Featured Image Location: Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
The Winter Olympics have a one way ticket to Italy, and we’re not upset about it. While the spotlight will be on the athletes, the unique and diverse venue choices should have all skiers perking up. Forget the corporate-washed resort conglomerates, the Milano-Cortina venue towns and villages provide their own unique varieties of Italian and old school skiing flavor. From the steep and dirty lines of Bormio to the sunny slopes of Cortina, these destinations are where wine culture meets world class skiing. The Olympic spotlight will shine on these resort towns come February, and we highly suggest being there when it does.
Cortina d’Ampezzo – Veneto Region, Northern Italy
Cortina d’Ampezzo is where Italian high fashion meets high-caliber skiing. Perched in the UNESCO-listed Dolomite range, the Olimpia delle Tofane alpine course brings a unique blend of old school ski racing glam and death-grip, edge-hold intensity.
Beyond the Olympic course, Cortina’s skiable terrain is massive. It’s part of the Dolomiti Superski network, which means your single lift pass unlocks 12 resorts and over 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) of groomers and gnarly freestyle terrain that stretch across multiple jaw-dropping Dolomite valleys. When you are done shredding the slopes, grab a spritz in the pedestrian-only village center, shop for €1,000 sunglasses or ride the cable car to Rifugio Lagazuoi for some of Europe’s most incredible views – and cuisine.
Getting there: 4.5 hours northeast by car from Milan or 7 hours by bus from Milan
The vibe: Renowned views, high alpine terrain and après that starts with Prosecco on the deck and ends with on the dance floor at Janbo Disco Bar
Pro tip: If you’re an avid mountaineer, hit the Vallon Tofana couloirs early; they get tracked out but deliver some of the best side country in Italy.
Events: Women’s Alpine
Bormio – Lombardy Region, Northern Italy
Buckle down and stay on your line: Bormio is here to play. Home of the legendary Stelvio run, this venue is the downhill equivalent of a cage fight: hard, fast and unforgiving.
Tucked deep in the Italian Alps right on the Swiss border, Bormio brings paradise in multiple forms. It’s not only famous for its challenging freeride terrain, but also for its thermal baths that have been flowing for over 2,000 years and hover at a toasty 40º C (104º F).
The real charm of the region lies in the surrounding mountain villages. Just a short 40 minute drive away, Santa Caterina offers a low-key, more old fashioned alpine experience with its car-free village center and close proximity to serene trails and cozy rifugi (or ski huts). Slightly closer to Bormio, Cima Piazzi feels like its best kept secret. The small, picturesque mountain is perfect for families or anyone looking to skip the crowds and soak up some real Italian mountain culture. These neighboring areas don’t have the fame of Bormio, but they are rich in character and a laid-back atmosphere that’ll make you never want to leave.
Getting there: 3.5 hours northeast by car from Milan or 2.5 hours by train to Tirano + 3 hours by bus
The vibe: Great terrain variety, no crowds and a town with way more soul than glamour
Pro tip: End your ski or exploration day in one of the town’s famous historic thermal baths: it’s the Italian version of hot tubbing
Events: Men’s Alpine, Ski Mountaineering
Livigno – Lombardy Region, Northern Italy
If the Olympics had a designated party venue, Livigno would be it. Often referred to as ‘Little Tibet,’ this sleepy, isolated ski town reveals a very different side by night — one filled with wild parties 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 long been a mecca for inversion enthusiasts.
Livigno is wild in the best ways: remote, high altitude and tax-free. Not to mention home to one of the best terrain parks in the world. The Mottolino Snowpark is where pros—young and old—come to go big, and the whole village is along for the ride.
The vibe here is young, lively and even a little unhinged on the daily. Due to its remoteness, the town has a history of smuggling and lawlessness that contributes to the party culture today. Think spring break energy meets old-school alpine charm. The town’s side country lines, scenic pistes and surprising après scene keep things spicy. Did we mention no taxes? Gear, drinks, lift tickets: everything’s cheaper here so let the wine flow.
Getting there: 4 hours northwest by car from Milan or 3.5 hours from Innsbruck
The vibe: A freestyle skier’s dream on and off the slopes without the crowds
Pro tip: Check the avy report and head to the off piste freeride zones above Carosello 3000 with a local guide or on your own with previous backcountry experience
Events: Freestyle Skiing, Aerial and Mogul Skiing
Val di Fiemme – Trentino Region, Northwestern Italy
Val di Fiemme is home to multiple villages, each with their own unique but distinctly Italian charm. Predazzo is the center of Olympic action, hosting the ski jumping and Nordic combined events, while the neighboring Tesero focuses on cross-country skiing. For visitors though, the real magic is in exploring the surrounding resorts and villages .
Each area within Val di Fiemme has its own quirks. Predazzo is a place where launching off a massive ramp with nothing but skinny, eight foot long skis and blind faith is just a Monday at the office. Tesero pushes lactic acid thresholds as if limits don’t apply.
For those not looking to defy death or exhaustion, alpine ski access here stretches across resorts like Alpe Cermis, Latemar and Val di Fassa. Like Cortina D’Ampezzo, all of these world class resorts are connected by the Dolomiti Superski pass. The terrain is mostly intermediate friendly, with Dolomite views that make even a mellow cruiser feel like a movie scene. Add in great snowmaking, good coffee and charming alpine villages, and you’ve got a solid home base.
Getting there: About 3.5 hours northeast by car from Milan or regional trains to Trento + bus for a slightly longer, but arguably more scenic, ride
The vibe: Underrated off piste skiing, fewer tourists and proximity to big-mountain ski terrain in Val di Fassa
Pro tip: Pair your ski trip with an hour long drive to Bolzano for some Tyrolean cuisine, archaeological museums and yes, more wine
Events: Cross-Country Skiing, Nordic Combined, Ski Jumping
Yes, the races will be fast and the medals shiny, but the real gold (at least for fans) lies everywhere but the podium. The 2026 Winter Olympic venues blend the hardcore skiing we crave with the old-world charm European skiing was founded in. Whether your crew seeks untracked powder in Livigno, apertivo in Cortina or quiet lines to themselves above Santa Caterina, these corners of Italy are far more than just a stop on the Olympic train. They are bucket list adventure hubs for fans that want it all.
