The 2026 Winter Olympics kick off today in Milan-Cortina, running from February 6 to 22. It is the first Winter Games held in Italy since Turin 2006, and the venues are spread across a huge area - from the city streets of Milan to high-altitude Alpine resorts. That means wildly different weather depending on which event you are watching.
Here is everything you need to know about the weather at this year's Games.
Where Are the Events?
Unlike most Winter Olympics, Milan-Cortina 2026 is spread across multiple regions of northern Italy. The venues fall into four main clusters, each with its own distinct climate:
| Venue Cluster | Events | Altitude |
|---|---|---|
| Milan | Ice skating, ice hockey, speed skating, opening ceremony | 120m |
| Cortina d'Ampezzo | Alpine skiing, curling, sliding (bobsled, luge, skeleton) | 1,224m |
| Bormio | Men's alpine skiing, ski mountaineering | 1,225m |
| Livigno | Snowboarding, freestyle skiing, cross-country, biathlon nearby | 1,816m |
The altitude differences are significant. Milan sits on the flat Po Valley at just 120 metres above sea level, while Livigno is nearly 1,900 metres up in the Alps. That translates to a temperature gap of roughly 15-20°C between the warmest and coldest venues.
Weather at Each Venue
Cortina d'Ampezzo: The Heart of the Games
Cortina sits in the Dolomites and hosts some of the marquee events including alpine skiing and the sliding events.
Typical February conditions:
- Average high: -1°C
- Average low: -11°C
- Snowfall: 336mm across roughly 13 days (the snowiest month of the year)
- Humidity: 92%
- Wind: 8 km/h average - the windiest month
February is actually Cortina's snowiest month, which is good news for the Games. Expect bitterly cold conditions, especially on exposed mountain courses where wind chill will push temperatures well below -15°C.
Bormio: Cold and Exposed
Bormio hosts the men's downhill on the famous Stelvio course - one of the most demanding runs in World Cup skiing.
Typical February conditions:
- Average high: -3°C
- Average low: -13°C
- Humidity: 98%
- Clear skies roughly 42% of the time
Bormio tends to run a couple of degrees colder than Cortina, with extremely high humidity. When cloud rolls in, visibility on the Stelvio course can deteriorate quickly - something that has caused delays at World Cup races here before.
Livigno: The Coldest Venue
Livigno is the highest venue at nearly 1,900 metres and consistently the coldest location at these Games.
Typical February conditions:
- Average high: -4°C
- Average low: -14°C
- Humidity: 100%
- Clear skies roughly 41% of the time
If you are heading to Livigno for the snowboarding or freestyle events, pack seriously warm clothing. Temperatures regularly drop below -20°C overnight, and even during the day you are unlikely to see conditions climb above freezing.
Milan: A Different World
Milan's indoor venues (figure skating, ice hockey, speed skating) mean the weather barely matters for the events themselves. But if you are visiting the city for the Games:
Typical February conditions:
- Average high: 8-10°C
- Average low: 0-2°C
- Often damp and overcast
- Occasional fog in the Po Valley
Milan in February is cold and grey but nothing like the mountain venues. A decent coat and an umbrella will see you right.
The Weather Comparison at a Glance
| Venue | Avg High | Avg Low | Snow Days | Main Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milan | 9°C | 1°C | Rare | Fog, damp cold |
| Cortina | -1°C | -11°C | 13 per month | Wind chill, heavy snow |
| Bormio | -3°C | -13°C | 10 per month | Low visibility, extreme cold |
| Livigno | -4°C | -14°C | 11 per month | Extreme cold, wind exposure |
The Elephant in the Room: Climate Change
These Games are taking place against a backdrop of significant warming in the Italian Alps. The numbers are striking:
- Cortina has warmed by 3.6°C since it first hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956
- Average February snow depth has decreased by roughly 15cm since the 1970s
- Milan's February temperatures have risen by 3.2°C over recent decades
- 41 fewer freezing days per year in the Cortina area compared to the mid-20th century
To guarantee snow coverage, organisers are relying heavily on artificial snow production. An estimated 2.4 million cubic metres of artificial snow - roughly twice the volume of the Colosseum - is being produced using hundreds of snow guns across the mountain venues.
The good news? Natural snowfall arrived in the days leading up to the opening ceremony, giving the slopes a fresh white coating. But the long-term trend is clear: hosting winter sports in the Alps is becoming increasingly challenging.
The Forecast for the Games
The outlook for the opening period (February 6-8) suggests:
- A mix of cloud and sunshine across the mountain venues
- Temperatures close to seasonal averages
- A weak weather system possible late Sunday into Monday, bringing light snow showers
- The pattern looks like it will dry out early next week
Looking further ahead, there is a 50-60% chance of above-average temperatures through February, rising to 60-70% for March (relevant for the Paralympics starting March 6). Warmer conditions generally mean less natural snow, but the artificial snow systems should keep competition surfaces in good shape.
What If You Are Watching from the UK?
Most of us will be watching from the sofa, but if you are planning to travel out:
Packing for Mountain Venues
- Thermal base layers - essential, not optional
- Down jacket or heavy insulated coat - temperatures will be well below freezing
- Windproof outer layer - wind chill is the real danger
- Ski goggles or quality sunglasses - UV reflection off snow is intense at altitude
- Hand and toe warmers - spectating means standing still in the cold for hours
Packing for Milan
- Warm coat - standard winter fare
- Umbrella - February can be damp
- Layers - indoor venues will be warm, outside will not
- Comfortable walking shoes - you will cover a lot of ground between venues
Getting There from the UK
February is mid-winter in the UK too, so factor in potential disruption:
- Check forecasts for both departure and arrival airports
- Mountain roads can close in heavy snow - allow extra travel time
- Milan is well-connected by air from most UK airports
- Cortina is roughly a 2-hour drive from Venice, Bormio about 3 hours from Milan
Fun Weather Facts About Past Winter Olympics
| Year | Host | Avg Temp During Games |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Cortina d'Ampezzo | -6°C |
| 2006 | Turin | -2°C |
| 2014 | Sochi | 6°C |
| 2018 | PyeongChang | -8°C |
| 2022 | Beijing | -7°C |
| 2026 | Milan-Cortina | TBC |
The 2014 Sochi Games were notably warm at an average of 6°C, causing concerns about snow conditions on the Black Sea coast. Milan-Cortina should be considerably colder at the mountain venues, though Milan itself will be milder than most recent Winter Olympics host cities.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 Winter Olympics span a remarkable range of weather conditions - from the bitter Alpine cold of Livigno at -14°C to the relatively mild streets of Milan at 9°C. If you are watching in person, prepare for the specific venue you are visiting. If you are watching from home, just be glad you have central heating and a cup of tea.
Whatever the weather does over the next two and a half weeks, the combination of Italian Alpine scenery and world-class winter sport should make for a spectacular Games.