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

Who are the Slovenian medallists at the Olympic venues in Italy and how did Slovenia experience the Olympic spectacle, which took place in its immediate vicinity for the first time in 20 years?

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.

Cover photo: Anže Furlan

Happy ski jumpers in white, dark blue, and green winter clothing in front of the ski jumps, snow, Slovenian flag. — Photo: Anže Furlan

Slovenian winter heroes

The proximity of the Olympic venues attracted numerous fans from Slovenia, who created an exceptional atmosphere with their heartfelt support for their favourite athletes. And all that support certainly paid off. Our team’s haul of Olympic medals, won on the home terrain of our western neighbours, continues to grow. These are the Slovenian Olympic medallists in 2026.

Mixed ski jumping team
Nika Vodan, Anže Lanišek, Nika Prevc, Domen Prevc

Domen Prevc
ski jumping (large hill)

Nika Prevc
ski jumping (medium hill)

Nika Prevc
ski jumping (large hill)

The 2026 Olympic venues

The Winter Olympic Games in Italy are taking place at various venues. The opening ceremony took place in Milan on 6 February and the closing ceremony will be held in Verona on 22 February. Six venues were hosting the battles for Olympic medals and new amazing sporting stories.

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

Slovenian Olympics statistics

Although Slovenia is not among the world's largest countries in terms of size and population, the picture is quite different when it comes to Olympic medals. We invite you to take a look at some of the Olympic statistics that Slovenia is especially proud of.

Total number of medals won at the Olympic Games

An icon of three people on a podium, with the person in the middle raising their arms in victory.

Number of athletes who have won Olympic medals

Icon of three stars above a ribbon, conveying achievement.

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

Slovenia at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Slovenian House in Cortina d'Ampezzo: a place to get together with champions

During the Olympic Games, the Slovenian House in the heart of Cortina d'Ampezzo offered a unique place to get together and learn about Slovenia. Visitors discovered our winning combination of sporting achievements, rich cultural heritage, a successful economy, advanced science and vibrant tourism activity. There were various events, business meetings and conferences, culinary delights, and, of course, plenty of positive Olympic cheering spirit.

The Slovenian House welcomed both current Olympic medallists and sports stars who won medals at previous games, including Olympic champions Tina Maze, alpine skier (and ambassador of the Slovenian House), and cyclist Primož Roglič.

Discover the atmosphere of the Olympic Slovenian House

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Photo: Anže Furlan

From Olympic venues to a visit to Slovenia

For the first time since 2006, when the competitions and races for Olympic medals took place in Turin, in 2026, the Winter Olympics were again held in the vicinity of Slovenia. The Olympic venues in Italy are only a couple of hours’ drive away; for example, driving from Ljubljana to Milan takes five hours, while it’s less than four hours to Cortina d'Ampezzo. After the Olympic Games, it will be a good time to visit Slovenia, where you can enjoy unforgettable winter experiences, excellent cuisine and ultimate pampering.

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Practical information

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

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.

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.

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.

Facts about Slovenia

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

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.

10 evergreen reasons to visit Slovenia in 2026

10 best reasons to visit Slovenia in 2026.

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

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

Time machine: Slovenian Olympic medals in Beijing 2022

Let’s go back four years and remember the Slovenian athletes who stepped onto the winners’ podium in Beijing to receive their Olympic medals.

Slovenian medallists in Beijing 2022

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