Cortina d’Ampezzo, host of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, totally lives as much as its popularity and stature as among the finest ski locations in Europe.
In my opinion, Cortina d’Ampezzo is finest suited to robust intermediate and superior skiers who take pleasure in steep, thrilling terrain, the place you’re not continually weaving round freshmen prefer it’s an impediment course.
Our overwhelming constructive expertise was doubtless enhanced by visiting in mid-March, in the course of the low season. Carry strains had been non-existent to minimal, and situations had been glorious, with agency slopes due to below-freezing nights and up to date snowfall.
Cortina does, nonetheless, reward a little bit of planning. For essentially the most relaxed and fulfilling expertise, it’s finest to dedicate a full day to every ski space (Tofane, Faloria, and Cinque Torri) relatively than attempting to cowl an excessive amount of without delay.
After our ski journey, it’s clear to me that Cortina d’Ampezzo is, and at all times might be, the queen of the Dolomites, her crown firmly secured. The surroundings is just unmatched, and it raises the bar in a means that may make different locations really feel underwhelming by comparability.
Execs and Cons of Snowboarding Cortina d’Ampezzo
Execs
Staggering landscapes
Extremely-satisfying terrain for superior intermediate and professional skiers
Glorious snow situations within the Faloria ski space and Ra Valles (Tofana) in spring
Vibrant pedestrianized city heart with plenty of eating places, bars, and outlets
Nice vibe
Atmospheric mountain huts and eating places with panoramic views
You’ll be able to ski into Alta Badia by way of the Hidden Valley Run
Cons
Ageing ski raise infrastructure
Carry opening dates usually are not constant throughout the resort, with many lifts solely starting operations in late December
Solely Faloria ski space is straight accessible from city heart
Cortina d’Ampezzo Ski Map
My Impression of Snowboarding in Cortina d’Ampezzo
We skied in Cortina d’Ampezzo in mid-March and skilled phenomenal situations, significantly on the quiet slopes of Faloria. The higher reaches of the Tofane ski space had been equally glorious, although barely busier. By noon, nonetheless, the decrease sections throughout the resort softened considerably.
Cortina stands out as one of many high resorts within the Dolomites for intermediate and superior skiers. The higher Tofane sector (Ra Valles and Pomedes) and Faloria provide thrilling pink and black runs, whereas newbie terrain is basically confined to the decrease slopes of Tofane. This pure separation means superior and novice skiers not often overlap.
Whereas there are sufficient blue runs to accommodate freshmen, Alta Badia ski resort and Seiser Alm ski resort are usually higher selections for these simply beginning out.
The resort is unfold out throughout a number of mountains encircling the basin. Whereas interconnected snowboarding is mostly preferable, it’s much less of a disadvantage right here, as every ski space lends itself nicely to a devoted day or half-day. We spent at some point snowboarding in Faloria-Cristallo, one in Tofane, and one other exploring Cinque Torri-Lagazuoi.
The one ski space that’s straight accessible from the city heart is Faloria. To get to Tofane, you both should take a bus, lodge ski shuttle, or taxi. Tofane and Cinque Torri are linked by the Cortina Skyline gondolas.
Technically, Misurina (7 km of slopes), San Vito di Cadore (10 km of slopes), and Auronzo (6 km of slopes) are a part of the broader Cortina ski space. In observe, most skiers primarily based in Cortina skip these outlying resorts, as they’re small and never particularly well worth the detour.
I did ski Misurina after a day in Faloria and located the slopes glorious, even within the afternoon, nevertheless it’s not important. San Vito di Cadore and Auronzo even have comparatively brief seasons, sometimes operating from late December to mid-March.
General, Cortina d’Ampezzo delivers a very distinctive snowboarding expertise. Throughout all my days within the Dolomites, my favorites had been in Carezza and Cortina.
My essential criticism is the ageing infrastructure. Some lifts really feel dated, cease continuously, and detract from the general expertise. In comparison with the South Tyrolean Dolomites resorts, Cortina lags behind in raise modernity and effectivity.
Cortina d’Ampezzo Ski Areas: An Overview
Tofane Ski Space
The Tofane Ski Space is situated on the slopes of the Tofane Group, west of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The primary entry factors are Freccia nel Cielo (Cortina – Colfiere – Col Druscié raise valley station) and Socrepes (Larcadel – Socrepes raise valley station). This ski space can be reached from Pocol, a hamlet excessive above Cortina d’Ampezzo, the place 5-star Resort Tofana Cortina and 3-star Ciasa Vervei provide ski-in ski-out entry.
By way of surroundings, essentially the most sensational ski run is #46 adopted by #48 or #49 in Ra Valles. To get to Ra Valles, experience the Col Drusciè – Ra Valles cable automotive as much as Capanna Ra Valles (2470 m) after which ski all the way down to the Bus Tofana ski raise. Run #46 begins on the high of the Bus Tofana raise.
