By Day, Cortina D’Ampezzo Is an Olympic Hub. By Night, It’s a Party.

A late night at the VIP Club — Cortina’s storied nightspot — found scions of wealthy families, men in expensive sweaters and women in backless leotards singing along to Lionel Richie as others sipped champagne and watched the Olympic sliding track glow through the night.

Owner Manuel D’Avanzo called the club “a holy grail” for nightlife-loving Italians and said, “We have the opportunity to show the world how Cortina is beautiful in a different way.” He noted the venue now has a sponsorship with Rolls-Royce. Once a village of shepherds and farmers, Cortina long served as a winter playground for the Italian upper class.

Ernest Hemingway called the area “the swellest” and the 1956 Olympics, Mayor Gianluca Lorenzi said, “internationalized Cortina.” The town drew Hollywood figures through the 1960s and ’80s, but its luster faded until the current Games brought new investment and luxury; “So we can say the jet set also welcomed us hosting the Olympics,” Mr.

Italy, Cortina d'Ampezzo

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