Adventure & Sport in Cortina

Introduction

Cortina d'Ampezzo is the perfect destination for sports lovers, no matter the season. In winter, it's a skier's paradise; in summer, a hiker's dream. And, if it rains, you can go to a local gym for fitness and indoor climbing. So what are you waiting for? Let's dive into everything you need to know about sports in Cortina!

The Best Hikes in Cortina

Hiking is one of the best ways to get in touch with nature, relax, and stop thinking for a while about stress and daily duties.

Trekking in Cortina d'Ampezzo is a sport that can be done all year round. In the winter you can walk along beautiful trails of packed snow, which we'll describe deeper in a later chapter; the summer is full of possibilities. From the paths in the woods, where you can hide from the sun in the shadows of the trees, to the high-altitude trails, where you can be enchanted by the most scenic views.

We have created a full section of our website where we deeply describe different easier or more demanding hikes. If you love to walk and you are lightly trained, you should have zero problems doing any of the hikes we suggest, as we chose them to be risk-free and for normal people.

If you'd like to discover the page we have written for you, below, you can read our article on the best walks of Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Best hikes in Cortina The most beautiful hikes to do in Cortina d'Ampezzo, from the easiest to the most difficult. Reading time: 6 min.

Climbing and via ferratas

If you are an adventurer, in Cortina you can tackle different via ferratas. Those have different levels of difficulty, but all of them should be done only by hikers trained in rock climbing. If you decide to face this adventure, it could be a good idea to be accompanied by a certified climber, such as the "Guide Alpine" of Cortina d'Ampezzo; here you can find their official website.

If you have never climbed, you may consider starting with an easy equipped path, such as "Ra Gores de Federa," which is really amazing, or the Fanes Waterfalls, which are also very scenic and unique. We described these easy equipped paths in the chapter above.

If you're looking for something more demanding, there are many alternatives. From the easier via ferratas, such as the "Ferrata Ra Pegna" and "Ra Gusela," to the longer and more technical via ferratas, such as the "Ivano Dibona" or the spectacular and challenging "Via Ferrata Tomaselli."

If you're up for these kinds of challenges, you always have to use the right equipment. First, sturdy shoes suitable for rock climbing, but also a helmet, carabiners, and harness, which are strongly recommended even on the easier paths. If you don't have them, you can rent your equipment in one of the shops in Cortina.

Cycling and Mountain Biking in Cortina

For cycling enthusiasts the mountains offer personal challenges and contact with nature, away from the busy, smog-filled streets of the city. The climbs can be an incentive for traditional athletes, or they can be easily cheated with the help of the electric bikes, available also in every rental in the valley.

If you are a road cyclist, you can tackle four Dolomite passes in Cortina, all different but all capable of severely testing your endurance and offering you breathtaking views. If, on the other hand, you are a mountain biker, you'll find many trails perfect for pedaling through nature, from the most touristy to the most challenging, as well as some trails equipped for downhill.

Pedal-assisted bicycles are the perfect solution for those who want to enjoy a less demanding ride on two wheels. E-bikes are a great help if you are not used to the climbs or if you just want to ride in a relaxed way looking at the panorama. If you want to know more, we have written a detailed page, which you can find below:

Mountain biking in Cortina A page for the lovers of the two wheels. Tips and routes for both mountain bikes and e-bikes. Reading time: 9 min.

Play Golf

If you are a golf enthusiast, Cortina offers an amazing and really appreciated 9-hole par-35 golf course. It's not only quite challenging, but it's also one of the most scenic in all of Italy. It was inaugurated in 2010, and it has been designed collaboratively by Silvio Bernardi, a local architect, and Peter Harradine, who has designed more than one hundred sixty golf courses around the world.

The facility is located close to the historic training grounds of the "Hotel Miramonti," where golf players from around the world have refined their swings since the 1930s.

This is a mountain golf course featuring water hazards and a challenging difficulty level. The facility also includes a driving range with twenty bays, eight of which are covered.

Unfortunately, we are not golf players, but looking at the reviews, we can say that the course is really appreciated. You'll only struggle a little to push the trolley along the holes.

We can assure you that the view from the field is breathtaking since we often walk there. From there, you will have a privileged view of Mount Five Towers and Mount Tofane. If you need more information on the course, you can reach the Golf Club official website, which unfortunately is only in Italian.

