Skiing in Cortina d'Ampezzo-description of the ski slopes

After quite some time, have returned to skiing in Cortina. Skiing I mean here the usual practice, namely the use of prepared pistes and lifts: Alpine skiing for instance. Here I try to bring back a series of reviews and opinions and a description of all personally affected, leaving the appearance didn't ski that, as we know, is a very important aspect for a holiday in Cortina, national and not a noble outline of shops, pubs and worldliness.

As you can understand the three zones are not connected. This, for lovers of skis, is a problem. Forced to take the car to move and still needs a morning decision to establish the area where to go. This is the fundamental discriminant to judge Cortina skiing point of view. In fact, it is statistically proven that currently the trend among the mass of skiers, is to apply to the ski-area providing as many links as possible. In short, there are people who like "travel" with skis (as the famous tour of the 4 steps of the Sellaronda) and who likes to engage on the slopes, researching and technical difficulties. Cortina belongs definitely to the second trend. Frankly, I do not mistake saying that Cortina offers tracks on average the most difficult of all the Dolomites and other districts outside the context of the Dolomites. So, for all those who like to go skiing and not move with them represents a ground ever tantalising. It is less if you are looking for large displacements skis. There is, however, that the associations that offer considerable movements often do not provide tracks technically demanding, since the links need to transfer tracks from one area to another, while they may offer a variety of landscapes.

Now we go down from the General to the particular and go on to list the most beautiful ski slopes make, assuming that the skier in question is able to address all of the fix canonical (up to challenging black runs) since, as mentioned, Cortina is full of slopes. Indeed, you can open the parenthesis of the degree of difficulty official assigned to the slopes in use in Cortina. Well, there is a tendency to "low", at least compared to other ski areas nearby. Especially for the fact that the slopes are generally reported as blue, red or black for the average of their difficulties rather than for the single. That means this? At Cortina, more than in other areas, it is easy to be marked on the map a track with more colors depending on the degree of difficulty of the stroke. Then a track could be reported as blue and red, and so forth. To make a trivial comparison, the famous Sasslong Santa Cristina in Val Gardena (World Cup) would be reported as black only for some sections and red for most of the path. A 54 considered to be red only for the first initial and then blue for everything else, just to mention the famous slopes forming part of the area near the Dolomiti superski. The description here made to take account of individual ski areas, starting from the slopes of the Tofane. The numbers in parentheses are those of the slopes and installations as reported in the official map.

TOFANE. (WATCH the VIDEO) To Tofane ski slopes can be accessed both from the village Socrepes, via chairlifts or directly from the arrow "in the sky" that, in the winter, is open on two parts: the first up to the Col Drusciè and second until the Valley Ra Valles. In fact they are two quite distinct areas, sciisticamente speaking. It is nevertheless preferable since Socrepes that allows both grapple with black runs rather techniques, both making quiet skiing on interesting blue. If you want technical change (taking the two chairlifts Roncato-17-and 19-Tofana-express) towards the two parallel runways

Vertigine bianca (33) (WATCH the VIDEO) and Mazes (37) that descend from the chairlift At-Duca D'Aosta. It will be for the name but the most popular is the "Vertigine bianca". In fact, in terms of slope (maybe) and length of the path "Mazes" is even more interesting. Looking at the mountain, to the right of the Vertigo white develop two interesting Red Canyon (32) and then the hunters (34) who interpret well the downward trend in evaluation of difficulty of the tracks present in Cortina. By the end of the chairlift At, you will see the well-known

Schuss  (WATCH VIDEO) nestled between two rock walls. Mythical starting point of a track from the World Cup is actually more affordable than it seems. But on one condition: that is not frozen. Where ice at that point is precisely that. Given the position of the fork, the Schuss is one of those obvious examples that proves that the difficulty of a track is not given only by its slope but mainly by the State of the snow. The Schuss is reachable with a second section of the chairlift which goes up to rifugio Pomedes (22). The Schuss is part of the track

