Fresh snowfall has blanketed the Italian Alps, easing concerns over snow shortages for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Meteorologists report heavy snow arriving just weeks before the February 6 opening ceremony. This natural cover reduces reliance on artificial snow production planned by organizers.
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, set to run from February 6 to 22, will feature events across northern Italy's mountainous regions, including alpine skiing in Cortina and freestyle skiing in Livigno. Venues such as Bormio for ski mountaineering and the Antholz valley for biathlon have received intense snowfall, transforming green mountainsides into white landscapes.
Italian meteorologist Mattia Gussoni confirmed the timely arrival of snow, stating to AFP, "The snow has arrived." He added that from the following evening, "there will be new and heavy snowfall across the Alps. This is excellent news ahead of the opening of the Olympics. At least there will be no shortage of snow at the start of February!"
These sites, perched between 1,200 and 1,800 meters above sea level in the Dolomites, typically ensure natural snow cover. However, climate warming has halved snow accumulation in the Italian Alps over the past century, raising fears of spring-like conditions. Organizers prepared for this by planning 2.4 million cubic meters of artificial snow, requiring 948,000 cubic meters of water—far less than the 2.79 million cubic meters used at the 2022 Beijing Games.
International federations mandate snow-making equipment for skiing and biathlon. While initial snow bodes well, Gussoni noted uncertainty for the full event duration: "There are still too many weeks to go. The weather conditions are also forecast to be quite changeable during these weeks."
This development dispels early worries, promising a more authentic winter setting for athletes and spectators alike.
