Ski Cortina & Trips, Vacations, Cortina Ski Italy

NEW! There's lots of hype about Cortina d'Ampezzo. But Cortina lives up to and goes beyond the hype. The resort is a fashionable, trendy, après-ski haven for partiers yet it's thrilling for skiers and offers some unique experiences not found anywhere else.

Cortina is nestled in the Ampezzo valley near Italy's northeastern border with Austria. It is part of the Dolomiti Superski Region that offers 1,220 kilometers (762 miles) of trails in 12 ski areas and a single lift pass that gives access to all of them. Cortina's slopes provide 140 kilometers (87 miles) of trails with 51 lifts to transport skiers to the top. All of Cortina's slopes are open to snowboarders and there is a fun park with a half-pipe. Seventy-three miles of trails are dedicated for cross-country skiers.

Many non-ski activities are fun, as well. Extreme sports enthusiasts can ride down Cortina's Olympic Bobsled at 75 miles per hour. Those who enjoy less extreme sports will enjoy the resort's sledding runs. Visitors can climb to the top of a run under moonlight and enjoy a spectacular view from the mountain before sliding down.

Eating, drinking, and enjoying life are Olympic sports at Cortina. Many restaurants ranging from fine dining to pizzerias provide fantastic meals. Rifugi (mountain huts) on the slopes serving meals and treats are fun to visit, also. Cortina cannot be discussed without mentioning the shopping. Some visitors come to Cortina just for the shopping and never hit the slopes. The Corso Italia is a pedestrian area filled with upscale shops selling designer clothes, antiques, sportswear, jewelry, cosmetics and crafts, among many other goods.