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- Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, and Aspen, Colorado, attract celebrities and wealthy travelers.
- I’ve visited both, and they each have impressive nature and a luxe vibe.
- Aspen was much smaller, while Cortina d’Ampezzo had affordable options.
Walking down a brick pathway in Aspen, Colorado, I wondered exactly who was under the ski goggles and fur coats I was passing by.
I questioned if I’d recognize Walmart heiress Ann Walton Kroenke, who owns property in the nearby neighborhood nicknamed Billionaire Mountain. Or maybe I’d spot Leonardo DiCaprio dining at the White House Tavern.
Fast-forward a few years, and I had the same question as I walked down cobblestone streets in Italy’s Cortina d’Ampezzo, another ritzy ski town.
Both destinations have a reputation for welcoming wealthy visitors with Michelin-rated restaurants, high-end fashion, and five-star lodges. But beyond these luxe features, I discovered ski towns home to rich history and striking landscapes.
They’re both worth a visit, but I left partial to the one with impressive architecture and affordable options.
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A quick look at each destination’s population reflects how large each town felt.
Cortina has 6,000 residents in the offseason and about 50,000 at peak season. Aspen has a year-round population of around 6,600 but only reaches 27,000 in high season.
I felt that difference on my trips. Cortina d’Ampezzo was bustling with people and cars. As my friend and I explored the downtown area, it felt like we had only scratched the surface — there were plenty of winding streets we didn’t walk down. Meanwhile, Aspen covers only 3.66 square miles; after one trip, I felt I could easily navigate the town.
When it comes to hotels, Cortina d’Ampezzo also has more to offer. A quick Google search for hotels shows 536 options versus 90 in Aspen, although both search results show choices outside town centers. The plus to Cortina d’Ampezzo’s size is that more affordable options exist.
The destinations felt comparable in terms of restaurants and shopping, but Cortina d’Ampezzo’s options stretch across mountains, while Aspen’s are concentrated in town.
I could get lost in Cortina d’Ampezzo. In Aspen, that felt nearly impossible.
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While glitz and glam can be spotted across both Aspen and Cortina d’Ampezzo, so can each destination’s history.
Aspen originated as a hunting camp for the Ute people. In 1870, they were pushed out by white settlers seeking silver. The town quickly boomed with 12,000 residents.
Signs of Aspen’s mining history surround the region. A short drive away is Ashcroft, a nearby abandoned mining town with 10 standing buildings.
It’s also easy to explore Aspen’s history with a walk around town. I’ve had a drink in Hotel Jerome’s J-Bar, which feels like stepping back in time. Leather seats, a long wooden bar, and historic photographs fill the space, which once served cowboys, miners, and the 10th Mountain Division soldiers.
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For three centuries, the town was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Austrian influence still exists — from Venetian-Austrian cuisine, such as casunziei (ravioli stuffed with red beets), to architecture.
The town became recognized worldwide after hosting the Olympics in 1956. Today, the Olympic ice stadium still sits in the center of town, hosting hockey games and ice skating. On the surrounding mountains, skiers and snowboarders like myself can ride down the same mountains where Austrian and Italian troops fought battles in World War I.
While snowboarding at each destination was thrilling, catching glimpses into each region’s rich history added an element to the ski trips I wasn’t expecting.
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Simply put, I felt a bit out of place in both Cortina d’Ampezzo and Aspen.
In both downtown areas, I walked past people with purebred dogs, designer clothes, and top-of-the-line skis. I overheard conversations of visitors boasting about their Michelin dinners and newly purchased luxury handbags.
It was clear that both Aspen and Cortina d’Ampezzo targeted wealthy travelers. The Galena Street corridor in Aspen is dotted with Prada, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, and Valentino. In Cortina d’Ampezzo, Louis Vuitton, Golden Goose, and Dior have storefronts.
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Ski passes in the Dolomites cost me $73 versus $244 in Aspen.
There were also more affordable food options in Italy. I spent one afternoon eating on the mountain in Cortina d’Ampezzo for less than $20, whereas slopeside meals in Aspen cost me about $40.
And while lodging can vary drastically, more than 10 hotels in Cortina d’Ampezzo offer rates lower than $300 a night. If you want to stay in Aspen proper, there are just two hotels with prices lower than $300.
Sure, both places lure celebrities and elite travelers, but visiting Italy — even with flights factored in — was still cheaper than traveling to Aspen.
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Of course, the highlight of both areas is their nature and proximity to the mountains.
Aspen sits in the Elk Mountains range, part of the Rocky Mountains. The striking terrain means there are endless hiking opportunities in the summer. Come winter, skiers and snowboarders can walk to Aspen Mountain, or they’re a short drive away from Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass Mountain. Altogether, that’s 5,700 acres of terrain with 363 slopes and 38 lifts.
In Cortina d’Ampezzo, hut-to-hut hiking is popular in the summer. Come winter, visitors have access to three areas with 72 slopes.
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Parts of Cortina d’Ampezzo and Aspen felt similar — the travelers, the stores, and the skiing.
Beyond that, the two areas were largely different, whether it be the cuisine, culture, or history.
I ultimately preferred walking down Cortina d’Ampezzo’s historic streets, soaking in saunas at affordable hotels, and dining on cheap pasta, but I’d argue each destination is worth a visit.