Snowfall Boosts Milan-Cortina Olympics, But Challenges Remain
A welcome round of snowfall is descending upon the sites for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, adding a picturesque backdrop as preparations enter their final stages. The snow, a notable absence in recent years, is being hailed as a positive sign for the Games, but also presents logistical hurdles.
Authorities in the Valtellina region, a key access point for Bormio and Livigno – both hosting Olympic events – are urging stakeholders to limit travel by car and bus due to heavy snowfall and resulting traffic impacts. Bormio has already received at least 25 centimeters of snow, while Livigno has seen up to 15 centimeters.
The snowfall is causing ongoing adjustments to the competition schedule. At the freestyle skiing venue above 1,800 meters, the women’s big air final was delayed by more than an hour due to heavy precipitation. Workers are using 35 snow groomers to keep “Olympic” routes passable in the Fiemme Valley. A third practice run for the ski jumping event in Predazzo was already canceled on Monday, following previous suspensions.
In Anterselva, South Tyrol, biathletes are training under a blanket of snow in anticipation of the men’s and women’s mass start events scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Cortina d’Ampezzo itself is transformed into a winter wonderland, with the snow-covered landscape offering a stunning visual, though also creating some travel difficulties.
The arrival of natural snow is a significant development, almost a “case” for the Games, given the recent trend of selecting host cities in areas not traditionally known for reliable winter conditions. Climate change has increasingly threatened the viability of winter sports, with artificial snowmaking becoming a necessity in many locations.
Since the 2006 Turin Games, natural snow has been increasingly scarce at Winter Olympics venues. Vancouver experienced its warmest winter on record, Sochi required stockpiling 450,000 cubic meters of snow from previous years, Pyeongchang relied on artificial snow for 90-98% of its courses, and Beijing consumed nearly 185.5 million liters of water to create its slopes.
What should be the norm has become an exception, and is being seen as a reward for Italy’s commitment to hosting the Games. The recent snowfall is expected to attract visitors back to the resorts who had previously considered cancelling or relocating their winter holidays.
Traffic in Cortina is currently disrupted due to the snow, with the mayor attributing the issues to drivers not using snow chains. The road to Bormio is also experiencing significant delays due to the weather conditions.
