Cortina d’Ampezzo – Candidate for Alpine Events 2015

Cortina d’ Ampezzo is located at 1.224m above sea level in Veneto region in the north-eastern part of Italy, it is the geographical and tourist heart of the Dolomites, which are part of the UNESCO’s World Heritage since the 29th of June 2009, and of the whole mountains in Veneto. The wide Ampezzo basin, encircled by splendid peaks such as the Tofane, the Faloria, the Cristallo and the Cinque Torri, is one of most exclusive destinations in the world.

In the early 1860s Cortina d’Ampezzo attracted European Alpine enthusiasts, who began coming here to stay in the town’s first hotels. In 1902, Cortina hosted its first ski competitions, and in 1909, the completion of the first road in and out of the town, the magnificent “Strada delle Dolomiti”, opened the slopes to even more skiers and mountaineers. In 1903 the local ski club “Sci Club Cortina” was founded. From year to year it has gained prestige and honor in Italy and abroad and in 1973 it was decorated by the Italian Olympic Committee with the “Stella d’Oro” (gold star) for its sport merits. At present it has almost 500 members and the sports team counts 130 athletes from 6 to 18 years old.

In 1956 the Winter Olympic Games were hosted in Cortina d’Ampezzo with 32 nations participating with 923 athletes; for the first time TV broadcasts aired the images of the Ampezzo bowl throughout the world. The Games are remembered for the performances of a young Austrian Toni Sailer who won all three alpine skiing gold medals. Cortina d’Ampezzo is part of the Dolomiti Superski, the biggest ski area in the world with 1,200 km of slopes divided into 12 zones. Several clubs promote competitive skiing among the young generation waiting for the heir of Alberto Tomba or Kristian Ghedina who started to ski along Cortina’s slopes.

The natural beauty of “Queen of the Dolomites” is irresistible both to visitors looking to break the frenzy of today’s way of living within the peaceful mountain environment and to those in search of superb sports facilities, both in winter and in summer.

Cortina is an inexhaustible source of thrills and fun: apart from skiing, a whole range of alternative activities are on offer to keep even the most demanding visitor happy. After a hard day on the snow, you can pamper yourself in a cozy traditional hotel or with a visit to a sophisticated craft workshop, a luxury shop or one of the town’s wide range of art galleries or cultural sites. Fun is assured from your pre-lunch aperitif right through to the small hours; and food lovers really will be spoiled for choice, with a huge variety of restaurants and mountains dews just waiting to welcome you.

Provided by the Candidature Committee of Cortina d’Ampezzo
Source Fis-Ski.com