Cortina d’Ampezzo

Famous, Glamorous, Olympic

Cortina d’Ampezzo Ski Map 2023

Located in the Veneto region in North-East Italy, Cortina D’Ampezzo is one of the most famous ski resorts in the world.

Cortina d’Ampezzo hosted the 1956 Olympics and since then has been known as the most glamorous ski resort in Italy.  The Ford company even named a car after it in the 70s, made a Bond movie in the 80s, and will host the 2026 Winter Olympics. 

We had great expectations when we came there 10 years ago. We found an old resort with three unconnected small ski areas and very old ski lifts. The views were amazing, but the infrastructure and the discontinuity of the area gave us a big disappointment.

very old lifts and 3 small disconnected ski area. that changed! Faloria cablecar in the photo.

But when we came back in 2022, we discovered a rebirth of Cortina. The fact that Cortina will host the 2026 Winter Olympics and the amazing developments that took place here during covid years are the reasons. If you want to see these new developments and get essential knowledge on recommended ski runs and other great tips on Cortina before booking your next ski holiday, you want to read Our review on Cortina.

Cortina d’Ampezzo hosted the 1956 Olympics and will host the 2026 Olympics

Cortina d’Ampezzo. Faloria in bkgd

Ski area 

The ski area of Cortina is 120 km of slopes. It used to be divided into three different ski areas: Tofana, Cinque Torri- Falzarego and Faloria-Cristallo; since the opening of the skyline gondola,  Tofana and Cinque Torri areas are connected. The altitude is spread between 2830m and the town level at 1217m. 4 cable cars, 2 gondolas, 19 chairlifts and 2-t bars, a total of 27 lifts served the skiers. 

45 km of easy blue runs(title 38%),59 km of intermediates red runs(title 49%) and 16 km of difficult black runs(title 13%)  make up the 120 km of runs.

Cinque Torri area

From the Tofana area, you have valley runs to the village, but from the  Faloria area, you will need to ride down the Faloria cable car.

Cortina has an average annual snowfall of around 2.5 meters, but snow cannons cover 95% of the runs, the ski season here every year is from the end of November to the end of April.

6 days of adult skipass in the high season is 347€. For advanced skiers, we recommend adding 26€ and extending to the Dolomiti super skipass.

The skyline gondola. game changer.

recommended runs

Tofana

Olympia-stratofana run – it was the 1956 Olympics run and will be the 2026 Olympics as well as the women’s alpine ski run in the Audi world cup circuit. One of the most famous in Europe and maybe the most beautiful in the world cup circuit.

it was the 1956 Olympics run

will be the 2026 Olympics. women’s alpine ski run in the FIS Audi World Cup for years

The most iconic part is the schoss, 35 black on the map. It is the steepest ski run from all the Dolomitisuperski 1220 km of slopes.

The most iconic part is the schoss, 35 black. the steepest run in the Dolomites

Then it continues with 35 red. This run was hosting the women’s downhill world cup more than 100 times! More than any other. All the runs from the top of lift 22 on the shoulder of Toffana mountain are good.

hosting the women’s downhill world cup more than 100 times

Another recommended run is 51 black, Forcella Rosa. The longest black slope in Cortina and our favourite. It curves between dolomite towers with a panoramic view of Ampezzo valley.

The longest black slope in Cortina and our favourite

It curves between dolomite towers with a panoramic view of Ampezzo valley.

Cinque Torri area

An amazing red run is Lagazuoi run( #2 on the ski map) 3 km curved red run between the cliffs with spectacular views of the cinque Torri area. It is maybe the least crowded run in Cortina.

maybe the least crowded run in Cortina.

You must do the Lagazuoi tour, aka the hidden valley: instead of taking the right turn on the fork at lagazuoi peak, take the left one. You will enter the Armentarola slope, a 7.5 km red run, curving its way into the hidden valley. One of the most beautiful ski runs in the world, with frozen waterfalls around the way. 

A must on your list of runs

turn right to Lagazoui run towards Cinque Torri. turn left to Lagazoui tour, aka the hidden valley or Armentarola run, towards Alta badia

One of the most beautiful ski runs in the world

For the last part, you will be towed by a local breed of horses for 5€. You will also pay another 7€ for special shuttles from hotel Armentarola to Falzarego pass. The shuttles run all the time and take around a 15-minute drive. 

