Apres Ski in Cortina d'Ampezzo

Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of the chicest ski resorts in the Alps, with stylish, trendy coffee shops, restaurants, hotels and boutiques, and lots of fur coats.

The Town of Cortina d’Ampezzo

The elegant town of Cortina d’Ampezzo at 1,200m in the heart of the Dolomites has an imposing Gothic campanile (c. 1858) towering 66m above the extensive pedestrianised centre and, at the last count, nearly 300 shops. Expect to discover jewellery and luxury watch shops, art galleries, antique shops, as well as lots of stylish, trendy coffee shops, bars and restaurants. A visit to an outdoor gear shop here could result in a ‘Gucci’ purchase as easily as a ‘North Face’. Cortina has an extensive Italian clientele, which makes the whole scene all the more authentic for visitors from elsewhere, with extended families enjoying the passegiata, well wrapped in furs. Most of these visitors don’t even come to ski, and even those who do will spend as much time off slope as on. Staggering along in ski boots at six in the evening, you’ll feel very under-dressed and will definitely not slot into the refined après-ski scene in the wine-bars, where there’s no dancing to speak of, never mind on the tables. The layout of the town is initially confusing when arriving by car – the one-way circuit twists and turns up the hill and back down again, and missing your turn-off to one of the ski areas or an outlying hotel means a lengthy repeat of the loop. The town is on fairly steeply sloping ground and of reasonable size, so you shouldn’t count on walking to the ski lifts, which leave from the outskirts; as for the further outlying areas, you’ll definitely need to get a bus. A key factor when choosing accommodations in Cortina is to stay in or near the town centre, and enjoy relaxed strolls and casual, impromptu nightlife rather than having to make an expedition of it. Then by day you can easily reach any of the ski areas from your nearest bus stop. A member of the “Best of the Alps” association of twelve classic mountain resorts, Cortina d’Ampezzo is Italy’s most celebrated skiing and mountaineering resort. The 1956 Winter Olympics were held here and the legacy continues to be celebrated, in Cortina if nowhere else. The resort is also well known for having featured in numerous films, most notably The Pink Panther, the James Bond stunt sequences on snow in For Your Eyes Only and Cliffhanger starring Sylvester Stallone, but the resorts enduring star attractions of this UNESCO World Heritage site are the Dolomite landscape and Italian traditions.

Apres Ski Bars in Cortina d’Ampezzo

Apres-ski in Cortina is a full Italian experience, with the emphasis on wonderful wine and late nights. Unsurprisingly, there’s no shortage of excellent restaurants in Cortina, ranging from Michelin-starred to simple pizza. With more than 30 bars, coffee shops, pastry shops and snack bars, 40 restaurants and 14 pizzerias in an around town, apres-ski is one of the reasons to visit Cortina, though it has nothing to do with dancing in ski boots and Germanic beer-swilling revelry. Apres ski in Cortina is a full Italian experience, with the emphasis on several wonderful wine bars before dinner at one of many restaurants serving delicious homemade Italian specialities from the Veneto and South Tyrol. Visitors to Cortina, mostly from Italy, include significant numbers of non-skiers who come to enjoy the town and to socialise by day as well as at night. Consequently, many cafés, bars and restaurants do brisk business during the day and hence not all of the bars stay open late. Many bars close as early as 9pm and most bars (and restaurants) will be closed by 11pm even in peak season. Though a few bars open late and while partying is possible well into the small hours in refined  nightclubs and discos (open from 11pm), during low season these tend to be weekend-only.

Bar El Becalen

A charming and popular, cosy wine bar near the centre of Cortina, known for its excellent selection of wines, aperitifs, delicious sandwiches, great service and friendly atmosphere. “Cosy” also means tiny, so go early to be seated. Closes at 9pm. Address: Via Cesare Battisti, 22, Cortina d’Ampezzo. Tel: +39 0436 868597.

Chalet Belvedere

The Chalet Belvedere (and Belvedere nightclub) in Pocol is busy for vibrant apres-ski from 2 pm until 6 pm, and a popular, upscale nightclub for late-night partying until the small hours. Address: Localita Pocol 38, Cortina d’Ampezzo. Tel: +39 393 883 0088.

Dolomiti Bar

With over 100 years of history, Bar Dolomiti is one of the oldest inns in Cortina, frequented by famous people and also favoured by locals. Closes around 9 pm. Address: Via Roma 50, Cortina d’Ampezzo Tel: +39 0436 868344.

Enoteca Brio di Vino

The Enoteca Brio di Vino, is a charming, cosy wine bar and restaurant in the centre of Cortina, run by Sergio and Ines, both professional sommeliers. Always busy with tourists and locals alike who go there to drink wine by the bottle and share their latest skiing exploits. Closes at 9pm. Address: Largo Poste 17, Cortina d’Ampezzo. Tel: +39 0436 871767. Website >

Faro Dolomites Cocktail Bar

The Faro Dolomites Cocktail Bar is a typical mountain bar, with welcoming staff, offering a carefully curated cocktail list with music, and open until 1:00 am or 2:00 am. Address: Largo Poste 65, Cortina d’Ampezzo. Tel: +39 0338 487 4037.

