The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Cortina d'Ampezzo reigns as the "Queen of the Dolomites" with 120km of interconnected slopes spreading across five distinct ski areas beneath the towering peaks of Tofane, Cristallo, and the iconic Cinque Torri formations. This legendary UNESCO World Heritage resort combines world-class skiing with Italian elegance at elevations between 1,217m and 2,828m, creating an unmatched Alpine experience in the heart of the Veneto Dolomites. As host of both the 1956 and upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics, Cortina delivers exceptional terrain accessed by 27 modern lifts including three aerial trams, two gondolas, and multiple high-speed chairs that efficiently transport skiers across the resort's spectacular mountain faces.
The resort's diverse ski areas—Tofana-Socrepes, Faloria-Cristallo, Lagazuoi-5 Torri, plus satellite areas at San Vito di Cadore, Auronzo, and Misurina—offer exceptional variety for all abilities, from gentle nursery slopes to the legendary Olympia delle Tofane World Cup downhill run. Part of the Dolomiti Superski network providing access to 1,200km of skiing across 12 resorts, Cortina maintains its distinctive character through refined Italian hospitality, designer boutiques lining the pedestrianised Corso Italia, and mountain huts serving authentic Dolomites cuisine. The resort's position within the Ampezzo valley surrounds skiers with dramatic limestone peaks and the famous "enrosadira" phenomenon—the spectacular pink alpenglow that illuminates the Dolomites at sunset, creating an unforgettable backdrop for world-class skiing.
1611m
Vertical
73
Runs
120 km
Piste
4m
Annual snow
Dolomiti Superski Pass
Pass
The Terrain
73 runs across 120 km of piste
Cortina d’Ampezzo spreads 73 runs across 120 km of piste of terrain. It leans intermediate at 49%, with 28 beginner runs to find your feet and 9 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
73
runs
73 runs across 4 grades
Beginner28 runs · 38%
Intermediate36 runs · 49%
Advanced7 runs · 10%
Expert2 runs · 3%
Time it right
When to visit Cortina d’Ampezzo
Cortina typically operates from mid-November through late April, delivering one of the longest ski seasons in the Dolomites with peak conditions concentrated in January through March. The resort benefits from average annual snowfall of 350cm supplemented by comprehensive snowmaking coverage across 95% of terrain, ensuring reliable conditions throughout the extended season. The elevation span from 1,217m to 2,828m creates varied snow conditions, with Tofana's upper slopes maintaining excellent coverage while Faloria-Cristallo's technical terrain preserves quality through strategic snowmaking and favorable north-facing aspects.
The resort's position within the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites exposes skiers to the region's distinctive microclimates and dramatic weather systems, though clear weather reveals extraordinary panoramic views extending across the Sella Group, Marmolada, and Tre Cime di Lavaredo peaks. The predominantly intermediate terrain with 49% red runs and 38% blue runs appeals particularly during stable winter periods, while 13% black runs including the legendary Forcella Rossa (62% gradient) and technical Schuss (56% average gradient) challenge expert skiers. Spring skiing extends well into April thanks to high-altitude terrain on Tofana and Lagazuoi, where north-facing slopes preserve corn snow quality. The extended season coincides with major sporting events including the annual Women's Alpine Ski World Cup races in January and preparations for the February 2026 Winter Olympics when Cortina hosts women's alpine skiing, bobsleigh, skeleton, luge, and curling competitions.
Season 2025 - 2026
16 Nov 2025
Opens
27 Apr 2026
Closes
162
Days open
4 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Cortina d’Ampezzo, and where to stay
Located in the Ampezzo valley within Belluno province in the heart of the Veneto Dolomites, Cortina sits approximately 150km north of Venice and 160km south of Innsbruck, Austria, creating exceptional international accessibility. The elegant mountain town of Cortina d'Ampezzo at 1,217m altitude provides comprehensive accommodation spanning Belle Époque luxury hotels to family-run guesthouses, all centered around the famous pedestrianised Corso Italia lined with designer boutiques, refined restaurants, and historic architecture reflecting over 1,000 years of Alpine heritage.