For the last part, you will be towed by a local breed of horses for 5€.

The lagazuoi tour is part of the super 8 tour which is a route in which you have breathtaking views of 8 of the famous peaks of the dolomites. We recommend taking a break at the Refugo Scoiattoli which is near the cinque Torri, five towers in Italien. 

Run 6 red and Colgallina chairlift. Run 11 red in the distance. Cinque Torri ski area

Refugo Scoiattoli. Cinque Torri in bkgd

Refugo Scoiattoli. great place for a break

Refugo Scoiattoli. Wonderful views

A nice run if you begin your day here, is run 12. It will take you back to lift 4. The beginning point of the tour.

A nice run if you begin your day

Until 2021, you had to take a ski bus or drive with a car to get here and back to Cortina town, but now the best development Cortina did, the skyline gondola system, is a panoramic gondola that connects the Tofana area and  Cortina town, to the 5 Torri area. For people with the Dolomitisuperski pass, you can actually leave Cortina with a gondola and arrive at Pozza di Fassa or Alpe di Susi, a 43 km aerial distance from Cortina!!! 
You can do the Sella Ronda circles, maybe the most famous circular tours in the ski world.

Gardena pass, on the Sella Ronda circle. You can ski directly from Cortina here, and much further to Seiser Alm, without a skibus.

In the Faloria area, we recommend Vitali Bassa, 62 red.

from left to right: 62,63,62 black runs and 61 red on the right. Faloria area.

For beginners, we recommend 61 blue, with panoramic views of Tofana and Cristallo mountains.

The Village

Cortina is quite a  big place for a ski resort.
The Centre is Corso Italia, 600 meters long pedestrian area full of fashion designer shops, boutiques, outdoor and winter sports shops, cafes, restaurants and bars.

There are several alleys crossing the main street. The impressive 66 meters bell tower, in the middle of Corso Italia, is the symbol of Cortina.

Apres ski and nightlife

Cortina is not the glitz dancing queen it used to be in the ’60s and ’70s.
There are many places where you can find wines and other alcoholic drinks for Connoisseurs.
If you are looking for a good vibe, you can begin your evening at the sports bar at Corso Italia.
For dancing try the Belvedere disco club, a retro club trying to revive Its good old days from the 70s. The place is located on a cliff with great views of Cortina. You need a cab to get there or a 10€ shuttle ride from hotel Ambra in the centre, if you register before.

the sports bar at Corso Italia.

Pros: 

• Wide variety of ski runs for all levels of skiers
•  spectacular views unique to cortina
• Nice centre with a long pedestrian area with  designer shops and art galleries
• The Armentarola hidden valley ski run, and the horse drag experience
• Good restaurants
• The skyline gondola is a game changer

Tofana ski area in the bkgd

Cons:

• It is time to replace some of the old lifts in Cortina.
• Limited nightlife and apres ski parties compared to some other ski resorts
• Limited public transportation options, so a car or private transportation may be necessary
• Quite a small ski area and is separated into 2 unconnected ski areas.

Col Drusciè – Ra Valles cablecar. Forcella Rossa(51 black) run is on the right

Here is how to get to cortina:

The closest airport is Treviso, with less than 2 hours drive from Cortina.

The 2nd closest airport is Venice Marco Polo airport with a 2 hours drive.
From the latter, you also have a 12.5€ direct bus to Cortina. 

Here’s a link to the best online flight engine.

Here’s a link to the best online car rental website.

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Here are the scores for Cortina, with the Dolomiti superski skipass.

Beginners 7

Intermediate 7.5

Advanced 8

Snowboarders  7

Freestylers  7

Free riders  6

Apres Ski  6

Nightlife:  7

Resort Charm: 8.5

Value for Money:  7 

  ‘Ski Resorts video’ Final score for Cortina is 7.8!

 Insider tips

1. Watch “ For your eyes only” before you come here, and find the locations of the scenes of the movie. It can be a fun game. It is also the last chance to see the 1956 bobs track and the ski jumps tramp before they demolish it for the 2026 Olympics.
2. If you intend to buy the Dolomiti superski ski pass, we advise you to come with a car, and drive to Alta Badia early in the morning, on the days you plan to do the sella ronda circuits, or explore Val Gardena, for more information on that, check out our Val Gardena review on the top left here,  and Alta Badia on the Top right.
   If you want to review your Cortina experience , our community will be happy to learn: