Cortina d’Ampezzo ski area in the Italian Dolomites has announced it will open for snowsports 20 days ahead of schedule, this Sunday 10th November, following heavy snowfall.
“Winter is already here. After two snowfalls above Cortina in the last few days, today it’s snowing in town. We already have some 20cm, with snow expected to keep falling until late this evening,” said Francesco Corte Colò, Cortina’s Marketing Manager, on Friday evening.
The resort’s Col Gallina chairlift will open on Sunday 10th November, 20 days in advance on the official opening of Cortina’s ski season on 30th November.
Italy is seeing plenty of early snowfall in common with much of the rest of Western Europe. Cervinia and Val Senales have been open since October but they were joined this weekend by the Presenas glacier and Sulda ski area, both of which reported more than 20cm of snowfall in 24 hours for their opening day.
There are now more than 20 ski areas open for winter 19-20 already in the Alps and Dolomites with Andermatt and Verbier also opening this weekend.
Cortina d’Ampezzo will host the World Cup Finals later this winter, the Alpine Skiing World Championships next winter and the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Image credit Cortina Marketing – Se.Am.
