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Cortina d'Ampezzo
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Check out our independent resort guide to Cortina d'Ampezzo, one of the best skiing & snowboarding resorts in Italy. Seriously. Considered one of the world's greatest places to go, it offers awesome scenery combined with great Italian ambience.
Where?
Ski Cortina d'Ampezzo and you'll find it popular with both skiers and non-skiers that are in the know. Offering great skiing and a wonderful ambience, you are around two hours from Venice if you fancy it. The skiing and snowboarding is varied, and other resorts such as Cassiano and Corvara are within easy reach. You'll also find a fantastic selection of shops, cafés, restaurants and hotels, plus plenty of activities for non-skiers.
SUITABILITY RATINGS 1-5
SKIING
BOARDING
BEGINNERS
INTERMEDIATE
ADVANCED
FAMILIES
On the Slopes
The numbers don't lie - 62% of the slopes here are rated as intermediate, 33% beginner. Ski holidays in Cortina d'Ampezzo are thus perfect for those who like superb, well-groomed pistes. Experts shouldn't despair though as there are also several black runs of note, and some good off-piste couloirs that local guides can take you to. Boarders will also enjoy the pisted terrain, and this is prime terrain for carvers. There's also a terrain park at Faloria.
Ski Area
If you ski Cortina d'Ampezzo you are also in the ski region of Dolomiti Superski.
Off the Slopes
Ski Cortino d'Ampezzo and you get to choose from a great selection of ski chalets, apartments and hotels throughout the resort, with something for every budget, and the choice and quality of food is what you would expect in Italy. The nightlife is more along the lines of relaxed cafes and wine bars than rowdy après-ski, but there's also great shopping to keep you busy. Non-skiers can try tobogganing, ice skating, curling, or even some dog sledding.
Who's it Best For?
Our resort review would suggest that this resort is great for intermediates in particular but also good for any non skiers in your party as there is lots to do off the slopes.
TOURIST OFFICE
P.tta San Francesco 8
Phone: +39 0436 3231
Fax: +39 0436 3235
Click here for website
Email them
Set amidst the amazing scenery of the Dolomites Cortina is a beautiful town to ski in and at night it comes alive with wine bars and restaurants and of course people watching. Its main downside is the lack of high speed lifts but investment is slowly trickling in so things may be changing for the better.
If you are looking for a good value holiday here check out what we have available from the UK's leading tour operators. If however you are merely looking for a good hotel or even a self catered apartment check out our accommodation list and book direct with the owner.
Why Choose Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy?
1. You get to ski amidst the most amazing mountain scenery.
2. There is a great amount of skiing available, the Dolomiti Superski pass gives you access to 1100 km of trails.
3. Great for intermediates.
4. Great off slopes activities, shops, bars and restaurants.
Is It Right For You?
If you think Cortina could be right for you then check out the holidays we have available and book a great holiday today!
Cortina is a very pretty town to stay in set amidst the most stunning Dolomites scenery. It is very Italian here! Lunch for example is a quite serious event with the slopes often very quiet until at least 2pm. And then at night a great pastime is to watch the 'passeggiata', Italians looking beautiful out for an evening stroll!
Accommodation here includes both luxury 5* hotels, more basic 3* hotels, apartments and chalets. You will find catered chalets here but do remember that in Italy the catered chalet concept hasn't taken off as much as in say France so you may also want to check out the hotel accommodation.
Where to Look for a Chalet
Many visitors will want to stay as close to the pedestrianised town centre as they can, particularly if you are in a uncatered chalet and you need to access the bars and restaurants.
You will find luxury chalets here situated slopeside with amazing views of the Dolomites. It wont be the cheapest option but you will get what you pay for. There are also a number of chalet hotels on offer so do check these out as well.
FEATURED CHALETS
CHALETS
Apartments have improved greatly since they first started springing up in some of the purpose built French resorts. For many skiers they can evoke negative feelings but many of the newer ski apartments are in amazing complexes boasting facilities that would rival many hotels and chalets, including swimming pools and wellness centres.
In Cortina d'Ampezzo there is a good range of accommodation including 5* hotels, apartments and chalets. The resort plays to an affluent Italian market from Venice so its not the cheapest resort but you can still get some good deals for your money.
When looking for accommodation do try and stay near to the pedestrianised town centre where most of the shops, bars and restaurants can be found. But if you are self catering you don't want to be miles away. Do also check out some good 3* hotels and B&B's in the centre of town as they represent really good value for money.
Are Apartments Really Such a Good Idea?
Well they can work out cheaper than many chalets and hotels. And they can offer amazing facilities as we have mentioned. In addition apartments are a great idea if you are travelling with other families or in a large ski party. You can all book into the same apartment building and get more independence and space than in say one chalet.
FEATURED APARTMENTS
Hotels can be a great choice on a ski holiday and in Cortina d'Ampezzo there is a great choice of hotels on offer. For many it means you are not walking around at night trying to find somewhere to eat and for those travelling with children family suites can work out great value.
In Cortina d'Ampezzo there is a good choice of accommodation including hotels, chalets and apartments. It is a good idea to try and stay as close as you can to the pedestrianised town centre where you will find most of the bars, restaurants and shops.
What Hotels Are On Offer Here?
There are two 5* hotels here called Hotel Cristallo and the Miramonto Majestic Grand, both are situated away from the centre but the Majestic, whilst being 2km out of town, has a great swimming pool and wellness centre. If you want to be right in the centre you will have loads of choice but check out the Hotel Ancora.
If your budget is a bit tighter there is a good range of 3* hotels including Hotel Aquila and Hotel Menardi. In many of these hotels the cooking is good and many are still family run with the hotel being in the family for generations.
FEATURED HOTELS
The two nearest airports to Cortina are Venice Treviso airport which is 136 km away and Venice Marco Polo airport, 148 km away. The transfer from both these airports is around 1 hour 45 minutes. If these aren't convenient then you should consider Innsbruck airport, 164 km away, and Verona airport, nearly 3 hours away.
Transferring from Venice
You could consider hiring a private minibus from either airport to Cortina. The journey is relatively short and if there is a group of you travelling the cost can be fairly reasonable. If you are not travelling in a group then opt for the shared service deal where you travel with others transferring to the same resort.
ATVO also runs a bus service to Cortina from both airports in Venice. The journey time is about 2 hours 10 minutes. Tickets for this bus service must be booked in advance. It is possible to get a train, you would need to get to Calalzo, 35km away or Dobbiacco, 32km away. A bus will then take you into Cortina.
You could of course drive yourself, the journey is relatively straightforward. If you are driving across the Brenner pass, the border between Italy and Austria, do try and find the time to stop at the Plessi Museum.
FEATURED SKI TRANSFERS
Compare Cortina d'Ampezzo ski schools and then book or reserve your ski and snowboard lessons before you arrive in resort! Reserve your spaces in group or private lessons in Cortina d'Ampezzo so saving yourself a lot of hassles!
Ski Schools in Cortina d'Ampezzo
Whether you want to have ski lessons or snowboard lessons, most Cortina d'Ampezzo ski schools offer a wide range of options including half day lessons, private or group lessons. Use GoSki.co.uk to find out more.
FEATURED SKI SCHOOLS
