The storms that dumped too much snow on some ski resorts, causing closures and difficult conditions, have cloaked the Queen of the Dolomites in a perfect white blanket.

 ‘Conditions are absolutely fabulous,’ said Marianne Moretti from Cortina Marketing Se.Am. ‘The slopes are perfect and we are enjoying beautiful blue sky days. This is a superb winter for Cortina and now is a great time to visit as we have so many events lined up.’

 This coming weekend (3-4 February) is the historic and popular Granfondo Dobbiaco-Cortina international Nordic ski race, which follows the route of the former Dolomite railway and is considered to be one of the world’s most spectacular cross-country ski races as it’s in such a scenic area.

 Carnival time is 10-13 February and the town will be bursting with colourful entertainment and music.

 The Cortina C.A.I. Snow Run will be held throughout the evening of 24 February – this nocturnal mountain running race is 17km with a vertical climb of 1,380m up the ski slopes and must be completed within 4.5 hours; new this year is a shorter option of 9.5km with a vertical climb of 555m which must be completed in two hours.

 Cortina’s crown of Dolomite peaks are in a glorious UNESCO World Natural Heritage area in northern Italy and the town is the only Italian member of the exclusive Best of the Alps organisation.

 More information on events in Cortina on www.cortinadolomiti.eu