Cortina 1st week in April?

What should I expect for snow conditions? Where should I stay?

This is last week of season. I wouldn't expect much but you never know.

I'd go somewhere else that time of year

I will be in Venice on March 31 and will have a couple of extra days to kill. I was hoping to get in some skiing. Cortina appears to be a high elevation ski location nearby. Web sites referenced a May 1 close date, but that may be optimistic. Replies here indicate an earlier close. Would march 31 and april 1 be too late? Are there any other recommended locations within striking distance of Venice I could consider?

You should expect to be able to ski. I recall watching last year's 'Queen Stage' of the Giro D'Italia into Cortina on the 23rd May and there was loads of snow on the passes. You should also expect soft/slushy snow. Worst case scenario would probably be some lower runs closed necessitating a ride down in a gondola at the end of the day. I suppose it depends very much on your own expectations of the trip. If you are cool with a morning's skiing in the sunshine and a late, leisurely lunch just before you call it a day' then I would say, 'Go for it'. If you want to rip it up and munch the miles until the last lift closes you might be better off looking at Madonna di Campiglio or (if it's just for a couple of days), Passo Tonale. If it has to be in the Dolomites 'proper', then Arabba (an extra 30 minutes drive), with more shaded slopes is probably a better proposition than Cortina.Good luck :-) .

Snow history for Cortina d'Ampezzo:http://www.igluski.com/italy/cortina-snow-history_25705

Gaz,

Thanks for the informative response. Very helpful. Much appreciated. It will be a laid back trip as you described, so I will give it a try. I expect a good time in any event. Just a matter of arriving with the right attitude. Headed to Colorado for a few days this coming week for the rip it up scenario you described.

Thanks again.

http://cortina.dolomiti.org/index.cfm/Skiing/Ski-Area-Faloria-Cristallo-Mietres-eng/

Here's a link that you might find useful. Snow should still be OK on the Cristallo (2900m) and the Tofana (2500m). Cinque Torri area is stunning but I can't imagine the horse-tow across a long flat section at the end of the Armentarola ('Hidden') Valley will still be running in April. Don't know if you have been before. If not, bring a goood camera and prepare to 'have your mind blown' by the scenery -) . Have a great trip!

No, I have not had the opportunity to visit Italy, or ski in the region before. I did fit in an incredible day of skiing at Zermott when on a business trip to Switzerland last March.

If you are familiar with Cortina, would you have any lodging recommendations? My wife will be joining me on the trip. I would like to stay in a nice hotel.

Again, thanks for sharing your experience.