Cruising the Alps:
Sports Facilities
Cortina d'Ampezzo
The queen of the Dolomites
She is the queen of the Dolomites, the most romantic, the most fashionable and
exciting ski resort in the Alps. It can definitely be compared to Aspen, Jackson Hole, Park
City and Telluride. Cortina is the trendiest meeting place in the Alps.
From the past century, the undulated basin of Ampezzo has always
hosted the international jet set and intellectuals from around the world.
The various ski-lifts are not linked together -they can be reached by bus-,
but there are many trails which are all immersed in a setting whose lyrical
beauty is beyond comparison. The only real drawback in this magnificent
setting are the ski-lifts, which are not always modern and are a bit slow.
Corso Italia, always crowded with regulars and tourists, is the
most glamorous and snobbish winter street in the Alps.
The slopes
The skiing area is divided in seven sections: 5 Torri, Tofane, Cristallo,
Faloria, Ravalles, Pierosą, Falzarego.
Some of these enjoy sunshine
all day long so the snow conditions are variable. The most demanding
slopes are the Forcella Rossa, which runs from Ravalles to Rumerlo,
the Olympic and World Cup Schuss run, which begins at the Pomedes alpine
shelter, the Cacciatori gorge, the technical Caprioli slope.
For those who
love skiing on very hilly, virgin snow the Vertigine trail, which can be
reached on the Rumerlo chair-lift, is recommended. From the Tondi di Faloria
some fantastic slopes begin, like the Stratondi and the Franchetti, which
runs through the woods. The 5 Torri
has rather hilly, bumpy technical runs, while the Scoiattolo slopes are
sunny and not too long. The Falzarego run, which begins in Lagazuoi and
can be reached with the Falzarego cable-way, is rather difficult, especially
at the top and half way down when it runs closely through the mountains.
It is beautiful in the morning and in the springtime.
Snow-rafting and bob-sledding
Yes, on the snow with a raft! One can jump in a raft with friends and a
guide and slide down and off the snowy incline of the Olympic
ski -jump.It 's quite a scary drop and it's a sure thrill. (Contact Cortina
Holidays, ph: 0436-860808).
Another
adventurous experience is bob-sledding down the Olympic track. No Limits
organizes tax-bob rides with an expert guide and video.
Break-points
There are several typical alpine shelters in Cortina. The Scoiattolo
alpine shelter (2360 meters), on the 5 Torri slopes, has a magnificent terrace,
where Giuliana Lorenzi
serves the best typical "casunzei" (dumplings) of the area.
On
the Tofane, a must is Pomedes, which stands in
the shadow of the Tofano di Mezzo, and serves "canederli con speck"
(dumplings with cured, smoked ham).
The rustic Faloria
alpine shelter,
which is also one of the sunniest and serves very tasty meals, has a 360°
panoramic view on the Cristallo versant. It is the destination of the hardiest
skiers.
The Baita Fraina is a typical shelter situated in the
middle of the woods, among the specialties served, there are the "casunzei"
(dumplings) filled with porcini mushrooms.
  
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