Cortina d'Ampezzo

Cortina d’Ampezzo is the queen of the Dolomites — a destination of undeniable prestige that will host the alpine ski events at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. It is beautiful, elegant, and historic. For snowboarders, though, honesty is required: Cortina is primarily oriented towards classical alpine skiing, and the cost of living is among the highest in Italy. That said, reasons to visit do exist — and for certain types of rider they are compelling.

The Drusciè Snowpark

The Drusciè Snowpark is Cortina’s freestyle offering: a small, well-maintained structure with kickers and rails set in a postcard-perfect Dolomite landscape. It is not the kind of park serious freestylers have in mind when planning a freestyle-focused trip, but it is perfect for a relaxed session or for riders who are at Cortina for other reasons (accompanying family, sightseeing) and want to throw down a few tricks. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are no queues at the features.

Freeride in the Dolomites

Here the story changes. Freeride at Cortina can be extraordinary, especially for those who know the terrain. The Dolomite walls create natural couloirs and technical ground that, after snowfall, transform into epic playgrounds. The Dolomiti Superski circuit, of which Cortina is part, adds 1200km of pistes and access to neighbouring resorts such as Arabba and Alta Badia — terrain that is far more interesting for all-mountain snowboarding. Experienced riders who plan ahead (mountain guide, weather forecasting) can have truly memorable freeride experiences.

Getting There

Cortina is accessible by car from the A27 motorway, exit Belluno, then the SS51 — a scenically magnificent drive through the Dolomites. The bus from Venice takes around 2.5 hours with Dolomiti Bus. The nearest train stops at Calalzo di Cadore (35km), from where buses connect to the resort. Important: in high season, traffic towards Cortina can be heavy — plan arrival and departure times carefully.

Why Go (or Not)

Choose Cortina knowingly. If you are looking for a serious snowpark or budget-friendly skiing, there are better options. But if you want to experience an iconic destination, explore the world’s most beautiful Dolomites with a board underfoot, and perhaps plug into the Dolomiti Superski circuit for a day at Arabba or Selva, then Cortina makes sense. The 2026 Olympics have brought significant investment in lifts and infrastructure — now is a good moment to visit.