The 2026 Winter Olympics are spread across 22,000 square kilometres of Northern Italy. If you are heading to the “Queen of the Dolomites” (Cortina) or the “Stelvio Giant” (Bormio) this February, your logistics plan is more important than your lift pass.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Avoid €65+ Olympic Fines
Planning to drive to Bormio, Cortina, or Livigno in February 2026? A standard rental agreement is NOT enough to get you past police checkpoints.
Failure to display a physical “Host Territories Car Pass” results in immediate fines and vehicle turn-backs.
1. The Experience: “Dolomite Glamour” vs. “Technical Speed”
Cortina d’Ampezzo (The Queen):
Cortina is hosting the Women’s Alpine events on the legendary Olympia delle Tofane. It’s high-fashion, high-altitude, and—for 2026—high-restriction.
- Pro Tip: Cortina has no train station. For the Olympics, a new “Host Territories Car Pass” is mandatory to enter the town by car. If you don’t have one, you must use the Park & Ride hubs in Dobbiaco (North) or San Vito (South).
- [Cortina – Resort Stats and Info]
Bormio (The Beast):
Bormio is the home of the Men’s Downhill on the Stelvio, one of the world’s most feared runs. It’s more rugged and “authentic” than Cortina.
- Pro Tip: Reaching Bormio from Milan usually takes 3 hours, but with Olympic traffic, expect 5. The “Train & Ride” service to Tirano followed by the Olympic shuttle is the most reliable way to beat the road closures.
- [Bormio – Resort Stats and Info]
2. The 2026 Olympic Data Breakdown
| Metric | Cortina (Dolomites) | Bormio (Valtellina) | Why it Matters |
| Olympic Events | Women’s Alpine, Curling, Sliding | Men’s Alpine, Ski Mountaineering | Plan your stay based on your tickets. |
| Closest Airport | Venice Marco Polo (VCE) | Milan Malpensa (MXP) | VCE is 2.5hrs away; MXP is 3+ hrs. |
| Transport Hack | Dolomiti Bus Shuttle | Trenord “Olympic Express” | Public transport is “Free” for ticket holders. |
| Snow Reliability | High (Massive Snowmaking) | Elite (Thermal Springs nearby) | Both are “snow-sure” for Feb 2026. |
| Best Run | Stratofana (Olympic Piste) | Stelvio (Downhill) | Both require high-speed carving POV. |
3. Logistics & Trustworthy Recommendations
Booking Travel: For Cortina, do not fly into Milan unless you want a 6-hour drive. Venice (VCE) is the “pro” move. For Bormio, Milan (MXP) is your gateway.
- Public Transport: The Italian government has launched a dedicated “Olympic Shuttle” network. We recommend the Dolomiti Bus for Cortina and Trenitalia/Trenord for Bormio.
- Private Transfers: If you are traveling with a group and gear, avoid the shuttle queues. We recommend pre-booking a private transfer to avoid the “Olympic Premium” surge pricing.
Affiliate Opportunity: Car Rentals & Passes
If you choose to drive, you must ensure your rental includes winter tires (standard in Italy but check the fine print).
🚗 Rent a Car- Ticketing: If you don’t have Olympic tickets, you can still ski! In Cortina, the 5 Torri and Lagazuoi areas remain open to the public during the Games. Use the Dolomiti Superski pass for maximum flexibility.
⛷️ Ready for the Ultimate Vertical Challenge?
If you’ve conquered the Olympic runs of Cortina or Bormio you belong in Val d’Isère. With 300km of high-altitude terrain and legendary steep descents, it is the natural “graduation” for experts.
Every Snow Day Army Intel: Neilson’s “Mountain Experts” offer free guiding for skiers and boarders in Val d’Isère—perfect for finding the stashes that aren’t on the map.
To keep our mountain guides free for everyone, we partner with some of the transport providers mentioned above. If you book through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend services that our team has researched and found reliable for winter travel.