Winter Olympics Travel

Places Where Winter Olympics History was Made

Imagine the excitement of schussing down the same mountain where a legendary skier earned a Winter Olympics gold medal for his nation.

Or figure skating in the same rink where a young Winter Olympics prodigy such as Sarah Hughes executed perfect triple lutzes. Or even dramatically careening down a world-famous Winter Olympics toboggan run, hugging your travel partner with all your might.

Out of the Spotlight

If you're interested in visiting a Winter Olympics site and participating in cold-weather sports, I suggest you make plans to travel to a former location. The spotlight is off these Winter Olympics destinations, yet their world-class facilities remain.

Ice rinks and ski hills that once hosted athletes at the peak of their game are now peopled with energetic amateurs.

Several years ago I visited Lake Placid, where facilities that once hosted top athletes were later filled with visitors having a great time at areas groomed for the pros. In this and many other Winter Olympics venues, the host city built spectacular sports centers that remain open for public use.

Time has not stood still in any of these world-famous destinations, of course. New experiences and facilities await those who travel around the globe to visit a Winter Olympics venue.

And everywhere the Winter Olympics was ever held, the proud spirit of championship athletics remains.

Winter Olympics Venues to Visit

The following sites all remain great places to see and ski, dine and dance, unwind and explore.

Vancouver, Canada (2010 Winter Olympics)

Turin, Italy (2006 Winter Olympics)

Salt Lake City, USA (2002 Winter Olympics)

Nagano, Japan (1998 Winter Olympics)

Lillehammer, Norway (1994 Winter Olympics)

Albertville, France (1992 Winter Olympics)

Calgary, Canada (1988 Winter Olympics)

Lake Placid, New York (1980, 1932 Winter Olympics)

Innsbruck, Austria (1976, 1964 Winter Olympics)

Sapporo, Japan (1972 Winter Olympics)

Grenoble, France (1968 Winter Olympics)

Squaw Valley, California (1960 Winter Olympics)

Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy (1956 Winter Olympics)

Oslo, Norway (1952 Winter Olympics)

St. Moritz, Switzerland (1948, 1928 Winter Olympics)

Chamonix, France (1924 - first year the Winter Olympics were held)