Milan And Cortina Prepare For Contrasting Olympic Winter

The anticipation is building across Italy as the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo draw ever closer, promising a spectacle that brings together the world’s top athletes, passionate fans, and a swirl of local color. Yet, as the Olympic flame prepares to ignite, the two host cities could hardly feel more different in their embrace of the Games. In the snow-laden luxury of Cortina, excitement is palpable in the crisp mountain air; in rain-soaked Milan, the Olympic spirit feels more like a whisper than a roar. With new stars set to shine on the ice and long-standing dreams poised to be realized, the stage is set for a memorable winter of sports and stories.

Cortina d’Ampezzo, nestled among the jagged peaks of the Dolomites, is no stranger to Olympic grandeur. The town, which last hosted the Winter Games in 1956, has been transformed by a week of steady snowfall, lending it a postcard-perfect ambiance. Blue-and-white flags emblazoned with ‘Cortina 1956 2026’ flutter from wooden homes and local shops, while the Olympic cauldron stands proudly near the town’s central church. Preparations are in full swing, with the streets bustling with last-minute activity as both athletes and fans begin to arrive.

“All the people are so excited and so emotional for this big event,” said Francesca Alberte, who works at the Golden Goose boutique in Cortina. “We are a little bit afraid for a lot of things that are not ready, but we’re happy and excited for this event.” Her words echo a mix of anticipation and apprehension felt by many locals, especially as construction crews race to finish venues in time for the opening ceremonies. Still, the town’s main street, lined with high-end boutiques selling everything from designer ski gear to cashmere, is buzzing with Olympic fever—and more than a few shoppers eyeing souvenirs at prices north of 700 euros.

Visitors, too, have been swept up in the mountain magic. “The atmosphere in Cortina is electric,” American luger Matthew Greiner observed, while Italian luger Leon Felderer added, “There are always good vibes here—everybody’s happy.” The Dolomites themselves seem to play a starring role, drawing praise from American alpine ski racer Jackie Wiles: “Whatever happens in the race, you just love being in the Dolomites. Walking through town, everyone has fur coats on. So I feel like it’s just a cool place to be.”

But travel a few hours southwest, and the Olympic picture changes dramatically. Milan, Italy’s bustling fashion and financial capital, has seen more rain than snow in the days leading up to the Games. Step outside the city center and there’s little to suggest the Olympics are about to begin. The venues for ice hockey, speed skating, and figure skating are scattered on the outskirts, making it tough for the city to capture a unified Olympic vibe. “It’s lacking a bit of atmosphere,” said Faizan Mohammad, a local insurer. “I don’t really feel at the moment that the Olympics is happening, I see it more as an inconvenience at the moment because of the various road closures. I think when it starts it will get better. I can’t wait, because of that. Because at the moment I see more inconveniences. Then I hope to also see a bit of sport and competition, a bit of happiness.”

Sam Durante, who traveled from Calgary with his wife Melissa to support their daughter—the goalkeeper for the Italian ice hockey team—compared Milan’s subdued mood to the electric atmosphere of the 1988 Calgary Games. “It was electric because all of the events were close by,” he recalled. “I think it’s a little disjointed here. I think Milan is starting to embrace the Olympic spirit, but it’s not to the same extent that we had in Calgary.”

Amid these contrasting moods, the sporting action promises to deliver plenty of drama. For figure skating fans, all eyes will be on 18-year-old Isabeau Levito of Philadelphia, who is set to make her Olympic debut in the women’s singles event. Levito’s Olympic schedule kicks off with the short program on Tuesday, February 17, at 12:45 p.m. ET, followed by the free skate on Thursday, February 19, at 1 p.m. ET—both broadcast on NBC and Peacock. Levito’s rise has been meteoric: she claimed silver at the 2024 World Figure Skating Championships, marking the best finish by an American woman since 2016, and previously won the 2023 U.S. national title and the 2022 World Junior Championship. Praised for her artistry and emotional storytelling on ice, Levito heads into Milan as one of Team USA’s brightest hopes for a medal.

Meanwhile, the men’s ice hockey tournament is generating its own buzz, as NHL players return to Olympic competition for the first time since 2014. The Boston Bruins alone are sending a formidable contingent, with nine players and prospects representing countries including the United States, Czechia, Sweden, Finland, and Latvia. Notably, David Pastrnak will skate for Czechia and serve as one of the nation’s flag bearers during the Opening Ceremony. The preliminary rounds run from February 11 to 15, with all 12 teams guaranteed three games before the single-elimination medal rounds begin. The gold medal showdown is scheduled for Sunday, February 22, at 8:10 a.m. ET, airing on NBC.

The tournament will use NHL rink dimensions, a first for Olympic hockey, and fighting is strictly prohibited—a marked contrast to the sometimes rowdy international showdowns of past years. The format awards three points for a regulation win, two for an overtime or shootout win, one for an OT or shootout loss, and none for a regulation defeat. If the gold medal game is tied after regulation, teams will play 20-minute 3-on-3 overtime periods until a winner emerges—no shootouts to decide Olympic gold.

For young NHL stars like Matthew Schaefer, an 18-year-old rookie defenseman with the New York Islanders, the Games represent both a dream and a goal for the future. Schaefer, who leads all first-year NHL defensemen in goals, points, and several other categories, came close to earning a spot on Team Canada for Milan-Cortina. “I think it’s everyone’s dream to play at the Olympics,” Schaefer told NHL.com. “It’s fun to watch it, too. Fun to just support your country, watch and cheer them on as well. But who wouldn’t love to play at the Olympics?” Though he’ll be cheering from afar this year, Schaefer is especially excited to watch his Islanders teammate Bo Horvat take the ice for Canada.

Back in Cortina, the town is reveling in its moment on the world stage—despite ongoing construction and a few last-minute jitters. “It’s an important event for our country,” said Milan resident Mariella Mariani, who traveled to Cortina with her husband to soak in the Olympic atmosphere. As the final touches are put in place and the Olympic flame prepares to shine over both city and mountains, Italy stands ready to welcome the world—its contrasts only adding to the anticipation and charm of the 2026 Winter Games.