Olimpionica (35).  (GUARA VIDEO) The final part of this track you can take also directly down to the left of the chairlift Tofana express. To avoid the Schuss you can take the Red Deer (36) is connected in the bottom part easier than Olympic. For those who love tranquility and less good, to the left of the chairlift Roncato and Sa Freza (18) opens a world of tantalizing blue slopes. If you choose this sector must come up with the chairlifts to the Duca D'Aosta and instead go with the Olympic champion, jump to the exit to the left on the long blue Tofanina (38). A charming in the middle of the woods you can continue taking the turn-off right up to Corso and his works with the track always blue (23), or (22). At this point, returned to Socrepes, it is better to move to RA VALLES. Is it possible to do so by taking the chairlift Roncato (19) and descending to the departure of the chairlift At and from here continue for track Ra Cioures (43), a blue that will take you to the base of the chairlift Col Col Drusciè fairs (24). At the end of the chairlift, surprise: before Ra valles deserves a black Col Drusciè (41) while less good is there to hand the Col Drusciè blue (40). Shooting the chairlift Col Drusciè are going to take the intermediate station of the cableway "arrow in the sky" behind the hut Col Drusciè. Go to the other intermediate station (which in winter is also the final stop) and IE to Ra Valles. Here opens the wide basin beneath the walls of the Tofane. Very nice and basin where you wake to a considerable height, at least to the Dolomites (up to 2700 metres). This allows you to have a more resistant to snow and temperatures in the Sun. It is possible to climb the tallest point with Bus Tofana chairlift (30), where the track is red but made more difficult by the fact that the area should be in the shade very soon. Sbizzarirsi on red Busc (46) and chamois (48), or on the Blue Eagle (47). It's time to return to the Valley. Yes, but how? And here begins the beautiful. In fact, if you want to return to skiing there is only one possibility: the famous black

Forcella rossa (51).  (WATCH VIDEO) Another method is much easier to take the cable car and back down to the Col Drusciè and from there follow the trail Junction Tofana (42) who reports to the base of the chairlift At. However, the Red Fork is one of those tracks to do at least once in their lifetime by skier. Tip: to make it really fun with snow conditions not optimal but at least decent. What this means is, paradoxically, it's morning, perhaps with hard snow rather than in the evening to return when conditions could result in a disaster, the limits of a backcountry. This condition occurs even with temperatures that are eerily spappare species in the lower. Finished the tour of the Tofane, if snow conditions allow it, you can descend up to the cable with blue Stries (44).

FALORIA e CRISTALLO. (WATCH VIDEO) Isolated from the Tofane can be reached by bus or car from these. The two areas are adjacent and pass from one to another across the street that goes up to the height of Misurina Rio Gere (parking). The Faloria is also starting with the same name by Cortina, practically in the central area. Decide which of the two areas do first is a matter of taste but also conditions of snow and sunshine. In addition, for lovers of the risk, keep in mind that, around noon and conditions permitting, is opened in the area of the second section of the

forcella sud Staunies. (WATCH VIDEO) Only for skiers and truly. Since we are to begin then with Staunies area of Crystal, imagining of having parked the car at Rio Gere. The slopes of the Crystal are few, but beautiful. Distinguishes the piston red Rio Gere (73) from the Son went to the Gallows: long and fun. Under the shelter, after a short descent, chairlift Son Forca-Staunies (58). The intermediate output is the most popular. It is not always open the final stretch leading to the beginning of the Forcella Staunies. The latter is a tough, with gradients on 64% (about 33° c) and often with no beat and is obviously reserved for skiers really experienced and already accustomed to a little off track. The intermedia (Staunies-69) is more affordable by the average skier, being a black track and satisfying medium in the initial and Red the final stretch. Ridiscesi in Rio Gere and crossed the road, will take the two sections separate chairlift Bigontina (55 and 56), which will bring up, in the heart of Faloria. At the end of the second section, you can do immediately to the right the black Bigontina (66), While once dropped from the second section of the Bigontina, you can continue taking chairlifts Calves (54). By the end of this you can ski on a series of black runs. To the right, descending from the chairlift, the beautiful Canyon Franchetti (63) or, after a short stretch in the crest, you can take the track Stratondi (64). Otherwise, turning left at the arrival of the chairlift, the Calves (63) that sets forth the basis of the chairlift. Three black runs that satisfy the desire of ski techniques. Each will choose the favorite, even though typically the Gully Franchetti goes for major. The Calves could become, towards evening, a bit screwed. Down with Stratondi, you climb in proportion with the chair lifts Girilada 1 and 2 (49 and 50), to repeat the ride or take the cable car arrival Faloria with red Round normal (61) or taking to the right on this a turnoff to the Red Ram (65) at the base of chair lifts Girilada. You come to these, if you continue with the Red Faloria normal (60), go back to Rio Gere. The only foresight and take a strong momentum on wall just to the right of the arrival of the first section of the chairlift Bigontina: this to overcome a falsopiano that otherwise you will force a racket for about 100-150 meters. The Faloria ski blue is scarce. If not virtually non-existent, as is the link between an area and another. Of course, if you come directly to the Faloria cable, you can go around on the contrary, taking just a blue link that leads to the base of Chair Girilada and then down to Rio Gere with red Faloria normal (60) and already reported.

