Cortina d’Ampezzo
At 1,224 meters above sea level in the heart of the Dolomites, a World Heritage Site, lies Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of the most renowned resorts in the Alps and a popular summer and winter tourist destination. The natural beauty of the Queen of the Dolomites is irresistible to visitors seeking calm and tranquility from the hustle and bustle of daily life as well as to those in search of a multitude of sporting activities.The vast basin, unrivaled for its extraordinary beauty, is surrounded by splendid peaks such as the Tofane, Faloria, Cristallo, and Cinque Torri, making it one of the most exclusive destinations in the world.
The sport in Cortina's DNA
The fame of Cortina d’Ampezzo and its sports tourism vocation goes back a long way. As early as around 1860 the basin attracted the first enthusiastic mountaineers from all over Europe, and as early as the early 1900s the first ski competitions were hosted. Great impetus was given by the opening of the “Dolomite Road,” which facilitated connections with Cortina d’Ampezzo.
In 1903 the Cortina Ski Club was founded, which year after year gained prestige and recognition in Italy and abroad so much so that in 1973 it was decorated with the CONI Gold Star.
The definitive consecration of Cortina d’Ampezzo as an absolutely prestigious sports resort and a favorite vacation destination occurred during the 1956 Winter Olympics, when the Olympic Games were televised live for the first time in Italy. The show was great: 32 nations participating with 923 athletes. For the first time in the history of sports, a woman, Giuliana Minuzzo, read the Olympic oath; athletes wrote heroic pages; the media reported enthusiastic comments on the event; and finally, the beauty of the mountains were the fitting crowning glory to the sporting success. Since then Cortina d’Ampezzo has been a tourist destination of excellence, the chosen venue for numerous international sporting events, with 28 editions of the Women’s Alpine Skiing World Cup, the Snowboard World Cup, the Granfondo Dobbiaco-Cortina, the numerous events for trail running enthusiasts and the many sporting events of the outdoor disciplines.
