Fresh snowfall has blanketed the Italian Alps, providing natural cover for venues just weeks before the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics begin. Meteorologists predict more snow, easing concerns over potential spring-like conditions due to climate change. Organizers still plan for artificial snow production as a backup.
The arrival of snow in the Italian Alps has brought relief to preparations for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, set to run from February 6 to 22 across northern Italy's mountains. Venues such as Bormio, host of ski mountaineering races, and the Antholz valley for biathlon have experienced intense snowfall less than two weeks before the opening ceremony. Pictures from the areas depict white mountain peaks, low-hanging snow clouds, and blanketed fields, transforming what could have been lush green mountainsides into a winter landscape suitable for competition. > 'The snow has arrived,' Italian meteorologist Mattia Gussoni told AFP. Gussoni forecasted additional heavy snowfall starting from the evening after his Monday statement, describing it as 'excellent news' for the Games. > 'At least there will be no shortage of snow at the start of February!' he said. These resorts, perched between 1,200 and 1,800 meters above sea level within the Dolomites, have seen snow cover diminish by half over the past century amid warming climates, raising fears of relying heavily on artificial snow. The organizing committee plans to produce 2.4 million cubic meters of artificial snow using 948,000 cubic meters of water, a figure lower than the 890,000 cubic meters used just for alpine skiing at Yanqing during the 2022 Beijing Olympics, plus 1.9 million for other snow sports. International federations for skiing and biathlon mandate snow production equipment on site. However, Gussoni noted it is too early to predict conditions through the full event duration, with weather expected to remain changeable. Meanwhile, related preparations include the inauguration of the Giuseppe Dal Ben ski jumps in Val di Fiemme on January 27, where events for ski jumping and Nordic combined will occur from February 7 to 19. The on-site Olympic Village was also opened, with the flame scheduled to pass through nearby Predazzo and Tesero the following day.
