Slovenia in the whirlwind of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina

Slovenia is looking forward to the sporting pinnacle of the 2026 winter taking place in Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo and other Olympic venues in Italy, also because the Olympics will be held in its immediate vicinity.

Winter Olympic spectacle on Slovenia’s doorstep

In Slovenia, sport is a way of life. Slovenia even has a national holiday dedicated to sport, celebrated on 23 September. Sport holds a special place in Slovenian culture – and there are many reasons why. The outstanding achievements of Slovenian athletes across different sports, along with a rich collection of Olympic medals that places Slovenia among the world's best in medals per capita, are certainly key reasons for this. It is no surprise, then, that the Olympic Games are an event eagerly anticipated every time.

The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from 6 to 22 February across venues in northern Italy, with Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo at the heart of the Games. For Slovenia, this makes the event all the more exciting, as it will unfold just across the border. All the more reason to combine cheering for your favourite athletes with discovering a small, diverse and green country – and perhaps uncovering the secret behind its sporting success.

The 2026 Olympic venues

The Winter Olympic Games will unfold across a range of venues in northern Italy. The opening ceremony will take place in Milan on 6 February while the closing ceremony will be held in Verona on 22 February. Discover the venues where athletes will battle for Olympic medals.

Anterselva/Antholz: biathlon

Bormio: men’s Alpine skiing, ski mountaineering

Cortina d'Ampezzo: women’s Alpine skiing, bobsleigh, curling, luge, skeleton

Livigno: freestyle skiing, snowboard

Milano: figure skating, ice hockey, short track speed skating, speed skating

Predazzo: ski jumping, cross-country skiing, Nordic combined

Visit the official site of Milano Cortina 2026

To warm up, here are some interesting statistics

Before turning our attention to the Olympic dreams of athletes and cheering on our favourites, we invite you to explore some Olympic figures that Slovenia is particularly proud of.

Total number of medals won at the Olympic Games

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Number of athletes who have won Olympic medals

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Number of Slovenian athletes with more than one Olympic medal

Total number of medals won at the Winter Olympic Games

Number of medals won for Slovenia at the Paralympic Games

Number of Slovenian athletes participating at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games

Winter sports athletes who have won the most Olympic medals

Tina Maze, Alpine skier

2 gold, 2 silver

Peter Prevc, ski jumper

1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze

Žan Košir, snowboarder

1 silver, 2 bronze

Slovenia at the 2026 Winter Olympics

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Photo: Aleš Fevžer, OKS

Slovenian winter heroes

The close proximity of the Olympic venues will attract many Slovenian sports fans to Cortina – but who will they cheer on the most? Ski jumping is one of Slovenia's strongest medal prospects, with siblings Domen and Nika Prevc among the seasons' leading athletes. They won the Four Hills Tournament and the Two Nights Tour respectively, following in the footsteps of their highly successful older brother, Peter Prevc. Other male and female ski jumpers are also among the candidates for Olympic medals in Predazzo, both in individual and team events.

Domen Prevc

Current ski jumping world champion

World record holder (254.5 metres)

Winner of the 2026 Four Hills Tournament

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Nika Prevc

Current world champion on normal and large hills

Women’s world record holder (236 metres)

Winner of two consecutive large Crystal Globes

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In addition to ski jumping, Slovenia has also won medals in Alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and biathlon at previous Winter Olympic Games. Discover which Slovenian athletes will compete for medals at these Winter Olympic Games.

Meet the Slovenian athletes attending Milan Cortina 2026

Four athletes in winter gear, each holding a trophy, celebrate on a snowy Olympic podium. — Foto: Aleš Fevžer, OKS

Slovenian Olympic medals in Beijing 2022

Let’s go back four years and recall which Slovenian athletes stepped onto the winners' podium in Beijing. Some of them are also strong candidates for medals at Milano Cortina 2026.

Slovenian medallists in Beijing 2022

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Welcome to Slovenia House in Cortina d'Ampezzo

Visit Slovenia in miniature at the venue of this year’s Olympic Games. Come to Slovenia House in the very centre of Cortina d'Ampezzo and discover our winning combination of sporting achievements, rich cultural heritage, successful economy, advanced science and lively tourism activities. Cheer with us and feel Slovenian heartfelt enthusiasm in supporting our favourites. Between 8 and 22 February, Slovenia House will be a hub for socialising, business meetings and conferences, various events, culinary experiences and the Olympic spirit. Its' ambassador is the legendary Slovenian Alpine skier Tina Maze.

Visit the Olympic Slovenia House

Feel the rising Olympic fever in Slovenia

For the first time since 2006, when the competitions and races for Olympic medals took place in Turin, the 2026 Winter Olympics will once again unfold just beyond Slovenia's doorstep. The Olympic venues in neighbouring Italy are just a few hours' drive away. For example, it takes around five hours to drive from Ljubljana to Milan, while Cortina d'Ampezzo is less than four hours away. This is an ideal opportunity to combine cheering for your favourite winter athletes at Olympic venues in Italy with a visit to Slovenia, where unforgettable winter experiences, outstanding cuisine and ultimate pampering await.

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Where to stay

From luxury hotels to tourist farms, from private rooms to camping grounds. An exclusive offer of glamping accommodation or staying at the vineyard cottages. In Slovenia, you will find accommodation to suit every budget and every taste.

10 evergreen reasons to visit Slovenia in 2026

10 best reasons to visit Slovenia in 2026.

Practical information

Information for a relaxed and hassle-free stay on holiday.

Facts about Slovenia

Slovenia: a land of hospitable people and unforgettable experiences in the heart of Europe.

Border Formalities

Slovenia is in the Schengen Area, which means that, in general, there are no checks at the border crossings with Italy, Austria and Hungary. To enter Slovenia from Croatia, it is sufficient to have a passport or an identity document, if the visit does not last more than three months.

