- 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.
