Having attended a handful of events at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, and having just returned from a winter visit to Milan, Venice, and the Dolomites, I was inspired to put together a list of destination pairings for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The key to getting ahead of the masses when planning your travels is to get creative and think outside the box– and while the host cities are technically Milan and Cortina, the Olympic venues are actually spread throughout Northern Italy and offer inspiration for alternative itineraries.

Continue reading to discover where each sporting event will be taking place in Northern Italy for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics, and suggested pairings with nearby destinations to make the most of your trip.

Alternative Travel Itineraries for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy

Visiting Venice in the winter means fewer crowds and a more enjoyable experience

Venice & Cortina

The closest international airport that serves Cortina d’Ampezzo is Venice Marco Polo (VCE), so a stop in the floating city before or after attending events in Cortina is only natural. In fact– it’s exactly what I did prior to visiting Cortina in December 2024. Visiting Venice in winter during the off-season proved to be a great idea: there were few crowds, it was easy to get reservations at top restaurants and book last-minute tickets to an unforgettable Vivaldi concert, and the canals and waterways were actually peaceful.

We rented our car in Venice before driving two hours north to Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites, where we saw preparations were already underway to build the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton tracks for the upcoming games. Cortina was host to the 1956 Winter Olympics and has a long-standing reputation for being the chicest ski destination in Italy. The historic town has plenty to do in terms of shopping, dining, and sport, so your visit is sure to be eventful in addition to attending any Olympic games.

Winter Olympic and Paralympic events taking place in Cortina d’Ampezzo:

Women’s Alpine Skiing
Bobsleigh
Curling
Luge
Skeleton
Para Alpine Skiing
Para Snowboard
Wheelchair Curling
The Paralympic Closing Ceremony

St. Moritz & Livigno

Only about an hour away from each other by car, Livigno, Italy and Saint Moritz, Switzerland is the pair I have my eyes on for the upcoming Winter Olympics. While they are each about three hours from the nearest international airport (Zurich, Switzerland), pairing the two destinations together makes the experience even more worth-while. St. Moritz was host to the Winter Olympics in 1928 and 1948, and while it’s historically known as the birthplace of winter tourism, the iconic destination is now synonymous with only the finest in luxury lifestyle, accommodations, dining, service, skiing, and shopping.

For holders of the IKON Base Pass or IKON Pass, skiers are granted 5 or 7 days (respectively) to access the slopes in St. Moritz’ Corviglia and Corvatsch ski areas. St. Moritz had long been on my bucket list as top ski destination, and I was certainly impressed when I first visited in 2023. Pairing a visit to this iconic Swiss destination with Olympic events in Livigno, Italy, is certainly a winning combination.

Winter Olympic events taking place in Livigno:

Freestyle Skiing
Snowboarding

Cortina & Alta Badia

For the Olympic attendee with aspirations of their own personal victories on the ski slopes, pairing Alta Badia with your visit to Cortina will give you easy access to the Sellaronda Ski Circuit– a legendary route that takes intermediate and expert skiers through four ski areas in the Italian Dolomites in a matter of hours. Skiing this circuit was a true highlight of my visit to the region, and I found the village of Alta Badia to be lovely and very charming. While Cortina feels a bit more internationally appealing due to its long history has a welcoming host for world-class ski events, Alta Badia seems to maintain a quieter and more rustic atmosphere. A visit to the two mountain destinations is a full embrace of the region’s warmth, hospitality, and local ski culture.

The Dolomiti Superski areas that make up the Sellaronda Ski Circuit are Alta Badia, Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, and Arabba, and conveniently along with Cortina d’Ampezzo, can all be accessed with an IKON Pass or IKON Base Pass.

Winter Olympic and Paralympic events taking place in Cortina d’Ampezzo (list repeated from above):

Women’s Alpine Skiing
Bobsleigh
Curling
Luge
Skeleton
Para Alpine Skiing
Para Snowboard
Wheelchair Curling
The Paralympic Closing Ceremony

Where to stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo: Discover Hotel de LEN

Milan & Anywhere in the Dolomites

With Milan as the official host of the 2026 Winter Olympics and the site of a number of sporting events, choosing this bustling city as one of your destinations opens a world of countless options to also discover nearby. Each region within Northern Italy is a treasure trove of gems (some more hidden than others!), but I think the region of the Dolomites is particularly magical in winter. Towns like Ortisei and Madonna di Campiglio offer endless charm, while natural wonders like Lago di Braies and Tre Cime di Lavaredo are top destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. The Dolomites is also home to a number of award-winning luxury hotels and spas that offer curated wellness retreats, detox programs, and health treatments. Inspiration is never-ending in Northern Italy, and pairing your visit to the energetic city of Milan with a rejuvenating retreat in the scenic landscapes of the Dolomites can offer the best of both worlds. There’s truly something for everyone, and the Winter Olympics is an exceptional opportunity to discover what this special region has to offer.

