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

Settled above the lake of Serre-Ponçon, atthe entrence of the National Park of Ecrins, Reallon is a resort where you will discover the natural aspect of mountain. At Reallon, you could estimate the pleasures of winter sports.

A mountain village with a long history (the Stria witch is burnt in the main square each January 6th to cancel the evils of the past year), the skiing is reached by gondola lift from the village.

BASE: 1706ft
SUMMIT: 2362ft
VERTICAL DROP: 656ft

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

Regardless if you want to ski, cross-country ski, or hike the Winklmoosalm in the Bavarian Alps offers nearly endless opportunities.

Reiteralm Bergbahnen; Part of the new Skiverbund Amade! Limitless winter fun in the sport resort of Schladming, Amade, Hochkönig, Großarl and Gastein. Reiteralm the perfect entrance to the 4 mountain ski region of Schladming!

BASE: 2132ft
SUMMIT: 3297ft
VERTICAL DROP: 1164ft

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