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 skiing area of Sangiacomo stretches between the slopes of Monte Alpet (1600 m) and Bric Colmé (1300 m) offering good exposure to the sun, a splendid panoramic view of the surrounding valleys and, above all, 32 km of snow-covered runs

An old silver mining town famous for its 'Winterfest' celebrated since 1896. The main ski area at Mathias-Schmidt-Berg is accessed by two double chairlifts and is floodlit for night skiing with supporting snow-making.

The ski area Sankt Englmar offers well-groomed slopes for all levels of difficulty, cross-country ski runs and winter trails through the beautiful landscape of the low mountain range.

Pontresina is located in the highest-altitude valley that branches off from the Upper Engadine, and ascends from 1,777m to 1,860m above sea level.

The ski resort Porá?ska Dolina is located in the Hnilecké mountains at the top of the Porá?ska dolina and between villages Rož?alovice and Slovinky. Ski season is in the resort Porá?ska dolina begins in December and lasts till March.

The skiing area Postalm at the Wolfgangsee in the Salzkammergut offers tracks in all difficulties and for everyone’s skills.