Skiing in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy: Does It Deserve the Gold Medal?

Introduction to the Tofana Ski Area in Cortina d’Ampezzo

This post covers part of our two-day trip to Cortina d’Ampezzo, the current hot spot of the Italian Dolomites, just before the upcoming Winter Olympic Games. On this day we snowboarded in Tofana, the very ski area that will host some of the biggest races of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

So, without further ado, let me introduce the charming town of Cortina d’Ampezzo and the Tofana Ski Area.

Tofana - Cortina d'Ampezzo

Lifts

25

Slopes

35

km of slopes

47 km

Elevation

1,200m - 2,800m

Nearest Town

Cortina d'Ampezzo

Website

Visit Website

Skipass

Dolomiti Superski

Days of Fun

2-3

Best Parking

Cortina Skyline Location Copy GPS

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Accessing Tofana & Parking Options

The Tofana ski area is on the sunny south-east slopes of the Tofane mountain range situated west of Cortina d’Ampezzo itself. There are multiple points of access to the ski area, all of them well connected with the town of Cortina.

The Colfiere - Col Druscie Location Copy GPS gondola is the most central one and depending on where you’re staying, you might be able to just walk to it. It has a parking lot next to it, but since it is paid and has restrictions related to the upcoming event, we didn’t use it. There are better options for if you have a car.

These are all along the SR48 route going from Cortina to Passo Falzarego Location Copy GPS .

The first of them is the free gravel parking lot by the new Socrepes gondola Location Copy GPS . It is just a few minutes above Cortina which is very convenient but it also means it fills up the fastest. Besides easy access to the slopes, there are also ski rental and ski school offices there plus a lively chalet - very suitable for fun après ski.

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Another option, and our favorite, is the spacious free gravel parking lot a little further up the road by the Cortina Skyline Location Copy GPS gondola station. This lot is way less busy but still gives great access to the Tofana ski area. On top of that, huge plus IMO, you can also hop on the Skyline Gondola and visit the Cinque Torri ski area. Post about that is coming up soon.

Skiing Tofana

The Tofana ski area has a lot to offer but it also has a few downsides which can make your ski day slightly less enjoyable. Below are our tips for a great ski day.

Warm-up and Beginner Friendly

Whether it’s your first day of the season or you’re not quite ready to shred the steepest slopes Cortina has to offer, Tofana has got you covered. Head to the area around the Socrepes and the Olimpia lifts and you won’t be disappointed. The mellow, yet reasonably long and wide blue runs on the lower slopes of the mountain are some of the most warm-up laps we’ve done. It has trees, it has meadows, basking in the sun from the early morning. Hit it on a good snow day and it hardly gets more pleasant.

Plus there are multiple cozy huts offering food, coffee, or something stronger to celebrate a successful ski day in Cortina.

We recommend avoiding the other blue runs in the Tofana ski area as those are more for getting to places. Usually more narrow and with frequent cat walks. No fun.

Advanced and Expert Terrain

If you know how to handle your skis or snowboard. If the previous section almost offended you. And if you’re looking for the highest shreddage-per-minute ratio, we have a few options for you.

The Olympic Special

Either make your way all the way up the Duca D’Aosta-Pomedes chair lift to where the Olympic run starts by Rifugio Pomedes Website Location Copy GPS . Grab a coffee and take a minute to soak the views in.

Cozy Hut Stop

Sometimes when the weather is winning or when our legs are sore, it's time to warm up and take a break in a nearby cozy hut.

Rifugio Pomedes Website Location Copy GPS

We grabbed quick coffee in this charming hut with a rich history perched high up on the Tofana mountain. Definitely worth the visit.

Two espresso macchiatos

4 EUR

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After that, pick one of the steep reds or blacks going down to the bottom of the Piè Tofana - Duca d’Aosta chairlift. Alternatively, for the full winter games experience, stay to the right to go to the Tofana Express chairlift.

These runs are a ton of fun, especially on good snow when they don’t get icy. Just know that no matter how fast you make it down, the average female Olympian would still put you in your place.

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The Soaring Heights

As an alternative to the winter games experience, you can take the Ra Valles gondola to a whopping 2,463 m above sea level and you find yourself surrounded by a bunch of fun red slopes. They are shorter than the previous one, but the ambiance is a tad more alpine there. And especially on a powder day, there’s a lot of great off-piste terrain.