CINQUE TORRI, COL GALLINA E LAGAZUOI.  (WATCH VIDEO) A tasty alternative to the other two districts, requires an approach of a few kilometres of switchbacks on the way of the step of Falzarego and attended possibly in a beautiful sunny day. On a curve to the right, you will find the turnoff to the ample parking of Five towers (also ski but not tested by yours truly). Shod skis you immediately to Squirrels (one of the most famous of the area) with the 5 towers (4). It's best to get good morning now, let's say to -9.45 no later than 9.30. Jump immediately to the right to take the infamous one-seater chair lift Fork Averau (5). Very flavor of ancient but functional. In fact, by late morning, you are likely to find a row very long due to the limited scope of the chairlift. Upon arrival, enjoy at least worse a manova that will trace the last 100 metres towards the Fork and the Averau Refuge. Here there are occasional skiers and those who are "House" in Cortina. The first attempt to take it as can (someone even surrender and if the fa to lineup), while the regular with looseness take the hook mobile and also to contact you back as child to drag but I believe requires a lot of training ... If you have kids with you will not be easy, since the single-seater chairlift where obviously cannot climb if not accompanied by an adult .... on a single seat. However, these will be your problems. Arrived at the fork, magnificent landscape as usual and immediately drop long and rewarding on red Cinque Torri (90) up to the Passo Giau. Ascent to the chairlift Fedare (7) and Red before but this time, we turn right for a crossroads called Fitting Averau (91) that will lead us to take the chairlift Croda Negra (8). We are in the sight of the beautiful south wall Averau and amidst a fork from which the track red Skiweg Croda Negra (92). A panoramic track that serves as a junction with the Col. Hen and goes down to the Falzarego pass. Do not resist to do some photography. Continuing for a blue down to Falzarego (2). Taking the chairlift, continue with the Skilift Col Gallina (3) up to the highest point and we throw the blue Falzarego (4) not racchettare until step. Here there are skiing and you cross the street to take the cableway of Lagazuoi (1). Unfortunately, the cable car is always busy and you almost certainly do a bit of a row. Don't get discouraged, though. Even if the row is already around the outside to the side, landing in about half an hour you can climb. Come on, you must leave your skis and be walking a ladder to reach the Refuge above. It is one of the most spectacular of the Dolomites can be reached easily and with a view to 360 degrees. Practically you can see all the peaks of the Dolomites and not only. Dazzled by this landscape, once refurbished skiing there are two alternatives, after doing the first wall in common the only track that starts from here. Left down with red track Armentarola (1) to the ski area in San Cassiano (Val Badia). It is a beautiful descent through the Scotoni refuge hut and has the only downside being flat at the end to a long stretch. To rescue the skier sled horses, take your ... fun and danger of crowded. Keep in mind that to return to take a taxi shuttle to payment.

Therefore, it is not recommended to those who do not want to continue (weather permitting) to the slopes of San Cassiano, also because the ski-pass only area Curtain is not worth more, and you can go skiing with ski pass Dolomiti superski. The back is free and very interesting. In fact, you'll see a bunch of people at the start but right at the fork to the Falzarego pass you will be virtually alone to make the track red very nice Lagazuoi (2). Made in pleasure, almost at the end of the runway and in view of the road, you can go back to the five towers, turning left for a lane after a while it stops on the roadside. Crossed, we will seek the departure of the chairlift Col Gallina but you will turn left to a tourist track blue with a pleasant and relaxing slope will take you back to the departure of the chairlift 5 towers. You did the lap. At this point, depending on the time of day, resume-seater chairlift and rope tow (in the afternoon, there should be no more files), Averau Refuge to stop, wait for the lights of the end of the day and fall for the convenient track blue Averau (9) to the base. You'll also get a surprise. The track has a moment of conjunction with Red 5 towers (5) and if you continue keeping left you a nice wall that Blue has very little as slope and in the shade but already we have said of habit to lower the difficulty in Cortina. If you want to own them all, back up with the 5 Towers and this time turn right and get off with red track 5 towers (5) already have visit.

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