Featured Picture Location: Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
The Winter Olympics have a a technique ticket to Italy, and we’re not upset about it. Whereas the highlight will probably be on the athletes, the distinctive and various venue selections ought to have all skiers perking up. Overlook the corporate-washed resort conglomerates, the Milano-Cortina venue cities and villages present their very own distinctive types of Italian and old skool snowboarding taste. From the steep and soiled strains of Bormio to the sunny slopes of Cortina, these locations are the place wine tradition meets world class snowboarding. The Olympic concentration is going to shine on these resort cities come February, and we extremely recommend being there when it does.
Cortina d’Ampezzo – Veneto Area, Northern Italy
Cortina d’Ampezzo is the place Italian excessive style meets high-caliber snowboarding. Perched within the UNESCO-listed Dolomite vary, the Olimpia delle Tofane alpine course brings a singular mix of old skool ski racing glam and death-grip, edge-hold depth.
Past the Olympic course, Cortina’s skiable terrain is very large. It’s a part of the Dolomiti Superski community, which implies your single carry move unlocks 12 resorts and over 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) of groomers and gnarly freestyle terrain that stretch throughout a number of jaw-dropping Dolomite valleys. If you find yourself executed shredding the slopes, seize a spritz within the pedestrian-only village middle, store for €1,000 sun shades or trip the cable automobile to Rifugio Lagazuoi for a few of Europe’s most unbelievable views – and delicacies.
Getting there: 4.5 hours northeast by automobile from Milan or 7 hours by bus from Milan
The vibe: Famend views, excessive alpine terrain and après that begins with Prosecco on the deck and ends with on the dance flooring at Janbo Disco Bar
Professional tip: If you happen to’re an avid mountaineer, hit the Vallon Tofana couloirs early; they get tracked out however ship a few of the greatest aspect nation in Italy.
Occasions: Girls’s Alpine
Bormio – Lombardy Area, Northern Italy
Buckle down and keep in your line: Bormio is right here to play. Residence of the legendary Stelvio run, this venue is the downhill equal of a cage combat: onerous, quick and unforgiving.
Tucked deep within the Italian Alps proper on the Swiss border, Bormio brings paradise in a number of kinds. It’s not solely well-known for its difficult freeride terrain, but in addition for its thermal baths which have been flowing for over 2,000 years and hover at a toasty 40º C (104º F).
The actual attraction of the area lies within the surrounding mountain villages. Only a brief 40 minute drive away, Santa Caterina affords a low-key, extra quaint alpine expertise with its car-free village middle and shut proximity to serene trails and comfortable rifugi (or ski huts). Barely nearer to Bormio, Cima Piazzi looks like its greatest stored secret. The small, picturesque mountain is ideal for households or anybody trying to skip the crowds and absorb some actual Italian mountain tradition. These neighboring areas don’t have the celebrity of Bormio, however they’re wealthy in character and a laid-back environment that’ll make you by no means need to go away.
Getting there: 3.5 hours northeast by automobile from Milan or 2.5 hours by practice to Tirano + 3 hours by bus
The vibe: Nice terrain selection, no crowds and a city with far more soul than glamour
Professional tip: Finish your ski or exploration day in one of many city’s well-known historic thermal baths: it’s the Italian model of scorching tubbing
Occasions: Males’s Alpine, Ski Mountaineering
Livigno – Lombardy Area, Northern Italy
If the Olympics had a delegated social gathering venue, Livigno could be it. Sometimes called ‘Little Tibet,’ this sleepy, remoted ski city reveals a really totally different aspect by night time — one stuffed with wild events and dancing into the morning hours. Well-known for its high-caliber terrain park and freestyle-focused vibe, this alpine village on the Swiss border has lengthy been a mecca for inversion lovers.
Livigno is wild in one of the best methods: distant, excessive altitude and tax-free. To not point out dwelling to among the finest terrain parks on the earth. The Mottolino Snowpark is the place professionals—younger and previous—come to go huge, and the entire village is alongside for the trip.
The vibe right here is younger, vigorous and even a bit of unhinged on the each day. As a consequence of its remoteness, the city has a historical past of smuggling and lawlessness that contributes to the social gathering tradition at present. Suppose spring break power meets old-school alpine attraction. The city’s aspect nation strains, scenic pistes and shocking après scene maintain issues spicy. Did we point out no taxes? Gear, drinks, carry tickets: the whole lot’s cheaper right here so let the wine circulate.
Getting there: 4 hours northwest by automobile from Milan or 3.5 hours from Innsbruck
The vibe: A freestyle skier’s dream on and off the slopes with out the crowds
Professional tip: Test the avy report and head to the off piste freeride zones above Carosello 3000 with a neighborhood information or by yourself with earlier backcountry expertise
Occasions: Freestyle Snowboarding, Aerial and Mogul Snowboarding
Val di Fiemme – Trentino Area, Northwestern Italy
Val di Fiemme is dwelling to a number of villages, every with their very own distinctive however distinctly Italian attraction. Predazzo is the middle of Olympic motion, internet hosting the ski leaping and Nordic mixed occasions, whereas the neighboring Tesero focuses on cross-country snowboarding. For guests although, the actual magic is in exploring the encircling resorts and villages .
Every space inside Val di Fiemme has its personal quirks. Predazzo is a spot the place launching off an enormous ramp with nothing however skinny, eight foot lengthy skis and blind religion is only a Monday on the workplace. Tesero pushes lactic acid thresholds as if limits don’t apply.
For these not trying to defy loss of life or exhaustion, alpine ski entry right here stretches throughout resorts like Alpe Cermis, Latemar and Val di Fassa. Like Cortina D’Ampezzo, all of those world class resorts are related by the Dolomiti Superski move. The terrain is usually intermediate pleasant, with Dolomite views that make even a mellow cruiser really feel like a film scene. Add in nice snowmaking, good espresso and charming alpine villages, and also you’ve bought a strong dwelling base.
Getting there: About 3.5 hours northeast by automobile from Milan or regional trains to Trento + bus for a barely longer, however arguably extra scenic, trip
The vibe: Underrated off piste snowboarding, fewer vacationers and proximity to big-mountain ski terrain in Val di Fassa
Professional tip: Pair your ski journey with an hour lengthy drive to Bolzano for some Tyrolean delicacies, archaeological museums and sure, extra wine
Occasions: Cross-Nation Snowboarding, Nordic Mixed, Ski Leaping
Sure, the races will probably be quick and the medals shiny, however the actual gold (a minimum of for followers) lies in all places however the podium. The 2026 Winter Olympic venues mix the hardcore snowboarding we crave with the old-world attraction European snowboarding was based in. Whether or not your crew seeks untracked powder in Livigno, apertivo in Cortina or quiet strains to themselves above Santa Caterina, these corners of Italy are excess of only a cease on the Olympic practice. They’re bucket listing journey hubs for followers that need all of it.
