The Victory Lap
Cortina d'Ampezzo. Six days. The Olympics showed you the place. We take you back.
Ski the Olympic downhill. Eat in mountain huts at 8,000 feet. Drink grappa at the birthplace of the spirit. Stand where the athletes stood — minus the cameras, the crowds, and the credential checks. Ski if you want. Don't if you don't. Either way, you'll never forget it.
The Olympics Are Over. The Mountains Aren't Going Anywhere.
In February 2026, the Winter Olympics put Cortina d'Ampezzo on every screen in the world. The jagged rose-colored peaks behind the ski racers? Those are the Dolomites — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that makes the rest of the Alps look ordinary. The charming Italian town where curling captivated millions? That's Cortina, the “Queen of the Dolomites,” Italy's most glamorous mountain village since it hosted its first Olympics in 1956.
The Victory Lap is what happens after the circus leaves. Six days in Cortina and the Dolomites — same mountains, same slopes, same mountain huts — but without 50,000 spectators and NBC camera crews. You'll ski the runs where medals were won. Try curling in the stadium that just hosted the world. Eat at the rifugios where athletes refueled. Drink grappa made from Dolomite spring water in a fourth-generation distillery.
This isn't a ski package. It's an immersion in Italian alpine life: lunch in mountain huts accessible only by cable car, private grappa tastings, snowshoe hikes through UNESCO-protected forests, aperitivo on sun terraces while the peaks turn copper-pink at sunset — a phenomenon the locals call the Enrosadira.
You'll ski if you want to — Cortina has 120 km of groomed slopes and is part of the legendary Dolomiti Superski network. But if you don't ski, you'll be just as happy. This trip is built around what makes the Dolomites extraordinary: the scenery, the food, the culture, and the kind of mountain hospitality that Italy does better than anywhere else on Earth.
Max group size: 10 people. No tour bus. No lanyard. No credential.
Six Days. One Valley.Every Olympic Venue. Zero Crowds.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
“The Queen”
Hotel de Len • 5 Nights
A sleek 22-room boutique hotel in the heart of Cortina, blending minimalist Dolomite design with sustainable materials. Steps from the Corso Italia and the cable car stations.
Fly into Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). Private group transfer through the Venetian plains and into the Dolomites — approximately 2 hours. The drive itself is part of the experience: flat lagoon farmland gradually gives way to foothills, then suddenly the Dolomite spires appear like a wall of stone cathedrals.
Arrive in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Check into the hotel. Walk the Corso Italia — Cortina's elegant pedestrian boulevard lined with boutiques, cafés, and gelato.
Evening: Welcome aperitivo and dinner at a restaurant on or near the Corso. Spritz, local salumi, casunziei (Ampezzo-style beet ravioli), and your first encounter with Alto Adige wine.
This is the day that makes everyone understand why they came. And why the Olympics came here first.
Morning: Cable car up to Cinque Torri (Five Towers) — one of the most dramatic rock formations in the Dolomites. Snowshoe or walk the groomed paths. Visit the Open Air Museum of WWI — restored trenches from 1915–1918 mountain warfare. Skiers can ski the Lagazuoi–5 Torri network and rejoin for lunch.
The Cinque Torri area borders the Lagazuoi–5 Torri ski network that was part of the Olympic alpine experience. You're standing in the arena — just without the starting gates.
Lunch: Rifugio Scoiattoli or Rifugio Averau — authentic mountain huts with wood-burning stoves, local wine cellars. Casunziei, polenta with venison, strudel. You're eating at 7,000+ feet with a view that would cost $500 at a Manhattan rooftop.
Afternoon: Optional continued skiing/snowshoeing, or cable car back to town.
Evening: Dinner on your own — try El Brite de Larieto (malga-style among larch trees).
Morning: The Olympic Village, Your Way.
Cortina just hosted four Olympic disciplines. Today you visit the venues — without the lines.
→ Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium — The stadium that just hosted Olympic curling was originally built for the 1956 Winter Olympics, where it held the Opening Ceremony and figure skating. Try a curling lesson on the same ice where Italy's team just competed. (Italy won Olympic gold in mixed doubles in 2022 — they take this seriously.)
→ Cortina Sliding Centre — The brand-new bobsled, luge, and skeleton track, rebuilt on the site of the legendary Eugenio Monti track from 1956. Walk the track. See where athletes hit 90 mph on a sled the size of a bathtub.
→ Ice skating at the Olympic Stadium — Skate where Bond skated (For Your Eyes Only, 1981) and where Olympians just competed.
→ Spa morning or sleep in — you're on vacation, not training for the downhill.
