Cortina d'Ampezzo is renowned for stunning views and exceptional skiing so much so that the town will host the Olympic alpine events for the second time in 2026. Off-piste, Cortina is one of the OG darlings of aprés and shopping, so here are some compelling reasons to visit even if you are not hitting the slopes.
Italian-style skiing is all about balance, prioritizing la dolce vita above all else- take in a couple morning runs, break for a leisurely and wine-fortified lunch which might or might not include skiing back into town. Too much wine? Hop a gondola!
YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHEN THE SUN MIGHT POKE OUT AND YOU CAN CATCH SOME RAYS 😎
The Town
The charming town is made up of only a handful of streets, with a beautiful campanile that captivates the skyline. Cranes and scaffolding are everywhere! Most every building is taking advatage of indulging in a pre-olympic facelift!
Lo Shopping
Naturally, a fancy ski town without top-notch labels would be like a morning without un caffè—just wrong! Check mark for Cortina. ✅
Wining & Dining- sky high
There are myriad dining options for sit-down meals with table service. On the way up Tofana mountain, there are 2 options accessable by the Freccia nel Cielo (arrow to the ski) gondola: Col Druscie and Masi Wine Bar.
THE GONDOLA LEAVES FROM TOWN AND ON A CLEAR DAY GOES UP TO THE TOP OF CIMA TOFANA AT 3191 METERS!
We opted for elavated experiences for our altitude dining...
BAITA PIÈ TOFANA WAS OUR FAVORITE
At Baita Piè, a quaint rifugio or mountain hut right on the slopes, the multiple amuse-bouche could have been lunch, but save room for the amazing primi and secondi. Highlights include the cheese filled tortellini in brodo and roe deer (capriolo) cooked at a low temperature to tender perfection. This spot was an off-piste hit!
The drive to Da Aurelio was a winter wonderland. Check out the depth of that roadside snow!
Based on the footwear and gear, it's possible to ski in and ski out, but you better be an expert in powder!
Another rifugio hit- great service and top-notch food.
Sleep
There are a number of hotels in town, however currently many are undergoing extensive renovations. Post-Olympic options will be plentiful. Hotel d'Ampezzo looks promising based on the posted construction renderings.
Hotel Faloria has nice rooms with balconies overlooking the mountains and the 1956 Olympic ski jump. Other amenities include Acqua di Parma bath products, a spa and a delicious restaurant. It's outside of town, but there is a complimentary on-demand shuttle.
Hotel Tofana opened December 2024, ahead of the Olympic rush (smart). Like Faloria, it's outside of town with shuttle service. Tofana is on the road going up the mountain to Cinque Torre. The spa had a plethora of options: Finish sauna complete with frigid plung pool (no thanks), normal sauna, steam room, heated pool and foot massage. Sunday night bonus- the hotel offers aperitivo at the piano and saxophone bar featuring Ferrari bubbly and miles of highquality snacks, sliced meats, cheeses, panini and even sushi, all complimentary! It's highly unlikely the restaurant has many takers on Sunday nights.
That's a wrap for this visit, but we will be back this summer to check progress before the 2026 Games which will be amazing in the beautiful Dolomiti mountains.