If you want to eat something in the area, you can go to the Golf Club Restaurant or move a few meters to reach restaurant "Baita Fraina," which is really charming and which we really appreciate.

Winter Hikes and Sledding in Cortina

For those who love walking, there are several packed-snow trails equipped for winter hiking, which can be tackled either on foot or with ski mountaineering. All trails we've selected for you lead to beautiful mountain lodges, where you can stop to eat, relax on the terrace, and maybe sled down to the town; if you're planning for the evening, we recommend calling before to check the actual opening and for booking.

Always remember to dress appropriately: it's cold, and freezing feet are not a welcome travel companion. If you're sledding, you'll have to brake with your feet, and snow will love to sneak into your pants if you're not well equipped.

Remember also that safety is important: when you go walking on trails of packed snow, always take with you snow crampons to put on your shoes so you don't slip on the ice. Dress with bright colors and try to keep to the side of the road, as you'll share it with skiers and sledders. Finally, since days are short in the winter, bring a flashlight with you or be sure to have a full battery on your phone.

There are a fair number of mountain lodges that you can choose from; the most known are the "Rifugio Mietres," the "Rifugio Dibona," "Malga Ra Stua," and "Malga Federa." If you want to discover all the winter paths we have selected for you, we invite you to click on the page below:

Winter hikes in Cortina The most beautiful winter hikes in Cortina, easy walks, for everyone, on packed snow. Reading time: 12 min.

Downhill skiing

The main sport in Cortina d'Ampezzo is downhill skiing; it's the most well-known local winter activity, which made Cortina one of the most famous ski resorts in the world. Cortina has over one hundred and twenty kilometers, or seventy-five miles, of downhill trails, with thirty-four cable lifts and eighty-six slopes, suitable for both experienced and less experienced skiers.

On the slopes of Cortina d'Ampezzo you can decide if you want to train on the most technical trails, such as those of the Ski World Championships, or spend a relaxing day skiing on easy trails suitable for everyone, even for children, and eating at a mountain lodge. The local ski area is divided into three main zones: "Tofane," "Faloria & Cristallo," and "Cinque Torri & Lagazuoi."

If you want to know more about downhill skiing in Cortina d'Ampezzo, down below, you can find our article about it:

Downhill skiing in Cortina All about downhill skiing in Cortina d'Ampezzo, from slopes and lifts to ski passes. Reading time: 4 min.

Cross-country skiing

For lovers of cross-country skiing, Cortina offers approximately seventy kilometers of trails, forty-five miles. There is also a sports center, equipped with artificial snow and night illumination, for training even after the sunset.

The hub of cross-country skiing in Cortina is the Fiames Sport Nordic Center. Here, you can ski on the beginner-friendly loops; it's also the starting point for the cross-country trails of "Pian de Loa," "Pian de ra Spines," and the path of the former railway. In this Nordic Center you can also ask for information, buy the ski pass, book a lesson with a professional ski instructor, and rent the equipment. All easily accessible in the same location.

The trails in the locality of "Fiames," where the Nordic Center is located, are rather easy; if you're looking for something more demanding and difficult, it's also possible to cross-country ski in the trails at Passo Tre Croci. It's a highly technical trail, which is only for experienced skiers, and can be done in its entirety or partially; the lenght of the complete loop is ten kilometers, or six miles; the partial version is halved.

If you are interested in this subject, below, you'll find our in-depth article on cross-country skiing in Cortina d'Ampezzo:

Cross-country skiing in Cortina Everything about cross-country skiing from trails to ski schools, including routes across the resort area. Reading time: 3 min.

Ski Mountaineering

Ski mountaineering combines the spirit of mountaineering with the passion for skiing, making it one of the most complete winter sports. This winter activity needs training and much knowledges: of the mountains, the weather conditions, and safety in snowy environments.

For ski mountaineering enthusiasts, Cortina offers plenty of off-piste routes leading to mountain lodges and passes. For more complex paths, we suggest being accompanied by experienced professionals, as a solid understanding of the area is recommended.

You can click the following link to learn more about this topic:

Ski mountaineering in Cortina Tips for safe ski mountaineering and the most popular routes in Cortina. Reading time: 3 min.

Ice Skating and Hockey

For those who enjoy recreational ice skating and ice hockey, we strongly recommend a visit to the Cortina Ice Stadium. The building was constructed for the 1956 Olympic Games and hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the VII Winter Olympics. During the entire event, the Olympic flame burned inside the stadium. Today, the torch is displayed on the rooftop of the building, clearly visible from the parking area in front of it.

