The Queen of the Dolomites and Her Olympic Story
Cortina d'Ampezzo is a mountain town in the Veneto region of northern Italy, in the heart of the Dolomites, known for its skiing, its glamorous atmosphere and its Olympic history. It hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956 and, with Milan, co-hosted the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, bringing fresh attention to its slopes and bobsleigh heritage. The Dolomites were inscribed by UNESCO in 2009, and the pale rock towers of Tofane, Cristallo and Pomagagnon rise directly above the town, glowing pink at dawn and dusk.
Cortina's centre is as appealing as its mountains. Corso Italia, the pedestrian main street, is lined with boutiques, patisseries and cafes, and the campanile of the Basilica of Saints Philip and James rises above it. The valley retains a Ladin cultural heritage, still visible in local names, cuisine and craftsmanship. The mix of cosmopolitan polish and mountain tradition makes the town feel distinct from other alpine resorts, and it has long drawn film stars, artists and writers.
Tofane, Cinque Torri and the Tre Cime
Skiing here is scenic and varied. The Dolomiti Superski network, one of the largest ski areas in the world, covers Cortina and neighbouring valleys, and local runs from Faloria, Cristallo and the Tofane combine wide cruising with long views. In summer, the same peaks become a hiking and climbing playground: the Cinque Torri rock towers, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lake Sorapis and the emerald Lago di Braies are all within easy reach. Cable cars, rifugi and well-marked trails make high-mountain days accessible to many abilities.
Mountain cooking is a pleasure, with casunziei ravioli filled with beetroot, venison, polenta and strudel, followed by espresso on a terrace in the sun. Stays range from grand hotels on Corso Italia to mountain chalets and rifugi. Visitors who enjoy the Dolomites might compare St Moritz and Kitzbuhel across the Alps, while Veneto offers Venice Lido and Verona as cultural city add-ons. A hotel group could shape a stay around gastronomy and views.
Read the full Cortina d'Ampezzo guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitCortinaDAmpezzo.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.