Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: the torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame from Ortisei to the most beautiful and spectacular locations of the valley.
Over the years, Val Gardena has seen many of its most outstanding athletes take part in the Winter Olympics, and the Olympic Flame—currently travelling through towns and cities on its way to Cortina for the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics—could not fail to pass through this land of champions.
On Wednesday, 28 January, during Stage 52, the Olympic Torch will make its way through Val Gardena.
The selected torchbearers will set off at 8:00 a.m. from Ortisei, starting at the “Locomotive” in Piazza Stazion, continuing through the pedestrian area where they will be welcomed by ski instructors, traditional costume groups and cheering supporters in front of the entrance to the Art52 Permanent Art Exhibition, accompanied by a marching band.
Along the route, specially created ice Olympic torches will be displayed.
In Piazza Sant’Antonio, visitors will be able to admire ten hand-carved “Unika Fans” created by local artists. Five of these sculptures were made specifically for the Olympics and will later be exhibited during the biathlon competitions in Anterselva.
Around 8:15 a.m., the marching band will officially welcome the Olympic Torch at Hotel Villa Park with a solemn fanfare.
In Selva Val Gardena, the relay will begin at Dantercepies, where the torchbearers will ascend by gondola lift and ski down the slope, reaching the Ciampinoi gondola station at 8:20 a.m. After an official greeting, they will continue along the Sellaronda route towards the “City of Stones” (Città dei Sassi), where a skijoring activity is scheduled. They will be accompanied by children and young athletes from Ski Club Gardena, a club that has trained numerous Olympic athletes and champions in past editions of the Games.
The Torch will then continue its journey towards Passo Sella, heading into Val di Fassa, passing through Canazei and finally reaching the day’s destination: Cavalese.
Among the Milano–Cortina 2026 torchbearers will also be two athletes from Val Gardena: Carolina Kostner (figure skating, bronze medal at Sochi 2014) and Isolde Kostner (alpine skiing, two bronze medals at Lillehammer 1994 and a silver medal at Salt Lake City 2002).
Val Gardena has always honoured the Olympic Games, as demonstrated during the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, when 11 athletes of the Italian national team came from this very valley, as well as at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, again with 11 Italian athletes.
Finally, considering that the valley has a population of just 10,000 inhabitants, it can be said that in Val Gardena approximately one person in every thousand has the opportunity—and the talent—to take part in the Winter Olympics.
INFO: Val Gardena
