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With just seven months to go before the 2026 Winter Olympics, the Alpine resort town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, is confronting a temporary setback after a landslide earlier this week severed its primary southern access road. However, despite reports suggesting the Olympic host is isolated, local officials have moved quickly to assure the public that the Queen of the Dolomites remains open and accessible.
On July 1, a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall and unstable terrain struck the village of San Vito di Cadore, sending more than 3,000 cubic meters (105,900 cubic feet) of debris onto a key stretch of State Road 51 (SS51), also known as the Alemagna route. The landslide—measuring 100 meters (328 feet) wide and four meters (13 feet) high—temporarily closed the road in both directions. No injuries were reported, and emergency crews have been working around the clock to clear the blockage.
The affected route is a crucial connection between the Veneto plain and Cortina, especially for freight and visitors coming from Venice. However, Cortina’s municipal administration emphasized Thursday that alternative access routes remain fully operational.
“Contrary to what is reported by some press sources, traffic is guaranteed through the following connections: Passo Tre Croci, Passo Giau, and Val Pusteria,” the Cortina town council said in a statement. “The only connection temporarily interrupted is the one from the south, through the Boite Valley.”
The update arrives as the mountain town enters its peak summer season. With high temperatures across Italy driving travelers toward the cooler Dolomites, local officials are eager to dispel any suggestion of inaccessibility.
“All accommodations are open, services are active, and the outdoor activities and events program is rich and varied,” the municipality noted. “With proper travel planning, Cortina is easy to reach—and just as spectacular as ever.”
The disruption nonetheless highlights the logistical challenges Italy faces in the run-up to the 2026 Winter Olympics, co-hosted by Milan and Cortina. While Milan will stage most indoor sports, Cortina is responsible for several major outdoor events, including alpine skiing and sliding sports. The SS51 is among the key roads slated for infrastructure upgrades ahead of the Games.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, located at 1,224 meters (4,016 feet), is one of Italy’s most celebrated ski resorts. With over 120 kilometers (75 miles) of ski runs, 34 lifts, and a storied Olympic legacy dating back to 1956, it draws visitors from around the world. Yet like many mountain towns, it sits in a geologically complex region where landslides and rockfalls are part of the landscape’s history. The town and its surrounding valleys have seen similar incidents in 2009 and 2015.
This week’s landslide was preceded by heavy rains that also battered South Tyrol, causing mudslides and flooding in the Vipiteno region. In Ridnaun, more than 100 millimeters (3.9 inches) of rain fell in just one hour—a local record, according to meteorologists.
Authorities from ANAS (Italy’s road agency) and the Civil Protection Department continue to monitor the situation near San Vito using drones and helicopters to assess the slope’s stability. Only once it is deemed secure can cleanup operations begin in full. The road is expected to remain closed for several more days, at the very least.
Immagini drammatiche a #SanVitodiCadore (#Belluno), dove una colata di sassi e #fango è scesa dalla #CrodaMarcora. La #frana ha invaso e bloccato la strada statale 51 di #Alemagna, che collega la pianura a #Cortina D’Ampezzo. pic.twitter.com/de58TqXdC0
— Notizie al contrario (@not_contro) July 1, 2025
