Experiencing Winter in San Vito di Cadore and Cortina d'Ampezzo

Winter is a magical season, especially in the Dolomites, where the mountains become coated in white and the landscapes become postcard-worthy. Among the Dolomites' Winter jewels, Cortina d'Ampezzo and San Vito di Cadore are particularly worthy of mention.

In this article, we will discover what makes this location so special during the cold season, and which extraordinary experiences await you.

SAN VITO DI CADORE

Let's begin with our hometown, San Vito di Cadore, only 10 km away from Cortina, the Queen of the Dolomites.

Snowshoes

Starting directly from our hotel you can begin a hike on snowshoes or with crampons to the Larin and Senes cabins or, for a longer trek, the evocative Scotter cabin, overlooked by the majestic peaks of the Antelao and Pelmo mountains.

Ski Area

San Vito di Cadore, with its ski resorts, is perfect for the youngest and their families for the many services dedicated to them: the NeveSole park at the Kinderheim within the park, the organised school field with its many Ski Schools, and the many different types of slopes within the ski area.

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO

From San Vito di Cadore it only takes a few minutes per raggiungere Cortina. Qui avrete solo l’imbarazzo della scelta di cose da fare.

Here a brief list:

SNOWSHOES

Cortina is a true paradise for those who love winter hikes on snowshoes. In our weekly winter program you can take part in several different outings with our Alpine guides, among which the night climb to the Giau cabin, the 5 Torri Tour, the Great War tour around the Valparola pass, the Ra Stua cabin in the woods of Fanes, the Cianderou lookout, but also by yourselves to Malga Federa, the Mietres and Dibona cabins, coming back by sledding.

SLEDDING

Some cabins have groomed slopes to comfortably going up and coming back down sledding.

Our proposals may also include evenings with dinner at the cabin and returning under the moonlight.

FAT BIKES

Did you ever try fat-bikes on snow?
In recent years there has been a rise in a new fun activity: the fat-bike itineraries!
The "winter" mtb, or fat bikes, are bicycles with broad tires suitable for snow and low temperatures, ideal for those who want to keep on riding even in the cold season.
And guess what? Today fat bikes are available also in their e-bike version!

ICE SKATING

Few locations on the Alps can boast of having an Olympic stadiumCortina's Olympic stadium was built for the VII Winter Olympics in 1956. The ice rink can be used throughout the whole year and you can skate both by yourself or learning the secrets of this art with qualified instructors.

Also available is the possibility to rent the skates.

CURLING

In the Olympic stadium you might also try curling, a sport that has been played in Cortina since 1900. Cortina's Curling School organised courses, lessons and games for tourists who want to know more about this game!

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

Cortina offers its cross-country skiers about 70 km of tracks which go through the beautiful Dolomiti d'Ampezzo natural park.

Cortina's biggest draw for cross-country skiers is the magnificent 30 km-long track that goes along the former railway which used to connect Dobbiaco and Cortina caratterizzato da una lunga galleria illuminata, un ponte e un ambiente al cospetto delle cime dolomitiche e di laghi ghiacciati.

BACKCOUNTRY SKIING

In the Winter, Cortina offers a number of itineraries for those who love backcountry skiing, from easy paths with gentle slopes, to more difficult ones with descents through steep canals. There are also many paths on beaten tracks which lead to Alpine cabins that are open also in the Winter.

In our winter program you will find outings in which to learn how to ski backcountry in both a safe and fun way, or be able to venture in the snowy kingdom of SkiMo enthusiasts, among the sharp Cadini and unique views on the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

ALPINE SKIING

Cortina d'Ampezzo is world-famous for its slopes. The Ski Area is divided into three sectors: Tofane, Faloria and Cristallo linked to each other by a skibus for a total of 120 km of slopes. They offer breathtaking skiing for skiers and snowboarders of every skill level.  

The entire area of Cortina is also a part of the ski-carousel of Dolomiti SuperSki which also allow you to do the Great War tour.

The most famous slopes? Col Drusciè, where the Slalom of the first Olympics was held and the Averau, while, among the most difficult slopes, you should try the new Vertigine slope, where the Men's Downhill test was held during the 2021 World Cup.

TASTY BREAKS IN THE CABINS

You cannot miss a break in one of the many Alpine cabins that stay open in Winter. There's a lot of them, from those located close to the slopes, and that you can reach using the ski facilities, to those immersed in nature, to be braved via a hike in the snow.

Don't miss: casunziei, knödel, spätzle, buckwheat cake and apple strudel.

SHOPPING

After all of these activities on snow, don't forget to do the "struscio", going up and down Corso Italia, 600 meters long, vero paradiso per gli amanti dello shopping e immancabile meeting point, both for residents and tourists in Cortina.

Along Corso Italia we also recommend to stop by the Cooperativa di Cortina, opened in 1893 which, with its 4,000 square meters of shops, is the most important mall in the Dolomites.

EVENTS

In such an important location, the calendar of events and happenings could not have been less than stellar.

Here the most important ones that take place each winter:

Cortina Fashion Weekend – December

St. Nicholas – December

Women's Skiing World Cup – January

Ampezzo Carnival – February

Snow run – February

Dobbiaco Cortina Marathon – February

Cortinametraggio film festival – March

Cortina food lovers – April

WELLNESS

Let's end our Winter day on the snow of San Vito di Cadore and Cortina with wellness. There's nothing better than a healthy moment of relax inside a spa with sauna, Turkish bath and whirlpool while it's snowing outside.

In our hotel you can find a wellness area with relaxation room, herbal tea corner, several types of sauna, Turkish bath, emotional showers, or, for a more exclusive experience, stay in the Spa Suite, our suite with its own whirlpool, sauna and Turkish bath included.

The ideal to end with a bit of romance a long day on the snow!

SEE ALSO:

Ski Mountaineering: To experience the mountains in a different way 

Tour of the 5 Torri on Snowshoes

On snowshoes to the historical Giau Wall and the Small Cabin