Olympic tourists in Cortina can explore the Dolomites with the new ‘Uber Snowmobile’ service

Snowmobile Tours Offer Olympic Visitors Glimpse of Iconic Dolomite Peaks

Olympic spectators at the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo will have a unique opportunity to explore one of Italy’s most stunning natural landmarks through an innovative transportation partnership launched this weekend.

Starting Saturday, visitors can book “Uber Snowmobile” rides to the base of the Three Peaks of Lavaredo, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring dramatic limestone pinnacles located just 23 kilometers from Olympic competition venues. The service, available throughout February, represents a collaboration between ride-hailing giant Uber, the Games’ official transportation sponsor, and local tour operator Snowdreamers.

“We want to give an experience to the tourists, so they can feel the mountains in a different way,” said Giulia Baffetti, a snowmobiling tour guide and Olympic torchbearer who works with Snowdreamers.

The hour-long excursions begin with an Uber transfer bus that carries up to eight participants from Cortina to the snowmobile departure point. From there, instructors lead riders along a 7-kilometer snow-covered route that reaches speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour while winding through forest landscapes where deer and wolves are occasionally spotted.

Safety features include mandatory helmets, heated handgrips for comfort in the alpine conditions, and emergency stop buttons for riders who feel unsafe or veer off course. Guides ensure participants slow down when passing cross-country skiers and sledders who share portions of the route.

The partnership aims to showcase the natural beauty surrounding the Olympic host region, highlighting an area that typically attracts hikers and climbers during summer months but transforms into a winter wonderland for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding during the Games. The route includes a scenic loop around Lake Antorno on the return journey.

The Three Peaks, known for their jagged silhouettes against the sky, create a spectacular visual backdrop that appears even more impressive up close than from Cortina itself. Environmental protections limit snowmobiling to designated areas to preserve the delicate alpine ecosystem.

Uber spokesperson Caspar Nixon confirmed that initial tour slots were claimed quickly after being released, but the company plans to add more availability throughout February. The free tours currently operate only on weekends during the Olympic period.

First-time snowmobilers have reported positive experiences with the adventure. “It was perfect,” said Saher Deeb, an Israeli tourist who participated in a preview tour on Thursday, one day after his 29th birthday.

The initiative represents a creative approach to showcasing Italy’s natural treasures to the international audience gathered for the Games. While the Dolomite mountains are visible from Cortina itself, this transportation option allows visitors without mountaineering experience to venture closer to the iconic formations that help define the region’s distinctive landscape.

The Olympic connection underscores how host regions increasingly leverage major sporting events to highlight broader tourism opportunities that extend beyond competition venues, potentially encouraging longer stays and return visits that benefit local economies after the Games conclude.

For visitors planning Olympic itineraries, the snowmobile tours offer an exhilarating complement to spectating that literally goes off the beaten path, providing a taste of alpine adventure without requiring technical outdoor skills.