If you have planned a weekend in the Ampezzo valley you are probably wonder which is the appropriate dress code in the snow.
The last winter weeks are a great time to go to the mountains. The days are getting longer, the temperatures are pleasant and a weekend on the snow in Cortina d’Ampezzo helps to recharge, filling you up of sun and good air, maybe while enjoying the spectacularness of the alpine ski world cup finals both female and male that are taking place from the 18th to the 22nd of March 2020.
From our privileged observatory in the centre of the town, between the “struscio” and the ski lifts, we the staff of Hotel Ambra Cortina and the Locandiera Elisabetta Dotto can guide you amongst the choices for the best items to put into the luggage for the sunny days, leisure, relax and the right touch of mundanity weather you love skiing or you prefer to remain in the rifugio or strolling in town, we’ll give you the best advice and addresses of where to shop snow clothing and accessories.
Cortina’s style
Since the Winter Olympic Games of 1965, Cortina and the snow are a lasting couple both in Italy and outside. Even now Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of the major ski destination in the Alps, moreover is the only italian town to have gained the entry into the prestigious Best of Alps club, the european association which reunites the 12 most exclusive location of the Alps.
Land of mountaineers, notorious skiers and destination of international jet set, Cortina d’Ampezzo has an unique identity combining culture and glamour, sport and mundanity. Cortina style exists as well as Cortina Snow Style, and it’s unmistakable: a refined mix between new and vintage, a style that puts together technical gear and precious yarns made of product with a honoured and long tradition, such as mohair and boiled wool.
Only the best wool for the accessories
Frequented by the international beau monde since the late 1800s, Cortina d’ampezzo has developed a classic, elegant and refined style even for the snow.
Excesses, fluo colours, screaming shades and extravagance which are often given to the contemporary technical ski clothes are banned: Cortina’s style favours natural shades and fabrics. Cashmere or mohair wool cups pop up under the ski helmet - here is wore by everyone - often hand made or made using crochet lace stitch knitting which retraced the antique artisan techniques. You can find many and different varieties at Cooperativa di Cortina, only 200 meters from hotel Ambra Cortina.
Cashmere even for the super warm ski socks, available at Sottosopra, historical clothing and mountain furniture located in via XXIX Maggio, the same street as Hotel Ambra Cortina; a bright red pair of ski socks is lighted up by a decorated stylized yesteryear ski gear.
Ski suit or mismatched? And a praise to boiled wool
There are no doubts: the outfit composed by windbreaker jacket and technical trousers wins both for practicality and elegance. Furthemore a mismatched outfit allows to play with different styles and to add at pleasure some vintage touches. Boiled wool sweaters, flannel plaid shirts, velvet gilets with an authentic Trachten style, can be seen under the windbreaker jackets.
Choosing boiled wood is not a fashionable whim it has some esthetic merits such as the variety of colours and remarkably unifies some characteristic typical of technical clothing making it an excellent alternative to synthetic fabrics such as gorotex and pile. Boiled wool is strong, resistant and made to last in time, it’s breathable and hygroscopic, avoids the proliferations of bacterias, holds back the warmth while absorbing humidity thus keeping the body warm and dry.
At last a note or better an address for those of you who do not want to give up on the ski suit: Bredo Cortina, in corso Italia nr. 60, selling wonderful ski suit even vintage.
Other ideas for a snow style of vintage inspiration
Cortina's Style to dress on the snow is one of the most chic in the Alps. It is based on a skilful and wise mix between new and vintage, technical clothing combined with retro cuts. In a fun and casual excursus between differentes epoques and fashions one may find several inspirations.
The taste for the vintage find its best expression in the accessories; this past year saw the comeback of fur snow boots and of Carrera’s snow mask wore in the 80’s wear. A special notice to Restelli’s ski gloves that a lot of Hotel Ambra Cortina’s clients told us are always perfect even after decades of snow seasons. If you desire to enrich your collection or if you long for a new pair, you can find Restelli’s gloves at Olympia Sport store, at the bottom of the church belltower.
Only here: sweater with Cortina’s logo and Etro pop-up store
Different mountain, different look. Cortina d’Ampezzo is getting ready to celebrate the alpine ski world championship of 2021 with a man and female sweater with Cortina’s logo on it; you can find it at Cooperativa di Cortina.
Another exclusive of Cortina’s shopping opportunities are the skis and snowboards of Etro Ski Club Cortina guest of the boutique Franz Kraler in corso Italia, together with a line of unisex winter clothing line. Skis and snowboards are decorated with paisley prints which characterise the skiing tradizion of the Etro family and are sold only in Cortina.
And when you don’t ski?
In the heart of the pedestrian area of Cortina, amongst la Cooperativa di Cortina, various boutiques, pastry shops and places where you can go from aperitiv, to dinner and after, Hotel Ambra is the ideal starting point for walks in the centre. Even in the winter Cortina d’Ampezzo offers many possibility to have fun without skiing.
Now the only thing left is to wish you to have a good snow season! We’ll be waiting for you at Hotel Ambra Cortina.
Do you need other ideas about how to dress in?
You might also like
What to pack if travelling to Cortina
Eisabetta Dotto tells us what to wear at Cortina in the Alps