The Best Dolomites Ski Resort For Beginners, Cortina D’Ampezzo
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CORTINA D’AMPEZZO IS A SKI RESORT IN ITALY THAT’S BELOVED FOR ITS BEAUTIFUL SCENERY, EPICUREAN CUISINE, AND UNIQUE CHARM.
Nestled within the nearly 30,000 acre Dolomiti Superski area, Cortina d’Ampezzo is the best ski resort in the Dolomites.
It boasts a full range of slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, making it one of the best Dolomites ski resorts for beginners.
But even expert skiers love skiing in Cortina — it’s a frequent host city for winter sports championships, and even hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics.
NEXT YEAR, CORTINA D’AMPEZZO WILL ONCE AGAIN HAVE THE EYES OF THE WORLD UPON IT WHEN IT CO-HOSTS THE 2026 WINTER OLYMPICS TOGETHER WITH MILAN.
If you’re looking for the best skiing in the Dolomites, then look no further — Cortina’s got you covered.
This guide will show you all of the ski highlights of the “Queen of the Dolomites.”
The Best Dolomites Ski Resort For Beginners, Cortina D’Ampezzo
Cortina d'Ampezzo Ski Essentials
Planning your trip to Cortina d’Ampezzo?
Here are the essentials you’ll need for a successful ski or snowboard trip to Cortina.
🗺️ Piste Map Cortina d’Ampezzo | Navigate the slopes
🎿 Ski Rental Cortina d’Ampezzo | Reserve you ski gear
🎟️ Ski Pass Cortina d’Ampezzo | Explore the Dolomiti SuperSki region
Lift passes cost 75 EUR - 83 EUR per day.
🧳 Ski Trip Packing Guide | Pack these ski essentials
🛡️ Ski Trip Travel Insurance | Ensure peace of mind while skiing
Add the Adventure Sports coverage, too.
⛷️ Best Ski Tours in Cortina d’Ampezzo | Explore the terrain on these guided tours
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Italy Ski Season
SKI SEASON IN ITALY USUALLY STARTS IN LATE NOVEMBER OR EARLY DECEMBER AND LASTS UNTIL MID-APRIL.
January and February are the prime months of Italy’s snow season, offering consistent coverage and excellent skiing conditions.
March can also be a good choice for those seeking longer days and slightly warmer temperatures, though lower-altitude resorts may begin to see some melt.
Luckily, Cortina d’Ampezzo is among Italy’s high-altitude destinations with the most reliable snow coverage.
A view from my hotel balcony at dusk. Even though it’s already dark in town, the light on the Dolomites brings out a pink hue, known as “enrosadira.”
(Others include Cervinia, on the southern side of the Matterhorn, and Livigno, nestled near the Swiss border.)
Americans can take advantage of the long holiday weekends of Martin Luther King Jr. Day or President’s Day to jet over to Europe for a quick ski break.
Five Reasons to Visit the Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy Ski Resort
WE DID A TON OF RESEARCH ON OTHER EUROPEAN SKI RESORTS FOR BEGINNERS BEFORE SETTLING ON CORTINA D’AMPEZZO.
Here are five reasons why we ultimately chose Cortina for our ski trip:
Cortina has a great mix of intermediate, advanced, and beginner slopes, making it the best Dolomites ski resorts for beginners.
It’s a ski resort close to Venice, which was a must for my travel partner.
It boasts a charming European ski town vibe.
It has a renowned reputation for fine gastronomy and a number of outstanding restaurants.
Cortina also offers amazing value for the money, as the cost of skiing in Cortina is less than most US resorts, as well as European ski destinations in Switzerland and France.
The Dolomites as viewed from the Socrepes slope.
And then there was the allure of the Dolomite Mountains themselves, and the rumor that in the waning sunlight an hour or so before dusk, the mountains appear to glow with a pink, rose quartz hue. 😍
Cortina still has an air of mystery about it, and an undeniable dose of Italian cool, from the herb-infused grappa that’s swigged on the mountain to the sounds of “scusi!” echoing off the slopes as fellow skiers and snowboarders go whizzing by.
Things to Do in Cortina d’Ampezzo for Skiers
THE NUMBER ONE WINTER ACTIVITY IN CORTINA IS SKIING!
My first ride up the chairlift after arriving in Cortina, grabbing my ski rentals, and hitting the slopes.
