I’ve skied in Cortina d’Ampezzo several times over the years, and it’s always been special (for a different season view, check out my post on Autumn in Cortina d’Ampezzo – events, hiking & local flavours.)
Growing up in Bergamo, it was just a over three hour drive to reach the Ampezzo Valley — long enough to feel like a journey, short enough for a spontaneous powder day. Every time I return, the ritual is the same: that first glimpse of the Dolomites glowing pink at sunset, the promise of perfect pistes, and evenings that stretch lazily from aperitivo to candlelight (if you’re curious about visiting Cortina on a budget, check out my earlier post Cortina: A Low-Cost Destination on the Dolomites).
Two hours north of Venice, Cortina sits in a wide, sunlit Alpine valley surrounded by the UNESCO-listed Dolomites (read more in my guide Discovering the Italian Dolomites).
Italians call her La Regina delle Dolomiti — the Queen of the Dolomites — and in winter, the title fits perfectly. Legendary slopes, starry skies, world-class dining, and the kind of timeless glamour that has defined Alpine travel since the 1950s.
If you’ve read my post about Courmayeur in winter — another Italian Alpine classic — you’ll recognise the same balance of adventure and indulgence here, but with Cortina’s own Dolomite magic.
Why Visit Cortina This Winter
Cortina’s mountain heritage runs deep. It hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics, the 2021 Alpine World Championships, and will once again be a stage for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games. Beyond its reputation, it’s a place where mountain passion meets Italian style — where luxury hotels and rustic rifugi coexist beautifully.
Highlights at a glance:
- 27 lifts and 66 pistes covering over 120 km of downhill skiing
- 95% snowmaking coverage ensuring perfect conditions all season
- Bus de Tofana (2,742 m) – highest point
- Armentarola (7.5 km) – longest run
- Forcella Rossa (62%) – steepest slope
- Part of Dolomiti Superski, the world’s largest ski network (1,200 km)
- Ski season begins 29 November 2024
Cortina is more than a ski resort — it’s a real mountain town where the rhythm of local life continues year-round. On Corso Italia, boutique windows sparkle beside artisan workshops, gourmet restaurants, and elegant cafés.
Skiing and Snow Adventures
The ski areas of Tofane, Faloria, and Cristallo offer varied terrain and extraordinary views. With three scenic ski tours connecting panoramic viewpoints, there’s something for every level.
For skiers and snowboarders
Cortina offers wide, sunlit slopes perfect for cruising as well as technical pistes for experts. Ski schools are among Italy’s best, and rental shops are efficient and friendly.
For those seeking solitude, ski touring and freeride routes await — from gentle climbs to steep descents like the legendary Sci Club 18. Always go with a UIAGM-certified guide and proper safety kit.
Cross-country skiing
Cortina’s Cross-Country Experience celebrates a classic local sport. The Fiames Nordic Center is ideal for beginners, while Passo Tre Croci challenges experienced skiers with high-altitude loops surrounded by the Tofane, Cristallo and Marmarole peaks. The area is part of the Dolomiti NordicSki network — 900 kilometres of connected trails across eight Alpine regions.
Snowshoeing and more
Snowshoe through forests to reach a rifugio for lunch, or try an evening walk under the stars. Ice climbing, ski mountaineering, and even indoor climbing at the Lino Lacedelli Gym add extra layers of adventure.
Family Winter Experience
Cortina is a natural playground for families. Children can join small-group ski lessons or learn to skate at the Olympic Ice Stadium, where curling sessions are also available. The Lino Lacedelli indoor climbing gym offers over 80 routes for kids and adults.
Many hotels are designed for families, offering cots, changing tables, playrooms, and children’s menus. Parents can enjoy spa time or a mountain walk while their kids make friends and learn new skills on the snow.
Wellness and Wellbeing in the Mountains
After an active day outdoors, Cortina’s wellness scene invites you to unwind in style. Many hotels feature beautiful spas with pools, saunas, steam rooms, and expert therapists. For a truly memorable experience, try wellness in quota — soaking in an outdoor hot tub or a Finnish sauna at altitude. Don’t miss the wooden hot tub at Rifugio Scoiattoli overlooking the Cinque Torri, the highest sauna in the Dolomites on the terrace of Rifugio Lagazuoi, or the panoramic saunas at Rifugio Croda da Lago and Rifugio Mietres just above town.
For deeper relaxation, yoga and meditation sessions take place in the Ampezzo Natural Park, where silence and mountain air help restore balance. For a celestial finale, ride the Freccia nel Cielo cable car to the Helmut Ullrich Observatory, one of Italy’s clearest night-sky viewpoints.
Food and Gourmet Experiences
Cortina’s cuisine combines mountain authenticity with creative flair. More than 30 rifugi serve hearty alpine dishes and homemade desserts in cosy settings, while fine dining restaurants push boundaries.
