Faloria
The cable car leaves from the edge of Cortina's car park and climbs over a thousand vertical metres in under fifteen minutes — past larch forest, past sheer cliff faces that the cabin skims close enough to make you reach for the window — depositing you at 2,352 metres on a rock spur above the Ampezzo Valley. The view from Rifugio Faloria's sun terrace takes in the Tofane, Pelmo, Civetta and Cristallo ranges in a single slow sweep, with Cortina itself spread out in the valley floor below.
In winter, the Faloria-Cristallo ski area fans out from the summit across 44 kilometres of piste, including five black runs of genuine steepness. In summer, the same lift carries hikers and photographers into terrain that stays quieter than the valley even in August.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who come back tend to time the first cable car of the day, when the terrace is nearly empty and the light hits the Cristallo range from a low angle. The rifugio's self-service lunch is straightforward and cheap by Cortina standards — useful to know before you look at the sit-down menu.
The story behind Faloria
The cable car opened on 5 February 1939, built in seven months by three separate contractors: S.A. Radaelli of Milan handled the ropes, Cerretti & Tanfani the mechanical assembly, and SICEA of Merano the masonry. A bar and restaurant were operating at the summit from the start. Two years later, in January 1941, a full mountain refuge was authorised under the name Rifugio Edda Ciano Mussolini; after the war it was quietly renamed Rifugio Faloria.
In 1950, Michelangelo Antonioni filmed a ten-minute documentary about the cable car — an early work, rarely seen now. Six years after that, the slope hosted the men's giant slalom at the 1956 Winter Olympics, won by Austria's Toni Sailer.
Good to know
The lower station is a short walk from Cortina's central bus stop, at the end of the main car park. The lift runs mid-November to early May for skiing and mid-June to mid-September for summer visits — check the current season's schedule before you go, as summer 2026 dates differ from previous years.
Winter conditions on Faloria run from December through April, and the aspect means this side tends to hold snow better than the sunnier Cristallo slopes. Summer visits from late June through September are generally stable, though afternoon cloud builds quickly at this altitude — mornings are more reliable for the long views.
Where is Faloria?
Location
- In Cortina d'Ampezzo
- 46.5333, 12.1667
- Open in Google Maps
Rating
4.3 ★ · 1,460 Google reviews
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What travellers say about Faloria
OMG, the view is beyond incredible. The service was excellent, especially Naim...he was so incredibly kind, helpful and hospitable!!! The ravioli carbonara was one of the best meals I've ever had. Thank you all for an experience of a lifetime!
A wonderful experience. Coming from the hot country. Me and the Family with the Filipino Community in Padova had a chance of visiting thr place. It was spectacular and breath taking. Feom taking the cable car to go on top of the mountain to playing in the snow. My daughter loved it here so much. Visit this place if you would like to experience to ski and snow boarding.
Great fun... party after skiing. You can get up also just for fun... 27 EUR ticket, one dring in thr bar included.
The place itself is really beautiful and worth the trip up. Just there is someone playing music so loud I am surprised it is not causing avalanches. It really kills the mood.
The old format was so much better, now they offer overpriced low quality food in a cold modern environment not in line with the mountain spirits and tradition.
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