As soon as I arrived in town, I scooped up my ski rentals, changed into my kit, and ran over to the slopes for my first ski lesson.
🌟 I recommend ordering your ski equipment ahead of time with Snow Service Cortina. 🌟
They delivered my equipment directly to my hotel, bypassing the in-store lines entirely.
Everything fit like a charm and I was on my way to the slopes in no time.
Hire a Ski Instructor to Learn Ski Fundamentals
If you’re visiting Cortina because it’s the best Dolomites ski resort for beginners, then make the learning process as easy as possible by hiring a ski instructor.
AN INSTRUCTOR WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS OF SKIING FROM START TO FINISH.
My ski instructor was helpful and patient, and by the end of the afternoon I was going up and down the baby slopes without any problems.
Absolutely dominating the baby slopes after my first lesson with a ski instructor.
They’ll help you make sense of the equipment and how to get appropriately suited up, they’ll demonstrate how to navigate towards the slopes and how to board the various types of ski lifts, from gondolas and chair lifts to drag lifts like T-bars and button lifts.
An instructor is able to demonstrate various types of ski techniques and break them down for easy learning.
IN CORTINA, THE COST FOR A PRIVATE SKI INSTRUCTOR RANGES BETWEEN €50 - €70 PER AN HOUR.
My Tip for First Time Skiers
MY PERSONAL TIP FOR FIRST TIME SKIERS?
Make it a point to fall during your lessons, even if you have to make a comical side flop from the standing position.
On my second day out, I realized that I had made a major mistake by not falling during my lesson.
It may sound like an achievement, but it meant that my first tumble happened away from the calming guidance of a ski instructor, and it spooked me for the rest of the morning.
Your ski instructor will be able to guide you on the right way to get back up, and caution you about incorrect techniques that might lead to injury.
After my morning fall, I called my ski instructor and arranged for us to meet up again after lunch.
IT WAS A BETTER LESSON — IT’S TRUE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT LEARNING MORE FROM FAILURE THAN SUCCESS — AND I SURE LEARNED A LOT FROM THOSE AFTERNOON FALLS.
Where to Ski in Cortina for Beginner Skiers
Most of the ski schools are located at the base of the Tofana Ski Area, which includes the Socrepes and Pocol mountains, part of the Tofana mountain group.
Even though Tofana proper is only suitable for intermediate and advanced skiers, the mountains at the base of Tofana, like Socrepes, offer relaxed blue runs perfect for beginners.
This was one of our favorite areas to ski during our time in Cortina.
I COULD STICK TO THE BLUE SLOPES AS I GOT MY LEGS UNDER ME, AND MY FRIEND, WHO IS USED TO SKIING RED AND BLACK SLOPES, WAS ABLE TO EXPLORE THE MORE CHALLENGING TERRAIN OF TOFANA PROPER.
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Where to Ski in Cortina for Intermediate and Advanced Skiers
Despite my beginner status, I was lucky to be traveling with a friend who is a much more advanced skier.
Here’s his feedback on the more intermediate and advanced ski areas around Cortina.
Tofana
THE TOFANA MOUNTAIN GROUP SITS TO THE WEST OF CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, AND TOGETHER HAS A VARIETY OF SLOPES FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS.
An intermediate slope in the Tofana ski area…
… and the rainbow-outfitted skiers attempting it.
Its highest peak is 3,244 m (10,643 ft), and it’s home to one of Cortina’s most renown runs, the Ollimpia delle Tofane, which for decades has hosted international ski competitions and was immortalized in the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only.
While Tofana proper is the most advanced, with a variety of challenging red and black runs, the slopes at the base of the mountain group, including Socrepes, Lacedel, and Pocol, are well-suited to children and beginners.
Faloria and Cristallo
The Faloria and Cristallo ski areas sit to the east of town and demand a more intermediate skill level.
There’s a snowboard park and breathtaking views of the valley from Rifugio Faloria at the top of the cable car.
CRISTALLO IS ESPECIALLY KNOWN FOR THE SPECTACULAR SCENERY VISIBLE FROM ITS SLOPES.
Falzarego and Lagazuoi
Falzarego and Lagazuoi is about a thirty minute drive outside of Cortina, but offers high altitude look-outs and scenic intermediate runs.