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Once you’ve got your runs in up there, take the scenic Black 51 back down to Tofana. It is steep and it for sure has the wow factor covered. If you maintain your speed, you can blaze through the Blue 43 to the intermediate station of the Colfiere - Col Drusciè gondola from Cortina and also tick off the Black 41 from the top of that.

Dirtbag Lunch Break

We like to save our coin for the après ski brewskis so we're often serching for the best lunch break spots where we can enjoy our home-made sandos in peace.

Secret Picnic Table Location Copy GPS

There is a lone picnic table at the top of the Colfiere - Col Drusciè gondola from Cortina. Just take the stairs to the right straight after you walk through the exit door. It gets plenty of sun which came in handy as I needed to dry my first aid kit after a major backpack leak incident. 4 stars just because the surrounding is not all that serene.

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Scenic Route: A Full Day Itinerary in Tofana

Tofana, and Cortina d’Ampezzo in general, might not be the biggest ski area in the Dolomites but it’s definitely by far one of the most scenic areas we skied so far. With the rich history, hosting the Winter Olympics already in 1965, it’s worth visiting just for the experience.

If you want to spend a day in Cortina, but rather than focusing on just skiing, you want to see the town and the surrounding mountains from all the different angles, this is how to do it.

Make your way up to Rifugio Pomedes Website Location Copy GPS . Get a morning espresso at the hut, soak in the views including the famous Cinque Torri, and follow the tracks of the Olympians down the Pista Schuss. At the bottom take the cat-walky Blue 43 to the intermediate station of the Colfiere - Col Drusciè gondola from Cortina.

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At the top of that gondola switch to the larger gondola Ra Valles and soar to the highest area of Tofana. Don’t get your hopes too high though, because the gondola to the very top of Tofana di Mezzo (3,244 m) only runs in the summer. Check out the panoramic terrace, enjoy some of the high-alpine red runs and head down the steep Black 51 back to where the mortals ski. For an extra long run, link it via the Blues all the way down to the new Socrepes gondola by the Socrepes Location Copy GPS parking lot. It adds up to over 5 km of a continuous run. Feel the burn in your legs.

From the bottom, make it back all the way up to Rifugio Pomedes Website Location Copy GPS . This time take the Red Caprioli and connect it with the scenic Blue Tofanina. Some sections are a bit flat but it’s over 3.5km long and it’s fun!

End your day back at the bottom of the Socrepes gondola and enjoy a well deserved après ski while the sun is still out.

Is Cortina d’Ampezzo Worth the Hype? Our Verdict

We say absolutely yes. Not necessarily because it’s in the global sports spotlight for the Olympic Games but simply because it offers great skiing in an incredibly gorgeous nature setting.

And what’s even better, we didn’t feel overrun by expensive fur coats and Armani ski jumpsuits. You will still find plenty of options for reasonably priced yet amazing food ranging from nice restaurants to pizza-by-slice joints. You can make it as fancy or as dirtbag as you wish.

We probably wouldn’t want to ski Tofana for a week or so but luckily there are other areas like Cinque Torri, Faloria-Cristallo, or even Alta-Badia that are reachable either on skis or via the ski bus from Cortina.

As always, if you want to chat about the Dolomites or planning a trip here, feel free to shoot us an email!

A dopo, spaghettos!

TODO: Link the post about skiing Cinque Torri

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best parking for skiing Tofana in Cortina d'Ampezzo?

The best free parking option is the spacious gravel lot by the Cortina Skyline gondola station, located along SR48 just a few minutes above Cortina. It's less crowded than the central parking and gives you access to both Tofana and Cinque Torri ski areas. For a more convenient but busier option, the free parking by the Socrepes gondola is closer to town and includes ski rentals and après ski facilities. Avoid the paid parking at the Colfiere - Col Drusciè gondola as it has restrictions related to the upcoming Olympic events.

What ski pass do I need for Tofana?

