Cortina d'Ampezzo Guide: Skiing, Hotels, Restaurants & What to Do

Cortina d’Ampezzo sits at 1,224m in the Ampezzo basin, surrounded on all sides by some of the most dramatic Dolomites scenery in the range. The Tofane massif rises directly north of town, the Cristallo group to the northeast, and the distinctive rock towers of the Cinque Torri visible to the southwest. It’s a mountain town that happens to have a glamorous reputation - but the landscape earns it.

The town hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics, which left infrastructure (ice rinks, bobsled tracks) that shaped the resort. Seventy years later, it’s co-hosting events at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games - the Olympics that put Cortina back at the centre of international winter sport attention, with significant investment in lifts, roads, and facilities in the lead-up.

The 2026 Winter Olympics Legacy

The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games are bringing tangible changes to Cortina. The Sliding Centre (bobsled and luge) is being rebuilt on its original 1956 site. Road and lift infrastructure improvements have been accelerated. The Tofana downhill course (Olympia delle Tofane) is being refurbished as a competition-grade run.

For visitors in 2026 and beyond, the practical effect is newer lift installations, upgraded mountain restaurants at key race venues, and enhanced transport links between the town and ski areas. The Dolomiti Bus fleet serving the Calalzo–Cortina route has been expanded. The Olympic events themselves (alpine skiing, biathlon in some events, sliding sports) will draw significant crowds during competition weeks - accommodation in peak weeks should be booked well in advance.

Skiing from Cortina

Cortina’s ski area is divided into three main sectors that aren’t connected by piste - skiers move between them by ski bus (free on the ski area shuttle service) or by driving.

Tofana is the main mountain, accessed by the Freccia nel Cielo (Arrow in the Sky) cableway system. The three-stage cable car climbs to 3,244m at Ra Valles, from where you ski down via Tofana 2 and Tofana 1 to the base at Piazzale Marcuoira. The upper section is genuinely high alpine - the views across to the Marmolada glacier and Monte Civetta are exceptional on clear days. Key runs include:

• Olympia delle Tofane - the World Cup downhill course, 3.5km with a 900m vertical drop. Skiable by confident intermediates in good conditions.
• Forcella Rossa - a black run through a rocky couloir, for experienced skiers only.
• Socrepes plateau - a broad beginner area at mid-mountain with several blue runs and a ski school base.

Faloria-Cristallo is reached by cable car from the eastern edge of town. The terrain here is more varied than Tofana - mix of open pistes and tree-lined reds - and tends to be quieter. The Cristallo cable car from Passo Tre Croci connects to high terrain above 2,900m. This sector is better for intermediate skiers looking to escape the busier Tofana queues.

Cinque Torri is the smallest sector, a short drive or shuttle from town towards Passo Falzarego. The five distinctive rock towers are the most photographed geological feature in the area after the Tre Cime. The skiing is gentle - mostly blues - and suited to families and beginners. The sector connects into the Lagazuoi and Armentarola system with a short descent into Alta Badia territory.

Lift passes: Cortina is included in the Dolomiti Superski pass (approximately €70–80/day, €350–400 for 6 days as of 2026), which gives access to 12 linked areas across 1,200km of runs.

The Faloria Cable Car (non-skiers)

Non-skiing visitors can ride the Faloria cable car from Viale Gian Battista Zonco (on the eastern side of Corso Italia) to 2,123m. The top station has a restaurant and sun terrace with 270-degree views of the Cristallo group, Marmarole, and the valley below. In good winter conditions the views extend to Marmolada.

The cable car runs approximately 8:30am–4:30pm in winter; tickets cost approximately €25 return for adults (as of 2026). A sled run from the Faloria plateau back to the base is popular with children.

Cinque Torri

The five sandstone towers at 2,361m are one of the most historically significant sites in the Dolomites. During World War One, the area was a frontline position - the Austrian and Italian trenches (Outdoor Museum of the Great War) have been partially restored and are accessible year-round on foot or snowshoe. The towers themselves, used extensively as a rock climbing area in summer, are draped in snow in winter and provide exceptional foreground interest for photography.

Access: by cable car from Bai de Dones (approximately €12 return) or by hiking from the Passo Falzarego car park (around 1.5 hours on foot, or 25 minutes on snowshoe).

