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Cortina d'Ampezzo / Ski Area
glance in any direction from Cortina d'Ampezzo tells you these are big mountains.
Maximum vertical drop on piste is an impressive 1,715m from 2,939m on
Staunies in the Cristallo region to 1,224mt at town level, but that’s
the exception rather than the rule, with most descents extending for no
more than half that amount – a function of the extreme shape of the
peaks, which are rocky cliffs for much of their height. Of the 101
slopes almost two-thirds are intermediate, an impressive one-third are
beginner-friendly and just a handful are truly expert-only. The modest
total of 120km (which feels like more, thanks to the diversity of runs
and broad geographical spread) is served by 51 lifts: 6 cable cars and
29 chair lifts give ample capacity of over 55,000 people per hour; most of
the pisted area is covered by snow-making.
Cortina orientation
There are four main areas: Faloria-Cristallo-Mietres; Tofana-Socrepes; Lagazuoi and Cinque Torri. They connect by either lift or skibus service. Few other major ski regions work as Cortina does, with the skiing spread round such a large valley – Chamonix may be the closest parallel, though the resorts could hardly be more different in all other respects. Though lacking on-ski connectivity, the regions are at least well-mapped on the standard piste map to allow you to plan your time on snow well: one side has a scenic depiction, making the most of the distinctive peaks; the other has a schematic plan view. It’s refreshing to be able to establish where in the world you are with relative ease and also rewarding – the most mountain-blind visitor wants to know which peak is which when they look as unique as this.
The defining factor is that each separate area is topographically very distinct from its neighbours, giving a radically different ski experience from one place to the next and offering opportunities for skiing below the tree line, one or two couloirs, and rolling, twisting piste elsewhere. There’s also significant variety of elevation; with the areas spread to east and west of town, and with varied aspects, these are all factors which combine to create very different snow conditions across the resort during the course of the day. In low season it’s easy to drive between areas but the bus system is also effective and the only option unless you’re visiting by car.
Faloria-Cristallo-Mietres
Starting from the outskirts of town, Faloria is accessed by a two stage cable car that soars above heavily forested slopes and a rocky escarpment to the east of town. The skiing here is hidden from Cortina, on north facing slopes that descend to Rio Gere where they are divided by road from Cristallo and a dramatic chairlift rising to 3000m between the tight walls of a couloir for the steepest, blackest run in the resort at Staunies. Both Cristallo and Faloria are also accessed by bus or car from the point where they meet on the Passo Tre Croci road. Also on this side of town, to the north east is the small two-lift blue run area of Mietres.
Tofana-Socrepes
To the west of town, the high Tofana region reaches nearly 3000m and connects to the lower Rumerlo and Socrepes area, but only by a black run. Access is from the outskirts of town by the Col Druscie cable car or by car or bus to the top station of this lift – a preferable option when snow on the single blue run back to base is scarce. The Socrepes area is best reached from the car parks at Lacedel.
Cinque Torri and Lagazuoi
The road continues to the two furthest outlying areas: Cinque Torri and Lagazuoi are both small but one-way linked by a green run. From the pass at Falzarego a remarkable cable car climbs to Lagazuoi and the option of the 8.5km Armentarola run to the far side of the mountains through Vallon Lagazuoi and a return by bus or taxi from Armentarola in Val Badia; the run is rightly famous for its opportunity to ski through a high, remote valley of great beauty.
Cortina orientation
There are four main areas: Faloria-Cristallo-Mietres; Tofana-Socrepes; Lagazuoi and Cinque Torri. They connect by either lift or skibus service. Few other major ski regions work as Cortina does, with the skiing spread round such a large valley – Chamonix may be the closest parallel, though the resorts could hardly be more different in all other respects. Though lacking on-ski connectivity, the regions are at least well-mapped on the standard piste map to allow you to plan your time on snow well: one side has a scenic depiction, making the most of the distinctive peaks; the other has a schematic plan view. It’s refreshing to be able to establish where in the world you are with relative ease and also rewarding – the most mountain-blind visitor wants to know which peak is which when they look as unique as this.
The defining factor is that each separate area is topographically very distinct from its neighbours, giving a radically different ski experience from one place to the next and offering opportunities for skiing below the tree line, one or two couloirs, and rolling, twisting piste elsewhere. There’s also significant variety of elevation; with the areas spread to east and west of town, and with varied aspects, these are all factors which combine to create very different snow conditions across the resort during the course of the day. In low season it’s easy to drive between areas but the bus system is also effective and the only option unless you’re visiting by car.
Faloria-Cristallo-Mietres
Starting from the outskirts of town, Faloria is accessed by a two stage cable car that soars above heavily forested slopes and a rocky escarpment to the east of town. The skiing here is hidden from Cortina, on north facing slopes that descend to Rio Gere where they are divided by road from Cristallo and a dramatic chairlift rising to 3000m between the tight walls of a couloir for the steepest, blackest run in the resort at Staunies. Both Cristallo and Faloria are also accessed by bus or car from the point where they meet on the Passo Tre Croci road. Also on this side of town, to the north east is the small two-lift blue run area of Mietres.
Tofana-Socrepes
To the west of town, the high Tofana region reaches nearly 3000m and connects to the lower Rumerlo and Socrepes area, but only by a black run. Access is from the outskirts of town by the Col Druscie cable car or by car or bus to the top station of this lift – a preferable option when snow on the single blue run back to base is scarce. The Socrepes area is best reached from the car parks at Lacedel.
Cinque Torri and Lagazuoi
The road continues to the two furthest outlying areas: Cinque Torri and Lagazuoi are both small but one-way linked by a green run. From the pass at Falzarego a remarkable cable car climbs to Lagazuoi and the option of the 8.5km Armentarola run to the far side of the mountains through Vallon Lagazuoi and a return by bus or taxi from Armentarola in Val Badia; the run is rightly famous for its opportunity to ski through a high, remote valley of great beauty.
Cortina d'Ampezzo
| Base | 4,016 ft (1,224 m) |
| Summit | 9,642 ft (2,939 m) |
| Elevation | 5,626 ft (1,715 m) |
| Snowmaking | |
| Ski area | |
| Beginner | 33 % |
| Intermediate | 62 % |
| Advanced | 5 % |
| Number of trails | 0 |
| Longest trail | 6 mi (9 km) |
| Snowfall | 79 inch (200 cm) |
| Season start | late Nov |
| Season end | mid Apr |
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