The view from Rifugio Lagazuoi…
… and the entrance to the Armentarola scenic run.
The Lagazuoi cable car takes skiers to an elevation of 2,752 meters, including access to the famous Armentarola scenic run.
THE VIEWS ATOP RIFUGIO LAGAZUOI ARE AWE-INSPIRING, AND WORTH THE TRIP ALONE.
Best Ski Tours in Cortina d’Ampezzo
TOFANA SKI TOUR
EXPLORE TOFANA WITH A 4-HOUR GUIDED SKI TOUR TAILORED TO ALL SKILL LEVELS, FROM THE STEEP RAVALLES AND POMEDES ZONES TO GENTLER LOWER SLOPES.
Enjoy breaks at rifugios along the way for refreshments.
Available in the morning or afternoon, this tour offers an unforgettable Tofana experience with an expert guide.
FIRST WORLD WAR SITES SKI TOUR
History enthusiasts will love this 6-hour ski tour exploring World War I sites around Monte Col di Luna, including trenches, forts, and guard posts.
Covering 49 miles (80 km) of stunning winter terrain, the tour blends skiing with a rich historical narrative.
MIDWAY, ENJOY A BREAK TO SAVOR LOCAL DISHES AT A COZY MOUNTAIN RIFUGIO.
SUPER 8 LAGAZUOI & 5 TORRI SKI TOUR
THE 6-HOUR SUPER 8 SKI TOUR IS A BREATHTAKING JOURNEY THROUGH CORTINA D’AMPEZZO’S ICONIC PEAKS LIKE MARMOLADA, TOFANA, AND PELMO.
Ski a mesmerizing figure-8 route, explore pristine valleys, frozen waterfalls, and cozy rifugios, and even enjoy a nostalgic horse-powered ski pull.
With chairlift access to stunning slopes, this unforgettable tour showcases the best of the Dolomites’ winter beauty.
Things To Do in Cortina for Non-Skiers
THERE ARE TONS OF WINTER SNOW ACTIVITIES FOR NON-SKIERS TO ENJOY IN CORTINA D’AMPEZZO.
The Dolomites are the perfect backdrop for non-ski activities suitable for all fitness levels.
Winter hiking trails wind through snow-dusted forests and offer amazing views of the surrounding peaks.
Snowshoeing provides a more immersive way to explore, allowing visitors to trek across pristine snowfields and into quieter, less-traveled areas.
Snow sledding offers more exhilaration, with dedicated runs throughout Cortina and the surrounding areas, perfect for grown-ups and families alike.
NEARBY DOBBIACO IS A HAVEN FOR CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING, WITH ITS EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF GROOMED TRAILS THAT CATER TO BOTH BEGINNERS AND SEASONED SKIERS.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cortina d’Ampezzo
When is the Best Time to Visit Cortina d’Ampezzo?
HIKING SEASON IN CORTINA SPANS FROM LATE SPRING TO AUTUMN, OR LATE-MAY TO OCTOBER.
Ski season in Cortina starts from the beginning of December and stretches until mid-April.
November and April are among the quietest months in Cortina.
For skiing, I recommend the January weeks between the New Year and the high ski season that usually starts in February.
YOU’LL SAVE A BIT ON ACCOMMODATIONS AND BEAT THE CROWDS ON THE SLOPES
For hiking, I recommend September for much the same reasons - it won’t be as busy, but the weather and hiking conditions will still be fantastic.
How Do I Get to Cortina d’Ampezzo?
The closest airports to Cortina are Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) or Innsbruck Airport (INN).
Traveling to Cortina from Venice?
Most modes of transportation will complete the journey in two to two and a half hours:
A rental car - A RENTAL CAR IS MY RECOMMENDED MODE OF TRANSPORTATION TO CORTINA, AS YOU’LL LIKELY NEED A CAR TO GET AROUND THE TOWN AND ITS OUTLYING AREAS ANYWAY.
➡️ Here’s a list of the best car rental companies in Europe.
Scenes from the drive to Cortina, including snowy roads…
… and the Cortina sign with Audi rings as you enter town.
A hired transfer from VCE - Taking an airport transfer direct to Cortina is a great option if your itinerary is centered around Cortina only.
A bus - A bus will take around two hours from VCE airport, longer if departing from other parts of Venice, like Venice Mestre station.
