Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy: activities in the popular ski resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo

Visit Cortina d'Ampezzo

Cortina d'Ampezzo is found to the north of the Veneto-Friuli region, in the Valle d'Ampezzo region of the dolomites. Like many ski resorts it started life as a cluster if small hamlets, now united by growth of the resort.

The highest mountain is the Tofana di Mezzo, although there are several others also over 3200 metres.

The fame started over 50 years ago, when Cortina played host to the 1956 Winter Olympics, which explains also why the town has other facilities such as swimming pools and a bobsleigh run.

These have been further expanded to include rafting, kaying, mountain biking, horse-riding, dog-sleds, ice-skating and much more besides.

Explore Cortina d'Ampezzo

The town is renowned as being one of the best - and perhaps the very best - of the skiing resorts in the dolomites if not Italy. Set in fabulous, dramatic scenery surrounded by mountains it attracts the stylish and sophisticated young things from both Italy and elsewhere, and offers great skiing.

As a ski resort Cortina d'Ampezzo offers all you would hope for - slopes for all levels of skiing ability, numerous other winter sports, some ski runs that are floodlit at night, etc and all in stunning settings.

The resort comes to life especially in the early evening when visitors, after a day of skiing or hiking, like to shop and to promenade.

If you are so inclined there are plenty of places to spend your money, in boutiques, art galleries and other sophisticated little shops, and Cortina has a reputation of offering some of the best shopping in this part of Italy.

Note that Cortina d'Ampezzo is not just a winter centre, it is also a very popular place for summer visitors wishing to explore the region on foot, or on bike - there are numerous hikes available and cycling excursions are very popular.

The chair-lifts operate in the summer to permit easy access to even more of the impressive scenery if you are planning to hike in the region.

The most popular trip out from Cortina d'Ampezzo is to the nearby peaks at Tre Cime di Lavaredo - accessible by road, and for a day out in the car take the road to Bolzano, for a great taste of the real dolomites. Other trips include Agordino, and even Venice (two hours drive).

You can find more local travel ideas in the Venice-Veneto guide.