Tofana is part of the Dolomiti Superski pass network, which is one of the largest interconnected ski areas in the world. A Dolomiti Superski pass will give you access to Tofana along with access to other nearby areas like Cinque Torri, Faloria-Cristallo, and Alta-Badia. This makes it easy to explore multiple ski areas during your stay in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

What other ski areas are linked to Cortina d'Ampezzo?

Cortina d'Ampezzo serves as a gateway to several interconnected ski areas. From Tofana, you can easily access Lagazuoi-Cinque Torri via the Cortina Skyline gondola. Other nearby areas accessible from Cortina include Faloria–Cristallo and San Vito–Auronzo–Misurina, which are reachable either on skis or via the ski bus. You can also reach Alta-Badia from Cortina. All of these areas are part of the Dolomiti Superski network, making Cortina an excellent base for exploring the wider Dolomites ski region.

How long should I plan to stay in Cortina d'Ampezzo?

With Tofana alone offering 2-3 days of skiing, and multiple other interconnected ski areas easily accessible from Cortina, you can easily be entertained for at least a week. The area connects to Lagazuoi-Cinque Torri, Faloria–Cristallo, San Vito–Auronzo–Misurina, and Alta-Badia, all accessible with your Dolomiti Superski pass. This variety means you can ski different terrain, explore different mountain ranges, and experience the unique character of each area while using Cortina as your base. Plus, the charming town itself is worth exploring between ski days.

Is Tofana ski area beginner-friendly?

Yes, Tofana has excellent beginner terrain. Head to the area around the Socrepes and Olimpia lifts for wide, mellow blue runs that are perfect for warming up or learning. These lower slopes offer long, comfortable runs with trees and sunny meadows. However, avoid other blue runs in the area as they're primarily connector runs that tend to be narrow with frequent catwalks.

What are the best advanced runs in Tofana?

For advanced skiers, two standout options await. The Olympic Special route takes you up the Duca D'Aosta-Pomedes chairlift to Rifugio Pomedes, where you can ski the steep reds and blacks down the Olympic Pista Schuss - the same run that will host 2026 Winter Olympic races. Alternatively, take the Ra Valles gondola to 2,463 meters for shorter but more alpine red runs with excellent off-piste terrain on powder days. Don't miss the scenic Black 51, a steep run with serious wow factor that connects back to the main area.

How do I get to the Tofana ski area from Cortina d'Ampezzo?

The Tofana ski area is located on the sunny south-east slopes west of Cortina. Multiple access points are well-connected to town. The most central is the Colfiere - Col Drusciè gondola, which you can walk to depending on where you're staying. For drivers, free parking is available along SR48 at the Socrepes gondola (closest to town) or the Cortina Skyline gondola (our favorite - less crowded with access to multiple ski areas). All access points are just a few minutes from Cortina.

Is Cortina d'Ampezzo worth visiting for skiing?

Absolutely. While Tofana might not be the biggest ski area in the Dolomites, it's one of the most scenic with incredible mountain views. The area offers great skiing in a gorgeous natural setting, and despite its Olympic fame, you'll find reasonably priced food options from restaurants to pizza joints. The town itself is charming, and you can easily access other nearby ski areas like Cinque Torri, Faloria-Cristallo, or Alta-Badia. Plan for 2-3 days to fully enjoy Tofana.

What makes Tofana special compared to other Dolomites ski areas?

Tofana combines rich Olympic history with stunning scenery. It hosted the Winter Olympics in 1965 and will host major races for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, including the famous Pista Schuss downhill run. The area offers incredible panoramic views of the Dolomites, including the iconic Cinque Torri rock formations. While not the largest ski area, it's one of the most scenic, with a charming town base that balances accessibility with authentic mountain character.

What's the best itinerary for a scenic day in Tofana?

Start by taking the Duca D'Aosta-Pomedes chairlift to Rifugio Pomedes for morning espresso and views of Cinque Torri. Ski down the Olympic Pista Schuss, then take Blue 43 to the Colfiere - Col Drusciè gondola. Switch to the Ra Valles gondola for the highest area (2,463m) and enjoy high-alpine red runs before descending the steep Black 51. For an epic 5+ km continuous run, link it via blues all the way down to Socrepes. Return to Rifugio Pomedes via Red Caprioli and Blue Tofanina (over 3.5km), then end with après ski at the Socrepes gondola.