Six short emails. One global event. We’re covering the 2026 Winter Olympics with the biggest stories, travel insight, and insider context.

→ Prefer to skip it? You can unsubscribe from this series here.

The Winter Games have historically leaned heavily male — think decades of “men’s” ski jumping before women were even allowed to try it on the Olympic stage. That’s changing in 2026. For the first time in Winter Olympic history, nearly half of the athletes competing will be women — an expected 47 percent.

Events like women’s monobob and mixed-gender relays, once novelty acts, are now setting the standard. The International Olympic Committee has been adding female categories, trimming redundant male-only events, and creating more mixed team competitions where men and women share the podium. One great example is the addition of the ski mountaineering discipline this year, which will feature a mixed relay event.

Milano Cortina will also mark a turning point behind the scenes. More women are coaching, officiating, and leading national delegations than ever before with 45 percent of senior leadership roles held by women. Australia’s Alisa Camplin‑Warner, who gained acclaim for winning her own Gold in aerial skiing in 2002, will be the Chef de Mission for Australia’s Winter Olympic team this year, to name one example. The stories around the Games are no longer framed as “first female this” or “only woman that.” Rather, they’re simply stories of athletes doing world-class things.

It’s progress you can see, and it makes for better storytelling, better sport, and a better reflection of the world we actually live in.

Here are specific events to look for:

To see these events live, where you stay can make or break your experience — mostly because the venues are more than 200 miles apart (ice events take place in Milan, while snow events take place in Cortina). The key is to pick a base that matches the events you want to see: Milan for the ice sports (figure skating, hockey, curling), and Cortina and the Dolomites for skiing, snowboarding, and other alpine action.

In Milan, aim for neighborhoods like Brera, Duomo, or Porta Romana, which offer quick access to venues via public transit, without you having to sacrifice dining or nightlife. A great mid-range pick is the Hyatt Centric Milan Centrale, a sleek, modern hotel near the train station — perfect for exploring the city or catching a regional ride north. Or try the B&B Hotel Milano Sant’Ambrogio, a stylish budget option with solid access to the Metro. You’ll trade ski chalets for aperitivo bars, but Milan brings its own Olympic atmosphere — urban energy meets Italian elegance.

For snowsports, Cortina d’Ampezzo is where you want to be. Stay right in town if you can — it’s walkable, lively, and surrounded by Dolomite peaks. The Hotel de LËN is an eco-friendly alpine-chic option that blends local design with spa-worthy comfort, while Hotel Tofana, up in the Pocol area, offers slope-side access for serious ski fans.

▶ Insider Look: What It's Like to Be a 2022 Olympics Ski Patroller: Quarantines, King-Size Beds, and 80 MPH Skiing

▶ Trip-planning Guide: Why You Should Visit Milan Even if You Aren’t Into Fashion

▶ Head to the Lake: Lake Como Is the Deepest Lake in Italy, and Its Shore Is Dotted With Centuries-Old Villas

▶ Places Less Traveled: Lake Como Too Crowded? Lake Orta Is an Affordable, Unspoiled Escape Just Outside Milan