20 Years Later – The (Mountain) Sites of the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics

Broken down ruins or active sports venues? I asked this question twice already, visiting former Olympic Games sites. In 2018, I had a look at the remaining witnesses of Atlanta 1996, and in 2022, I explored the sites of Lillehammer 1994. Having a “free” (i.e. non-ticket) day during the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games made me feel like driving to the Piemont Mountains in the Northwest of Italy. The region hosted the mountain events of the 2006 Torino Winter Games. How do they look like twenty years later? Let’s have a look together in my Pictured Story.

 

Torino 2006 – Map of The (Mountain) Olympic Sites

In contrast to the 2026 Games in Milan and Cortino, the sites of the Winter Olympic Games 2006 were very centralized. On the one hand, there was a set of venues venues in Torino itself, e.g. for ice hockey, speed skating, figure skating and the ceremonies. The biggest distance between the mountain venues, namely between Bardoneccia and Pragelato, is about 50 km or one hour drive. There are two ways getting there from Torino. Especially if you want to head to the Northern venues around Cesana and Bardoneccia, the E70 motorway is the fastest option. However, the motorway is a toll route, so that the less than 100km trip requests multiple road toll payments. Taking the Southern route via the A55  motorway and the SP23R route requires less toll, but takes more time (roughly two hours to Sestriere).

Due to the 2026 Winter Games, I visited the venues in February 2026. However, I would rather recommend a visit in summer. You likely have much better chances getting closer to some of the venue. Access to the Cesana Pariol ice track, for example, was limited, as you would have to cross alpine skiing slopes. Of course, if you visit the venues in winter, your car should be equipped in line with the weather conditions. In summer, there are no restrictions to visit the places. You do not need a 4WD or SUV to get around.

 

Torino 2006 – (Mountain) Sites and Host Cities

I haven’t visited all of the Torino 2006 uphill sports sites, but the majority of them. Here are my impressions. I ordered the places in a way you likely might arrange them on a road trip, from North to South. Even though having snow and being there in winter was somehow leading to the right mood, I would rather recommend going there in summer. You simply do have a better view of the sports facilities and also can get closer to some of them more easily.

I forgot visiting the sites at Sauze d’Oulx-Jouvencaux, where Freestyle Skiing took place. The city of Pinerolo also hosted Pinerolo Palaghiaccio. The indoor venue hosted curling in front of 2,000 people.

 

Bardonecchia

Sports: Snowboarding

Bardonecchia is a 3,000 people town, which became more important as it features one side of the Frejus Rail Tunnel. During the 2006 Games, it hosted all snowboarding events. Nowadays. there are no Snowboard World Cups in town. However, Bardonecchia was one of the 2025 FISU Games (World University Games). Apart from snowboarding the hills also featured Alpine Skiing (incl. Para) and Freestyle Skiing.

The most striking element in Bardonecchia reminding of the big 2006 sports event is the Olympic Village. It is centrally located.

 

Cesana Pariol

Sports: Bobsleigh, luge, skeleton

Apart from Sestriere, Cesana is likely the most prominent host city of the 2006 Winter Games nountain events. A memorial is still located at the city’s main roundabout. Cesana Torinese hosts multiple Olympic venues at different spots. The one closest to center of the 1,000 people village is the ice track at Cesana Pariol. Obviously, it hosted all ice track events. However, the 110m Euro investment did not really pay back. There were world cup events until the late 2000’s. Later the track was closed down and deactivated. It was a candidate for the 2026 Games, but finally has not been renovated.

The start tower and the finish area are still existing. During my visit, you could also at least spot parts of the track itself. However, the ice track is scheduled for being turned down. The area is still popular, as it is some sort of home base for the local skiing club. You can do Alpine Skiing there nowadays, the area felt being well visited during my road trip. I saw videos hat you can (a bit of illegally) watch the start gates after a hike. I just watched the area from a distance, though.

 

Cesana San Sicario

Sports: Biathlon

Biathlon at the 2006 Olympics were held just a short drive uphill from the ice track. Nowadays, the place is a sports resort, but you can still see parts of the facilities. However, there are typically no international events there any more. If I saw that correctly, the shooting range can be used as tennis courts.

 

San Sicario Fraiteve

Sports: Alpine Skiing

San Sicario Fraiteve on top of the Cesana Torrinese hills hosted the women’s Alpine Skiing events. You can still see the finish line area nowadays. As that would have required parking fees, I skipped stepping out here. The area is still very popular for skiing.

 

Sestriere (Colle)

Sports: Alpine Skiing

Sestriere is likely the most well-known city of the Torino 2006 mountain host locations. It is also still holding FIS Ski World Cup races nowadays. During the Oly,pic Games, the Central location Sestriere Colle held the technical disciplines of Alpine Skiing (slalom and giant slalom). Even if there are no professional races, Sestriere is very vibrant and a popular touristic spot.

 

Sestriere Borgata

Sports: Alpine Skiing

Sestriere Borgata is a small East borough of Sestriere. It is way less vibrant and active than the main part of the city. However, during the Olympic Games 2006, there was significantly more action there. Borgata hosted the male speed disciplines, i.e. downhill and super-G).  It is still an active ski racing spot.

 

Pragelato

Sports: Ski jumping, Nordic combined, cross-country skiing

Pragelato was one of the central locations of the competition. It hosted all Nordic skiing competition, i.e. ski jumping, Nordic combined, but also cross-country skiing. You can still see the cross-country skiing facilities, but the ski jumping hill is more striking, obviously. The hill also features minor jumps, K15 to K60. Nowadays, none of them is used. The Olympic jumps, K95 and K125 have been abandoned in 2010 already, the junior hills towards the end of the decade. There is some redevelopment to host biathlon events in Pragelato, though.

 

Sports Blogging on Flyctory.com

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Tour Dates (last 12 months)

Here are my posts featuring tour dates, which have been published during the last 12 months: