The Dolomites in the Olympic spotlight
As Cortina co-hosts the Winter Games, the spectacular Italian mountains draw the world's gaze.
The spectacular peaks of the Italian Dolomites basked in the global spotlight this winter as the resort town of Cortina d'Ampezzo co-hosted the Winter Olympics, drawing the world's gaze to one of Europe's most beautiful mountain landscapes.
Cortina, an elegant alpine resort set amid the pale, dramatic limestone towers of the Dolomites, hosted the sliding and alpine events of the Games, its name already synonymous with glamorous mountain holidays. The Olympics placed the region's extraordinary scenery before a vast international audience.
For travellers, the attention served as a reminder of the Dolomites' year-round appeal. In winter, the region offers superb skiing across interconnected resorts, with the added magic of the mountains glowing pink and gold at dawn and dusk. In summer, the same peaks draw hikers and climbers to one of the great outdoor playgrounds of the Alps.
The area blends Italian style with alpine tradition and a distinct local culture, its mountain huts serving hearty food with staggering views, its valleys dotted with charming villages.
The Games also raised familiar questions about the future of winter sport in a warming climate and the environmental cost of hosting, as organisers sought to stage the event sustainably. But for the Dolomites, the spotlight was a moment to shine. Whether laced into ski boots or hiking boots, visitors to this corner of Italy encounter a mountain landscape of rare and unforgettable beauty.