Winter Olympics and Paralympic events taking place in Milan:

Figure Skating
Ice Hockey
Short Track Speed Skating
Speed Skating
Para Ice Hockey
Olympic Opening Ceremony

Bormio & St. Moritz

Another great destination to pair with St. Moritz in Switzerland, Bormio will be hosting the first ever Olympic event for Ski Mountaineering as well as Men’s Alpine Skiing. The Alpine Ski Racing event takes place on the Stelvio Slope at Bormio Ski Station– not to be confused with the Stelvio Pass Ski Station nearby in Northern Italy which is not accessible in winter due to extensive road closures (I make note of this because the official Olympics website does not make it entirely clear!)

For reasons already mentioned above, St. Moritz is a bucket list destination for any traveler who wishes to experience the height of luxury and ski lifestyle in the Alps. Paired with Olympic events in Bormio less than two hours away, a visit to these destinations on either side of the Swiss-Italian border is sure to be a memorable trip. For those interested in seeing additional events in multiple destinations, attendees could also combine Bormio, Livigno, and St. Moritz all together.

Winter Olympic events taking place in Bormio:

Men’s Alpine Skiing
Ski Mountaineering

Carina Otero skiing the Sellaronda Circuit through Val di Fassa, Val Gardena, Alta Badia, and Arabba in the Dolomites.

Val di Fiemme & Val di Fassa

The Olympic events taking place at Predazzo and Tesero in Italy’s Val di Femme are not too far from another valley destination famed for its skiing: Val di Fassa. As one of the ski stations that make up the Sellaronda Ski Circuit, you could tick this legendary ski activity off your bucket list before or after attending the winter games.

As part of the Dolomiti Superski area, IKON Base Pass and IKON Pass holders have 5 or 7 days to ski at Val di Fassa and any other connected stations.

Winter Olympic and Paralympic events taking place in Val di Fiemme:

Ski Jumping
Cross Country Skiing
Nordic Combined
Para Biathlon
Para Cross Country Skiing

Anterselva & Kitzbuhel

The Südtirol Arena in Anterselva lies just beside the Italian-Austrian border, making it a perfect choice to pair with a trip to Austria during prime ski season. Of the many impressive ski destinations in Austria, Kitzbühel tends to be frequented by internationals and locals alike due to its reputation for varied terrain for all levels, a picturesque village center with plenty of options for dining and shopping, and ease of accessibility from a major airport (Munich, Germany). Conveniently, Kitzbühel also happens to be another IKON Pass destination.

Winter Olympic events taking place in Anterselva:

Biathlon

Verona & Lago di Garda

A big celebration always pairs well with rest and relaxation, so before or after attending the 2026 Winter Olympic Closing Ceremony or the Paralympic Opening Ceremony in Verona, the coastline of Lago di Garda will be ready to welcome you into one of its many spa and wellness destinations. The largest lake in Italy, Lago di Garda is lined with historic castles, charming villages, and award-winning hotels, and is often compared to being more rustic and laid-back than Lago di Como. During the summer season Lago di Garda is a lively destination for watersports and activities, but in winter it’s the thermal baths and spa treatments incorporating ancient techniques that really shine.

Placing the modern Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies within the historic architecture and welcoming atmosphere of Verona and nearby Lago di Garda is a perfect choice– the region is a stellar example of honoring tradition and celebrating the present.

Winter Olympic and Paralympic events taking place in Verona:

Olympic Closing Ceremony
Paralympic Opening Ceremony

Are you looking for travel inspiration for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, and have any questions about my personal experience visiting these destinations? Let me know in the comments below, or reach out to me directly so I can connect you to a SmartFlyer advisor to help you plan your trip!

About the author

Meet Carina Otero, avid skier and the creator of She is Not Lost, an online community for celebrating female travelers and a blog providing helpful tips, useful information, and inspiration for your future travels. Carina’s passion for skiing and love of writing and photography have inspired a new blog to share her experiences and personal favorites relating to the sport:

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Carina Otero, Author of the Ski is Not Lost blog

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Traveling to Italy for the 2026 Winter Olympics? Milan-Cortina Isn't the Only Pairing– Consider These Alternatives