5 Olympic-style challenges to experience in Ticino

With the arrival of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the desire to experience sport, energy and an alpine atmosphere is growing. And to awaken that Olympic feeling, there is no need to travel far: in Ticino, winter is lived outdoors, with a often mild climate, bright days, mountain scenery and activities inspired by the great winter disciplines.

Cross-country skiing, freestyle, ice hockey, skating and curling become the perfect excuse to discover authentic places and enjoy experiences that enrich every moment.

Here are 5 bucket-list experiences to enjoy a winter with an Olympic flavour in Ticino.

1. Cross-country skiing: rhythm, breath and open landscapes

Groomed tracks, silence all around and a movement that warms the body at an unhurried pace. In Ticino, cross-country skiing is an invitation to slow down and follow the rhythm of your breath, surrounded by bright, well-kept alpine scenery. From gentle routes to more technical trails, every track offers the chance to train, switch off and experience the mountains in an authentic way.

The best way to start? Discover where to clip in and let the right places guide you. Perhaps beginning at the Centro Sci Nordico Campra, where cross-country skiing feels completely natural: harmonious trails, an alpine atmosphere and a calm rhythm that helps you ease into the mood, step by step.

2. Freestyle: air, style and adrenaline

Jumps taking shape and an atmosphere vibrating with creativity. Airolo is the reference point in Ticino for freestyle enthusiasts, with well-designed snowparks and events that turn the mountain into an open-air stage. Here, technique and freedom come together, whether you are trying it yourself or simply breathing in the energy of the discipline. And when the bar is raised, it truly shows: the Raiffeisen FIS Freestyle Europa Cup – Aerials brings the excitement of major competitions and the spectacle of high-flying jumps.

An experience that reveals one of the most dynamic and contemporary sides of winter in Ticino, waiting to be discovered.

3. Ice hockey and skating: the ice as a playground

The sound of blades on the ice, an spontaneous match or a few relaxed laps along the rink. In Ticino, ice is not just for athletes, but an open space to have fun, stay active and share energetic moments. And the atmosphere truly comes alive thanks to two iconic local teams: HC Lugano and HC Ambrì-Piotta, both competing at the highest level of Swiss ice hockey.

With indoor and outdoor rinks spread across the region, there is always a place ready to host a friendly challenge or a break on the move. Whether you are holding a hockey stick or simply skating for pleasure, here the ice becomes an experience to enjoy at your own pace.

4. Figure skating: when ice becomes a spectacle

Elegance, precision and movements that tell a story. Figure skating is a discipline that brings sport and expression together, turning the ice into a true stage.

In Ticino, this magic also comes to life thanks to Music on Ice, a show that lets you experience the intensity and beauty of the discipline up close. And when stars such as Stéphane Lambiel, two-time world champion and silver medallist at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics, take to the ice, the connection to the Olympic world becomes even more tangible.

A different way to get closer to the Olympic atmosphere: not by skating, but by being carried away by the emotion of those who do.

5. Curling: precision, tactics and team spirit

Silence, focused glances and a stone gliding towards the target: curling fascinates thanks to its blend of strategy, technique and teamwork. In Ticino, you can get closer to this discipline at various rinks where it can be practised, choosing whether to try your first “throws” or simply watch to truly understand how the magic works.

A special reference point is Faido, where players train and compete at the Ice Arena, and where the 54th edition of the Swiss Open Air Curling Championship has just come to an end, marking its debut in Ticino. A perfect excuse to spark curiosity and discover an Olympic sport that captivates from the very first stone.

5. Bonus: the Olympic spirit you can meet

In Ticino, the Olympic spirit does not live only on the slopes or in stadiums. At times, it walks right beside you, while you stroll along the lakeside in Lugano or enjoy a coffee in elegant Ascona. This is true of athletes who have shaped and continue to shape the history of winter sports: from pioneer Michela Figini, to the determination of Lara Gut-Behrami, and on to Nicole Vallario and Michael Fora (respectively members of the Swiss women’s and men’s national ice hockey teams), ready to dream of Milano Cortina 2026. Faces and stories that make Ticino’s sporting heritage feel close, tangible and inspiring.

Because here, the Olympics are not just an event to watch, but a reality you can truly encounter.

Ascona, Lago Maggiore

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