Cortina And Milan Set Stage For Historic Winter Olympics

As the countdown to the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics accelerates, the world’s gaze returns to Cortina d’Ampezzo—a town steeped in Olympic history, Alpine glamour, and cultural intrigue. Seventy years after the 1956 Games made global headlines as the first-ever televised Winter Olympics, Cortina is once again poised for the spotlight, this time sharing hosting duties with Milan. The 2026 edition is not just a sporting event; it’s a celebration of heritage, innovation, and the enduring allure of the Dolomites.

Back in 1956, the Olympic Games in Cortina were a watershed moment. Without broadcast satellites, event footage was shipped to the United States, where black-and-white images of the Dolomite mountains enthralled viewers and established Cortina as a luxury playground. Legends like Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn, Ernest Hemingway, and Brigitte Bardot graced its slopes, cementing its reputation as the “Queen of the Dolomites.” Now, with the Olympics returning, Cortina is readying for another dazzling close-up, blending storied tradition with a surge of modern luxury and international attention.

The 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics mark a historic first: two cities—Cortina d’Ampezzo and Milan—will co-host, linked by the opening ceremony’s theme of “Armonia” (harmony). This motif aims to bridge the chic urbanity of Milan, home to the main Olympic Village and marquee skating events, with the dramatic alpine vistas of Cortina. The opening ceremony, set to include a tribute to Giorgio Armani, will underscore the fusion of fashion, sport, and culture that defines this unique partnership.

Just two months before the Games, excitement is palpable throughout the region. Travelers arriving from New York on La Compagnie, the French-owned, all-business-class airline, are greeted by Milan’s recently renovated Carlton Hotel, a bold blend of contemporary and Art Deco design. After a classic Veal Milanese and a Negroni Sbagliato—an invention of Milan—visitors set out for the Dolomites, where the real magic unfolds.

The Dolomites, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009, are famed for their unique dolostone composition and breathtaking landscapes. The area is a heady blend of Italian, German, and Austrian cultures, prompting Agustina Lagos Marmol, owner of the Dolomite Mountains tour company, to call it “Disneyland for adults.” Whether hiking, skiing, or simply wandering Cortina’s chic center—where Chanel, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Loro Piana all have boutiques—the town’s nickname, “the bowl,” rings true. Encircled by towering peaks, every street offers a postcard-perfect vista.

But there’s more to Cortina than luxury and scenery. On February 3, 2026, journalist Massimo Nava unveiled his new book, Cortina d’Ampezzo, at the Italian Cultural Institute in New York. The 288-page volume, packed with over 150 images, delves into the valley’s layered history and enduring spirit. Nava, a veteran journalist and longtime visitor, describes his connection to the area as “layered knowledge,” not a sudden revelation. He explores the valley’s name—meaning “small court” in the historic Ladin language—and the centuries-old Regole d’Ampezzo, a community institution that manages forests and pastures. “Cortina is a community that recognizes itself in its mountains and protects their balance,” Nava notes, highlighting the Regole as a rare form of rural democracy. No Olympic project proceeds without their consent, underscoring the town’s deep-rooted commitment to stewardship.

Cortina’s allure extends to the silver screen as well. The Dolomites have served as a backdrop for international films, from James Bond adventures starring Roger Moore to Sylvester Stallone’s latest movie—shot here despite being set in the Rocky Mountains. Locals joke that Stallone “didn’t climb a single meter,” a playful nod to the valley’s cinematic versatility. Italian comedies like Natale a Cortina have also showcased the region’s charm.

The culinary scene in Cortina is equally compelling. The town boasts a unique gastronomic tradition that pairs maritime influences with classic Alpine recipes. Young chefs are making waves by embracing hyper-local cuisine—cheese, bread, pasta, and vegetables sourced within mere meters—earning some the coveted Michelin star. The Queen of the Dolomites is as celebrated for its tables as its trails.

Yet beneath the glamour lies a landscape rich in memory. The scars of World War I remain visible, with trenches and pathways now forming an open-air museum. These echoes of history add depth to Cortina’s polished façade. And then there’s the natural spectacle of “enrosadira”—the phenomenon that tints the pale dolomite rocks in vibrant shades of pink, red, and orange at dawn and dusk. Watching the Tofana di Mezzo, the third-highest peak in the Dolomites and site of the women’s Alpine skiing events, glow in the morning light is nothing short of breathtaking. “Tofana was so close, I felt like I could reach out and touch it,” one recent visitor remarked, capturing the awe that defines the Cortina experience.

Luxury hospitality is booming in anticipation of the Games. The historic Hotel Ancora, dating to 1826, was restored and reopened in June 2025 by Renzo Rosso, founder of Diesel and OTB Group. Nearby, Aman Rosa Alpina and Castel Badia—once a Benedictine convent, now a boutique hotel—offer further evidence of the region’s evolving high-end appeal. These new and revamped accommodations are ready to welcome the influx of athletes, officials, and fans from around the world.

Olympic events will be scattered throughout the Italian Alps, showcasing the region’s diversity. The Fiemme Valley, known for its spruce trees used in violin making, will host cross-country skiing, Nordic combined, and ski jumping. Bormio, famed for its thermal baths once visited by Leonardo da Vinci, introduces the new Olympic event of ski mountaineering. Livigno, nicknamed “Little Tibet” for its beauty and remoteness, will host freestyle skiing and snowboarding. Each location offers its own blend of natural wonder, culture, and adventure.

As the world prepares to tune in to the 2026 Winter Olympics, Cortina d’Ampezzo stands ready—its mountains glowing pink in the enrosadira light, its slopes echoing with history, and its people eager to welcome a new generation of Olympians and dreamers. Whether you’re drawn by the thrill of competition, the luxury of its lodges, or the enduring spirit of the Dolomites, Cortina is poised to capture hearts all over again—just as it did seventy years ago.