Six-figure fees for Dolomite getaways during Winter Olympics

 ROME – Winter getaways to chalets in Cortina d’Ampezzo, in the Dolomites, will cost as much as 731,000 euros during the Winter Olympics in Feb 2026, Il Fatto Quotidiano reported.

 Although Cortina, nicknamed the “pearl of the Dolomites” is already considered an upscale resort, known for its ski trails and scenery, the prices of holiday accommodation in the area have skyrocketed for the coming February due to the 2026 Winter Olympics, which are being held in Milan and Cortina.

 On Airbnb, a chalet in Monte Rota for six people from Feb. 5 to 23, will cost 731,476 euros, for those who can afford to pay. A “delightful attic” for four people for 18 nights costs 49,331 euros, amounting to 685 euros per night per person for the stay. Other apartments in the town centre for four people for the duration of the Olympics cost between 200,000 and 400,000 euros.

 A tour operator, speaking to Il Fatto Quotidiano, said that “the market decides [the price]” and that during the Olympic period “demand exceeds supply”, causing owners to raise their prices. He added that “if someone can spend 1,500 euros to see a competition, then they can also spend 3,000 euros a night to sleep.”

 The tour operator also pointed out that Cortina has become a luxury destination, with 12 luxury hotels set to open in the town in the next three years, and that the prices also reflect this change.

 Those who rent houses or rooms, tourist agencies and booking agencies are set to profit greatly from the games. However, those who will be working in Cortina during the Olympics are facing difficulty, as there is no low-cost accommodation nearby. Il Fatto Quotidiano reported that a catering company is having to put staff in hotels in Jesolo, 115 miles away from Cortina on the Adriatic coast. The staff will have to make a five-hour journey every day to and from work during the Olympics.

 Most people charging extortionate prices for accommodation in the Olympics are second-home owners who do not live in Cortina yet will still profit. This raises the question once more over the broader impacts of mass tourism on local populations. 

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