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 area Katschberg – Aineck is famous for it’s snow reliability and is well-known to be very sunny. The well-groomed pistes for all levels of difficulties link the states Salzburg and Carinthia. You can reach St.

Well-prepared slopes for all skiers. Exciting runs (at your own risk!) in wonderful powder snow in the middle of a breath-taking mountain world. Fun and rail park with straight jumps and slope style for snowboarders and freestylers.

The skiing area Grän Füssener Jöchle is located in the Tannheimer valley and has very well prepared tracks. Whoever is on skiing vacation in Grän gets the opportunity of slopes in all difficulties and for everyone’s skills.

The Gstaad ski resorts are situated in the heart of the ski region Gstaad Mountain Rides in the Bernese Oberland at the east side of Lake Geneve The glacier private://Glacier 3000private:// can be accessed either by helicopter or skyride

Just above the mundane Gstaad (about 4 km away), the top ski Gstaad region is the peaceful ski holiday resort Saanen. Saanen like Gstaad is not the cheapest choice for a skiing holiday, but the accommodations are a lot less expensive.

BASE: 4038ft
SUMMIT: 7234ft
VERTICAL DROP: 3195ft

NO. OF. LIFTS: 16
Gondolas: 4
Chairs: 8
Surface: 4