Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of the most famous winter sports resorts in South Tyrol. Even those who have not yet strapped on their skis here often know Cortina d’Ampezzo from television, because professional alpine ski races take place every year in the municipality of just under 6,000 inhabitants, which are broadcast by several television stations worldwide. The village is nestled in the picturesque mountain landscape of the Dolomites. The highest peaks around, such as the Tofana di Mezzo, reach more than 3,200 meters in height. Until the First World War, it was mainly the English and international aristocratic high society who met here for winter sports. Today, Cortina d’Ampezzo is a winter and summer recreation area for everyone. In summer, the Dolomites invite you to go hiking, climbing or mountain biking.
Webcam Cortina d’Ampezzo ski slope
Cortina d’Ampezzo as an Olympic venue
Cortina d’Ampezzo was already the venue for the Olympic Games in 1956. In 2026, the Ladin mountain community will again be populated by Olympians. Because then the alpine ski races will be held here as part of the Olympic Games of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. In addition, Olympic competitions in biathlon, curling, skeleton, luge and bobsleigh will also take place in Cortina d’Ampezzo. So if you want to explore the routes of the professionals and the Olympic facilities currently under construction, this is the right place for you, especially in the winter months. In the Olympic Ice Stadium from 1956 and 2026, in addition to ice hockey games, artfully arranged ice shows are now taking place, attracting not only locals but also many tourists.
Cortina d’Ampezzo in winter
The winter season in Cortina d’Ampezzo lasts around five months and offers everything a winter lover’s heart desires. Snow fans can expect fast-paced ski and snowboard descents as well as fun après-ski in the resort’s numerous bars and dance palaces. Cortina d’Ampezzo’s ski area has around 120 kilometres of slopes of all levels of difficulty. If you are not a party animal, you will still get your money’s worth in Cortina d’Ampezzo, because the place also offers numerous offers for couples and families. For them, for example, they go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or tobogganing. And the municipality of Cortina d’Ampezzo itself is also worth a walk. The centre of the village consists of narrow alleys, which are more than romantic, especially in the snowy winter months. There you can shop and browse in noble boutiques, but also in shops with a very down-to-earth offer. The restaurants and cafés have a typical Italian flair, although you are at one of the northernmost points of Italy. There is a real dolce vita feeling in the village.
Cortina d’Ampezzo in summer
If you prefer to visit Cortina d’Ampezzo in summer, you will end up in a true natural paradise. The nearby Dolomite valley is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site and can be reached after a short drive. The Ampezzo Valley, to which Cortina d’Ampezzo directly borders, is also known above all for the numerous via ferratas on site. More than 30 different ways to shimmy along rocks and mountain walls will be found here by mountain lovers who would like to combine hiking with climbing. If you like romantic mountain panoramas, you should be in the mountains either early in the morning or at sunset.
Because then the chalky rocks of the mountain landscape shimmer in a breathtaking red, which has shades between very light orange and almost black violet tones. The Ampezzo Natural Park is also rich in mountain lakes, torrents and waterfalls. If you are on one of the many well-marked hiking routes in summer, you should always pack swimwear to refresh yourself in the cool water. Day tours are just as possible as multi-day hikes. There are more than 400 kilometres of flagged-out hiking trails of all levels available. Along the hiking trails there is an extensive network of shelters, which are called rifugios here.
Hiking enthusiasts can relax there and also spend the night. By the way, if you are interested in history, you can hike in the footsteps of the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies in the Ampezzo Nature Park. There are some routes that take interested parties to original sites of the First World War. If you want to learn more about this topic, visit the open-air museum of the First World War, which offers guided hikes with contemporary costumed hiking guides. In addition, mountain bikers will also find an extensive network of routes. If you are travelling with children or older family members, you can use mountain railways and ski lifts to tackle the highest climbs and still enjoy magnificent mountain panoramas.
Offers for rainy days
If it rains, there are still plenty of opportunities to spend the day pleasantly in Cortina d’Ampezzo. The Museum of Modern Art has an excellent collection of paintings and sculptures. The focus is on Italian art of the 20th century. The Regole d’Ampezzo is an ethnological museum that provides information about the history of the municipality. The topic is how the life of the population here was shaped over the past centuries. You can see festive costumes and everyday clothing, everyday objects, furniture and tools. If you want to learn more about the cosmos, visit the planetarium or the observatory. In the Paleontological Museum “Rinaldo Zardini”, visitors learn a lot about the geology of the local mountain landscape.
Facts about the ski resort Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Layer:
Cortina d’Ampezzo is located in the Italian Dolomites in the Veneto region and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. - Ski association:
The ski area is part of the Dolomiti Superski, one of the largest ski associations in the world with over 1,200 kilometres of slopes. - Slopes:
Cortina itself offers 120 kilometers of slopes, ranging from blue beginner slopes to challenging black runs. - Altitude:
The slopes extend from 1,224 meters to 2,930 meters, which ensures snow during the season. - Freeride and snow parks:
Cortina offers excellent off-piste opportunities for freeriders as well as a modern snow park for freestylers. - Events:
- Cortina is a regular venue for World Cup ski races.
- In 2021, the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships took place here.
- In 2026, Cortina d’Ampezzo will host the Winter Olympics together with Milan.
- Cross-country skiing:
With over 70 kilometres of trails , Cortina is also a paradise for cross-country skiers, including the famous Marcialonga route. - View:
The spectacular scenery of the Dolomites, with striking peaks such as the Tofana and the Cinque Torri, is a highlight for skiers and nature lovers. - Après-ski and gastronomy:
Cortina offers a mix of traditional Italian cuisine and fine dining. Numerous mountain huts invite you to enjoy local specialities such as polenta, game and risotto. - Luxury and lifestyle:
Cortina is an exclusive winter sports resort with luxurious hotels, designer boutiques and a lively après-ski scene. The place attracts many celebrities and fashion enthusiasts. - Family-friendliness:
The ski resort offers special children’s areas, ski schools and gentle slopes suitable for families. - Particularities:
- Cortina is car-free, and ski buses provide an environmentally friendly connection between the ski resorts.
- The “Sella Ronda”, one of the most famous ski circuits in the Dolomites, is easily accessible from Cortina.
- Journey:
The nearest airport is in Venice (160 km away). Alternatively, Verona and Innsbruck are good options.
Interesting links about Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Official website of Cortina d’Ampezzo: Up-to-date information on events, activities and accommodation.
- Milano Cortina 2026 – Official Olympic Website: Details of the 2026 Winter Olympics that will take place in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
- Tripadvisor – Top 30 things to do in Cortina d’Ampezzo: Reviews and recommendations on the best attractions and activities
- Dolomites South Tyrol – Sights in Cortina d’Ampezzo: Information on cultural highlights and natural wonders in the region.
- Komoot – Excursion destinations around Cortina d’Ampezzo: Suggestions for hiking and cycling tours in the area.
- Cortina ski pass: information on ski passes, prices and ski areas in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
- Rosapetra Spa Resort: Luxury accommodation options with spa services in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
- Webcams in Cortina d’Ampezzo: live images and current weather conditions from different areas of the city.
- Viator – Things to do in Cortina d’Ampezzo: Booking options for tours and experiences in the region.
- Wikipedia – Cortina d’Ampezzo: Comprehensive information on the history, geography and culture of the city.
