The Louk · 9 min read · Resort guide
ScenicGlamourFoodieIntermediatesNon-skiers welcome
Cortina is Italy's most glamorous ski town - a chic, historic resort ringed by the extraordinary pink-tinged peaks of the Dolomites. It's co-hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics, but its real magic is the dolce vita: beautiful mountain restaurants, a stylish passeggiata along Corso Italia, and skiing that's more about scenery and long sunny lunches than hardcore verticals. Perfect for foodies, couples, and mixed groups who love to be seen.
Altitude1,224m town · up to 2,930m (Tofana)
Ski areaDolomiti Superski — ~1,200km on one pass
Best forScenery · glamour · long lunches
SeasonEarly Dec – mid-April
AirportVenice ~2hr · Innsbruck ~2hr · Verona ~3hr
Trip typeCouples · foodie · non-skiers · glam
Budget£££ · pricey, a few B&Bs
⛷The skiing
Cortina's own areas - Tofana, Faloria-Cristallo and gentle Socrepes - offer beautiful, mostly intermediate cruising with staggering Dolomite views. The lift pass is the vast Dolomiti Superski, giving access to 1,200km across twelve areas, including the famous Sella Ronda circuit a short drive away. It's not a resort for steep-seekers so much as for gorgeous, sunny, scenic skiing between long lunches.
- TofanaCortina's showpiece - Olympic pistes and vast views.
- Socrepesa big, gentle, sunny area - superb for beginners and cruisers.
- Dolomiti Superski1,200km on one pass - the Sella Ronda is within reach.
📍 Official piste map & live lifts (dolomitisuperski.com) →
The Louk tipSkiing here is a social sport - book a long lunch at a rifugio like Rifugio Averau, ski gently between the views, and save energy for the evening passeggiata and an aperitivo on Corso Italia.
🏨Where to stay
Luxury
- Cristallo, a Luxury Collection ResortThe historic grand hotel - spa, pool and old-world glamour.
- Rosapetra Spa ResortElegant, design-led 5-star just outside town.
- Grand Hotel SavoiaCentral, classic and beautifully done.
Boutique & mid-range
- Hôtel de LenStylish, sustainable boutique hotel in the centre.
- Hôtel AmbraChic little design hotel right on Corso Italia.
Chalets & cosy
- Baita FrainaCharming rooms with a wonderful restaurant on the edge of town.
- Apartments in the centreHandy for the passeggiata and the ski buses.
🍽Where to eat
On the mountain
- Rifugio AverauArguably the Dolomites' best mountain lunch - book ahead.
- Rifugio ScoiattoliSunny terrace beneath the Cinque Torri towers.
- El CaminetoElegant slope-side dining with a view.
In town
- SanBriteMichelin-starred farm-to-table just outside town.
- Al CaminModern Ampezzan cooking, warm and excellent.
- Ristorante TivoliMichelin-starred fine dining above Cortina.
🍾Bars & après
- LP26 (Lago Pianozes)Buzzy après on Corso Italia with an Aperol crowd.
- Enoteca CortinaBeautiful little wine bar for an aperitivo.
- Bar MetropoleA grand old café for coffee, cake or a spritz.
- VIP ClubThe late-night spot when you want to keep going.
❄Off the slopes
- Corso Italia shoppingDesigner boutiques and the famous evening passeggiata.
- Bob & Olympic sitesCortina's Olympic heritage, bobsled track and skating.
- Cinque Torri & WW1 trailsSnowshoeing among the towers and open-air history.
🚁Getting there
Cortina has no airport of its own but is well placed: Venice and Innsbruck are both around two hours, Verona around three. Most people transfer by road from Venice; there's no train to Cortina itself, so a transfer or hire car is the way in.
Transfers & travel
- Cortina ExpressRegular coach service from Venice & Mestre airports/stations.
- ATVO / Venice transfersShared airport coaches into the Dolomites.
- Private transferDoor-to-door from Venice or Innsbruck for groups.
- Hire carUseful for reaching the wider Dolomiti Superski areas.
