Your Guide to the 2026 Italian Olympic Ski Venues

The Winter Olympics are landing in Italy in 2026, and while the world watches the medal count, we’re focused on the real prize: the venues. This isn’t some sterile, purpose-built Olympic park. We’re talking about legendary Italian mountain towns, each packing its own brand of hardcore terrain and old-school soul. From the leg-burning steeps of Bormio to the party-and-powder scene in Livigno, this is where wine culture collides with world-class freeriding. The spotlight will be on these towns soon—here’s your guide to getting after it when it does.

Cortina d’Ampezzo

Photo: Cortina d'Ampezzo

Don’t let the Prosecco and fancy sunglasses fool you. Perched in the jaw-dropping Dolomites, Cortina is a beast. The women’s alpine events will go down on the Olimpia delle Tofane. Cortina is the gateway to the Dolomiti Superski network—a single pass that unlocks 1,200 kilometers of terrain across 12 resorts. That means endless groomers, heavy freestyle zones, and some of the sickest sidecountry in Italy.

• The Vibe: High-alpine glam meets hardcore terrain. Après starts early and ends late.

• The Send: If you’ve got your backcountry kit, get up early and hit the Vallon Tofana couloirs. They get tracked fast but deliver the goods.

• Events: Women’s Alpine, Bobsled, Luge, Skeleton, Curling

Bormio: The Cage Match

Photo: Roger Fulton

Welcome to Bormio — a proving ground in the heart of the Italian Alps, where skiers face one of the most brutal tests in the sport. The Stelvio downhill course isn’t just a race track — it’s a gauntlet. Known for its sheer vertical drop, relentless terrain, and punishing speed, the Stelvio demands total commitment from the moment racers leave the start gate. Tucked on the Swiss border, Bormio is a paradise for skiers who like their terrain steep and their crowds thin. After you’ve thrashed your legs, the town’s thermal baths, flowing for 2,000 years, are the ultimate recovery session.

The real soul, however, lies in the satellite villages. Check out Santa Caterina for a raw, old-school vibe or dip into Cima Piazzi to dodge the masses and ski quiet, family-friendly terrain. These spots are all characters.

• The Vibe: All-out terrain, minimal crowds and a town full of character

• The Send: It's all about freeride here. Explore the vast off-piste zones, then cap the day with a soak in the ancient thermal baths.

• Events: Men’s Alpine Skiing, Ski Mountaineering

Livigno: Little Tibet's Wild Side

Photo: Livigno Ski Resort

Known as ‘Little Tibet’ for its remote, high-altitude location, this place has a lawless energy that fuels both its legendary nightlife and its world-class freestyle scene.

The main attraction for riders is the Mottolino Snowpark, one of the best terrain parks in the world and a global hub for pros. But beyond the park, the high-altitude terrain and accessible backcountry make Livigno a freerider’s dream.

• The Vibe: A freestyle paradise where the party never stops.

• The Send: Check the avy report, grab a guide (or your experienced crew), and get into the off-piste freeride zones above Carosello 3000.

• Events: Freestyle Skiing & Snowboarding, Aerials, Moguls

Val di Fiemme: The Underrated All-Rounder

Photo: Fiemme Cembra

While the Olympic Nordic and ski jumping events will be centered in Predazzo and Tesero, the real score for skiers in Val di Fiemme is its access to the sprawling terrain of the Dolomiti Superski pass. This is your home base for exploring resorts like Alpe Cermis, Latemar, and the big-mountain playground of Val di Fassa.

The terrain here is stacked with intermediate-friendly cruisers, but don’t sleep on the off-piste. With fewer tourists sniffing around, you can find untracked lines and serious terrain if you know where to look. It’s the perfect spot to experience the Dolomites without the Cortina crowds.

• The Vibe: Under-the-radar access to huge terrain.

• The Send: Use it as a launchpad to the bigger lines in nearby Val di Fassa, then refuel with some Tyrolean cuisine in Bolzano.

• Events: Cross-Country Skiing, Nordic Combined, Ski Jumping

Milan: Your Urban Basecamp

Photo: Italy Finds

Odds are you’re flying into Milan, and yes, it’s where the flame gets lit. The opening ceremony is going down at the legendary San Siro Stadium, an iconic cathedral of sport that’s a fittingly epic place to kick things off. But let’s be real: you’re here for the mountains, not the museums.

Think of Milan as your strategic launchpad. This is the heart of aperitivo culture—your first mission is to grab a Negroni and a plate of free snacks. Fuel up on some real-deal pizza, down a final espresso for the road, and get out of town.

• The Vibe: A necessary, chaotic, and delicious pit stop before the real adventure begins.

• The Send: Don't linger. Get in, experience the aperitivo scene in Navigli, and then point your rental car north. The mountains are calling.

• Events: Opening Ceremony, Figure Skating, Short Track Speed Skating, Ice Hockey, Speed Skating

Yes, the races will be fast and the medals shiny, but the real gold lies beyond the podium. The 2026 Winter Olympic venues blend the hardcore skiing we crave with the old-world charm European skiing was founded on. Whether your crew seeks untracked lines in Livigno or quiet couloirs above Cortina, these corners of Italy are far more than just a stop on the Olympic train. They are bucket-list adventure hubs for those who want it all.

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stash member Marlee Knight