We spoke to Ute Dadie, a professional photographer based in Cortina who is responsible for most of the stunning images we are using to showcase the region. Ute, along with her husband Vito, advises us on the best routes and activities available and provides an invaluable source of local knowledge. Ute and Vito are part of the fabric of the valley, both coming from families with generations of history in the area and have brought their family up on the trails and slopes of Cortina, so they know exactly how to tailor ideas for the family dynamic. All photos used in this blog were taken by Ute.

What inspires you most about Cortina and the surrounding landscape?

Cortina landscape is such a magic sight. Wherever you look, your eyes will capture outstanding beautiful scenes. Every hour has its special moment and its special light which is such a precious element for a photographer. Every season has its highlights. Of course, the majestic mountain view is the most inspiring one - this gorgeous valley is surrounded by a crown of outstanding pure Dolomia limestone picks and this is also the reason why it’s called ‘The Queen of the Dolomites’. Early in the morning or at sunset the ’Enrosadira’/Alpenglow offers a special alchemy of colours and lights that gives birth to an incredible surreal effect - (so you don’t need to push it with photoshop, it’s simply natural!)

You can admire the Ampezzo Dolomites from the bottom of the valley in town or reach the top of the mountains and let your sight and soul get lost… And this is the big picture ….

When did you first pick up a camera to record your mountain adventures?

Actually, it’s hard to say but a few years ago I bought my first reflex camera with a couple of lenses. I wanted to record my kids activities when I realized my cell phone was not good enough to capture those special moments. I was immediately amazed by the capacity of a good camera of freezing the movement or congealing the actions with such a sharpness and live details. I soon realized I couldn’t go out doing my own experiences and mountain adventures without my camera. I just wanted to maintain vivid my experiences with my pictures- And of course sharing this with my fellow adventurers. I love seeing my friends changing their social profile with my new pics. I’m always trying to find the good shot and my eyes are constantly flowing from the wide mountain sight to the little detail just discovered close to my feet: a beautiful mountain flower growing between the rocks or a perfect snowflake laying on the back of my glove. So, here it comes my eternal struggle in choosing the right lens for the right shot at the right moment. Anyway, it’s people observing nature and living great experiences that interests me the most at the moment. Catching the moment when the surprise and the magic captures the human soul is my favourite shot. A perfect panorama picture doesn’t mean anything to me without somebody ‘living’ it.

Family-friendly via ferrata in the Dolomites

What is your favourite location / view / experience in the area?

I love mountain waters! Still lakes waters of amazing different colours is something that is certainly not to be missed. Some Examples?

-Lake Federa /Croda da Lago with its deep green waters and the perfect reflection of the Mezzodì Pick.

- Lake Sorapiss with its milky/mint waters due to the magic effect of the glacial suspended silt is a kind of wizard’s spell.

- Troubled creek waters completed with waterfalls, canyons and pools are so impressive. So ‘Gores de Federa’ and ‘Fanes waterfalls and canyons’ are between my favourites, I can’t stop shooting

-On the other hand, for an outstanding view: the top of the Lagazuoi could be considered one of the most impressive views in the Dolomites as well as the top of Tofana Terza with it’s 3.244 mt. of height - On the very clear days it’s said you can see the Venice Lagoon form there….. But witnessing the sunrise on the top is a kind of magic.

What would you say to families who are thinking about a mountain adventure but a little nervous about what to expect?