It’s a very budget-friendly option which will allow you to devote more of your wallet to other parts of your Cortina itinerary.
Unfortunately, train transportation in the Dolomites is limited, and the nearest train station (Stazione di Calalzo - Pieve di Cadore - Cortina) is still an hour bus ride away from Cortina.
Traveling to Cortina from Innsbruck?
Most modes of transportation will complete the journey in two and a half to three hours:
A rental car - A RENTAL CAR IS MY RECOMMENDED MODE OF TRANSPORTATION TO CORTINA, AND IF YOU’RE COMING FROM INNSBRUCK IT’S ONE OF THE ONLY TIME EFFICIENT OPTIONS.
You’ll likely need a car to get around Cortina and its outlying areas, anyway.➡️ Here’s a list of the best car rental companies in Europe.
Traveling to Cortina from Milan?
Your best bet, if starting from Milan, is to simply travel to Venice and use one of the modes of transport available from that departure point.
What is the Best Way to Get Around Cortina d’Ampezzo?
THE BEST WAY TO GET AROUND CORTINA IS WITH A CAR.
While Cortina has a lot of different ski areas to experience, they aren’t really connected like at other resorts.
There is no lift access in the center of town, only the Faloria lift on the southern end, and though there is a ski bus service, we found that renting a car was the easiest way to get around to the various slopes we wanted to check out.
The first glimpse of the Dolomite mountains from my rental car during the drive from Venice to Cortina.
A much closer view of the Dolomites from the parking lot of the Tofana-Socrepes ski area.
Parking is provided at most ski areas, but lots fill up quickly so it’s best to arrive as early as possible to avoid the crowds.
Once you’re back in town and the ski gear has been hung up to dry, it’s a good idea to arrange taxis for any evening activities, especially dinners.
TAXIS REQUIRE ADVANCE RESERVATION, AND A HOTEL CONCIERGE SHOULD BE ABLE TO ARRANGE THESE ACCORDING TO YOUR DINNER PLANS.
If you’ve opted for an AirBnB or similar vacation rental, though, you will need to arrange these taxi transfers on your own.
Where Should I Stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo?
I RECOMMEND STAYING IN THE TOWN CENTER TO FULLY SOAK UP THE CHARM OF CORTINA D’AMPEZZO.
There’s a buzz in the town center at dusk, when all of the skiers have descended the mountain, and are making their way to après ski in Cortina.
If you’re looking for seclusion, there are a number of five star resorts close to the town center that will allow you to stay away from the hustle and bustle, but close enough to pop into town when you want to enjoy it.
➡️ Read my post about where to stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo for the down-low on the best hotels in Cortina.
What Should I Pack for a Trip to Cortina d’Ampezzo?
If you’re heading to Cortina in the winter, my packing guide for skiers lists all the winter gear and accessories you should bring to the Dolomites in winter.
If you’ll be visiting Cortina in the summer, my packing guide for hikers explains which essentials you’ll need to pack for summer in the Dolomites.
Is Cortina d’Ampezzo Safe for Solo Travelers?
CORTINA IS SAFE FOR TRAVELERS OF ALL TYPES, INCLUDING SOLO TRAVELERS.
At no point during my stay in Cortina did I feel unsafe, uneasy, or suspicious of the locals.
If you plan to ski alone, it’s best to join a ski tour or keep to the most populated pistes so that there is always help nearby.
Always remember to buy travel insurance before a ski trip to Europe; SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance is a great choice, and the Adventure Sports add-on will cover most of your slopeside activities.
Conclusion
IN CLOSING, CORTINA D’AMPEZZO STANDS OUT AS THE BEST SKI RESORT IN THE DOLOMITES, OFFERING BREATHTAKING SCENERY, WORLD-CLASS SLOPES, AND A TOUCH OF HISTORIC CHARM.
Whether you're seeking the best Dolomites ski experience for beginners or an expert drawn to its championship-level terrain, Cortina delivers for every type of skier.
And if you’re interested in winter activities for non-skiers, it has plenty of outdoor activities like hiking, sledding, and snowshoeing to help you explore the winter terrain.
With its celebrated epicurean cuisine and the distinction of co-hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics, the “Queen of the Dolomites” continues to solidify its place as a must-visit destination for winter sports enthusiasts and leisure travelers alike.
Until next time,
Angela
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