Nothing showcases the diversity of the world’s ski destinations like the Winter Olympics, currently in full flow in China. Here are some fun facts about famous resorts picked to host the quadrennial event, both in the past and future years, which are also top places to own a home by the slopes…

All eyes on Cortina for 2026

Jewel of the Italian Dolomites, chic Cortina d’Ampezzo is geared up to be the centrepiece of the next Winter Olympics. Officially titled Milano Cortina 2026, events will also take place in Milan, Verona and a selection of other resorts in the region, including Livigno and Bormio Stelvio in Valtellina.

It will be Cortina’s second time, having staged the Games in 1956. In fact, the resort was also due to hold the event in 1944, but the Second World War put a stop to that. Italy’s one other time as host was in 2006 in Turin.

Part of the Dolomiti Superski ski area, Cortina scores highly on the world stage not just for its excellent skiing but also its trendy après-ski scene, glitzy fashion boutiques and exclusive property. Popular with the Italian jet set, it’s hardly surprising it featured in the Bond film For Your Eyes Only (1981), when 007 gets chased through forests on skis by bad guys on motorbikes before joining the famous bobsleigh track.

Where for 2030?

Excitement is mounting over which country the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will choose to host the 2030 Winter Olympics. The bidding process is underway, with three contenders currently in the running, namely Vancouver–Whistler in Canada, Sapporo in Japan and Barcelona-Pyrenees in Spain. That said, as of February 2022 there are signs that Salt Lake City in the USA could throw its hat in the ring.

If successful, it would be Vancouver’s second time, having had the honour in 2010. Canada’s one other time as host was in 1998 in Calgary. Similarly, it wouldn’t be Sapporo’s first time either, as the city on Japan’s second main island of Hokkaido hosted the event in 1972, the first time it was held on a continent other than North America or Europe. It was lined up to do it in 1940 too, but again had to cancel due to the Second World War.

A win for the Barcelona-Pyrenees camp would see the Winter Olympics coming to Spain for the first time ever (Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics). Event venues would include resorts in the Catalan and Aragonese Pyrenees, as well as the vibrant Catalan capital.

Nowhere has been a host more times than the USA and a win for Salt Lake City would take its total to five. Previous years include twice at Lake Placid in New York State (1932 and 1980), once at Palisades Tahoes in the Sierra Nevada, California (1960) and once before at Salt Lake City in Utah (2002). Interestingly, the Winter Olympics have never taken place in the Southern Hemisphere.

Chamonix, where it all began!

Launchpad of the first Winter Olympics in 1924, today Chamonix maintains its status as a leading destination for all types of mountain sports, attracting as many visitors during the summer months as the winter. It is regarded as the oldest and most established resort in not only the Haute Savoie region but the entire French Alps.

When the Games were first thought up nearly a century ago, briefly they were called the ‘Winter Sports Week’ until the IOC changed this to Olympic Winter Games. The inaugural event in Chamonix brought together a total of 258 athletes from 16 countries, with just only 13 women taking part! France went on to host the Games twice more, namely in Grenoble (1968) and Albertville (1992).

In its stunning setting directly beneath Mont Blanc, Chamonix combines an elegant town with world-class amenities and large year-round population with some of the most challenging pistes in the world. Skiing is spread across five areas in the Chamonix Valley, including Les Houches, Grands Montets and Brévent.

Europe’s double-timers – St Moritz & Innsbruck

Ranked amongst the world’s most exclusive resorts and considered the birthplace of winter tourism 150 years ago, glamourous St Moritz has hosted the Winter Olympics twice (1928 and 1948).

The iconic Swiss resort, in the shadow of the Eastern Alps’ highest summit at Piz Bernina, has been a hang-out of the rich and famous for decades and remains a favourite of royal families and celebs. Besides its superb skiing and reliable snow, it ticks every box, from its stunning lakeside setting and nearby airport for private flights, to boutique shopping and world-class gastronomy. St Moritz has six Michelin-star restaurants, four of which boast two stars.

Meanwhile, Innsbruck in Austria also has staged the Games twice (1964 and 1976). Capital of the Tyrol region, Innsbruck offers that rare package of picturesque historic city, blessed with a riverside setting and stunning imperial architecture, and easy access to lots of quality ski areas, 13 no less! Nearby resorts that featured include Patscherkofel, Seefeld and Axamer Lizum.