The facility features an ice skating surface of forty-three thousand square meters and can accommodate up to seven thousand spectators, divided as two thousand in the stands and five thousand in the gallery.

Opening hours are very variable, as the structure is also used for athletes training. We recommend checking the actual opening hours on the "Servizi Ampezzo" website, which is the company that manages the facility.

If you're a sports enthusiast, at the ice stadium you can also support SG Cortina, the local ice hockey team. It is one of the oldest and most decorated clubs in Italy and currently holds the record for the most appearances in Serie A. For match schedules or to purchase tickets, you can visit the website of the "Sportivi Ghiaccio" Cortina.

If it's your first time attending a match, we recommend wearing a warm jacket, winter shoes, and double socks. The temperature inside an ice stadium is far from warm, even in summer.

Gyms and Indoor Sports

Unfortunately the weather isn't always ideal, but in this case Cortina offers several alternatives for enjoying indoor sports. In addition to the ice stadium, which we mentioned in the chapter above, there's the climbing gym "Lino Lacedelli," an amazing way to train even if the climate doesn't allow you to do it safely outdoors.

The facility features over eighty routes, with difficulties from 3B to 8B+; it develops over thirty meters, one hundred feet, with a maximum height of twenty-four meters, seventy-nine feet. It offers both a lead area, with long and challenging routes, and a section with shorter climbs, ideal for less experienced hickers.

The routes are updated three to four times a year, offering fresh challenges every few months. If you are a complete beginner, you can strengthen your skills on a dedicated boulder wall.

At the clymbing gym "Lino Lacedelli," you can also take lessons for any level and relax, enjoying a drink at the bar area.

If you're looking for a more traditional workout, Cortina offers two fitness centers. The first is the Fitness Club Cortina, located at the address "Pian da Lago 50." It's a gym equipped with Technogym machines and cardio stations such as treadmills, rowing machines, spin bikes, and exercise bikes. In addition, it features isotonic equipment, dumbbells, barbells, and a rig designed for CrossFit and calisthenics training.

The gym also includes a studio where you can take lessons in cross cardio, yoga, qi gong, and gymnastics, as well as sports and therapeutic massages. For more information, we invite you to visit the official fitness club website by clicking here. Some sections of the website are also in English.

The second fitness center is Cortina Energym; it's located in Fiames 5. It's a physical training center specializing in weightlifting and sports preparation, also for athletes with disabilities.

The gym offers a variety of specialized courses, including weightlifting, classical, modern, and contemporary dance, Zumba, senior fitness, jujutsu, kickboxing, and more. For additional information, we invite you to visit the official Cortina Energym website by clicking here.

In the same locality, near the Energym, there's also the Jothyoga Yoga center, where three instructors conduct daily Hatha Yoga classes, both individual and group sessions, as well as meditation and themed workshops. If you want to know more, you should visit the official website of the Jothyoga center by clicking here.

Unfortunately, some facilities are currently closed for renovations. The Revis gym was an indoor sports facility where people could play indoor soccer and basketball. It seems it will be renovated in a bigger project that also includes the Apollonio tennis courts.

At the moment, Cortina also lacks a swimming pool, but there are discussions around a potential redevelopment of the historic swimming pool in the locality of "Guargnè," which is currently closed and has been awaiting restoration for years.

For those unwilling to give up a good swim, the two nearest facilities to Cortina are the "Corte SPA" in the near town of "Borca di Cadore" and Acquafun Innichen in the near town of "San Candido." Consider that both are recreational pools, so you can't take for granted a dedicated lane for swimming.

Alternatively, you can consider the hotel swimming pools, which are not crazy expensive but not what you'd call cheap either. The most suitable pools for swimming are at Hotel Faloria and Hotel Rosapetra, both located in the locality of "Zuel" near the former Olympic ski jump tower. We always recommend calling in advance to check availability.

Conclusion

We hope you liked this hub page about sport and adventure in Cortina. Before saying goodbye, we would suggest you read our home page, with all the articles we wrote about Cortina d'Ampezzo.

If you want to thank us, you can read the page Support Us. If you only want to suggest a change, propose something, or just say hello, in the section Contacts and Info, you'll find all the ways to reach us.