Venice Marco Polo Airport provides the primary international gateway just 150km south with regular direct bus services completing the transfer in 2 hours and 15 minutes, while Treviso Airport offers budget carrier access 137km away. Innsbruck Airport creates convenient northern access for European visitors 164km distant, establishing Cortina as one of Europe's most accessible major Dolomites destinations. The resort's position within the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites landscape surrounds visitors with geological masterpieces including the towering Tofane massif, Cristallo peaks, and the distinctive Cinque Torri rock formations. The valley's Ladin cultural heritage—one of five historic Ladin valleys in the Dolomites—enriches the experience through traditional architecture, local language preservation, and authentic mountain cuisine. Strategic position enables access to the Great War Ski Tour traversing World War I battlefields, connections to the Sellaronda circuit via Alta Badia, and ski bus links to Marmolada glacier, creating opportunities for comprehensive Dolomites exploration beyond Cortina's exceptional local terrain.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Cortina d’Ampezzo, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
28 Aug 2026
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
27 Aug 2026
Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.
26 Aug 2026
Cortina d’Ampezzo Webcams
10 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Cortina d’Ampezzo's live webcams
Check live conditions across Cortina d’Ampezzo with 10 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Tondi Slope2120m
- Located at the base of the Tondi T-Bar, this Cortina D'Ampezzo webcam provides a direct view up the Tondi South Piste on the Faloria side. Perfect for checking snow conditions and lift operations before heading to this popular sector.
- Bigontina2058m
- Another strategically placed Cortina d'Ampezzo webcam offering views of this popular intermediate sector. Watch skiers navigate the varied terrain while checking current snow conditions and visibility across this favorite local area.
- Le 5 Tori2092m
- This webcam Cortina d'ampezzo vantage point captures the iconic Five Towers backdrop, providing a stunning perspective of the ski area against these famous rock formations. Perfect for checking current conditions while taking in one of the Dolomites' most photographed views.
- Rifugio Lagazuoi2690m
- One of the most spectacular webcam Cortina d'Ampezzo locations, offering panoramic views of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites. This high-altitude perspective lets you survey the vast ski area and marvel at the surrounding peaks updating every 10 minutes.
- Sonforca2148m
- From this elevated position, the Cortina webcam offers sweeping views of the intermediate terrain and surrounding peaks. Check snow conditions and mountain activity before planning your ski day.
- Stratofana Olimpica2092m
- Positioned to showcase the legendary Olympic run, this webcam gives you a real-time look at one of Cortina's most famous slopes. Monitor conditions on this historic piste as it prepares to host the 2026 Winter Olympics.
- Duca D’Aosta2092m
- This strategic webcam Cortina d'ampezzo location captures the heart of the ski area, offering clear views of multiple pistes and lift operations. Watch as skiers navigate the varied terrain while checking current mountain conditions.
- Monte Antelao 2092m
- Positioned to showcase the majestic Monte Antelao, known as the "King of the Dolomites," this Cortina d'Ampezzo webcam offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Monitor weather conditions and visibility while enjoying this spectacular mountain panorama.
- Ra Valles2745m
- Perched at one of the highest points, this Cortina d'Ampezzo webcam offers breathtaking views of the Dolomites' dramatic peaks. Watch as skiers tackle some of the resort's most challenging terrain while checking current conditions at this iconic vantage point.
- Pomedes2200m
- This webcam provides an excellent overview of the Cortina d'ampezzo ski area, letting you check conditions across multiple runs and lifts. The elevated position offers clear visibility of the surrounding terrain and current mountain activity.
Cortina d’Ampezzo snow cams FAQ
How often do Cortina d’Ampezzo snow cams update?
All Cortina d’Ampezzo snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Which Cortina d’Ampezzo webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Ra Valles webcam at 2,745m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Cortina d’Ampezzo webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Cortina d’Ampezzo lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Cortina d’Ampezzo snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Cortina d’Ampezzo snow cams?
Check Cortina d’Ampezzo webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Cortina d’Ampezzo lift tickets?
Use our Cortina d’Ampezzo webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Cortina d’Ampezzo webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Cortina d’Ampezzo snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Cortina d’Ampezzo intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.