SEE MORE ONLINE AT
CORTINA.DOLOMITI.ORGTHE INTERVIEW
Nature photographer Gianluca grew up in Cortina, but it
took him moving away to realise just how lucky he was. He
moved back and became a guide and nature photographer,
and the beauty of the mountains and forest with all its
wildlife still never fails to move him.HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE CORTINA TO SOMEONE
WHO’S NEVER BEEN THERE?
Heaven — an open valley that’s surrounded by the
Dolomites. Dolomite [the region’s predominant rock type]
has pink shades and, at sunrise and sunset, there’s the
enrosadira phenomenon, whereby the mountain peaks take
on reddish, violet hues. It takes your breath away.WHERE SHOULD PHOTOGRAPHY ENTHUSIASTS GO
WHEN VISITING THE AREA?
If you want to recreate postcards, you can’t miss Lagazuoi,
a 9,300ft mountain that offers 360-degree views over the
Dolomites. It’s also in front of the Cinque Torri (Five Towers)
rock formations, one of the panoramas that characterises
Cortina. Otherwise, not far from Lagazuoi you’ll find Lake
Lìmedes, which reflects all the peaks around it. It’s a gem not
many people know about.
When it comes to wildlife, you need to know the territory
well. Autumn is ibex mating season, and if you go to the
Dibona hut, at the foothills of the Tofana di Rozes mountain,
you might spot groups of males, with bright, shiny horns.
They might start fighting, running after each other, jumping
over walls you never thought they’d be able to climb. You’ll
definitely bring home some interesting shots.CORTINA IS A FAMOUS SKI TOWN, WHAT SHOULD
TRAVELLERS MAKE THE MOST OF IN WINTER?
We have some very technical pistes, rapid and narrow,
in particular on the Tofana, which often hosts world ski
championships. For ski enthusiasts, these runs are legend.
On the eastern slopes, meanwhile, we have wider runs that
appeal to all skiers. From this year, we’ll also have a new
ski lift linking Cortina to Dolomiti SuperSki [the largest ski
carousel in the world]. All ski enthusiasts should experience
it. Off the slopes, there are lots of low-altitude snowshoe
trails through forests, as well as cross-country skiing, with
easy routes that take you off the beaten path. If anyone wants
to try off-piste ski touring, there are beautiful outings you
can do with a guide to peaks that are enchanting, especially
if you leave early in the morning and see the sunrise. It’s
hard to describe.WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO TRAVELLERS
VISITING CORTINA?
I wish travellers could learn to appreciate every moment
in nature. I might be somewhere taking pictures of a wood
grouse, and visitors might be there, a few feet away, without
noticing it. I wish they’d learn to enjoy an outing from the very
moment they leave their accommodation, without focusing
on the destination or rushing to the peak or mountain hut.
Getting there’s a meaningful experience in itself.IM
AG
ES
:^ F
OT
OI
M
MA
GI
NE
;^ B
AN
DI
ON
.IT
;^ L
OR
EN
ZO
GA
M
BA
TO
| PAID CONTENT FOR CORTINA D’AMPEZZO