Observe: the cable automotive from Ra Valles to Tofana di Mezzo summit, illustrated on ski maps, solely operates in summer time.
After snowboarding Ra Valles to your hearts content material, you might have two choices. You’ll be able to both ski down Forcella Rossa (black #51), the steepest piste in Cortina d’Ampezzo, with a most gradient of 72%, or return to Col Drusciè with the Col Drusciè – Ra Valles cable automotive. We skied down #51, which is certainly very steep, to the Piè Tofana – Duca d’Aosta raise.
The Piè Tofana – Duca d’Aosta and Duca D’Aosta – Pomedes lifts provide entry to the fantastic Pomedes ski slopes, together with the well-known Stratofana Olimpica aka Olympia delle Tofane ( #35). This black slope, which initially runs between the Schluss rock passage, hosts the annual Ladies’s Alpine Snowboarding World Cup and was the venue for the ladies’s alpine snowboarding occasions on the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Parking | There’s a paid automotive park at Freccia nel Cielo (Google Maps) and a free automotive park at Socrepes (Google Maps), the place Chalet Tofane is situated.
Bus | Trip Bus Line S31 (Inexperienced) to Tofana Freccia Nel Cielo Bus Cease (Google Maps) and/or Socrepes Bus Cease (Google Maps).
Lodges with Complimentary Ski Shuttles | Camina Suite & Spa (4-star boutique lodge), HOTEL de LËN (4-star lodge), Resort Lajadira & Spa (4-star lodge), Faloria Mountain Spa Resort (5-star lodge), and Ancora Cortina (5-star lodge)
Faloria – Cristallo Ski Space
The Faloria Ski Space sits throughout the Sorapis Group, whereas the smaller Cristallo Ski Space lies within the Cristallo Group, each located east of Cortina d’Ampezzo. These areas share a base station at Rio Gere.
To achieve Faloria, you’ll be able to both experience the Funivia Faloria cable automotive (Google Maps) from Cortina’s city heart or drive to Rio Gere automotive park, situated beneath Passo Tre Croci. The Rio Gere automotive park gives direct entry to each the Faloria and Cristallo ski areas, that are separated by the SR48 highway.
The Faloria slopes are merely incredible, excellent for snowboarding quick and confidently. In comparison with Cortina’s Tofane and Arabba’s Porta Vescovo, the black runs listed here are gentler and comfortably throughout the vary of a powerful intermediate skier, which I contemplate myself. I significantly loved all of the runs from the highest of the Vitelli raise, together with Canalone Franchetti (black #63, my private favourite), Stratondi (black #64), and Vitelli Alta (black #62).
The slopes accessible from the Pian de Ra Bigontina raise are additionally exhilarating, particularly Scoiattolo (#68).
After snowboarding Faloria, we returned to Rio Gere, crossed the highway and ascended with the Rio Gere-Son Forca raise to entry the small Cristallo ski space, served by 2 lifts.
With extra direct solar publicity, it’s finest to deal with this space earlier within the day. Although small, it’s price snowboarding right here for the beautiful views of Cristallo. The Son Forca hut is fantastically located, making it a super spot for a espresso break.
Parking | There’s a free automotive park at Rio Gere (Google Maps)
Bus | Funivia Faloria Bus Cease (Google Maps)
Lodges with Complimentary Ski Shuttles | Camina Suite & Spa (4-star boutique lodge), HOTEL de LËN (4-star lodge), Resort Lajadira & Spa (4-star lodge), Faloria Mountain Spa Resort (5-star lodge), and Ancora Cortina (5-star lodge)
Lodges situated inside strolling distance to the Funivia Faloria cable automotive | Ambra Cortina Luxurious & Vogue Boutique Resort (4-star lodge, 210 meters to cable automotive), Grand Resort Ampezzo (5-star lodge, 150 meters to cable automotive), Ancora Cortina (5-star lodge, 350 meters to cable automotive), Resort Ciasa Lorenzi (3-star lodge, 450 meters to cable automotive)
Cinque Torri – Lagazuoi Ski Space
The Cinque Torri – Lagazuoi Ski Space is situated west of Cortina d’Ampezzo round Passo Falzarego.
The Cinque Torri ski space is related to the Tofane ski space by way of the Cortina Skyline (Son Dei Prade – Cianzopé – Bai de Dones gondolas), so there’s no have to take a bus, or taxi.
Although some Cinque Torri slopes are fairly slim, the breathtaking views of the Cinque Torri rock formation, Croda da Lago, and Tofana di Rozes, and total expertise make them really unforgettable. On the 2 events that I skied Cinque Torri, I used to be amazed by the quiet, crowd-free slopes.
