The heart of winter après-ski in Cortina beats on Corso Italia, the main promenade of the Centro Storico, where the ritual of passeggiata, the traditional Italian stroll, takes place every evening. It is here, among elegant boutiques and cafés, that skiers, tourists, and locals meet, creating a unique atmosphere of Dolomite chic. Corso Italia is not just a place to see and be seen—it is a real social scene where you can meet celebrities and public figures who have been choosing Cortina as their winter retreat for decades.

The Centro Storico offers much more than just walks. Along the main street, there are over 30 bars, cafes, and pastry shops, each with its own unique character. Popular spots for pre-dinner drinks include Brio di vino, Villa Sandi, and El Becalen, where you can enjoy wines from the Veneto and South Tyrol regions. For those who prefer to extend the evening, The Blues Bar, LP26, and Molo remain open late into the night, offering a more energetic atmosphere, albeit still with Italian class.

Wine is central to après-ski in Cortina. Enotecas and piano bars such as Enoteca and Lovat provide the perfect setting to relax after a day on the slopes. Here you can discover the richness of Italian wines, from local whites from the Alto Adige region to reds from Tuscany. The atmosphere of these places is completely different from that of typical Alpine resorts - instead of loud music and crowds, there is a culture of conversation, savoring flavors and celebrating life in a typically Italian style.

The culinary culture of Centro Storico deserves special attention. Cortina boasts 40 restaurants and 14 pizzerias offering homemade specialties from the Veneto and South Tyrol regions. Dinner is not a quick meal, but a social experience lasting several hours, during which successive courses are interspersed with conversation and glasses of wine. It is this philosophy of slow food and slow life that sets Cortina apart from other winter resorts. For those looking for more energetic entertainment, the Hippo and Limbo discos open their doors around 11 p.m., although dancing and club culture remain more of an addition than the main attraction here.

The Museo Etnografico Regole d'Ampezzo is a real gem for those who want to understand the unique history and culture of this region. Located on Via Marangoi, the museum tells the fascinating story of the Regole d'Ampezzo, a medieval self-governing institution that managed the valley's forests, pastures, and natural resources for centuries. It is a remarkable example of democratic community management that has survived from the 13th century to the present day, making Cortina one of the oldest functioning local government systems in Europe.

The Regole d'Ampezzo, based in Via Don Pietro Frenademez, is not only a historical monument but a living institution that continues to manage a significant part of the land around Cortina. The system was established in 1226, when the inhabitants of the valley were granted the rights to manage local resources by the Bishop of Bressanone. Fascinatingly, membership in the Regole is hereditary and only passes through families who can prove their roots back to the Middle Ages. This unique form of community governance has survived invasions, wars, and political changes, maintaining its autonomy even as Cortina passed from Austrian to Italian hands.

The Basilica dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo, located at Corso Italia 88, dominates the city center with its imposing tower. The current structure dates back to the 18th century, although a church already existed on this site in the Middle Ages. The interior of the basilica impresses with its Baroque decor and frescoes that tell the religious history of the region. Of particular interest are the main altar and side chapels, which contain sacred art from various periods. The church is not only a place of worship but also an important reference point in Cortina's architecture, combining Alpine tradition with Italian Baroque.

The Sacrario militare di Pocol, located slightly off the beaten track in the village of Pocol, is a moving memorial dedicated to soldiers who died during World War I in the Dolomites. This memorial commemorates the dramatic battles that took place in these mountains between 1915 and 1918, when the front line ran through the peaks of the Dolomites. The memorial contains the remains of thousands of Italian soldiers who died in this cruel mountain war. In winter, covered in snow, this place takes on a particularly reflective character, offering not only a history lesson but also a viewpoint of the surrounding peaks that witnessed these tragic events. For those interested in the history of World War I in the Alps, a visit to the Sacrario is an important part of understanding the region's dramatic past.

The Tofana cable car - Arrow in the Sky (Freccia nel Cielo) is one of the most spectacular cable cars in the Dolomites, starting from Via dello Stadio. This impressive installation rises to an altitude of over 3,000 meters, offering breathtaking views of the entire Dolomite massif. At the top is Capanna Ra Valles, one of the highest pizzerias in the Dolomites, where you can enjoy authentic Italian pizza from a wood-fired oven while admiring the panorama of the peaks. The cable car ride is an experience in itself, with cabins hovering over precipices, offering views that take the breath away even from the most seasoned mountain travelers.

The Funivia Faloria, departing from Via Ria de Zeto, offers a completely different experience. This cable car leads to the summit of Faloria, which offers panoramic views of the Cortina valley and the surrounding peaks. The upper station has a high-class restaurant where you can spend hours enjoying regional cuisine and watching the changing light on the peaks. In winter, when the sun sets early, the view from Faloria takes on a magical character - the peaks burn with the pink and gold of alpenglow, creating unforgettable spectacles of nature. For those who are not interested in skiing, the Funivia Faloria ride is an excellent alternative, allowing you to experience the high mountain landscape without having to put on skis.

The Parco Naturale Regionale delle Dolomiti d'Ampezzo, located on Via Mons. P. Frenademez, offers a completely different face in winter than in summer. The park covers over 11,000 hectares of wilderness, with eight via ferrata and six marked trails. In winter, the main attraction is the snowshoe trails that lead through snow-covered forests and valleys to mountain huts. These rifugio offer traditional meals and a warm atmosphere, making them the perfect place for lunch during a winter hike. The park is also home to wild fauna, including chamois and deer, which descend lower in winter and can be observed from a safe distance.

Cortina also offers a range of other winter activities for those who prefer to stay closer to sea level. Sledding on the kilometer-long track in Guargne is a popular pastime, especially during a full moon, when mountain huts organize nighttime descents by torchlight. The Olympic ice rink, a remnant of the 1956 Winter Olympics, offers unique conditions for skating surrounded by the Dolomites. For those who appreciate quieter forms of activity, winter hiking along marked trails through the spectacular landscapes of the Dolomites is an excellent alternative. Numerous mountain huts along the trails offer the opportunity for extended lunches, where you can enjoy regional specialties and wines while admiring the winter panorama of the peaks. This variety of activities means that Cortina attracts more non-skiers than skiers, creating a unique winter resort atmosphere where après-ski and culture are just as important as the sport itself.