Now here’s a rather magical way to end the year: enjoying cocktails in the snow! We don’t mean the annoying kind that grinds everything to a halt, as witnessed in London earlier this week. We’re talking about proper snow; the sort that people book to spend their well earned holidays in – the kind that’s found in Cortina, the classic Alpine winter sports destination in the middle of the Italian alps.
Famed for its stunning views of the Dolomites and its fabulous range of sporting activities, Cortina is looking to add another reason to visit to its list: Cortina Cocktail Weekend. Yes, we know what you’re thinking, cocktails in the snow, what could possibly go wrong? In fairness, nothing too risky. Aprés ski drinking is very much a thing but Cortina Cocktail Weekend will be taking the ritual up a notch. From 16th to 18th December, select hotels, bars and chalets will be offering signature cocktails which have been specially created to represent Cortina and its traditions.
It’s the brainchild of Paola Mencarelli in collaborator with Cortina Marketing. Having already sprinkled her magic in Florence and Venice with the hugely popular cocktail weeks, Paola is looking to do the same here by launching the first cocktail festival in the snow in Europe.
“Like Florence and Venice, also in Cortina we’re designing a bespoke event, built specifically for the great ski resort area of Veneto,” she says. “The guiding thread of all our cocktail weeks is conscious and quality drinking, expressed through the work of the professionals in the region. In the case of Cortina and the commitment of lots venues and partners: including hotel bars, cocktail bars and chalets.”
The event kicks off with a rather swish opening party and ends with the Mixology’s Cup – a ski and snowboard race, where bartenders race with Martinis in hand. Fret not, it’s not as risky as it sounds, thankfully, they don’t have to ski. The winner is the one with the most liquid in their glass at the finish line.
In between, guests are encouraged to discover the city and its many mountain activities including curling, dog sledding, snowmobiling and of course, ski-ing, while making time for midday aperitifs, masterclasses, presentations, aprés ski and night shifts.
We’ll be there, sampling the cocktails. As for the skiing? We’ll wait and see.
Cortina Cocktail Weekend runs from 16th to 18th December. Find out more at venicecocktailweek.it/cortina-cocktail-week and follow the action @cortinacocktailweekend
Participating venues
Hotel bars
Bar de Len, Hotel de Len
Bar del Cortina, Hotel Cortina
Bar del Posta, Hotel de la Poste
H.E. Café, Hotel Europa
Terrazza 26 e II Bar Rosapetra, Rosapetra Spa Resort
Villevenete Lounge, Hotel De La Poste
Zelda Champagne & Cocktail Club, Ambra Cortina Luxury & Fashion Boutique Hotel
Cocktail bars
Chalet Tofane
Faro
La Suite
LP26
Molo Cortina
Villa Sandi
