The imposing Tofane mountain range lies on the western side of Cortina d’Ampezzo and is one of the best known mountain ranges in the Dolomites. Now that the Ski World Championship finals have been cancelled this year in Cortina on account of the spread of coronavirus, the ski resort is looking hopefully towards the next winter season. The Alpine Skiing World Championships will be held in Cortina d’Ampezzo in February 2021, and preparations are fully underway: A new gondola lift will link the Tofane pistes with the Cinque Torri Ski Resort.
Ropeway to Passo Falzarego
The Ski World Cup final in March 2020 would have been the final rehearsal in Cortina for the forthcoming Alpine Ski World Cup 2021 and the Olympic Games 2026. In spite of great disappointment over the cancellation of the event, the famous winter sports resort is preparing for the upcoming highlights. LEITNER ropeways will complete the ropeway between the Tofane resorts and that of the Cinque Torri on the Passo Falzarego in the course of this year. The Province of Belluno has awarded the contract to build the gondola lift “Son dei Prade – Bai de Dones”. The funds will be allocated by the Italian government for interventions in favour of infrastructure for the Ski World Championships 2021.
Order volume of 15 million euros
The new gondola lift will be 4.5 km long and fitted with 54 cabins, each holding ten people, and will connect the ropeways of Pocol with Cinque Torri in two sections via a middle station in Cianzopè. The order volume amounts to approximately 15 million euros. The new link is significant not only in relation to the Ski World Championships 2021, but is also important in the long term for the development of tourism in Cortina. As a result of this project, the Tofane region will be linked to the Sellaronda. In addition, the gondola lift will relieve the very busy road between Cortina and the Falzarego Pass.
Strategically important project
In spite of the current difficult times, the Mayor of Cortina, Gianpietro Ghedina, is confident: “The contract for the work on the new gondola lift, which will link the Tofane region with Cinque Torri, is taking place at a very critical point in our history. But that gives us an impulse to venture something and to think about our future. We have waited a long time for this connecting link between our ski resorts. Soon this strategically important project will become reality. Now and in the future, great challenges await us, as well as important goals such as the Alpine Ski World Championships 2021.”
Structural measures for Cortina 2021
Assembling work is scheduled to start at the end of June – assuming that the current dramatic situation caused by the corona pandemic has improved. At the end of this year or at the beginning of January 2021, the new installation should be in operation. Only a few months ago, LEITNER ropeways completed the Col Druscié gondola lift in Cortina. It replaces the first section of the historic “Freccia nel cielo“ ropeway from Cortina to Col Druscié. Along with PRINOTH (snow groomers) and DEMACLENKO (snowmaking systems), LEITNER ropeways is also the technical supplier and partner of the Cortina 2021 Foundation.
