As the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are wrapping up, all eyes have been on Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of Italy’s host venues for the Winter Games and the stage for alpine skiing and sliding events this year.
But at Ski.com, we know this stunning ski resort in northern Italy will be on skier’s radars long after medals have been awarded and the closing ceremony is complete.
Cortina d’Ampezzo has been celebrated as one of Italy’s top ski resorts, and Ski.com’s Mountain Travel Experts are some of Cortina’s biggest champions. They’ve experienced the luxury ski resort firsthand by dining in the town’s top restaurants, experiencing Cortina's après-ski scene on lively terraces, sleeping in the town’s five-star lodges and skiing the resort’s steep slopes.
So while Cortina is and continues to be a happening destination, our Experts can help you land dining reservations, top accommodations and lift tickets so you can experience the Olympic playground firsthand.
Cortina d’Ampezzo is nestled in the heart of the Dolomite Mountain Range, famous for the enrosadira — a unique pinkish hue that lights up the mountains’ jagged limestone peaks at sunset.
Beyond the Dolomites’ beauty, the region has deep history etched into the mountains. During World War I, this landscape was the site of a high-altitude conflict between Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces. Soldiers carved intricate tunnels, trenches and paths directly into the cliffs. Many of which can be skied during the winter.
Together, these views and the region’s history were impressive enough to earn the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage status in 2009.
As for Cortina, there’s even more to discover. This winter wasn’t its first time in the spotlight; in 1956, Cortina hosted the VII Olympic Winter Games, which was the first to be broadcast live on television. It was also the year Austrian legend Toni Sailer swept all three alpine gold medals and the first time the Soviet Union made its dominant Winter Olympic debut.
All across the Dolomites and Cortina, you’ll discover clues and details into the region’s past.
Cortina is one of the 12 resorts that make up the Dolomiti Superski network. So while Cortina has only 105 skiable acres, visitors have access to 12 interconnected valleys and 745 miles of groomed terrain.
It’s also a key gateway to the Sella Ronda, a world-famous 25-mile ski circuit that loops around the Sella massif. It’s a bucket-list experience with skiers spending an entire day enjoying views and riding pristine slopes.
As for Cortina’s slopes, there aren’t massive bowls, thick trees or deep powder. Instead, the resort has three ski areas, Tofana, Faloria–Cristallo and Lagazuoi–5 Torri, and is focused on long, groomed runs framed by 3,000-foot rock faces. And there’s something for all abilities, with plenty of intermediate runs, a gentle area for beginners and off-piste exploring for experts. Overall, the terrain is scenic, steep in sections and dramatic at every turn.
Within the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo has a reputation for high-altitude glamour. Cortina has long been a playground for royalty and celebrities. But it hasn’t lost its alpine charm. Wooden chalets, church steeples and cozy wine bars balance Cortina’s couture with comfort.
The town’s main street, Corso Italia, is lined with designer stores like Gucci, Prada and Valentino. Sandwiched between these high-end retailers are art galleries and welcoming cafes.
Cortina’s restaurant scene is a main lure for travelers. On the mountain, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the il rifugio culture. Here, sunny terraces serve beer, spritzes and traditional Ladin comfort foods like speck and casunziei, beet-filled pasta. Off the slopes, Cortina has a range of cuisines to explore, including Michelin-starred gems like Ristorante Tivoli.
As for accommodations, there’s quite a range in town. Vacationers can find everything from five-star hotels with spas like the Cristallo and Grand Hotel Savoia Cortina, as well as charming alpine-style accommodations.
As Olympians and viewers fly home and podiums are packed away, the spotlight will shift away from Cortina.
But our Experts know that Cortina is worthy of a ski destination, even if it’s not an Olympic year. Cortina delivers world-class skiing in a UNESCO-protected backdrop.
The Games may be over. Cortina, however, is just getting started.
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