Across Italy, the Winter Olympic Vibes Are Very Different

The Games carry Milan’s name, but the atmosphere has come alive in the mountain towns. In Bormio, ticketless spectators packed the streets at the bottom of the Stelvio course, turning the event into what residents described as a neighborhood festival. “We all made a point to be here,” said Lucia Gerber, adding, “Though we could use more big screens!” By contrast, Milan has felt restrained.

Athletes and fans ride the subway alongside commuters, Olympic signage is muted, and many venues sit miles apart. Some visitors said the city resembles a midsize business convention rather than a single Olympic town; Cortina’s mayor summed up the contrast, saying, “If you go to Milan… it’s impersonal.” The Games stretch nearly 8,500 square miles, with mountain sites often more than 100 miles from the city.

That distance has diffused much of the usual Olympic energy. Spectators and athletes are dispersed across six Olympic villages, and some fans said they missed a central gathering place.

Italy, Milan, Bormio, Cortina

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