These Snowy Upstate NY Towns Have Alpine Peaks, Après-Ski Vibes, and 2026 Winter Olympics Energy

While the world’s eyes turn toward the Italian Dolomites this winter for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics , New Yorkers have a familiar urge kicking in: head north, chase snow, and pretend we’re on a European mountain holiday . I don’t know about you, but starting February 6th, not only will every hour of Olympic coverage be watched on TV...but snowy getaways will also be planned to cure the fomo. And what’s amazing — you can get surprisingly close to Olympic-level alpine vibes just a few hours from NYC . The 2026 Winter Games are famously spread out across multiple towns—from fashion-forward Milan to quiet biathlon villages tucked into pine forests. And that decentralized setup mirrors something we already do well: bouncing between Upstate New York towns that each bring their own winter personality . Here’s how to experience the Olympics... Upstate-style. Cortina d’Ampezzo → Lake Placid ------------------------------- *Olympic royalty, but make it Adirondack * Cortina is known as the “Queen of the Dolomites,” and for good reason. It’s a town where the jagged, pink-hued limestone peaks of the Tofane mountains act as a backdrop to Corso Italia , a pedestrian-only fashion runway where fur coats and designer ski gear are the unofficial uniform. It’s legacy royalty (hosting since 1956) and feels like a 007 film set come to life. Lake Placid is Cortina’s American soulmate. Both towns have that rare “Olympic DNA” that you can feel in the air. Just as Cortina will host the high-stakes sliding events and Alpine skiing in 2026 , Lake Placid is the only place in the States where you can truly live the legacy of two Winter Games (1932 & 1980). To mirror the adrenaline of the Tofane slopes, head to Mt. Van Hoevenberg to ride a real bobsled on a professional track. Afterward, trade the Italian *aperitivo* for a fireside drink at the Mirror Lake Inn . Its dark woods and white-glove service capture that exact “Grand European Hotel” prestige found in the heart of the Dolomites. Livigno → Hunter & Tannersville -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Freestyle energy and après-ski chaos * Nicknamed “Little Tibet,” Livigno is a high-altitude bowl that feels wonderfully cut off from the rest of the world. It’s a duty-free party hub famous for its colorful timber chalets and the Bombardino (a potent eggnog-and-brandy cocktail). In 2026, it’s the epicenter for Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding—meaning the energy is young, loud, and incredibly social . That same “vibe-first” energy is alive and well at [Hunter Mountain](https://secretnyc.co/ny-best-ski-resort-hunter-mountain-nyc-getaway/) . When you pair Hunter’s massive terrain parks with the neon-bright, multi-colored storefronts of [Tannersville](https://secretnyc.co/painted-village-in-the-sky-tannersville-ny-small-town/) , you get a New York version of Italian alpine villages on a sugar high. Livigno is about the “après” as much as the “ski.” At Hunter, the scene at the base of the mountain mirrors the Italian “spritz-on-the-slopes” culture . For the full Livigno experience, stay at Hunter Lodge, a Bluebird by Lark —it’s got that modern, minimalist alpine aesthetic that’s currently trending in the Italian Alps. Bormio → Saratoga Springs ------------------------- *Historic spa town, winter edition * Bormio is a fascinating contradiction. It’s home to the Stelvio , one of the most technical and terrifying downhill ski runs on the planet . But at its base lies a 2,000-year-old spa town where you can soak in Roman thermal baths like the Bagni Vecchi , which feature pools carved directly into ancient stone caves overlooking the valley. [Saratoga Springs](https://secretnyc.co/saratoga-springs-new-york-named-top-college-town-2025/) is the only place in the state that can match this “wellness-meets-history” pedigree. While Bormio has medieval frescoes, Saratoga has Victorian grandeur—both towns share an “Old Money” charm that makes them feel worlds away from the gritty city. Trade the Roman stone caves for a soak at the Roosevelt Baths & Spa . The mineral-rich waters provide the same “extreme recovery” that Olympic athletes will be seeking after their runs. A walk down Broadway under a light snow feels remarkably like a stroll through Bormio’s *Centro Storico*. Anterselva → Saranac Lake ------------------------- *Quiet snow, deep traditions * Located on the border of Austria, Anterselva is the spiritual home of the Biathlon . It’s a place of deep, dark pine forests, frozen turquoise lakes, and absolute stillness . It’s less about the glitz of the slopes and more about the “pure” winter traditions of the South Tyrol region. [Saranac Lake](https://Flavio%20Vallenari) is the rugged, authentic alternative to the neighboring Lake Placid and it’s the “quiet sister” town that prioritizes nature and community over commercial flash . During the Olympics, Saranac Lake’s Winter Carnival (Feb 6–15, 2026) will be in full swing, featuring a massive Ice Palace that mirrors the artistic ice installations often found in Northern Italy. Grab some cross-country skis while you’re in town and head to Dewey Mountain . The rhythmic sound of skis on fresh powder through the Adirondack pines is the closest you’ll get to the meditative, high-stakes calm of the Anterselva Biathlon Arena. Milan → Hudson -------------- *Design, dining, and the aperitivo mindset * Milan is the gateway of the whole entire thing. It’s the fashion capital of the world where Gothic cathedrals (the Duomo) meet sleek glass skyscrapers and world-class design shops. In 2026, it will host the figure skating and ice hockey, but the “event” is really the city itself —the **shopping, the galleries, and the sacred ritual of the evening *Negroni Sbagliato*. Hudson is NYC’s northern satellite—the “Brooklyn of the North” if you will. Warren Street** is our version of Milan’s *Via Montenapoleone*, packed with high-end mid-century modern furniture, avant-garde galleries, and boutiques that punch far above their weight. Milanese life is all about the lobby bar and the aperitivo. At The Maker Hotel , the mood is moody, velvet-drenched, and sophisticated—the exact vibe of a Milanese hotel during Fashion Week. Plus, for a literal connection, the actual town of Milan, NY is just a ten-minute drive away. You don’t need a transatlantic flight to tap into this year’s Olympic winter magic. This year, the Dolomites are optional—and Upstate New York is ready for its close-up. Source: https://secretnyc.co/upstate-ny-towns-feel-like-milano-cortina-2026-winter-olympics/