Late morning/Afternoon: Private grappa tasting — from young grappa bianca to barrel-aged riserva with complexity of fine whiskey. Paired with local cheeses, speck, and dark Dolomite chocolate. Learn why grappa in the Dolomites tastes nothing like the harsh stuff from 2004.
Evening: Moonlight dinner at Rifugio Averau — candlelit multi-course Dolomite cuisine under the stars, at altitude, snowmobile/snowcat ascent. Descent by toboggan optional. This is the kind of experience that doesn't exist in the United States.
The most visually spectacular day.
Morning: Cable car up Lagazuoi (2,752m / 9,029 ft) — 360° view, one of the most stunning vistas in Europe. Marmolada glacier, Tofane massif, Austrian Alps visible on clear days. Explore WWI tunnel system carved into the mountain.
The Tofane massif looming overhead is home to the Olimpia delle Tofane — the legendary women's downhill course that just hosted Olympic alpine skiing. The slope is a regular World Cup stop, and in February 2026 it was the stage for some of the most dramatic racing of the Games.
For skiers: Warm up on the Olimpia delle Tofane — the Olympic women's downhill course — then ski the legendary “Hidden Valley” (Armentarola), a scenic run through a pristine valley that ends with a horse-drawn sleigh ride back to the lift. Consistently rated one of the most beautiful ski runs in the world. For non-skiers: Summit terrace café with views worth the trip alone.
Afternoon: Regroup in town.
Evening: Group dinner at Baita Fraina (traditional mountain cuisine) or SanBrite (Michelin-recognized farm-to-table).
Day trip south through foothills to Bassano del Grappa — a stunning medieval town where the Brenta River rushes under Palladio's covered wooden bridge. The birthplace of grappa.
Visit Poli Distillery (4th generation, since 1898) — production facility, underground aging cellars with 4,000 barriques, and taste grappa from the source. Poli Grappa Museum with 1,500+ historical bottles. OR Nardini Distillery — Italy's oldest, operating since 1779 on Palladio's bridge.
Lunch in Bassano — cicchetti, polenta, local Veneto wines. Walk the Ponte degli Alpini.
Afternoon drive back through the Prosecco Hills — possible stop at a small producer.
Evening: Free evening in Cortina.
Morning: Optional early cable car for Enrosadira sunrise — the phenomenon where peaks turn rose-pink. This is what the trip is named for. 10 minutes from town, and it will rewrite your definition of “beautiful.”
Breakfast at hotel. Pack. Check out.
Late morning: Private transfer to Venice Marco Polo Airport.
OR Venice Extension (optional add-on): Transfer to Venice instead. 1–2 nights in Venice before flying home. Venice in winter is magical — no crowds, low light, fog on the canals. The perfect bookend.
$3,499 Per Person
Here's everything that's in.
Included
- 5 nights at boutique hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo (4-star, central location)
- Private group transfer Venice Airport → Cortina → Venice Airport
- Welcome dinner with wine pairing on arrival night
- Moonlight dinner at altitude in a Dolomite rifugio (snowcat ascent included)
- Farewell group dinner at a top Cortina restaurant
- Mountain hut lunch at Rifugio Scoiattoli or Averau
- Lunch in Bassano del Grappa
- Private grappa tasting with food pairing
- Poli or Nardini Distillery tour and tasting in Bassano del Grappa
- Cable car passes for Cinque Torri, Lagazuoi, and Enrosadira sunrise
- Guided snowshoe hike in the Dolomites
- Bassano del Grappa day trip with private transport
- WWI tunnel and Open Air Museum access
- Local host throughout — someone who knows the restaurants, the shortcuts, the stories
- Small group experience — max 10 people, no tour buses, no scripts
Not Included
- Flights to/from Venice (VCE) — book your own, we’ll share recommendations
- Ski lift passes beyond included cable car days (Dolomiti Superski ~€60-75/day)
- Ski/snowboard equipment rental
- Individual meals beyond the 5 included (3 dinners, 2 lunches)
- Venice extension (available as add-on, pricing on request)
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Your grappa and wine purchases — you will buy bottles, budget accordingly
Limited to 10 spots. Couples and solo travelers welcome. Double occupancy pricing — solo supplement available on request. Non-skiers explicitly welcome.
Where You're Sleeping
Hotel de Len
22 rooms, boutique scale — our group is the hotel, not lost in a 200-room resort. Central Cortina location — walking distance to Corso Italia, cable cars, restaurants. Modern Dolomite design with sustainable materials — warm wood, clean lines, mountain views. Restaurant with traditional Venetian cuisine. Wellness/spa access. Breakfast included daily.
The hotel where you walk out the front door and you’re on the Corso Italia.
Ski or Don't. You'll Love It Either Way.