Where to eat
- Tivoli ★ – elegant local cuisine with refined presentation
- SanBrite ★ + Green Star – innovative and sustainable farm-to-table dining
- El Brite de Larieto, Ristorante De Len, Alajmo Cortina, Al Camin, Baita Fraina – all Michelin-listed
Pair your meal with a glass of local wine or try a traditional grappa infused with herbs and berries — Cortina’s signature digestivo.
Where to Stay
Accommodation in Cortina is exceptional and diverse — from historic icons to contemporary retreats nestled in the pines.
Among the standouts:
Grand Hotel Savoia Cortina d’Ampezzo – Radisson Collection (★★★★★) – a timeless landmark blending Alpine heritage with elegant modern design, complete with spa, pool and gourmet dining at the new 1224 Restaurant.
Rosapetra Spa Resort (★★★★S) – intimate and stylish, with a superb wellness centre, fine dining, and mountain-chic interiors; ideal for couples or anyone seeking relaxation after a day on the slopes.
Ambra Cortina Luxury & Fashion Boutique Hotel (★★★★) – right in the heart of town, a small design-led gem known for its warm service and creative rooms inspired by cinema, theatre, and nature.
Beyond these, Cortina offers five five-star and fifteen four-star hotels, plus boutique chalets, apartments, and four year-round campsites. Many properties are pet-friendly, offering bowls, beds, and even dog-sitting services.
Key Winter Events 2025/26
Cortina Fashion Weekend — 5–8 December 2025
The glam season opener returns with shows, activations and a Ski Village, setting the tone for an Olympic-year winter.
San Nicolò, the Angels & the Krampus — 5 December 2025 (evening, town centre)
Traditional Alpine folklore parades into Cortina to kick off the festive season.
Granfondo Dobbiaco–Cortina (XC ski marathon) — 17–18 January 2026
A classic two-day Nordic festival linking Toblach and Cortina on the old railway corridor—magic landscapes, great atmosphere.
Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — 6–22 February 2026
Cortina hosts women’s Alpine speed events on Olympia delle Tofane. Closing ceremony: Arena di Verona, 22 Feb.
Milano–Cortina 2026 Paralympics — 6–15 March 2026
Wheelchair Curling and Para Alpine among the highlights in Cortina’s venues. (Official Games window.)
Cortinametraggio (Short Film Festival, XXI edition) — 23–29 March 2026
Italy’s leading short-film festival returns with screenings, talks and premieres across town.
Tip: Cortina maintains a dynamic events page with late additions and time changes—check dates and venues as you book.
The Road to Milano-Cortina 2026
From 6 to 22 February 2026, Cortina will host Alpine Skiing, Curling, Bobsleigh, Skeleton and Luge, followed by the Paralympic Games (6–15 March 2026) featuring Para Alpine, Wheelchair Curling and Para Snowboard.
Ticket registration is already open on the official platform, with sales starting February 2025 (Olympics) and March 2025 (Paralympics). Infrastructure upgrades — including the renovated Olympic Ice Stadium and the new Sliding Centre — will ensure a world-class experience for athletes and visitors alike.
Pet-Friendly and Green Cortina
Cortina welcomes pets with open arms. Many hotels provide bowls, beds, and dedicated services, while local groomers and trainers ensure a comfortable stay for your four-legged friend. The Ampezzo Natural Park offers miles of scenic, pet-friendly trails — just keep dogs on a lead and carry a small first-aid kit.
For a stay that’s both pet-friendly and sustainable, check into the Faloria Mountain Spa Resort. Surrounded by forest near the Olympic Ice Stadium, it combines refined Alpine design with deep respect for nature — featuring eco-conscious architecture, a beautiful spa, and plenty of green space where dogs are welcome.
Sustainability is central to Cortina’s future. Many accommodations now use low-energy lighting, water-saving systems, and refill dispensers. Restaurants focus on local, seasonal produce and plastic-free takeaways, while guides encourage visitors to explore respectfully and protect this fragile UNESCO landscape.
Practical Information
- Getting there: About 2 hours from Venice by car (snow tyres or chains required).
- When to go: Lifts open from 29 November; best skiing from mid-December to early April.
- Experiences: Choose from Cortina Experience themes — family, food, wellness, pet-friendly, lifestyle, green, and the new Cross-Country Experience.
- Book early: Hotels, ski schools, and Michelin restaurants fill quickly during Christmas, New Year, and Carnival.
Final Thoughts
Cortina d’Ampezzo is winter at its best: majestic mountains, golden light, and a village that comes alive at night. For me, it will always be that familiar Bergamo-to-Cortina drive — the anticipation of the first run, the scent of pine in the cold air, and the joy of sharing it all with the people I love.
If you’re planning a ski trip to northern Italy, don’t miss my guide to Courmayeur in winter or explore more adventures across the Dolomites.
Lived in England since 1998 and travelled the world since 2005, visiting over 100 countries on 5 continents. Writer, blogger, photographer with a passion for adventure and travel, discovering those off beat places not yet on the tourist trail. Marco contributes the very best in independent travel tips and lifestyle articles.