I can completely understand all the concerns about a mountain adventure but I can say that Cortina offers a wide range of mountain adventures from the easiest, but still absolutely amazing, up to the more challenging and incredible experiences in the heart of the Dolomites. You can just have a walk out in the green freshly cut meadows or walking barefoot in the icy waters of the main stream Boite at its springs or in the white pebbles stone shores. Walking the hidden path looking for the legendary figures that are living in our traditional fairy tales. Visiting the theatre of the WWI where all the trenches and military position are still there, witnessing the horror of the war. The open-air museum of the Lagazuoi and 5 Torri is an amazing journey in the 1914/18 war. But if you want to push your limits the offer is outstanding. The Via Ferrata experience is something so special and really particular of this corner of the Dolomites. Created by the army during the WWI to bring the munitions and place military position on top of the mountains they remained as heritage to our mountains and the alpine guides used them to guide people up to the top of our picks without being specialized climbers. Now, these iron ways are so well kept and well maintained that it’s a plus our mountain is offering to visitors. There are different kinds of and they are classified from the easiest to the more challenging. Above the easiest ones there is the ‘Waterfalls and Canyon’ via ferrata which is very easy and you can consider doing it with all the family. An alpine guide will help you with all the suggestions and tips to start a very special experience - If you’ll love it the choice is impressive and you can choose between different levels up to the more challenging ones which, of course, will bring you into a close to mystic experience since there will be all in it: challenge, effort, height, strength, fear, power, excitement but the reward will worth it. I don’t want to ruin the surprise, just go and find out!

Can one still enjoy via ferrata if they are afraid of heights? Is it suitable for families to try?

It’s hard to say. I saw people they pretend they were afraid of heights going to via ferrata like walking in the town centre simply because the harness and carabiner clipped on the rope made them feel perfectly safe. But sometimes I saw athletic people just stuck by fear and unable to continue. This is so personal and hard to predict. You need to try it. Of course, via ferrata is something so special and you can share this experience with all your family. This could become very interesting when you have teenage kids, always looking for something ‘big’ to do or to show and post. It’s always hard to convince them to go hiking or strolling together, but this … will capture their attention for sure.

We know that you enjoy the mountains with your family - what is a good age for children to come to the mountains to enjoy walking / hiking / biking / via ferrata?

This is a good question! It’s a very subjective matter. Honestly, I think that families can come even with babies, there are great strollers, very light, made to be pushed on the steepest mountain roads. Also, baby carrier backpacks are so useful. Let me tell you that the baby loves the mountain open air and they do sleep so much when you stroll them. The kids will start enjoying all sorts of mountain activities from a young age. Walking it’s easy and there is so much to see and enjoy. Hiking and biking are much more tiring (our territory is not exactly flat) and I suggest to start after 8. At the moment there are small E-bikes for kids of that age which are such great fun. Of course, it’s important to start with easy tracks and get used to the territory, dirt roads, steepness which is not only going up but it’s especially going down which is trickier.

Are there any highlights during the summer that you would recommend to our clients (festivals for example?)

During the summer season there are some important sports events like Cortina-Dobbiaco Run which is a regular marathon getting every year more popular. Or the Cortina Trophy, a Mountain Bike race but the Queen of these kinds of events is for sure the Lavaredo Ultra Trail called LUT. The start of the 120 km run is an unbelievable experience and everybody in town is there to attend and cheer the thousands of runners at the start. The starting gun is at 11pm from the town centre right at the bottom of the bell tower and they can run for up to two days. They are set up for running all night long and everybody has a head torch on and once they leave the illuminated town to run in the dark forest you can follow the snake of lights going up to the hills and mountains, it’s incredible! They look like modern heroes with a mixture of ancient glory in it. The best are running non stop for ‘just’ 12h 15m (actual record) and there is a limit of 30 h to complete the race. On the first Sunday of July there is the local fair – This is quite a historical event and in the past times, people from the nearby villages used to cross the mountain passes by foot, horses or mules to sell their products in the richer Cortina fair. Nowadays it’s more like a big market with interesting objects on sale. But what remains really historical on this day is the local Palio (like Siena) where all the 6 Cortina original hamlets will compete in different proofs wearing different colours and flags such as: a little run on the Cortina high street, tug-of-war, log cutting and log of the saw. There is also a winter version of it held during Carnival time. All the traditional dresses are present in town worn by locals. The local folk band has his moment at the end of August when in Cortina are coming all the bands from the other valleys and even some from the nearby Austria to celebrate a Band Festival. During the summer season the local band or some of them held some concerts on the top of the mountains which is very suggestive.