Cortina Accessible: Experiencing the Dolomites Without Barriers in View of the 2026 Paralympics

Cortina d'Ampezzo, the "Queen of the Dolomites," is not only a paradise for sports and mountain lovers, but is increasingly becoming a model of inclusiveness and accessibility. In view of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics, the famous Alpine resort is enhancing its network of services to ensure a barrier-free welcome designed for everyone. But how do you really get around Cortina if you are in a wheelchair?

Cortina toward inclusivity: concrete change

The Olympic bid has given new impetus to the projects of urban redevelopment and accessibility. Le tourism infrastructure, sports facilities and public areas are the focus of a program aimed at eliminate architectural barriers, facilitate mobility and offer everyone-residents and tourists alike-the opportunity to fully experience the beauty of the Dolomites.

Through collaboration with entities such as the Italian Paralympic Committee and local associations, Cortina is becoming a model of inclusive alpine tourism.

How to Get to and Around Cortina in a Wheelchair

Where to start?

• By train: The nearest train station is Calalzo-Pieve di Cadore, connected to Cortina by equipped buses.
• By car: Cortina can be reached via the SS51, with accessible marked parking lots and rest areas near major hotels and sports facilities.
• Shuttle Services: will be active during the Paralympic Games Accessible buses with platforms and wheelchair spaces, with schedules coordinated with events.

Public transportation and dedicated shuttles

The municipality of Cortina is gradually upgrading its vehicle fleet to include buses and low-floor minivans And with easy access.

During the Paralympics, it is planned to enhance the:

• Accessible Olympic shuttles,
• Transfers to and from hotel facilities,
• Links to sports facilities and points of interest.

A h24 information service with real-time updates on schedules, any changes, and accessibility of routes.

Where to Sleep: Accessible Hotels in Cortina

Cortina offers a wide range of hotels and B&Bs, many of which have rooms equipped for guests with developmental disabilities, accessible bathrooms, and modern elevators.

Facilities such as:

• Hotel Alaska,
• Hotel Europa,
• Domina Cortina
  offer elegant and fully wheelchair accessible.

To be on the safe side, it is always recommended to contact the facility and ask for photos or specific details before booking.

Living Cortina beyond the competitions

Also without skiing, Cortina offers extraordinary experiences:

• Walks in the historic center (with many lowered sidewalks and pedestrian areas),
• Shopping in Corso Italia, with stores equipped for wheelchairs,
• Mario Rimoldi Museum of Modern Art, partially accessible and being updated,
• Breathtaking views reached by facilities with accessible cabins (some with treadmills coming by 2026).

The Ice rink and the Alexander Girardi Hall Sports Center will host Paralympic events and will be completely barrier-free.

Useful Apps and Info Points

• Cortina 2026 App: will provide information on traffic, event accessibility, parking, weather.
• EasyWay and Wheelmap Apps: to map accessible activities.
• InfoPoint Accessibility Cortina 2026: present in the city center and active during the days of the Paralympics.

Inclusive Cortina: An Olympics for All

The Paralympics are an opportunity to transform Cortina into a model of universal alpine tourism. Walking - or gliding - along a snowy trail, enjoying Ampezzo cuisine in an accessible restaurant or participating in the excitement of a race: all of this is possible, for everyone.

Cortina doesn't just host the Games: it experiences them as a pact with the future, where sports, mountains and humanity meet under the banner of freedom and inclusion.