofana, Faloria and Cinque Torre. The areas are not interlinked with ski lifts with Cinque Torre only accessed via road. Access to the Sella Ronda can be easily made from Cinque Torre ( which is a plus). The highest lift reaches the summit of Tofana at 2,828 metres.
As part of the Dolomiti Superski domain, skiers have access to a whopping 1,200 kilometres of ski slopes with one ski pass granting access to the entire ski area. The local ski area of Cortina has a modest but respectable 120 kilometres of slopes; which although may seem small in comparison to the expansive ski area, has a lot of excitement to offer. The local ski area is split into three separate mountains, the only downside being that they are not interlinked with each other via lifts but access to all areas can be easily made from the resort.
Beginners will love the Cortina ski area with Tofana being the main ski area with wide-open sunny slopes perfect for improving the ski turns and manoeuvres. Tofana is also the highest located ski area and has some of the best views from the slopes.
Advanced skiers can also find some fun on Tofana with the black Forcella run which is a fan favourite otherwise experts should head to the Cristallo-Faloria area which is home to some very steep blacks including the Olympic downhill run that is featured in the 1956 winter Olympics. Intermediates are catered to in Cortina thanks to the several red and some challenging blues on the slopes; in particular, the Armentarola downhill runs to the Alta Badia ski area coming off the peak of the Lagazuoi mountain.
The area also has fantastic off-piste opportunities as well as features some historical and world-renown ski circuits such as the Great World Tour - a circuit that has been considered more challenging than the popular Sella Ronda.
All accommodation in Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina has a 500-metre long snowpark which was completed in the 2010/2011 season. It's nice but some may expert freestylers might it small in comparison to other snowparks in the Alps; still, it has impressive facilities with a boardercross, halfpipe, kickers, rails, and slides and corner. Freeriders, however, will find more joy in Cortina thanks to the wide-open slopes on Tofana. You can also find some tree-lined runs further down the slopes with some good gullies to play around with. There is great off-piste terrain but we will always advise hiring a guide. Overall, the area offers a decent snowboard experience with very few flat surfaces.
The snow conditions at Cortina d'Ampezzo are great. The ski area sits between altitudes of 1,224 and 2,828 metres which see great conditions. The pistes are groomed and even though the area is sometimes known to have erratic snowfall, over 100 of its 120 kilometres of pistes are covered by snow cannons.
The apres-ski scene in Cortina d’Ampezzo is a refined affair and a far cry from the raucous partying nights that are a lot more common in other resorts. Visitors here are treated to a traditional Italian, Alpine experience which includes drinks calm rustic atmospheres in nice restaurants, drinks on sunny terraces to capture the evening sun as it sets, authentic wine bars and chic cocktail hang out spots. There are still a number of bars where you can enjoy some loud fun and late-night dancing nonetheless but the overall evening theme here is more classy rather than chaotic. We have listed a few places that may be of interest to you on your holiday in the lovely Cortina ski resort.
Bar del Posta
The rustic Bar del Posta is the resident bar in the iconic, family-owned Hotel de la Poste. A mainstay of the village, Bar de la Poste has been welcoming visitors through its doors since the mid-1800s. Passed down seven generations, this charming establishment has seen some of the world's most iconic faces such as Henry Fonda and Elizabeth Taylor. The interior has evolved over the years but has still maintained its class with its walls of wood and antique/vintage furniture. Open every day from 11 am, stop by for a fantastic meal, or a specially made cocktail from a fantastic menu of the epic variety. Best place for a nice lunch, dinner or aperitivo.
Enoteca
Another mainstay in the resort, Enoteca is one of Cortina’s most historical and popular wine bars. Located in the heart of the community beneath the bell tower, Enoteca has served as one of the Cortinas' most well-known meeting places over the years. Run by local wine connoisseur Gerry and his wife, Rita, Enoteca has been welcoming visitors as far back as the 1950s and features some of the best wines and grappas from local sources in Italy as well Europe and the rest of the world. It has a traditional, rustic Italian atmosphere and is the perfect place to enjoy a few glasses of wine and a cheeseboard. If you are after a calm, apres ski with some vintage wine and a delicious traditional meal, you are in the right place.
Villa Sandi
Situated in the heart of Cortina, just behind the Hotel Cortina, Villa Sandi is the main place to visit for an evening, post-ski drink with your friends. Famous for having one of Cortinas's best happy hours, it features a Scandinavian theme with fur-covered furniture and horns and ornaments dotted around the place. One of the village's most lively bars, its sunny terraces welcome skiers who are looking to take a break with a warm drink of mid-afternoon beer and meal. Return later in the day after 7 pm for a proper traditional apres-ski evening filled with music and buzzing with laughter.
Clipper Bar
The Clipper Bar on Largo Poste is perhaps one of Cortina’s most buzzing apres-ski hang out spots. It features loud music, busy nights and a fantastic buzzing and friendly atmosphere. It's a great place to visit if you want a different experience from the traditional and rustic wine bars that are so synonymous with the area. Open until the early hours, The Clipper bar usually welcomes a younger, partying crowd but also caters perfectly to all ages.
As one of the Dolomite's most well-known areas, Cortina d'Ampezzo appeals to and welcomes all types of tourists including a lot of non-skiing tourists. As imagined, the area has a fantastic array of facilities and services to ensure that all visitors to the resort are very well catered for.
Families with young children are in for a treat at Cortina d’Ampezzo. The resort is very family-friendly and well equipped to ensure that children are taken care of on and off the slopes, whether that be through entertainment, engagement or childcare.
All accommodation in Cortina d'Ampezzo