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Call: +1 646 810 8764 Send Email Live Chat Contact Us25.11.2025
Article prepared by our Media Partner Orizzonte Italia Magazine
The Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are set to ignite excitement across the entire Alpine arc — and Val Gardena, the beating heart of the Dolomites, is preparing to experience this extraordinary event with a spirit all its own. Although the Olympic competitions will take place across several venues in Lombardy and Veneto, this Ladin valley is an ideal choice for those seeking comfort, breath-taking scenery, and easy access to the main Olympic sites.
The advantages?
A stress-free Olympic holiday, more affordable accommodation, and the same outstanding quality — all within reach of the action.
During the Olympic period, Val Gardena will transform into a true “home of Alpine sports.”
Fans will be able to follow live broadcasts in winter villages, take part in local sporting events among the snow-capped peaks of Sassolungo, Sella, and Cir, or even reach Val di Fiemme or Cortina by car to experience the Olympic spirit first-hand.
Located in South Tyrol, Val Gardena — which includes Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva di Val Gardena — is one of the most fascinating valleys in the Dolomites. While it will not host any Olympic events directly, its position makes it an excellent base for visiting several key competition venues of the Milan–Cortina 2026 Games:
During the 2026 Olympics, enhanced transport connections and shuttle services will link the main Dolomite valleys. However, staying in Val Gardena with your own car or a rental vehicle guarantees maximum freedom to explore — including destinations not directly involved in the Games. Alidosi Taxi & Bus Service, a family-run company based in Ortisei, provides reliable chauffeur-driven rentals, taxi services, and a new fleet of coaches (“NEW Pullman”), known for their professionalism, punctuality, and flexibility.
Val Gardena is renowned for its high standard of accommodation: charming hotels, cosy apartments, farm stays, and wellness resorts. Many properties offer the perfect balance between sport and relaxation — with spas, traditional cuisine, panoramic views, and warm.
South Tyrolean hospitality.
For a relaxing and wellness-oriented stay, we recommend Hotel Alpenheim in Selva di Val Gardena.
This elegant hotel combines alpine charm with a welcoming family atmosphere and modern comforts: rooms with Dolomite views, a wellness area with sauna and panoramic pool, and gourmet cuisine that celebrates local flavours.
It’s an ideal base for skiing, hiking, or reaching Olympic venues with ease.
Val Gardena is famous not only for its spectacular landscapes but also for its outstanding cuisine.
Here, Ladin, Tyrolean, and Italian culinary traditions come together to create hearty, authentic dishes full of flavour.
From canederli (bread dumplings) and speck to casunziei (stuffed pasta) and homemade desserts, every bite tells the story and culture of this valley.
Restaurants and mountain huts serve local ingredients, quality South Tyrolean wines, and offer a warm hospitality that turns every meal into a genuine experience.
Traube Restaurant – Ortisei
A historic restaurant in the heart of Ortisei, renowned for its traditional South Tyrolean cuisine with a modern touch. Typical dishes such as dumplings, speck, and game are paired with selected wines in a cosy, rustic setting.
La Bar – Ortisei
For a relaxing break between events, this typical Ladin bar in Ortisei is the perfect stop. It offers excellent coffee, homemade cakes, cocktails, and light snacks in a stylish and friendly atmosphere in the town’s pedestrian centre. It’s also ideal for a quick lunch or dinner, serving both traditional dishes and fragrant, high-quality pizzas made with premium ingredients.
For those looking to rent top-quality equipment and hit the slopes of the Dolomiti Superski with perfectly tuned skis and boards, Skirent Peter is the top choice in Val Gardena.
With 75 years of experience, it is one of the most renowned rental shops in Ortisei. It offers modern equipment for all snow sports: carving skis, all-mountain snowboards, boots, snowshoes, and high-quality accessories.
The facility also features a convenient equipment storage service and an easy-to-use online rental system.
Beyond sports, the valley will host festivals, exhibitions, and culinary evenings inspired by Olympic values and Dolomitic culture. From ice sculptures to high-altitude concerts and tastings of traditional dishes such as panicia and canederli, Val Gardena will become a vibrant crossroads of emotions and traditions.
Choosing Val Gardena for your Olympic stay means not only witnessing one of the most anticipated events of the decade, but also experiencing the magic of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites — with perfectly groomed slopes, snow-covered hiking trails, and landscapes that inspire awe throughout the winter season.
In summary: during the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, staying in Val Gardena allows you to enjoy the very best of the Dolomites — with the convenience of reaching Val di Fiemme and other Olympic venues in just about two hours by car.
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