Milano Cortina 2026 Faces Infrastructure Embarrassment as Key Cable Car Remains Unfinished

A key cable car system designed to serve as vital transportation infrastructure for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will not be completed in time for the Games, according to internal correspondence that has emerged just days before the opening ceremony.

The Apollonio-Socrepes cable car, intended to transport spectators, athletes, and officials between Cortina d'Ampezzo's lower town and the mountain venues hosting alpine skiing competitions, remains unfinished with the Olympic opening ceremony scheduled for next week. The revelation has sparked criticism of Italy's Olympic preparations and raised logistical concerns about how organizers will manage spectator flow during what is expected to be the most heavily attended portion of the Games.

The letter detailing the cable car's incomplete status reportedly acknowledges that the lift system—a centerpiece of Cortina's Olympic infrastructure upgrades—will not be operational when competition begins. The admission represents a significant setback for organizers who had promoted the new lift as a sustainable transportation solution that would reduce road traffic and demonstrate Italy's commitment to environmentally responsible Olympic hosting.

Cortina d'Ampezzo, the glamorous Dolomite resort town hosting the alpine skiing events, has struggled with infrastructure development throughout the Olympic preparation period. The cable car project, which involves constructing a modern gondola system to replace outdated lifts, encountered repeated delays related to funding disputes, permitting challenges, and construction complications in the challenging mountain terrain.

The Apollonio-Socrepes lift was intended to provide efficient access from Cortina's town center to the Tofana ski area, where several Olympic races will be contested. Without the cable car operational, organizers must rely on bus shuttles and existing road infrastructure to move thousands of spectators daily—a prospect that raises concerns about traffic congestion, environmental impact, and the overall spectator experience.

The timing of this revelation could hardly be worse for Milano Cortina organizers, who have faced mounting scrutiny over cost overruns, construction delays, and questions about the long-term legacy value of Olympic investments. Italy's bid emphasized sustainability and use of existing infrastructure where possible, but several major projects have proven more complex and expensive than initially projected.

Local officials in Cortina have expressed frustration with the delays, noting that the cable car represents not just Olympic infrastructure but a crucial long-term transportation asset for the resort. The system was designed to serve both Olympic needs and post-Games tourist traffic, providing year-round connectivity between the town and mountain facilities.

The cable car situation reflects broader challenges facing Olympic host cities as they attempt to balance the need for world-class facilities during the Games with long-term community utility and fiscal responsibility. Modern Olympics increasingly face criticism when infrastructure projects serve primarily Olympic purposes rather than creating lasting benefits for host regions.

Italy's Olympic preparations have included significant investments across multiple venues, with Milano and Cortina sharing hosting duties along with several other locations in the Lombardy and Veneto regions. The distributed hosting model was intended to spread economic benefits and reduce the concentrated infrastructure burden that has plagued previous Winter Games.

However, the multi-venue approach has created coordination complexities, with different local governments, contractors, and stakeholders involved in various projects. The Apollonio-Socrepes cable car falls within Cortina's jurisdiction, where local politics and regional funding mechanisms have complicated project execution.

Transportation logistics represent one of the most challenging aspects of Winter Olympic planning, particularly at mountain resorts where venue access is constrained by geography and weather. Cortina's narrow valley roads and limited parking create natural bottlenecks that the new cable car was specifically designed to alleviate.

Without the lift operational, organizers must implement alternative transportation plans that may include restricted private vehicle access, extensive shuttle bus operations, and potentially reduced spectator capacity at certain events. These contingency measures will test the organizational capabilities of Milano Cortina 2026 staff and could impact the atmosphere at alpine skiing events, traditionally among the most popular Olympic competitions.

The alpine skiing program at Cortina includes men's and women's downhill, super-G, and combined events scheduled across multiple days. The Tofana venue, built on the same slopes that hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics, requires significant spectator infrastructure to accommodate the crowds these prestigious events typically attract.

International Olympic Committee officials have not publicly commented on the cable car delay, though privately there is reportedly concern about how the infrastructure shortfall might affect the Games' operational efficiency and public perception. The IOC has become increasingly sensitive to hosting controversies following difficulties at recent Olympics and the challenge of attracting future host cities.

For Cortina, a resort with deep Olympic history and aspirations to reclaim its position among Europe's premier winter destinations, the cable car delay represents a missed opportunity to showcase modern infrastructure alongside the town's legendary charm and mountain scenery. The lift was intended to symbolize Cortina's evolution while honoring its storied past.

The situation also raises questions about post-Olympic completion. Will the cable car be finished after the Games conclude, and if so, who will bear the costs? Olympic budgets typically focus on ensuring venues are ready for competition, with less clarity about finishing ancillary infrastructure that misses Olympic deadlines.

As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics approach, organizers now face the challenge of managing spectator expectations and operational realities without a key piece of planned infrastructure. The coming weeks will test their ability to implement effective contingency plans while maintaining the Olympic experience that athletes and fans expect.

For Italy, a nation with rich Winter Olympic heritage and passionate winter sports culture, the cable car situation serves as an unwelcome distraction from what should be a celebration of athletic excellence against the stunning backdrop of the Dolomites. The hope now is that organizational competence during the Games themselves will overshadow the infrastructure shortcomings that have plagued the preparation period.