Stelvio Ski Centre: A New Scenic Backdrop in Bormio

The Stelvio Ski Centre is one of the most highly anticipated projects for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Architects NEXT-A collaborated with Giuppani Ingegneria and GiB Studio on the project, which was commissioned by Concessioni Autostradali Lombarde, fully funded by the Lombardy Region, and built on land made available by the Municipality of Bormio.

Stelvio Ski Centre: a contemporary, highly recognizable space

More than a sports facility, the new complex is an urban catalyst conceived as a scenic backdrop at the foot of the Stelvio Run. It can welcome athletes at the finish line, accommodate stands, and house all the facilities needed to manage a major international sporting event.

The project involved the construction of two buildings – the Hospitality Lounge and the Family Lounge – and the reorganization of the exterior spaces to establish a physical and symbolic connection between the new complex and the existing urban fabric.

The buildings were designed to be NZEB, with their extremely low energy demands covered by renewable sources. Both are also highly flexible so they can be handed over to the community for other future uses. The complex generates energy through a 42 kW photovoltaic system and is connected to a district heating system powered by renewable sources.

Intended to host support staff, the media, and official guests, the Hospitality Lounge has a rectangular plan and extends over three levels. Its pitched roof references the mountain landscape and forms an articulated profile of six inclined roof planes of varying lengths. At first floor level, the façade comprises exposed local stone alternating with full-height glazing. To the south, a panoramic terrace faces the ski run and continues up to the second level, conceived as a mezzanine.

The Family Lounge, essentially a glass box with wood mullions, is a free, adaptable interior space for hosting a range of events. Its flat roof has removable grandstands for the Olympics, transforming the building itself into a glazed plinth that can accommodate up to 2,000 spectators.

The material palette is clear and consistent across both buildings, comprising strip stone cladding on the plinths, wood fenestration, and large glazed infill panels. An essential palette gives the Stelvio Ski Centre a contemporary, essential, and highly recognizable appearance. «The Stelvio Ski Centre is the result of effective collaboration between CAL and the NEXT-A design consortium based on shared expertise and vision - says Gianantonio Arnoldi, CEO of CAL - Working as a team made it possible to design a high-quality, sustainable complex fully integrated into its context. While built for the Games, it will be an important legacy for the Municipality of Bormio and the community».