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 heart of the Jura region of France, the Haut-Jura nature reserve. Four villages which are dotted about in the reserve have come together and created a modern yet authentic ski area.

Les Saisies village is small, family-friendly ski resort that has conserved through its evolution, the traditional architecture that is flawlessly intertwined with the natural surroundings.

BASE: 4921ft
SUMMIT: 5958ft
VERTICAL DROP: 1036ft

NO. OF. LIFTS: 0
Gondolas: 0
Chairs: 2
Surface: 7

Leukerbad, a ski resort situated between 1,411 and 2,700 m above sea level, is Switzerland's largest thermal spa and wellness resort. Furthermore, Leukerbad offers lots of winter sports opportunities.

The Austrian ski resort Zettersfeld is known to be a sunny spot because of it’s South facing hillsides with view on the Lienzer Dolomiten. Located on an altitude of 720 m to 2278, you can mostly ski on easy or intermediate slopes here.

BASE: 1443ft
SUMMIT: 1673ft
VERTICAL DROP: 229ft

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