Where to see the Winter Games in Northern Italy.
November 28, 2025
As the European ski season marks its arrival in Alpine regions, this year adds the anticipation of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Taking place between 6 and 22 February 2026, the forthcoming Games will be jointly hosted by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Additional ski resorts in the Dolomites will stage certain tournaments before the Closing Ceremony plays out in Verona.
The Games are divided between the regions of Lombardy, Trentino, and Veneto in Northern Italy. Besides an artistic Opening Ceremony at San Siro Stadium, Milan’s various arenas will host such sports as figure skating, speed skating, and ice hockey. Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, and ski jumping disciplines take place in the ski fields of the Dolomites and nearby mountain clusters. Among the most popular sports, Alpine racing is confirmed to take place on Cortina’s famed Tofane slopes, the biathlon spectacle is scheduled for Anterselva, and freestyle events are the domain of Livigno.
The Closing Ceremony will take place in the romantic city of Verona. Staged inside an ancient amphitheater, the Arena di Verona, this is set to be a unique cultural experience starring the Italian ballet dancer Roberto Bolle. Marking a break from tradition, Olympic flames will be lit in both host locations.
Tickets are available on the official Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics website and through authorised hospitality partners. Popular sessions (alpine finals, figure-skating, ice-hockey matches, and the two ceremonies) tend to sell fast; however, it is also possible to purchase tickets during resale windows.
While the Games are the focus this February, traveling for the Winter Olympics goes beyond spectating the winter sports. Travelers bound for the mountains can also partake in skiing and snowboarding, with resorts offering a mix of downhill and Nordic trails. Snowshoeing, tobogganing, and ice skating are also on offer, in addition to indulging in such aprés delights as dining on mountain cuisine at cozy restaurants and luxuriating in spas. Most ski resorts remain open to the public throughout the Games, although restrictions apply to certain zones and slopes. In the case where pistes are open, lifts are expected to be busier than usual and entry points may vary.
The city of Milan is rich in historical sights and cultural activities to complement a winter escape. Major attractions like Milan Cathedral, productions at La Scala Theater, and tickets for the Last Supper are likely to sell out earlier than usual, which means advance planning is essential. The same applies to dining at the city’s most prestigious restaurants. It’s possible to visit Verona and Lake Como as a day trip from Milan by train.
Milan is the hub for international flights and long-distance rail. Getting from there to the mountain venues will require a mix of trains, Olympic shuttles, regional buses, and either car rental or a private driver. If you plan to hop between city and mountain venues, allow generous travel time — snowy mountain roads and event traffic are expected to cause delays.
Contact Darby’s Destinations to discuss a winter travel getaway to Italy to cheer on the athletes and experience a mix of city culture and world-class skiing.
.jpg)
Darby’s Destinations LLC, an accredited IATAN Travel Agency, located at 221 Tremont Street, Mansfield, MA 02048 USA. While our clients have had great experiences with the travel suppliers featured on this website, Darby’s Destinations LLC is not an employee, agent, or representative of these suppliers and, therefore, cannot make any promises regarding the service clients will receive with a particular supplier. Before booking a trip, clients are responsible for reviewing the services offered by the supplier, along with any terms, conditions, and exclusions.
Copyright © 2025, All Rights Reserved.
