The Best Backcountry Skiing Routes in Cortina d'Ampezzo

This is an absolutely classic route which should be attainable for ski tourers of virtually all levels. It takes you through some utterly spectacular scenery and provides views of some of the most famous peaks in the Dolomites, but the skiing is straightforward and the objective hazard minimal....

One of the most popular off-piste runs in Cortina - a great open slope above the village. This is the perfect run for showing off and it used to be the a practise run for aspiring skiers that wanted to join the prestigious Ski 18 Club....

From the top of the cable car station in Ra Valles ("Freccia del Cielo”), follow the "Forcella Rossa" piste. As the slope turns right down to Forcella Rossa, pull over underneath a steep slope on the skier's left....

The Ra Ola Valley is a classic and beautiful run and it could be considered the "Val di Mesdì" of Cortina d'Ampezzo. Not just an off-piste descent this could be considered a ski touring trip even though there's no ascent to be done....

From the top of the cable car station in Ra Valles ("Freccia del Cielo”), follow the "Forcella Rossa" piste. As the piste turns right down to Forcella Rossa, pull over underneath a steep slope on the skier's left....

Unfortunately, the ‘Forcella Staunies’ chairlift shut down in the summer of 2016, so a great deal more effort is now required to enjoy the popular steep lines of the Cristallo mountain range and this discourages lots of skiers....

Bus de Tofana is one of the most popular lines in Cortina d'Ampezzo and is very famous in the Dolomites. After a walk with skis on your backpack, which takes about 30 minutes from the top of the chairlift, you'll get into a short but technical section....

Unfortunately, the ‘Forcella Staunies’ chairlift shut down in the summer of 2016, so you will need a great deal more effort to enjoy the popular steep lines of the Cristallo mountain range and this can discourage lots of skiers....

Unfortunately, the ‘Forcella Staunies’ chairlift shut down in the summer of 2016, so a great deal more effort is now required to enjoy the popular steep lines of the Cristallo mountain range and this discourages lots of skiers....

From Rio Gere, take the first chairflit to Rifugio Son Forca. Now put the skins on and traverse under the big avalanche barrier to the right on steep and exposed terrain....

From the top of the Bus de Tofana chairlift, climb up the steep slope with the avalanche barrier. Put your skis on your backpack, and reach the rock band at the top, where you will follow the via ferrata "Tofana di Mezzo" to the top - there are some steel cable sections, although they could be buried under the snow....

Unfortunately, the ‘Forcella Staunies’ chairlift shut down in the summer of 2016, so a great deal more effort is now required to enjoy the popular steep lines of the Cristallo mountain range and this discourages lots of skiers....

This spectacular corner of the Cristallo mountain range offers 3 different couloirs, which lead you to the hanging steep slope above Val Fonda. It is recommended to ski this in the morning, at first lifts, as the steep hanging face above a rocky cliff faces east....

Unfortunately, the ‘Forcella Staunies’ chairlift shut down in the summer of 2016, so a great deal more effort is now required to enjoy the popular steep lines of the Cristallo mountain range and this discourages lots of skiers....