Corso Italia and Shopping

Cortina’s main pedestrian street runs for about 500m through the centre of town and is genuinely one of the better mountain shopping streets in Italy. The mix of international luxury brands and independent local shops is more balanced than in comparable Swiss resorts. Notable stops:

• Rinaldo Zardini - the oldest outdoor equipment shop in Cortina, founded in 1946. Still family-run, selling hiking, climbing, and ski equipment with genuine expertise.
• Maison Christian Dior - Cortina has had a Dior boutique since the early 2000s; the town has attracted luxury fashion brands partly due to its celebrity clientele.
• Farmacia Cortina - a working pharmacy but also stocks local skincare products and mountain herbs; worth a browse.
• Pasticceria Lovat - the most reliably good pasticceria in town, with excellent local pastries including zelten (a dense dried-fruit and nut cake traditional to South Tyrol) and good espresso.

Where to Stay in Cortina

Hotel de la Poste (Piazza Roma 14) - The most socially central hotel in Cortina, where the bar has served as the town’s living room for the last century. Rooms are comfortable rather than grand; the location is unbeatable for walking everywhere without a car. Doubles from approximately €250/night in peak season (as of 2026). The bar is worth visiting even if you’re staying elsewhere.

Cristallo Resort & Spa (Via Rinaldo Menardi 42) - A 5-star property with a full spa, pool, and ski shuttle. The building dates from 1901 and has been renovated several times; the current incarnation is polished without being sterile. The spa and pool are among the best hotel facilities in Cortina. Doubles from approximately €500/night in peak season.

Hotel Montana (Corso Italia 94) - The most accessible mid-market option on Corso Italia, with straightforward rooms and a reliable breakfast. Doubles from approximately €120–160/night in the January shoulder period. Ask for rooms facing the mountains rather than the street for the view.

Rifugio Scoiattoli (above Cinque Torri) - For those who want the mountain experience: a classic rifugio at 2,255m, open December through April. Basic rooms (dormitory and small doubles), excellent Italian mountain cooking, and five minutes on snowshoe from the towers at first light. Doubles from approximately €90/night half-board (dinner and breakfast included).

Where to Eat in Cortina

Ristorante Tivoli (Via Lacedel 34) - One of the most celebrated restaurants in the Dolomites, with a Michelin star. Chef Graziano Prest’s cooking draws on local ingredients (game, herbs, fresh pasta) with modern refinement. The dining room is intimate; reservations essential and recommended weeks ahead in peak season. Set menus from approximately €90–120 per person excluding wine.

El Brite de Larieto (Loc. Rumerlo, Cortina d’Ampezzo) - A working mountain farm and restaurant at around 1,600m, accessible by ski in winter and on foot in summer. The menu is strictly regional: Casunziei dell’Ampezzo (beet-filled pasta with poppy seeds and butter), game stews, cured meats from the farm. Lunch only in winter; reservations strongly advised. Expect to pay approximately €30–40 per person for a full meal.

Bar Pasticceria Corona (Piazza Roma 4) - For breakfast or a mid-morning break: coffee, pastries, and a window view of the main square. Gets busy from 8am in ski season.

Da Aurelio (Passo Giau, 2,236m) - A mountain rifugio at the top of Passo Giau, 12km from Cortina. Not accessible by ski from the main resort, but reachable by snowshoe or 4x4. The polenta with mushrooms and the local Schüttelbrot are consistently cited. Open lunch only in winter.

Getting Around Cortina

The town centre is pedestrianised and walkable in under 15 minutes end-to-end. For the ski areas, the free Skirama shuttle runs loops between Piazza Roma, Tofana base, Faloria base, and Cinque Torri (times vary by season - check at your hotel). In peak weeks, having a car gives flexibility for early-morning starts, but parking at ski area bases fills by 8:30am.

For the broader Dolomites region - including other ski areas accessible on the same pass - see the Dolomites skiing guide and the Dolomites travel hub. For winter activities beyond skiing, including the thermal spa at Plan de Corones and Bolzano’s Christmas market, the Dolomites winter guide covers everything in detail.

Find tours and activities in Cortina - from guided snowshoe excursions to private ski instruction.