Monte Cristallo

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Location

Cortina d'Ampezzo
Italy
46° 34' 59.9988" N, 12° 10' 59.9988" E
IT
General info: 

Monte Cristallo (3,221 m) is the highest peak of the Cristallo mountain group in the Italian Dolomites. The mountain group is a long, indented ridge with four summits higher than 3,000 metres. Cima di Mezzo (3,154 m) and Cristallino d'Ampezzo (3,008 m) can be reached by via ferratas, while Monte Cristallo and Piz Popena (3,153 m) both require climbing skills.

ACCESS
A cable lift system starts from Rio Gere in Cortina d'Ampezzo, first a lift to Rifugio Son Forca at the upper end of Val Padeon. The gondola lift up to Forcella Staunies (2919 m), close to Rifugio G. Lorenzi (2.932 m), was built for the Winter Olympics in Cortina in 1956.
Through the eastern part of the massif goes the Dolomite Highway number 3.

VIA FERRATAS
The two via ferratas VF Ivano Dibona and VF Marino Bianchi both start from the top of the cable car at Forcella Staunies. VF Marino Bianchi can be followed to the peak Cima di Mezzo.[4]
VF Ivano Dibona follows the Zurlon-ridge. It is a historical route used in World War I, and later restored and made safe for tourists.[5][6] At the beginning is the longest via ferrata suspension bridge in the Dolomites, the 27 metre long Ponte Cristallo.[4][6]

CABINS (RIFUGI) AND RESTAURANTS
Some of the cabins and restaurants available are the Rifugio Son Forca at 2,235 m; Capanna Guido Lorenzi at 3,003 m (Auronzo di Cadore); Ristorante Rio Gere at 1,680 m; Ristorante Lago Scin at 1,336 m; Ristorante Staulin at 1,370 m; Ristorante Son Zuogo at 1,800 m.

In 1993 the film Cliffhanger was shot on and around the bridge on the Zurlon-ridge, as well as some of the other peaks in the area.

Getting there: 

A cable lift system starts from Rio Gere in Cortina d'Ampezzo, first a lift to Rifugio Son Forca at the upper end of Val Padeon. From there you can take a gondola lift up to Forcella Staunies (2919 m), close to Rifugio G. Lorenzi (2.932 m).

Interesting places nearby

Just about 45 kilometres from Salzburg - directly near the highway - on 1,000 to 2,300 metres above sea level, you find the family-friendly skiing area of Werfenweng.

Vernár ski resort is situated in between the Low Tatras and Slovak Paradise, approximately 20 km away from the city of Poprad, 500 meters from the Vernár village. In Vernár you can easily find accommodation.

20 km of wonderful downhill skiing on runs ranging from easy to average; ideal for children, beginners and families. Snowboard area with 120 m long halfpipe.

Veysonnaz is located in region of Sion, which offers you the Alps at their best: 600 km of runs with gentle slopes for careful beginners, or breakneck private://blackprivate:// pistes that are the dream of the most daring skiers.

BASE: 4416ft
SUMMIT: 7437ft
VERTICAL DROP: 3021ft

NO. OF. LIFTS: 4
Gondolas: 0
Chairs: 2
Surface: 4

BASE: 849ft
SUMMIT: 1250ft
VERTICAL DROP: 400ft

NO. OF. LIFTS: 6
Gondolas: 0
Chairs: 0
Surface: 6