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

The ski resort Bad Gastein - Sportgastein is located on an altitude of 1584 - 2650 m and is the highest resort in the Gasteinertal and also in the state Salzburg. The ski area is a part of the ski region Gasteinertal and the Ski Amadé.

If you spend your winter vacation in the ski area Bad Gastein – Stubnerkogel, you can choose between very diverse pistes that bridge 1000 m of altitude. The winter sport region does posses modern lifts and skyrides.

Skiers value the numerous slopes suitable for all levels of difficulty in the ski area Bad Kleinkirchheim. The ski area Bad Kleinkirchheim is situated in the Nockberge national park (colloquially named Nocky Mountains in the area).

In the winter you sit at the front door of a skiers´ paradise at an elevation of 900 meters. A wide range of possibilities awaits you here whether you fancy downhill or cross-country skiing or all other snow sports.

The Sonnbichl, the ski area Bad Wiessee’s local mountain, ranges up to an altitude of 1020 m and has several pistes to offer for skiers and snowboarders as well as the breathtaking panorama view on the Tegernsee.

Welcome in the powder snow! Skiing in Baiersbronn is because of the large variety of skiing places and the atmosphere around them lots of fun.