General Overview

It is in Cortina where the difference between the mountain range known as the Dolomites and the rest of the Alps will be most obvious. This range which dominates Italy's Sud Tirol, or South Tirol the province of Belluno in Veneto Region is more ragged and aggressive looking than The Alps, and to this writer's eye anyway, they are often more striking for it. Cortina is in the Ampezzo Valley, which naturally enough is how the resort got its name- Cortina d' Ampezzo. When one visits the resort, the names of the surrounding most dominant and striking of the Dolomite peaks will appear on hotels, shops, ski schools etc. Cristallo, Tofana and Sorapis are some that come to mind immediately.

The resort is well known among almost every well versed ski community, and its image as a habitat for the International jet set pack is well deserved. Well deserved but somewhat misleading. For, as we have said before, a good ski resort cannot rely solely upon the whims of the notoriously fickle rich and famous to establish a staple fare of loyal clientele. However we are here to tell you that all Cortina needs to do is to capitalize on its natural resources and with enough snow and a little luck the rest should fall into place. As a ski area the story here should reveal that Cortina is not lacking. As a natural resort destination any time of year, the area has few peers. One cannot ski the year round in Cortina, but just about every alpine sport you can think of can be found in and around this famous Dolomite village.

Cortina is though, first and foremost an Italian resort. It is Italians that make up the bulk of the tourist traffic, and Italians who keep coming back year after year in the largest numbers. So if you want to experience Italy, albeit up market Italy, this is a good recommendation.

A ski holiday in Cortina will allow you the opportunity to "spoil yourself" more than just a little bit and allow you to do a bit of well placed name dropping to the folks back home. Unless there is a film being made at the time of your visit it is unlikely you are going to run into the likes of Sylvester Stallone in Cortina these days. More likely an international diplomat or captain of industry such is the draw of the resort, quiet elegance.

Crowned and surrounded by the amazing Dolomite mountains, the resort basks not only in the glory of the immediate beauty, but in past moments of stardom both as the site of the '56 winter Olympics, and many an adventure or love story film.  

In Cortina you can see and be seen, and if you are Italian you can flaunt your fabulous fashions, furs and beauty up and down the main street for all to see. Such is the way of the Italian ski holiday, and who is to argue with all this wonderfully good natured strutting?

But some of us come here to ski! Some of us have ventured across the great water which separates the continents to sample not the fashion capitals of Europe, but the ski slopes of the "old country". Some of us are even wearing last year's ski clothing. But yet we come to Cortina. And why not? The place offers challenging skiing on a par with any in Europe, plus selection enough for all abilities.

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