Winter Olympics face ‘technical problem’ with artificial snow: ‘We are concerned’

The organizing committee for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games recognized on Tuesday a “technical problem” with the production of artificial snow in the Livigno facilities, where the snowboarding and freestyle skiing events will take place. To cover the Livigno Snow Park with snow and create the modules, ramps and half-pipes necessary for the two Olympic disciplines, the organizers must produce large quantities of artificial snow.

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Its snow cannons are supplied with water from the Monte Sponda reservoir, with a capacity of 203,000 cubic meters. Construction of the reservoir, costing 21.7 million euros (around 139.5 million reais), was completed at the end of November.

“In recent days, a technical problem has affected the water supply system” of the snow cannons, the organizers said in a press release sent to AFP. “We resolved the issue immediately, within 72 hours, and system restart tests are underway. We will resume snow production in the coming days,” the statement added.

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Artificial snow production was initially scheduled to start last week. Contacted by AFP, Simico, the company responsible for delivering the Olympic facilities, including the construction of the Monte Sponda reservoir, refused to comment. Even before this setback, the secretary general of the International Ski Federation (FIS), Michel Vion, had already expressed his concerns in early December regarding delays at the Livigno facilities.

“We are a little worried because the need for snow is crucial for these disciplines,” he said at the time. “If we want to ensure that the Games take place in good conditions, we need not only natural snow, but also artificial snow to consolidate the more compact and wet snow,” explained the official.

The organizing committee for the next Winter Olympic Games (which will take place from February 6 to 22) declared on Tuesday that “relations with the International Ski Federation and the IOC (International Olympic Committee) are excellent.”

“There is daily communication, in which they are kept informed at every step,” the statement said.