Italy faces potential snow shortage ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics

The president of the International Ski Federation (FIS), Johan Eliasch, has raised concerns over delays in artificial snow production at venues for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, highlighting Livigno, where snowboard and freestyle events are scheduled.

With just 48 days to go before the Games, Eliasch told reporters on the sidelines of the World Cup free skiing event in Val d’Isère that “not everything is ready yet,” Caliber.Az reports per Italian media.

Livigno’s mayor, Remo Galli, however, insisted the resort would be fully prepared. “If there is one place that can guarantee a great Olympics, it is Livigno,” he said. “We will have all the snow necessary. In fact, we will have more than enough.”

Milder winter weather had delayed natural snowfall, but snowmaking cannons have been operational in recent days. Early in December, Livigno inaugurated the Monte Sponda reservoir, a €21 million project holding 203,000 cubic metres of water, making it one of Europe’s largest artificial snow facilities.

Eliasch described the snow production delays as “inexplicable” and added that organisers are in frequent contact with authorities: “We call them three times a day – morning, afternoon and evening. The Italian government and the regions hosting the Games still have a lot of work to do and must speed up.”

Mayor Galli responded that a valve replacement had been necessary but confirmed that all snow cannons are now operational. He highlighted the upcoming men’s super-G World Cup race on 27 December, noting that FIS technicians had recently assessed the slopes positively for snow coverage, surface quality and safety.

Galli praised the work of Milano Cortina Simico, led by commissioner Fabio Saldini, as well as the Milan-Cortina 2026 Foundation and the Lombardy region, adding: “We are doing well – for Livigno and for Italy. Temperatures will drop further in the coming days, even to minus 20 degrees, so I am not worried.”

Cortina, which will host women’s alpine skiing events as well as bobsleigh, luge, skeleton and curling, is also well prepared. Michele Di Gallo, director of the Cortina Foundation, confirmed that sections of the Olympia delle Tofane slope are already open, following upgrades to artificial snow facilities by cable-car operator Ista over the summer.

By Aghakazim Guliyev