It’s not like there are bad places to go in the Italian Dolomites, but a few areas seem to have a little something extra — a more dramatic position amid the mountain ranges, a closer proximity to the slopes, a chicer culinary scene, a more exclusive vibe, and just a wee bit more of that heart-stopping beauty.

Almost unfairly, Cortina d’Ampezzo has all of these advantages and more. Long one of Italy’s most exclusive destinations for winter vacations, it’s also regularly on lists of the best ski resorts in Europe and best small towns in Italy. And it’s getting ready to relive its glory days as it gears up, along with Milan, to host the 2026 Winter Olympics, a redux of the 1956 games that put Cortina on the international ski map.