Inside Cortina's Trailer-Park Olympic Village: 400 Mobile Homes in an Alpine Valley

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy Athletes heading to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics this February should not anticipate lavish lodgings or a fireside retreat. The temporary Olympic Village in Cortina d'Ampezzo, accommodating up to 1,400 athletes and team members, consists of 377 rented mobile homes closely arranged on a valley floor prone to humidity.

The Associated Press received exclusive early access to the facility, located about a 10-minute drive or one-hour walk north of downtown Cortina. While comfort is modest, the location offers unparalleled access to the Dolomites. Fabio Saldini, Italy's commissioner for Olympic infrastructure, explained, Its in a quiet area, allowing athletes to enjoy mountain sounds, solitude, or focused training. The Village is temporary but thoughtfully designed, and after the games, it will be removed, leaving the environment enhanced.

Providing suitable lodging is a crucial challenge for organizers, particularly for the geographically split Milan-Cortina Games, where the other main Olympic Village is in Milan. Norway has opted for hotel accommodations for its skiing team, while countries like the U.S., Germany, and Italy plan to use the Village. Alpine skiing stars such as Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin may, however, choose alternative lodging. Cortina will host womens Alpine skiing, curling, bobsled, luge, and skeleton events, and the Village will later serve the Paralympics from March 6-15.

Each trailer has two rooms, housing up to two people per room, with individual bathrooms and showers. Guests may encounter cold winds or breathtaking views of the Dolomites when stepping outside. Walking to the central cafeteria or shared facilities may require warm footwear. The Village spans roughly 1.4 kilometers, with amenities including a gym, game room, offices, relaxation areas, and a laundromat.

During an AP visit in late November, snowstorms created blizzard-like conditions, though February promises more daylight. Situated at 1,292 meters (4,239 feet), the Village is slightly higher than downtown Cortina. The wind varies day to day, and the area can be very cold or comfortable, said construction manager Paride Casagrande. Its a natural, forested environment.

Unlike the Paris Summer Olympics Village, athletes will not need to bring their own climate control. Each trailer is equipped with wall-mounted heating units and ceiling infrared panels, allowing indoor temperatures up to 2526C (7779F). Casagrande noted, Athletes can choose how warm they want it. Some even train outside in minimal clothing despite the snow.

All mobile homes are mounted on wheels for placement, delivered by oversized trucks. Each room measures approximately 18 square meters (200 square feet), with one room slightly larger to accommodate Paralympians, including accessible showers, toilets, and beds. The Villages construction cost totaled 38 million ($44 million), while individual mobile homes could cost up to 80,000 ($93,000) to purchase. After the Olympics and Paralympics, the trailers will be relocated to Italian campsites or a nearby hockey club in Brunico.

Temporary larger structures, such as the cafeteria and gym, are heated by a natural gas thermal plant, which also supplies hot water. Air handling units regulate ventilation. Some trees were removed for construction, prompting environmental concerns, but new vegetation has been added. Most removed trees were already dead, and the park will be preserved, Casagrande emphasized.

Commentary: The Reality of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics Athletes' Village

The upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics face significant challenges when it comes to providing appropriate accommodations for athletes. The temporary Olympic Village in Cortina d'Ampezzo, located in the Dolomites, may offer stunning views, but it comes with several practical limitations. The facilities consist of 377 mobile homes, each accommodating up to two athletes. While the location provides an unparalleled opportunity for solitude and training, comfort is clearly secondary to functionality.

The 1.4-kilometer long Village, with its basic amenities and simple infrastructure, reflects the broader challenge of hosting the Winter Games across geographically divided locations. With the other primary Olympic Village situated in Milan, organizers face logistical hurdles that make the modest accommodations a necessity. While some countries, such as Norway, are opting for hotels, others are sticking with the Village, knowing it is a cost-effective solution despite its inherent drawbacks.

However, the temporary nature of the Village is important to note. Constructed for the Games and then dismantled, the infrastructure is designed to be environmentally sensitive. After the Olympics, the mobile homes will be repurposed for other uses, such as in campsites and sports clubs. This temporary approach may help minimize long-term environmental impact, even though it raises concerns about the removal of trees for construction.

Ultimately, the athletes heading to the Milan-Cortina Olympics will need to adjust their expectations. While the accommodations are far from luxurious, the Village's design aims to strike a balance between functionality and environmental consciousness. Given the unique location and temporary nature of the facility, it seems that athletes will need to embrace the challenge and focus on their training, despite the cold winds and basic living conditions.

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• Behind the scenes of Cortina’s trailer-park Olympic Village: 400 mobile homes in an Alpine valley