Ski Italy

The development of a small alpine village into the most popular and worldwide known Italian ski resort Cortina (1224 m) started some 160 years ago with tourists, who chose Cortina as a starting point
for alpine walks into the magnificent peaks of Dolomites. The resort modeled after St.Moritz in Switzerland open the slopes for quite a number skiers at the beginning of the 20th century.
Heavy fights during WWI around Ampezzo Valley didn’t stop the popularity of the place, on contrary, Cortina soon draw the attention of ‘Rich and Famous’ from all over the world coming here both during summer and winter times. The plans to organise Winter Olympics in 1944 were abandoned due to WWII, but succeeded few years later and finally in 1956 Cortina hosted Seventh Winter Olympic Games. the facilities built at that time (the huge Olympic ice stadium, two artificial ice tracks and ski-jump in Zuel) are still in use nowadays.
The runs featured at that time were:
Olimpia – men’s free downhill used at present for FIS Woman World Cup every year in February
Canalone – women’s downhill
Col Drusciè A – slalom special
Pista Vitelli – men’s giant slalom

Skipass World Cortina includes the following resorts:
Cortina, San Vito di Cadore, Auronzo and Misurina.
There is also a possibility to purchase Skipass Dolomiti Superski for 12 regions and 1,220 kms of slopes.
The ski resort is connected by skibus with Civetta and Alta Pusteria, and via Arabba with Sella Ronda ski regions.

The main part of the runs is located on the slopes of Tofane(3 244m), the cable car connects Cortina with Faloria , near Monte Cristallo.
The area between Auronzo and Misurina is chosen by cross-country lovers, and also by admirers of beautiful landscapes and tranquility found around two marvelous lakes.

Besides FIS World Cup, there are numerous meetings held here, curling and ice-hockey matches, bob events, ski marathon Dobbiaco-Cortina, and even Winter Polo on Snow competitions.
[photo of Lago di Misurina:courtesy of Satyricon86]

Tags: dolomites