Cortina d’Ampezzo: luxury, glamour and high-altitude sport, but also tradition

Cortina d’Ampezzo, also known as the “Queen of the Dolomites“, located in a wide valley and surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Dolomites – UNESCO World Heritage – , is one of the most famous mountain resorts in the world.

It was already the chosen location for the 1956 Winter Olympics, and has been reconfirmed in the same role as host for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milan Cortina 2026.

Cortina is the emblem of luxury, high-society and Italian glamour in mountain locations. It has earned this reputation thanks to those who love the mountains but also want to combine sport and nature with fun and socialising, and this has allowed the town and local businesses from all sectors to prosper and develop in the area: from the mountain haute couture in the so-called ‘via dello shopping’  (‘the shopping street’ ) in the city centre of Cortina, or the Cooperativa di Cortina, the largest shopping centre in the Dolomites to meet all the needs of tourists and residents, to the luxury chalets that offer rest from the three ski resorts (linked by a ski bus service with 120 km of slopes) to restaurants that tempt international palates with the meticulous preparation of traditional Belluno dishes, to events and cultural activities such as the CortinAteatro festival (promoted and supported by the Cortina d’Ampezzo municipality), the town presents itself as the perfect combination of the imposing beauty of the mountain panorama and the city’s nightlife.

Nothing is overlooked: for those who love biodiversity, one of the symbols of Cortina d’Ampezzo is definitely the Cinque Torri area, which is located next to the Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti d’Ampezzo (‘Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites’). And for those who are still not satisfied with the land but want to enjoy the 360° panorama and literally touch the sky, there is the Freccia nel Cielo cable car.

Cortina, however, has much more to offer: its reputation as a high-value mountain destination that welcomes tourists from all over the world does not nullify the local people’s attachment to historical local traditions.

Traditional and folkloristic celebrations such as the ‘Festa del Desmonteà’, dedicated to the return of the cattle from the summer alpine pastures, the arrival of St Nicholas and his angels who, on the night of 5 December, arrive at the Piazza Angelo Dibona square in the centre of town bringing characteristic objects to children who have behaved well or badly, while at Easter, a game of ‘peta vo’ is played with coloured boiled eggs.
The traditional ‘ra Sagra d’Anpezo’ on the first Sunday in July and ‘Ra festa de ra Bandes’ on the last Sunday in August, during which the members of the Cortina d’Ampezzo Musical Group dress in the characteristic and elegant Cortina d’Ampezzo costume, are still celebrated with joy and involvement.

Cortina is divided into districts called “Sestieri d’Ampezzo” and during the winter season, the Sestieri organise the winter Palio, a cross-country skiing relay race contested between the six teams from each district.

Elegance is anything but a novelty for the women of Ampezzo, who used to adorn their traditional dress with precious objects and refined jewellery, produced thanks to the ancient art of filigree, linked to high quality craftsmanship, to which the Ethnographic Museum of the Ampezzo Regole has been dedicated.

Another emblematic symbol of respect and maintenance of the town’s traditions concerns the language, specifically Ampezzo Ladin, which belongs to the Dolomitic Ladin area but which preserves its local peculiarities, thanks also to the contribution of the cultural association U.L.D’a. (I’Union De i Ladis De anpezo), which safeguards the customs, traditions and ties of the Ampezzo community to its origins.

Come and experience the variety of experiences that the Pearl of the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo, has to offer: where nature, culture and adventure meet to give you unforgettable emotions.

Text by Cecilia Flaccavento,
Intern at the Chamber of Commerce of Treviso – Belluno|Dolomites

[/vc_column_text]

Trevisobellunosystem communicates the value of our territory with the charm of tourism

TO LEARN ABOUT THE ECONOMICS OF TOURISM IN TREVISO AND BELLUNO CONSULT:

• Economy Monitor Treviso 2022 – Focus on Tourism
• Economy Monitor Belluno 2022 – Focus on Tourism

TO LEARN ABOUT THE ECONOMICS OF TOURISM IN VENETO CONSULT:

• The Veneto Tourism Observatory Website (data in Italian only)

TO LEARN ABOUT THE ECONOMICS OF TOURISM IN ITALY CONSULT:

• ISTAT Data on Tourism
• ENIT – National Tourism Agency

CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER THE DETAILS OF A WINNING AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY.
SEE SECTION:

ECONOMY AND STRATEGIES Trevisobellunosystem

Logistics and business consistency of
Treviso and Belluno

[/vc_column][/vc_row]

Interactive legend realised
by the Studies and Statistics Office
of the Chamber of Commerce of Treviso – Belluno|Dolomiti

Being subscribed to the Trevisobellunosystem English newsletter allows you to take advantage of opportunities in the area and be updated on all local events. If you want to stay informed subscribe here.

Follow our Facebook page and take a look at our Gallery.