La Suite Wine Bar & Aperitivi

A trendy and elegant wine bar restaurant, La Suite is a popular bar with a refined atmosphere, best known for its vast selection of fine wines, and menu offering a selection of tasty appetisers, and quick meals. Closes 00:30 am. Address: Piazza Venezia 6, Cortina d’Ampezzo. Tel: +39 0493 67 40 75. Website >

Pasticceria Embassy

Located in the centre of Cortina, the Pasticceria Embassy is a popular cafe and pastry bar serving delicious sweet and savoury treats. Closes at 10 pm. Address: Corso Italia 44, Cortina d’Ampezzo. Tel: +39 0436 060333. Website >

Stazione Buffet & Bar

The Station Buffet & Bar is the only self-service restaurant in Cortina. It offers inexpensive homemade cooking (eat in or takeaway) for breakfast, lunch, early evening dinner and drinks. Closes at 7 pm. Address: Via Guglieelmo Marconi, Cortina d’Ampezzo. Tel: +39 0436 2529. Website >

Villa Sandi 

Located at the bottom of the ski slopes, Villa Sandi in Cortina is an elegant wine bar and restaurant, featuring a stylish interior and a comfortable terrace, and offering quality wines with lunch and dinner. Open daily from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm and from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Address: Largo delle Poste, 30, Cortina d’Ampezzo. Tel: +39 0436 680 422. Website >

Nightlife in Cortina d’Ampezzo 

Belvedere Nightclub

Since the early 1970s, the Chalet Belvedere has become the most renowned nightclub in Cortina. A venue for some of Cortina’s most exclusive VIP events, including Cortina Fashion Weekend, and the backdrop (Chalet New Bosco) for numerous films, such as “The Pink Panther” and many more. Address: Localita Pocol 38, Cortina d’Ampezzo. Tel: +39 393 883 0088. Website >

Bilbò Club Gall

The Bilbo Club has been  popular a club for nightlife since it first opened in 1970 and has been described as the “drawing room of the Italian jet set”, and opens every night from early December until epiphany (12 days after Christmas) 6 January. Address: Nuovo Centro 7, Cortina d’Ampezzo. Tel: +39 0436 5599

Blu Cortina

The ‘Blv Rooms’ disco has rebranded itself Blu Cortina following a renovation to create a new image including new interior decoration featuring bronze mirrors, golden frames and chandeliers, and new sofas. The disco is part of the Blunotte group specialising in VIP parties. Address: Nuovo Centro 8, Cortina d’Ampezzo. Tel: +39 0436 4366.

VIP Club Cortina

Blending contemporary design and a retro vibe, the stylish and elegant VIP Club, offers refined cuisine, DJ sets, live music and an intimate atmosphere. Address: Corso Italia 207, Cortina d’Ampezzo. Tel: +39 0436 761 900. Website >

Restaurants in Cortina d’Ampezzo

The Michelin starred Ristorante Tivoli is the best around. It overlooks Cortina and has an innovative and extensive menu. Leone e Annac serves traditonal Sardinian specialities. El Camineto, Baita Fraina and Il Meloncino are expensive but all offer great food. El Toulà, set in a converted barn, is highly recommended. La Tavernetta  serves traditional Italian food at reasonable prices. Da Beppe Sello, Ospitale, Pontejei and Ariston are all less formal and less expensive. For simple pizza try the Croda Café, Cinque Torri and Vienna. Da Lago Pianozes and Lago Ghedina are both situated out of town near a lake and combine traditional mountain atmosphere and good food. Ristorante Pontejel Largo Poste 11, Cortina d’Ampezzo Tel: +39 0436 2525.  Website > Ristorante Baita Son Zuogo Passo Tre Croci 1/2, Cortina d’Ampezzo Tel: +39 327 665 1191. Website > Ristorante Pizzeria La Perla Piazzetta San Francesco 3, Cortina d’Ampezzo Tel: +39 0436 4681. Website > Ristorante Rio Gere Rio Gere 1, Cortina d’Ampezzo Tel: +39 0436 3434. Website > Ristorante Pizzeria Il Ponte Via B. Franchetti 8, Cortina d’Ampezzo Tel: +39 0436 867624. Website > Ristorante Pizzeria Ariston Via G. Marconi 10, Cortina d’Ampezzo Tel: +39 0436 866705. Website > Ristorante Pizzeria Al Passetto Via G. Marconi 8, Cortina d’Ampezzo Tel: +39 0436 2254. Website >  Birreria Vienna Ristorante Pizzeria Via Roma 68, Cortina d’Ampezzo Tel: +39 0436 866944.

