Travel to Cortina dAmpezzo with travel insurance from Essential Travel

Ski resorts in Cortina dAmpezzo

Set in a natural amphitheatre and referred to as the heart of the Ampezzo Valley, Cortina d’Ampezzo is nestled romantically among the most beautiful of the eastern Dolomites. In 1956, the seventh Olympic Winter Games were held here; they were the first ever to be televised and the last at which the figure skating competitions were held outdoors.

The ‘pearl of the Dolomites’, as Cortina d Ampezzo is commonly known, is the most fashionable ski resort in Italy and lies close to the northeastern border with Austria. With a lengthy historical background and around 7,000 permanent residents, the town is a lively resort surrounded by one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the world. Cortina d’Ampezzo has also been featured in such films as Cliffhanger, For Your Eyes Only and The Pink Panther.

Castles, huts, four campsites, 64 hotels and rented apartments offer varied accommodation and will suit everyone from those on a budget to those looking for ultimate luxury. At least 80 restaurants and 15 snack bars offer everything from world-renowned cuisine to cheaper fast food, with around 15 discos and numerous bars providing entertainment ranging from good rock music to classical performances.

Cortina d’ Ampezzo has several cross-country ski tracks, adding up to 73kms, as well as 140kms of pistes for Alpine skiing. Of these runs, five per cent are expert runs, 62 per cent are intermediate, and 33 per cent are beginner. At least 70 per cent of ski runs are always snow-clad due to snowmaking machines. Fifty-one lifts service the resort, which has an hourly capacity of 60,000 skiers and an area between 1,224m and 2,939m above sea level. Expert multilingual ski instructors are on hand, and there are also facilities for the disabled.

The season runs from late November to mid-April, with ski passes cheaper when booked in advance before December 23. From Stansted, catch a flight to Treviso Airport in Italy and transfer by coach direct to the resort.

Skiing in Cortina dAmpezzo

Cortina d’ Ampezzo is Italy’s trendiest resort, one-time Winter Olympics host and site of some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world. With 73kms of runs, a busy après-ski and fantastic non-ski alternatives, Cortina d’ Ampezzo really is the ‘pearl of the Dolomites’.

The host of the seventh Winter Olympics in 1956, and numerous mountain-based films, the resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo sits at an elevation of 1,224m. The village combines stunning views, vast cross-country areas and accommodation ranging from castles to mountain huts. Adrenalin-inducing sports are available, along with great ski tuition, as well as world renowned cuisine.

Cortina d’ Ampezzo offers 140kms of slopes over 101 runs. These are suitable for all levels, with 62 per cent of runs going to intermediates, 33 per cent of runs for beginners and 5 per cent for experts. The total vertical descent is 1,715m, from a height of 2,939 to 1,224m at town level. The different ski areas at the resort are connected by 51 lifts and a Skibus service which handles 60,000 skiers per hour. Seventy-three kilometres of cross-country skiing, made up of several tracks, completes the fantastic ski experience at the resort.

The season begins in late November and runs until mid-April. Snow conditions are excellent all season, and booking before December 23 will ensure discounts on ski passes.

Apres-ski in Cortina dAmpezzo

Activities away from the slopes include: dining at some of the finest restaurants in the region, catching live music performances, and joining in literary and cultural meetings. Try your hand at one of the many non-ski activities such as: taxi-bobs, kayaking, hydrospeeding, snow rafting, ‘crazy sledge’, or snow racket tours. There are also cinemas, nightclubs and bars to entertain well into the night, as well as some fantastic shopping opportunities in the village.

Head up the mountains to one of the 56 ‘rifugi’ and sample local delicacies. Alternatively, try a taxi-bob, kayaking, hydrospeeding, snow rafting, ‘crazy sledge’, or tours on snow rackets. For something more relaxed, take in some art exhibitions, or join in a literary or cultural meeting.

The area around Cortina d’ Ampezzo offers panoramic views at the hamlets of Pecol, Passo Falzarego, San Vito di Cadore, Borca di Cadore, Vodo and Venas di Cadore in the Ampezzo Valley, all a short drive away. From Venas di Cadore, one can reach Cibiana, a painted village where the outside walls of houses are adorned with paintings representing different themes, from village life to mountain work.

Transportation to Cortina dAmpezzo

Cortina d’ Ampezzo is situated 44kms from the Austrian border, in the Veneto region of Belluno province. The easiest way of getting to the resort is by catching a flight direct from Stansted Airport and arriving at Treviso Airport in Italy. A bus transfer will drop you off at the resort after a 90-minute journey from the airport. Other options involve a number of connections, including rail as well as bus or taxi. A package deal may well be the best option as they usually include all travel arrangements.

By car, Cortina d’ Ampezzo is about 1,200kms from Calais; driving time is 11 hours, 45 minutes, with toll roads costing about €48. The journey will take you through France, Germany and Austria before reaching Italy. If you plan to fly to Venice and hire a car, the route to Cortina d’Ampezzo is relatively simple. The journey is less than two hours via the A4 motorway and the A27; from there, take the exit towards Cortina d’Ampezzo.

By train, take the Eurostar from London to Paris in just 2 hours, 35 minutes; then catch a direct overnight express from Paris to Venice. From Venice, take the train to Calalzo di Cadore train station, and then transfer by bus from the station to the resort; this leg of the journey takes about 3 hours, 30 minutes. Heliair shuttle service allows access to Cortina d’Ampezzo in 35 minutes; the flight leaves from Venice’s airport (tel: +39 0412699138).

The nearest airports to Cortina d Ampezzo are Treviso and Venice in Italy. Treviso can be reached by air from Stansted; from there, you can transfer by special bus to the resort. The bus service is available on Saturdays, with taxi transfers available the rest of the time. From Venice, catch a 30-minute bus to Mestre train station. Then catch a train to Calalzo di Cadore, about 35kms from Cortina d Ampezzo; finally, transfer to the resort by bus or taxi service.

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