Top 10 sights

Must-see attractions in green Slovenia!

Getting to and around Slovenia

You can get to Slovenia in different ways – by car or train, by air, bicycle or boat.

Regions

In its small corner of the world, Slovenia is the only European country lying at the crossroads of the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Karst and the Pannonian Plain.

For 2026, Condé Nast Traveler recommends: Visit the Gorenjska region

The renowned travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler has named Slovenia's north-western region of Gorenjska among the Best Places to Go in Europe in 2026. In addition to highlighting the region’s natural attractions, boutique accommodation facilities, gastronomy, breakthroughs in 2026, and the historical spectacle of the Škofja Loka Passion Play, the magazine also features Gorenjska in light of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina. The region stands in complete contrast to overcrowded destinations in neighbouring Italy, and for providing opportunities for unforgettable winter experiences.

Read what Condé Nast Traveler wrote about Gorenjska

While neighbouring Italy braces for shoulder-to-shoulder crowds at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games, Gorenjska’s appeal lies in its breathing room.

Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler

The blaze of the Olympic flame in Italy continues at the Paralympic Games

Certain Winter Olympic venues in northern Italy won’t rest for long after the Winter Olympics end in February. They will host the Winter Paralympic Games between 6 and 15 March 2026. The main events will take place in Milan, Verona, Cortina d'Ampezzo and Tesero. Winter athletes with physical disabilities will compete in six disability categories: Alpine skiing, para snowboarding, cross-country skiing, biathlon, ice sledge hockey, and wheelchair curling. Slovenia will be represented by Alpine skier Jernej Slivnik and cross-country skier Tabea Dolžan.

More on the Slovenian athletes at the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games

Official website of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games

Experience winter in Slovenia

Experience the Olympic spirit for yourself. Discover winter adventures in Slovenia –on skis, ice skates, sledges, hiking boots or with crampons.

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Skiing in Slovenia

Enjoy skiing on well-maintained Slovenian ski slopes.

Cross-country skiing

Tips on where to find enjoyable cross-country skiing experiences in nature.

Winter hikes and snowshoeing in Slovenia

A hike with snowshoes or hiking boots in winter nature is a wonderful experience.

Safely into the mountains

Follow the instructions for safe hiking in the mountains.

Sledging in Slovenia

Learn about some of the most in-demand sledging locations in Slovenia.

Ice climbing

Your A to Z guide for ice climbing in Slovenia.

Safely enjoying ski touring

Follow the instructions for safe ski touring and discover the most scenic locations for ski touring adventures.

Slovenia outdoors

For outdoor activities in all four seasons, Slovenia is the perfect choice. Here, your favourite ways to stay active can take you from towering mountains to the seashore, from river valleys to rolling vineyard hills. All across Slovenia, excellent outdoor activity centres await. No secret corner is ever too far to explore. Discover Europe's green playground and choose activities that promote your health and well-being.

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This is what winter sounds like in Slovenia

There is no real winter without the crunching of snow under your feet, the soft rustle of skis on fresh powder, and the whisper of the wind playing with snow crystals. Let's the sound of winter reveal Slovenia's idyll.

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Feel the beating sports heart of Slovenia

When it comes to sports, Slovenia is a remarkable phenomenon. Despite its small size, it boasts numerous top athletes ranked among the best in the world in their respective sports. The most famous are cycling aces Tadej Pogačar and Primož Roglič, sports climber Janja Garnbret and the NBA basketball star, Luka Dončić, who are also the ambassadors of Slovenian tourism. Winter sports also boasts legendary names who have pushed boundaries – among them Alpine skier Tina Maze and ski jumper Peter Prevc.

In addition to excellent athletes, Slovenia has proved itself several times as a top organiser of sports competitions. It is also worth noting that Slovenians are a highly sporty nation, with more than two thirds of the population actively engaged in sports. So what is the secret behind Slovenia's remarkable success on the global sporting stage?

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Reasons for Slovenian sporting success at the international level

We present some reasons why Slovenia is successful in the field of sports.

Slovenia is a country of world-class athletes

Experience the active Slovenia and get to know its sporting heart.

Largest sporting events in Slovenia and the world in 2026

Get ready to cheer on your favourites and come to the idyllic environment of Slovenia’s sports venues.

Top reasons why Slovenia is an excellent sports destination

Step behind the scenes of the successful Slovenian sporting success. Discover the opportunities Slovenia offers for training camps, organisation of sports competitions, conferences, meetings, and athlete rehabilitation – and experience how sport inspires us.

Visit Slovenia’s sports portal

Discover Slovenia

The crossroads of four different worlds. The region's landscape diversity is equally evident in its gastronomy. Lively historical developments have left their mark on the cultural heritage. Stunning and well-preserved nature bursting with life. Boutique, green, authentic, unforgettable. This is what Slovenia is all about.

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Regions

In its small corner of the world, Slovenia is the only European country lying at the crossroads of the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Karst and the Pannonian Plain.

Active holidays

Discover the world of active outdoor adventures in Slovenia.

Food and wine

Love is experienced through the stomach.

Arts and Culture

Culture is an expression of human creativity. Slovenia features cities, towns and spaces designed for people. That is why people feel good wherever they are.

Spas and health resorts

Rest, relax and enjoy the soothing power of thermal waters and wellness treatments.

Green story of Slovenia

Plan your holidays in green.

Slovenia Unique Experiences

Enter the world of original adventures.

Boutique accommodation in Slovenia

Experience boutique charm, refined comfort and authentic living in Slovenia.

Cities, places and spaces for people

The allure of Slovenian cities and towns lies in their ability to evoke a sense of humanity and freedom in visitors.

Stories from Slovenia

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Slovenia in the whirlwind of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina