MILAN, Italy — As the world gears up for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Northern Italy, curiosity about the athletes' living quarters has sparked widespread interest among fans. The Olympic Village, a temporary hub for competitors, coaches, and officials, offers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes life of the games. For the first time in Olympic history, organizers have planned six separate villages to accommodate the event's diverse venues, with one standout location in the mountain town of Cortina d'Ampezzo designed as a fully mobile community.
The Cortina village, nestled near key skiing and snowboarding facilities, can house up to 1,400 residents in nearly 400 compact, wooden-clad mobile homes. These prefabricated units emphasize sustainability, as they are intended to be entirely dismantled after the games conclude in late February 2026. This approach marks a departure from more permanent structures used in past Olympics, aiming to minimize long-term environmental impact in the sensitive Alpine region.
"The beauty of a Village like this lies in the fact that everything will be removed afterward," said Fabio Saldini, the Italian government commissioner overseeing the project, in an interview with the Associated Press. "Nothing is permanent — the environment will not return to its previous state but will be improved. This is a temporary village, but of high design." Saldini's comments highlight the organizers' commitment to eco-friendly innovation, ensuring that the site reverts to natural use once the athletes depart.
While the villages provide essential lodging close to competition sites, not all athletes plan to stay there. Some prominent U.S. competitors, including figure skaters and alpine skiers, have reportedly chosen alternative accommodations, such as nearby hotels or private rentals, to suit their training schedules and personal preferences. This opt-out trend has been common in recent Olympics, allowing teams more flexibility amid the games' intense two-week schedule from February 6 to 22, 2026.
Canadian athletes have already shared early insights into village life through social media, offering a rare peek inside the compact living spaces. Hockey players Sarah Nurse and Emerance Maschmeyer posted videos of themselves rearranging furniture in their shared room at the Milan village, which serves as a central hub for ice events. Their lighthearted clips showed the practical challenges of settling in, from unpacking gear to making the space feel like home amid the excitement of the games.
Snowboarder Nathan Pare provided an even more detailed tour of his lodgings in Cortina, capturing the nuances of daily life for athletes. In a series of photos and videos shared on Instagram, Pare highlighted the room's efficient layout, designed for functionality over luxury. "It's all about making it work for two weeks," Pare noted in a caption, emphasizing the transient nature of Olympic housing.
Storage in these dorm rooms is straightforward but sufficient for the short stay. Athletes sharing a room each have personal shelves for clothing and equipment, allowing for organized access to skis, boots, and uniforms without cluttering the shared areas. This setup helps maintain hygiene and order, crucial when multiple team members rotate through the space during the competition period.
The bathroom facilities reflect a blend of Italian design and practical needs. According to Pare's tour, the toilet and bidet occupy a dedicated enclosed area, providing privacy in the compact quarters. The shower, separated by a simple curtain, is positioned in an adjacent section, while sinks are integrated into an open floor plan between these zones. This configuration maximizes space but requires coordination among roommates, especially during busy mornings before events.
Not all features have received rave reviews from athletes. The beds, two narrow singles per room, drew Pare's candid assessment. Unlike the controversial cardboard frames used in the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Games — intended to discourage fraternization — these are standard wooden or metal frames. Still, Pare described them as uncomfortable, separated only by small side tables and a couch that leaves ample open floor space. He quipped about the room's potential for "activities," a nod to the longstanding rumors of Olympic Village romances.
Outdoor access adds a welcome touch of comfort in the chilly Italian Alps. Each room includes a balcony, which Pare demonstrated as a key feature for ventilation. During the games, when indoor heating can make spaces stuffy, the balcony allows cold mountain air to circulate, refreshing the quarters without relying solely on mechanical systems. This detail underscores the villages' adaptation to the winter climate, where temperatures can dip below freezing.
The Milan village, hosting events like figure skating and speed skating at the Santa Giulia district, mirrors Cortina's mobile ethos but on a larger urban scale. It will accommodate thousands, including international officials, with dining halls serving a global menu tailored to athletes' nutritional needs. Related reports have detailed the village's food offerings, from high-protein Italian staples to international favorites, ensuring competitors stay fueled for medal pursuits.
These villages represent a logistical triumph for the 2026 organizers, who faced challenges in coordinating across Milan, Cortina, and other sites like Valtellina for alpine events. The decision for multiple villages stems from the games' sprawling footprint, spanning over 100 miles, to reduce travel times and carbon emissions. Environmental groups have praised the temporary designs, though some local residents in Cortina expressed concerns about short-term disruptions to tourism during construction phases leading up to the event.
Athletes' personal stories add a human element to the infrastructure. Nurse and Maschmeyer's room-rearranging video, viewed over 50,000 times, captured the camaraderie of team life, with the pair joking about claiming the best bunk. Pare's balcony shots, taken against snowy backdrops, evoked the thrill of competing in one of Italy's most picturesque regions, home to the 1956 Winter Olympics.
Looking ahead, the villages' post-games fate will be closely watched. Saldini's assurance of full removal aligns with Italy's broader sustainability goals for the Olympics, potentially setting a precedent for future hosts like the 2028 Los Angeles Games. As preparations continue, with test events slated for late 2025, the focus remains on creating an environment that supports peak performance while respecting the host nation's heritage.
For fans tuning in from afar, these insider glimpses demystify the Olympic experience, revealing a world of shared spaces, minor inconveniences, and unbreakable team spirit. As the 2026 countdown accelerates, the villages stand ready to welcome the world's top winter athletes, blending high-stakes competition with the simple comforts of home — albeit temporary.