Peakin' on Peaks and High on Heights

We were up early and planned for today. The sun was shining and we were dressed in our cold weather gear to head up the mountains. We started walking to the Tofano lifts and were pleasantly surprised by the Olympic stadium of 1956. Things have changed, but what a fabulous walk through history. We've since seen the bobsled run, the podiums and the slalom runs. We found our way to the cable car that is named "ride to the skies". Unfortunately, the winds were too high for us to go all the way to Tofano, but we managed to make it to the first level, "col Drusche" at approximately 1770m.  From there were we were able to enjoy the great walls of Tofano at 3245m behind us and see the town of Cortina below in the valley. Sunshine, shelter from the wind, fur covers and we joined the locals for a macchiato on the deck. Last day today and this resort will be closed until summer. 

After a waving descent in an almost empty cable car we drove over the Tre Croce pass to Misurina to see the lake and mountains there. We walked around the lake path and had fun taking pictures from every side of each of  the peaks. Everyone said it would be very scenic and they were right.

Walking along Lake Misurina before we buy gloves. Cristallo in the back ground. 

Part of the Mount Piano

What we believe to be the Colle de Varda.

Mount Cristallino with the Croda de le Bance in the foreground. 

Another angle at Varda from across the lake. 

Monique coming down from the Mont Piano

We loved walking through the woods and getting closer, but looking across the lakes was pretty amazing. This frozen lake is further up the road towards Tre Cime. 

The snow machine is call Piste Bully - we had a laugh. 

One of the other peaks we were to see are called Tre Cima. We drove further up the mountain and parked by a lake again. We walked the path until we were into the next valley. There towering above us was the Tre Cime. Beside it was the Castello of Misurina. The contrasts were striking, white snow, incredible blue skies, green firs and the orange, red and yellow of the rock.  

We walked back swinging round and round to keep it all in sight, without sinking into the snow any deeper. 

Definitely a highlight of our travels so far. We are so grateful to have such an opportunity on such a red letter day. 

Tre Cime

We lunched at an agriturismo Refugio nearby. It was worth the wait! The interior is like an old chalet, the walls dressed in all sorts of pictures and bobbles, including some tired Christmas decorations.