Restaurants Nearby Cortina d’Ampezzo

Ristorante Pizzeria La Tavernetta Via del Castello 53, Cortina d’Ampezzo (0.6km north) Tel: +39 0436 060393. Website > Ristorante El Zoco Via Cademai 18, Cortina d’Ampezzo (1.6km north via SS51) Tel: +39 0436 860041. El Brite de Larieto Località Malga Larieto, Cortina d’Ampezzo (2km east via SR48) Mob: +39 368 700 8083. Website > Ristorante Al Camin Via Alverà 99, Cortina d’Ampezzo (2km east via SR48) Tel: +39 0436 862010. Website > Ristorante Leone e Anna Via Alverà 112, Cortina d’Ampezzo (2m east via SR48) Tel: +39 0436 2768. Website > Fattoria Meneguto Via Fraina 6, Cortina d’Ampezzo (2km south via SS51) Tel: +39 0436 860441. Website > Ristorante Baita Fraina Località Fraina, Cortina d’Ampezzo (3km south via SS51) Tel: +39 0436 3634. Website > Ristorante Tivoli Via Lacedel 34, Cortina d’Ampezzo (3km west via SR48) Tel: +39 0436 866400. Web: www.ristorantetivoli.it Ristorante Lago Scin Località Lago Scin, Cortina d’Ampezzo (4km east via SR48) Tel: +39 0436 2391. Website > Ristorante El Camineto Località Rumerlo 1, Cortina d’Ampezzo (5km west via SR48) Tel: +39 0348 195 3623. Website > Ristorante Pizzeria Croda Cafè  F.lli Ghedina 28, Cortina d’Ampezzo (6km north via SS51) Tel: +39 0436 866 589. Ristorante Baita Pie Tofana Località Rumerlo, Cortina d’Ampezzo (6km west via SR48) Tel: +39 0436 4258. Website > Ristorante Passo Giau Località Passo Giau, Cortina d’Ampezzo (16km southwest via SR48/SP638) Mob: +39 346 069 6745. Website > Ristorante Da Aurelio Passo Giau 5, Cortina d’Ampezzo (17km southwest via SR48/SP638 Tel: +39 329 135 9222. Website >

Cortina d’Ampezzo Other Activities

Cortina d’Ampezzo usually has more non-skiers than skiers, so besides skiing and snowboarding other activities are plentiful, both in the Olympic facilities and in the bustling streets in town. Beyond the confines of the town there is excellent walking and cross country skiing while the Olympic facilities, for skating in particular, are exceptional. Don’t forget that simply riding a cable car here is an extraordinary experience – with top quality restaurants at the far end, it can make a complete day out.

Winter Walking & Snowshoeing in Cortina

It’s difficult to imagine a better mountain landscape for walking in winter (and summer) with numerous mountain refuges for leisurely lunches and to enjoy the spectacular Dolomite views, by daylight or moonlight, but especially “Enrosadira”, the enchanted time before sunset when the peaks are tinged with red refelctions.

Cross-Country Skiing in Cortina

The Fiames Nordic Ski Centre is the focal point for cross-country skiing around an open field and on the track of the former railway line. There’s up to 10km high altitude cross country skiing for experts at the Tre Croci Pass (1,800m) with various routes and detours and spectacular views. The cross-country ski school (10 instructors) at Fiames offers private or group lessons (for 5-8 people) for adults and children. Cross-country ski gear available for rental at Fiames. Open: 08:30-16:30 from December to mid-April. Tel: +39 0436 4903.

Tobogganing in Cortina

There’s a 1km long toboggan run at Guargne served by the Mietres chairlift and snowbob toboggans available for hire at the base station. Also, a number of mountain refuges organise moonlit toboggan descents after-dinner.

Ice Skating & Curling in Cortina

The Olympic Ice Stadium has been fully renovated and is now a covered indoor ice stadium open to the public for ice skating in winter and summer, and with instruction available for those that need it.  The ice rink also hosts 1^st division ice hockey championships. Tel: +39 0436 881812. If you prefer your feet more firmly grounded, the Cortina Curling Centre is open from December until mid-April with instructors and national team athletes available for individual instruction or group lessons. Tel: +39 0436 2400.

Snowkiting in Cortina

As an alternative to more conventional forms of skiing or boarding, thrill seekers can experience being pulled along on skis or a borad by wind-powered snow kite with indificual and group courses available for beginners and advanced including freestyle and freeride options. For more information contact Kite4Freedom Tel: +39 331 488 5789. Web: www.kite4freedom.it

Ice Driving in Cortina

Top Gear enthusiasts may like to try the excitement of ice driving in safety, available from December to February at Fiames (3km from Cortina), with expert instruction from rally driver Franco Munari and to test the limits of a Mitsubishi Evo VIII rally car equipped with winter studded tyres and telecamera. For more information contact Snow Ice Tel: +39 349 764 8279.

Cortina Tourist Information

Cortina Tourism & Promotion Via Marconi, 15 32043 Cortina d’Ampezzo Tel: +39 0436 862171 Web: www.cortina.dolomiti.org