Monte Cristallo

TomassoRizzi's picture

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

The skiing area Bivio at the Julierpass between Chur and St. Moritz decreeds several dozen kilometres of skiing slopes in versatile difficulties. Furthermore it is very suitable for skiing tours.

We warmly welcome you and wish you a pleasant stay!

BASE: 2296ft
SUMMIT: 4055ft
VERTICAL DROP: 1758ft

NO. OF. LIFTS: 5
Gondolas: 0
Chairs: 2
Surface: 3

The bottom of the ski lifts at 1650 metres are reached by a cable car capable of carrying 450 skiers per hour. Once on the slopes there are facilities for all abilities.

Down in the Rosental or at the high up Bodental cross-country skiers weave their trails through the snow. With snow shoes and skis you will climb to the top of the Karawanken. The little ones will love their first skiing experience.

Conservation area being part of the association private://LES PLUS BEAUX VILLAGE DE FRANCEprivate://, this beautiful village with stone tile roofs offers from December to May an exceptional snow for all glides between 1800 m and 3000 m,

More than 50 kilometres of slopes and 16 skilifts with a capacity of 14.000 persons/hour live up to most skiers' expectations.