Plan out your time here to make sure you cover as much of the mountain as you can - there are so many good intermediate runs. Over 60 percent are graded intermediate, and the real attraction is that scores of them have simply breath-taking views. The popular six-mile run off the back of the Lagazuoi towards Armentarola is definitely the most rewarding intermediate run. The long, 1600m descent from Tofana back to town is also a must ski. There's not really anywhere you won't be able to ski here, the only downside is that the different areas are fairly fragmented.

There are only a few challenging expert runs at Cortina. Head straight to Tofana and mougled Forcella Staunies. The steep Canalone Staunies is also pretty thrilling, shooting you between tight, imposing rock walls On the other hand, many advanced skiers enjoy the harder intermediate runs hear simply because of their length, good grooming and absolutely stunning views. There is a fun park with half-pipe here, but skiers outnumber boarders. If you're in the know - there's also some hidden off-piste.

Cortina d'Ampezzo has the largest ski school in Italy and offers excellent facilities for learners. There are several schools with a total of over 300 ski instructors who wear designer ski suits that are updated each year!

Cristallo Cortina Ski School
Corso Italia, 210
Phone: +39 0436 870073
Fax: +39 0436 879483
www.scicristallocortina.com
info@scicristallocortina.com
Loc.Socrepes
Phone: +39 0436 867381  
Loc.Pocol
Phone: +39 0436 3496  
Scuola Sci Azzurra Cortina Via Ria de Zeto 8
Phone: +39 0436 2694
Fax: +39 0436 4828 
Scuola Sci Cristallo Corso Italia, 210
Phone: +39 0436 870073
Fax: +39 0436 879483 
Scuola Sci e Snowboard Dolomiti Cortina Via Roma, 83
Phone: +39 0436 862264 
Guide Alpine
Ski Mountaineering and off-piste. Corso Italia - Ciasa de ra
Regoles
Phone and fax: 0436 868505 
Cortina Cross Country Ski School
c/o Fiames Sport Nordic Centre - GIS 
Phone: +39 0436 4903
Cross Country Ski School Morotto c/o Fiames 
Phone: +39 0436 862201

Variety is the spice of life in the après-ski scene at Cortina. Italians know how to celebrate well at the end of a day's skiing, whether it's a relaxed meal or a big night. Head to the Enoteca or Osteria Wine Bars for a good wine to kick off the evening, and then stroll along past the restaurants to select your choice of delicious northern Italian regional dishes. At the top end, Baita Fraina and Il Meloncino are a little pricy but well worth it. Less expensive and formal are Ospitale and Ariston - and Cinque Torri does a great simple pizza. Most of the clubs don't open till 11 pm and continue on into the wee hours. For a more chilled out vibe, grab a coffee and Austrain cake at the Pasticceria Lovat.

People come to Cortina to relax, so there are often more non-skiers than skiers in the resort. Therefore the bustling town has more than enough on offer to keep you occupied off the slopes. With over 200 shops, you may need to hide the credit card, but even window shopping is fun. The views make a trip in the cable car a fantastic activity on your day off, especially because there are fantastic restaurants up top to have a meal at. The Piazza Italia near the bus station doubles as Cortina's marketplace. Stalls sell produce, mountain cheeses, clothing, home ware, and other items on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 8:30am to 1pm. There are great walking and cross-country skiing trails, and the Olympic ice skating facilities are worth a visit. At the Cortina Adrenaline Centre,  you can hop in a four man bob, ‘crazy sledge' (a version of the luge) and, on the very steep landing below the ski jump, try snow rafting - descending at 60mph in a white water raft. Other options are: Horse riding, indoor tennis, tobogganing, ice hockey, curling, cinema, ice disco dancing, dog sledding and museums. Day trips to Venice are fairly easy to plan. The city is about two hours away and there area buses and trains that can take you there.

The closest airports are Treviso (132 km) and Venice (160 km). Ryanair often has super cheap flights to Treviso.

You have several options to travel the 1 hour 45 min trip from Treviso or 2 hour trip from Venice, including coaches, shuttles and taxis.

Holiday Taxis.com
Existing booking: admin@holidaytaxis.com
Quote requests: quotes@holidaytaxis.com 
Call us / Fax us Tel. 01444 257041/08444 72 2023
Fax: 01444 253 919
A-T-S.net
A.T.S. Corp, 24-32 Griffins Court, Newbury, RG14 1JX, England
www.a-t-s.net
Phone: UK 0709 209 7392 / France +33 450 53 63 97
Fax: +33 450 55 97 06
E-mail: sales@a-t-s.net
Terravision Transfer
dolomites@terravision.eu
Box Bolzano:
+39 331 7814916
http://www.terravision.eu/
Taxi Cortina
Phone: +39 335 637 1419
taxicortina.com
Before you go take advantage of the free bus transfer service
from Venice airport directly to your hotel, provided by the excellent Cortina Tourist Office.

The nearest train links are now Calalzo di Cadore to the south (35km) and Dobbiacco to the north (32km), and bus transfers run from both. From Calalzo, 30 daily buses connect with Cortina. There are 10 trains a day to Calalzo from Venice, but only two are direct (2 1/3 hr; with connections, allow 3-4 hr.). There are also six daily direct runs from Padua (3 hr).

The Grande Strada delle Dolomiti links Bolzano and Cortina, while S51 heads south toward Venice, connecting south of Belluno to Autostrada A27, for a total trip time of about 3 hours between Cortina and Venice.