Cortina Snow Conditions

Cortina is located in the Ampezzo Valley in the Dolomite Mountains in Italy. The resort sits at an altitude of 1,220m, with skiing up to a height of 2,932m, and is part of the Dolomiti SuperSki pass, giving access to 1,200km of terrain. Snow conditions are not known to be that reliable in Cortina, but this is helped by the fact that the resort has invested in serious snowmaking facilities, with over 95% of the ski area now covered by snow cannons.  

With mainly south-facing slopes, the natural snow conditions in Cortina can be unreliable, especially on the lower runs. The location of the slopes results in wonderful sunny conditions for skiing, making the resort a great place in which to learn, but the runs can sometimes get a little icy, and the snow can be a little thin in places. The resort therefore does rely on its excellent snowmaking facilities, especially on the lower slopes, with all the pistes less than 2,300m covered. Most of the slopes in Cortina are under the treeline, and the long cruising intermediate runs tend to see no problem with lack of snow. The three main ski areas, Cristallo, Faloria and Tofano, are linked by bus, and the runs are varied and spread out, with the region having two-thirds of the runs dedicated to intermediates and one-third to beginners.

 

Snow Conditions in Cortina - Can be unreliable at beginning and end of season 

The snow record of the resort can be erratic, especially early or late in the season, which runs from mid-December to mid-March. Cortina usually receives an average snowfall of 297cm each year, and in recent years has seen an upper slope average of 121cm in high season. The average winter temperature in the coldest month, January, ranges from 0C down to -7C, but the ever-present sunshine helps to maintain crisp winter days and mild conditions.