I actually cherished Scoiattoli (pink #12) and Cinque Torri (pink #11), each accessible from the 5 Torri chairlift high station.
After snowboarding all of the Cinque Torri slopes, we adopted the Super8 ski tour to Forcella Nuvolau, residence to Rifugio Averau. From there, we descended Nuvolau (pink #90) to Fedare, one other lovely stretch.
The Fedare raise, painfully sluggish, carries you again as much as Forcella Nuvolau. From right here, you might have two choices: ski again all the way down to Cinque Torri, or head towards the Croda Negra raise. The latter cuts throughout the massif between dramatic rock pinnacles, giving the feeling of a theme park experience. From the highest of Croda Negra, you’ll be able to simply connect with Col Gallina and Passo Falzarego.
After snowboarding Cinque Torri, I like to recommend heading to Lagazuoi, accessible by way of cable automotive from Passo Falzarego. Atop Lagazuoi, you’ll be able to ski Lagazuoi (pink #2), a deliriously lovely run that brings you again to the go, or Armentarola aka Hidden Valley Run (pink #1). The latter is a panoramic run that leads all the way in which all the way down to Armentarola in Val Badia. If the cable automotive line isn’t too lengthy, ski each runs, beginning with #2.
On the finish of the slope, experience the well-known horse-drawn tow (for an extra charge) to Resort Armentarola, from the place taxis (additionally additional) can carry you again to Passo Falzarego.
Parking | There’s a carpark at Bai de Dones, the place the Cortina Skyline and Cinque Torri lifts converge: Google Maps. That’s the perfect place to park. Additional up the SR48 highway, within the route of Passo Falzarego, there’s one other automotive park at Col Gallina: Google Maps. And, in fact, there’s a carpark on the Lagazuoi cable automotive valley station at Passo Falzarego.
Misurina Ski Space
The Misurina Ski Space is served by a single two-person chairlift, Col de Varda, which takes about 10 minutes. The Col de Varda slopes keep glorious nicely into the afternoon, due to the sunshine crowds and orientation.
Whereas it’s not price a particular journey, should you’re passing by, it’s a pleasing spot to take pleasure in an hour of crowd-free snowboarding away.
Lodges at Lake Misurina | Chalet Alpenrose (4-star lodge)
The place to Keep in Cortina d’Ampezzo for Snowboarding
Should you’re touring and not using a automotive, I like to recommend staying within the city heart or in an lodging with a complimentary ski shuttle.
Should you’re touring with a automotive, you’ll be able to look past the city heart for lodging choices. For essentially the most budget-friendly stays, take a look at B&B Resort Passo Tre Croci Cortina at Passo Tre Croci, or Fiori Dolomites Expertise Resort, Resort il Cardo, or Albergo Antelao within the city of San Vito di Cadore, 12 km south of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
We’ve stayed in B&B Resort Passo Tre Croci Cortina (price range), Fiori Dolomites Expertise Resort (midrange), HOTEL de LËN (4-star lodge with ski shuttle. Learn our Resort de Len overview), and Camina Suite & Spa (4-star lodge with ski shuttle. Learn our Camina Suite & Spa Overview).
Be taught extra: The place to Keep in Cortina d’Ampezzo
Cortina d’Ampezzo Ski Season
The perfect occasions to ski in Cortina d’Ampezzo are January and March. We visited in mid-March and located glorious situations total. Faloria was almost empty, whereas Tofana was busier however nonetheless manageable, with minimal raise wait occasions.
Snow high quality on Faloria held up fantastically all through the day, whereas Tofana was at its finest within the morning.
Whereas early December is usually a good time to ski elsewhere within the Dolomites, it’s much less dependable in Cortina as a result of staggered raise openings throughout the resort. Faloria could also be skiable from early to mid-December, however a lot of Tofana sometimes doesn’t open till later within the month.
Equally, the Falzarego-Cinque Torri space opens step by step from early December, with the Skyline Cortina gondola (linking Tofana and Cinque Torri) often not working till late December.
Outlying areas similar to Auronzo and San Vito di Cadore have even shorter and extra restricted seasons, sometimes operating from late December to mid-March, and are not often price a particular journey for many skiers.
Test Cortina raise opening dates.
Cortina d’Ampezzo Ski Go
To ski in Cortina d’Ampezzo, you solely have to buy a Cortina d’Ampezzo single resort go. The one purpose to buy a Dolomiti Superski go is should you plan on snowboarding the World Conflict I ski tour (Grade Guerra), or if you wish to ski in neighboring Alta Badia Ski Resort.
Should you plan to ski the Hidden Valley Run however don’t intend to ski in Alta Badia, you gained’t want a Dolomiti Superski go, because the return to Passo Falzarego is by taxi.
Dolomites Winter Journey & Snowboarding
Snowboarding:
Winter Journey:
Dolomites Journey:
