Sport means high altitude enjoyment in Cortina
A paradise of rocks, pinnacles and peaks, of lunar landscapes and enchanted valleys, a holiday in Cortina, in the heart of the Dolomites, is a chance for exercise in a real open-air gymnasium. You can regain your skill in “familiar” sports, or try new thrills on the edge of adventure, always in total safety and with the latest equipment. The added advantage is that from any route, slope or vantage point, your view opens to the discovery of surprising sights, in a palette of colours made even more vivid by the white of the snow or the green of the summer meadows.
White Magic
Cortina’s skiing tradition is unrivalled: it is the pride of the Dolomiti Superski, the largest ski circuit in the world and cradle of the first ski club, in 1903, the first ski school and a long series of champions on the snow. And as well as skiing, ski touring, cross-country skiing, snowshoe trekking, snowboarding, free skiing, telemark skiing, skating, sledging, curling and an entire range of games and sliding on the snow and ice have always been Cortina’s heritage. And there are also numerous and exciting possibilities and adventures for children and young people, while mum and dad enjoy the slopes and the après-ski.
To enjoy yourselves without any worries about organising things, just contact the concierge at the Cristallo Hotel Spa & Golf, who will be glad to make the best arrangements for your snow activities and satisfy all your requests.
Skiing
The Dolomite Superski links 12 valleys, with 1,200 km of slopes, 460 ski lift facilities and 475 linked slopes all accessible with a single ski pass. There are 101 sun-kissed slopes in the Cortina district alone, which includes San Vito Cadore, Auronzo and Misurina, 95% of which are equipped with programmed snow cover systems, covering a total of 140 km, with 46 ski lift facilities.
Snowshoe trekking
The thrill of floating on the snow and entering the woods in search of silence and the magic of nature. The snowshoes, made from light alloy fitted with mobile bindings and spikes, are fixed to mountain boots and allow you to walk on fresh snow without sinking. It’s a fascinating sport that you can even try even without much technical training.
Cross-country skiing
Programmed snow cover, slopes and services to satisfy even the most demanding skiers, from professionals with narrow skis to the lovers of cross-country tours with nature in mind. The Cortina – Dobbiaco should not be missed by anyone: 30 kilometres of woods, frozen lakes and marvellous views, with moderate slopes, due to the fact that most of the route unwinds along the former Dolomite Railway line. You will see the three peaks of Lavaredo, the Cristallo, the frozen lakes of Dobbiaco and Landro, and pass through the train tunnels and over the suspended bridge on the Felizon torrent.
Telemark
As well as being the name of the region of Norway where skiing originated, it is also the oldest form of free-heel skiing. The technique is quite different today than when it was invented in the 19th century: we now use parabolic “shaped” skis, high boots with rigid heels and attachments with compression springs.
Nordic Walking
A Nordic-style outing – a cross between light trekking and racing – fun, easy, healthy and tiring! The technique is simple: the typical “push step” of cross-country skiing is accompanied by an alternating movement of the legs and arms with the support of light telescopic poles.
Tobogganing
There are many routes for exciting toboggan descents, which also combine stretches on foot. Starting from Guargnè, near the public swimming pool, you can fly down a breathtaking 1 km slope on your snow bob, but always with the utmost safety. For the more romantically inclined, there is the Moonlight Sledge, with the pleasure of viewing Cortina from above at night-time and then sliding down the valley on a sledge.
Skating
If you’d like to dance on ice like Carolina Kostner, there’s no better place than the covered rink in the Olympic Stadium, where you can also watch artistic skating, short-track, curling and broomball competitions
Curling
Curling, which made a return to the headlines during the last Winter Olympics, is an ancient and fascinating game, similar to bowls on ice. In anticipation of the world championships, which will be held in Cortina in 2010, the Cortina Curling Association is organising courses, lessons and matches, also for beginners.
Steep skiing and extreme skiing
For expert skiers who love excitement, Cortina offers the most beautiful black slopes in the Dolomites, both for their steepness and their views: who has never heard of White Vertigo, Labirinti, Forcella Staunies? There are also famous and beautiful off-piste routes – Creste Bianche, Bus di Tofana, Canalino del Prete and Sci 18 – but it is important to take all safety precautions and always seek the advice of the Group Mountain Guide about weather and snow conditions.
Climbing up frozen waterfalls
This is a thrilling and striking pastime, tackling sparkling walls of ice with sharp ice axes and a good pair of crampons, while looking up at the snow-covered gullies and chutes along the ice walls.
Playgrounds
In Cortina, young people and children are loved and pampered guests, with sports, animation, games, adventure trails and playgroups with areas and activities on the snow. Apart from the ski school, they can also enjoy the thrill of swinging through the trees in the 3,000 m² Adrenalina Park and Junior Park, games at the Dolomiti Paradise and elastic trampolines, inflatable toys and snow tubing in Gulliver Park.
