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

At the very heart of Graubünden, Arosa sits at the end of the Schanfigg Valley some 1800 m above sea level. It occupies a sun-washed site with reliable snow cover and no transit traffic whatsoever.

The ski resort is located in the hearth of the Marittime Alps, in Piemonte, province of Cuneo, easily accessible from all main highways. The Mondolè Ski Complex consists of both the resorts of Artesina and Prato Nevoso.

BASE: 5511ft
SUMMIT: 6922ft
VERTICAL DROP: 1410ft

NO. OF. LIFTS: 5
Gondolas: 0
Chairs: 1
Surface: 4

Situated on the edge of a forest, AURIS-EN-OISANS is a medium sized resort where all the residential buildings are close to the leisure and service facilities. The resort is also linked to a large network of skis areas.

St Etienne de Tinée (1140 m) is directly linked to the ski sites of AURON by the Pinatelle cableway. Come and discover the authenticity and the charm of a genuine mountain village with a rich cultural heritage.

A winter and summer savoyard village type resort, Aussois is situated in the Maurienne valley, 7 km away from Modane and near the Vanoise National Parc.