Cortina d'Ampezzo

Cortina d'Ampezzo is certainly one of Italy's most stylish and well known resorts. Nestled amongst the breath taking scenery of the Dolomites it has three main ski areas and is on the famous Dolomiti Ski Pass. Visitors are given a Cortina Card which treats them to discounts on various facilities available off the slopes. Cortina d'Ampezzo ski holidays offer skiers of all levels 140 km of downhill slopes with 70 individual pistes accessed by a total of 37 ski lifts. The appropriate pass will also open up the wider Dolomiti Ski Pass with unlimited access to around 1100 km of trails from ski centres all over the dolomites. Snow is expected throughout most of the winter but there are snow making machines should the snow not live up to expectations.

Skiing at Cortina d'Ampezzo is divided into 3 main areas, Tofana, Cristallo and Falora. There is a ski school for beginners and with more than half of the runs categorised as easy, makes this a great resort if you are just starting out. There is plenty for intermediate skiiers with a wide choice in all of the areas. Finally, expert skiers will find some of the most challenging conditions on the Tofana mountain. Cross country lovers have 82 kms of trails to explore. Cortina also has a fun park for snowboarders with a half pipe, and plenty of terrain to suit all tastes.

About the village

Accommodation in Cortina d'Ampezzo varies with a choice of self catering chalets, B&Bs and a few apartments. If you prefer a hotel, Cortina d'Ampezzo, offers a choice of 59. There is a wide range of bars including the Enoteca and the Lovat as well as 9 piano bars and a discotheque which becomes quite lively and stay opens until the small hours. Sometime there is a disco at the ice rink. Apres ski is quite unusual in this resort, since it starts with people watching, as the Italians love to dress up in all their finery and parade the streets, hoping to get seen as well to spot someone famous. Corso Italia, in the centre of Cortina is a shopper's paradise with over 250 top quality shops ranging from upmarket boutiques to specialist shops selling local produce and artisan and gift shops.