Cortina d’Ampezzo
Fashionable Ski Resort, Italian Style
Many of us think of Italy as being a destination for the world’s most fashionable people, so it’s only fitting that one of the world’s most fashionable ski resorts should be here!
Set in the heart of the Dolomites in Northern Italy, Cortina d’Ampezzo is a beautiful place filled with beautiful people.
While it may not have as many 5 star hotels and Michelin starred restaurants as Courchevel, Cortina is still a destination for the elite and is considered to be Italy’s most fashionable ski resort.
It hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics and has starred in several blockbuster movies including For Your Eye’s Only, and The Pink Panther.
A hot Nightlife
Here you’ll find a fabulous “après-ski” scene and lively nightlife. Bilbo and BLV Room are the city’s hottest clubs. You’ll also find 8 discos that are open until dawn.
Where to Stay
There are over 50 places to stay in Cortina listed on booking.com, and this includes two 5 star hotels, and eighteen 4 star so there’s plenty to choose from at the luxury end of the scale.
Take the Grand Hotel Savoie for example; a luxurious hotel right in the heart of the town which has stunning mountain views, and it’s an elegant and historic building restored with all the modern conveniences.
The Cristallo Hotel Spa and Golf is the second 5 star hotel in town and it was the first 5 star luxury hotel in the Dolomites.
The hotel is just outside town but guests can make use of the free shuttle to and from the centre, while enjoying the slightly quieter atmosphere surrounding the Cristallo.
Getting to the Resort
You can quite easily drive in to Cortina as the roads are good and remain clear most of the time.
Being in the valley the resort area is not as high an elevation as some ski resorts so the road doesn’t get as much snow as others would.
If you’re flying in, Venice is the best option for international arrivals and you can drive from there or catch a train to Pieve di Cadore, about 35 kilometres out from Cortina and then get the dolomitibus the rest of the way.
Facts Cortina
- Inhabitants 6300
- Longest pist 7,5 km
- Black runs 14
- Red runs 30
- Blue runs 34
- Highest 2930 m (The “Forcella Staunies”, chairlift from the Cristallo area)
- Lifts 450
Dining in the Valley
Cortina and the surrounding valley features some wonderful restaurants. There is over 70 restaurants in the town, including the restaurant at the Cristallo Hotel which is renowned as one of the best in the valley.
As you would expect, many of the restaurants serve gourmet cuisine with the prices to match though there are many affordable restaurants in the resort too.
In town you’ll find everything from starred gastronomic restaurants to cozy pizza places. Do not miss the authentic wine bar Enoteca Di Vino Brio or Villa Sandi.
Son Forca, in the ski area Cristallo, has a lovely sun terrace and their gnocchi is wonderful. Best Pizza is said to be at Il Ponte.
Try the affordable restaurants Croda Café, Cinque Torri or Ariston, some of the most popular places in Cortina.
One advantage of dining in Cortina is that there are great restaurants on and off mountain so if you travel on the cable cars you’ll not only get access to great skiing, but great restaurants too.
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