Cortina d’Ampezzo is a grande dame of a ski area.  It is huge with 8 different semi-connected areas all of which are connected by a well-run system of ski buses.

The variety of lifts is remarkable.  It has 3 trams, sometimes packed with people, that whisk you to the top of amazing cliffs.   (I prefer not to look down and see the sheer cliffs we are rapidly ascending.)

The chairlifts range from old, slow two-person lifts to modern high speed 6-person lifts.  To top it off, this ski area even has horses!  The horses are at the bottom of a long run down a beautiful valley.  It is rumored to be the longest run in the Dolomites.

The team of horses tow a large sleigh.  Off the back of the sleigh are two long ropes with hand loops knotted into them.  They drag 40 or so skiers through the woods and deposit them at a neighboring area where you can either continue skiing or catch a taxi back to the main ski resort.

She is a classy lady.  She hosted the 1956 Olympics (coincidentally the year I was born) and continues to host some of the best skiers (certainly the best dressed) that I have ever seen.

Unlike in the States, the lifts often serve just one or two runs.  It must be the topography.  The runs typically snake through the rocks like a bobsled run or downhill race course.  The ski area grooms a narrow band in the middle which makes the runs icy and fast.  Most skiers race down the middle.  Sally and I like to ski the softer snow along the sides.  The cliffs at the edge of the runs are fortunately well-blocked with nets to keep you from sailing off to certain death (although we did see a number of crosses).

After 2 snowfalls we finally received enough snow to ski off the groomed trails (“off piste”) and what fun we had bouncing down the powder.

Somehow all the different mountains with their variety of lifts handle the crowds well.  We have never had any lines.  Often it feels like we are the only skiers on a run.  The skiers and snowboarders with their stylish, brightly-colored European suits are almost uniformly good.  I have rarely seen a fall (not counting our own) and we have never seen a toboggan taking an injured skier down the mountain (that would be a scary ride).

Between the interesting rides up the mountain, thrilling rides down the mountain and all the stopping to take in the scenery, Cortina is sure to romance any skier.

Bob