For Skiers
Cortina has 120 km of groomed slopes across multiple areas — from gentle beginner runs to the legendary Hidden Valley. It's part of the Dolomiti Superski network (1,200+ km total). And yes — you can ski the actual Olympic downhill course. The Olimpia delle Tofane is right there. Ikon Pass holders get 5–7 days included. On ski days, you'll have free time on the slopes and rejoin the group for meals and evening experiences.
For Non-Skiers
Snowshoeing through larch forests. Cable car panoramas at 9,000 feet. Ice skating in the Olympic stadium. Spa mornings. Shopping the Corso Italia. Medieval town day trips. Curling lessons. The Dolomites are stunning whether you're on skis or not — and this trip is built to make sure non-skiers have an experience every bit as rich as the skiers.
You are not the 'non-skiing spouse.' You are the person who gets to eat lunch in a mountain hut while your skiing friends are still on the chairlift.
Why February 2027? Because the Victory Lap Is Always Better Than Race Day.
In February 2026, the world came to Cortina. Hotels were sold out months in advance. Restaurants had waiting lists. The slopes were crawling with media credentials and security checkpoints.
In February 2027, the Olympic tourists will be gone but the infrastructure they built — new lifts, new sliding track, upgraded venues, improved roads — will still be pristine. The Dolomites will be doing what they've done for millions of years: being the most beautiful mountains on Earth. And you'll have them practically to yourself.
Post-Olympic. Pre-crowds. Brand-new facilities. The sweet spot that only exists once — the year after the Games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre (Olimpia delle Tofane), and the new Cortina Sliding Centre are all in or immediately adjacent to Cortina. You can try curling in the Olympic stadium, ski the Olympic downhill course, and see the new bobsled track. The venues are part of the town — not a locked-down complex you need credentials to enter.
Absolutely not. This trip is designed for anyone who wants to experience the Dolomites — skiers, snowshoers, foodies, photographers, or people who just want to stare at impossibly beautiful mountains while drinking wine. Every day has options for all activity levels.
Easy to moderate. Guided routes on groomed paths through forests and clearings. No mountaineering experience needed. If you can walk, you can snowshoe.
Cold and gorgeous. Daytime temperatures in Cortina range from 25–35°F (-4 to 2°C). Sunny days are common — the Dolomites get more sunshine than many Alpine destinations. Pack layers, a warm coat, and good boots. We'll send a detailed packing list.
Fly into Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). We handle the rest — private group transfer to Cortina (about 2 hours) is included in the price. Major airlines fly direct to Venice from most US hubs. We'll share flight recommendations once you book.
You'll stay at a boutique 4-star hotel in central Cortina for all 5 nights. No packing and unpacking. No shuttles to remote ski lodges. Walk out the front door and you're on the Corso Italia.
It's a curated experience with a local host — not a flag-waving guide with a clipboard. Think of it as traveling with someone who knows every restaurant, every shortcut, and every sunset viewpoint. You'll have structured group experiences and plenty of free time to explore on your own.
Yes. Venice is 2 hours from Cortina. We can help arrange 1–2 nights in Venice at the end of the trip as an add-on. Venice in winter is uncrowded and magical. Highly recommended.
The Dolomites are made of a mineral called dolomite that turns rose-pink when struck by the low sun at sunrise and sunset. The Ladin people call it 'Enrosadira' — and it's one of the most extraordinary natural light shows on the planet. You'll see it.
It's the original inspiration for this trip's first name — La Rosa delle Dolomiti, “The Pink of the Dolomites.” We renamed it The Victory Lap, but the pink hasn't changed.
$500 deposit is refundable up to 90 days before departure. Full payment due 60 days before. Detailed cancellation terms provided at booking. Travel insurance strongly recommended.
You're in the Italian Alps. The food is extraordinary — a blend of Italian simplicity, Austrian heartiness, and ancient Ladin mountain traditions. Casunziei (beet ravioli), canederli (bread dumplings), polenta with venison, strudel, local cheeses, speck, and grappa that tastes like the mountain itself. Multiple meals are included; for free evenings, we provide curated restaurant recommendations.
Max 10 people. Typically a mix of couples and solo travelers, ages 30–65, who share a curiosity about food, drink, and culture. People who'd rather eat in a 200-year-old mountain hut than a hotel buffet. If you're reading this page, you're the target audience.
Ten Spots. One Trip.The Mountains Are Calling.
February 2027. Cortina d'Ampezzo. The Dolomites.
$3,499 per person — all-in minus flights and your ski pass
The Olympics showed you the place. We're taking you back — after the crowds, before they forget.
The Victory Lap is organized by Leave the Lanyard. All hotel bookings managed through Leave the Lanyard. Travel insurance recommended. Itinerary subject to minor adjustments.