Olympics 2026 Predazzo ski jumps

I was closer to the Olympic Games only in 1984, when the games were in Sarajevo. This time I had to go. I chose ski jumps as this season we had great results, and there was big potential for a medal. Out of 7 events, I picked the cheapest one on the weekend, and that was female ski jumps (120€).

I had to be in Predazzo before 18:45 on Saturday 7.2.2026 when jumps started. There was an option of organized transport by Nomago. For 65€, they would pick us up in the morning and after the game return us home. One week before departure, I got a notice that there were not enough people and the transport was canceled (I saw Nomago bus in Predazzo, maybe they drove our team here). Palma also canceled their transport.

Now I had to check other options. The best solution I could find was a train. Start with the night train over Austria to Innsbruck and continue to Bolzano and Auer. From there, it should be a shuttle to Predazzo. After the game, I would take a train to Verona, where I would take a room and countinue next morning towards home. But the night train was sold out, and I was late because of Nomago. I found another option with the train, going over Italy and returning over Austria. Of course, some trouble with getting FIP coupons and train seats.

Friday

On Friday, I left work early. At the bus station, it was crowded, more people than the bus could take in. I squizzed myself in, a few people were not that lucky. I paid 10€ for a bus ride (wrong date; 14:40-16:20) with Nomago, 1.5 h. Because of the crowd, we started late and arrived 10 minutes after the schedule.

I walked from Nova Gorica bus station to Gorizia train station. I needed 45 minutes. I bought cigarettes for 6.8€, and somebody asked me for directions.

First train was to Mestre over Udine (17:43-19:46). Second was just 15 minutes to Padova (19:53-20:07+2), speed on both trains was up to 150kmh. From the station to the hotel was 15 minutes walk. Savhotel 4*, 75 €, upgraded from classic to superior room, average experience, some work on the road, some works in the hotel.

After the shower, I lay down and watched the Olympics opening, just the competitor introduction, b. Went out, walked in a suburban area, taxi back 18.5€ for a few km? I fell asleep after midnight.

Saturday

The next morning, I was up before 6am and soon left the hotel. I walked for 1.5 hours around the city that was still asleep. On my way, I saw San Antonio church, many arcaded streets (via San Francesco), the cathedral, Torre dell’Orologio …

On train to Verona (Venecia-Milano, 07:46-08:30), frecca rossa, speed up to 180kmh. Ride lasted 45 minutes, should have paid for a seat reservation with a discount …

In Verona, I moved to the old town, Arena, Julia’s house, Dante statue, old bridge, castle, and Zeno basilica. In the shop I bought water, it was spakling andsweet, .7€. After 4 hours of walking, I sat on a bench in the park and rested with a cigarette. It was hard to start walking again. I had a coffee, 1.5€.

Back at the station, there was train confusion, the fast one was late and crowded, so I took the slow one, 2 hours (12:06-14:05, R166610), outside vineyards, ate a sandwich. In Ora, I had to wait an hour. I searched for a beer, found a small one for 4.5€ in Gasthouse where they speak German.

Next was the shuttle, which drove us over many serpentines and tunnels to snow country at Predazzo; it took us one hour. On arrival, heavy traffic, rain, and a rainbow.

When I got off the bus raining stopped. I had to get rid of liquids and food. As it was more than 2 hours before the start, I took it slowly, and Denis joined me and a few others on their way to venue.

We went to the stadium half an hour before the start. Inside was crowded at the toilet and bar, small beer in a nice can was 7€. Soon, trial jumps were over, and the real thing was on.

The atmosphere was great at the stadium for 5000 spectators, most people were from Slovenia, but there were also Austrians, Japanese, Germans, Polish fans … We connected with few more Slovene fans.

The first series was not great. Nika Prevc was second, and that cost her a gold medal. She was crying even though she got an Olympic silver medal, but fans cheered for her. Nika Vodan was 8th, Maja Kovačič was 32nd and Katra Komar was 34th.

After the medal ceremony, it was time to leave. It was a challenge to get on the bus to Ora among the crowd. The driver was really fast on that winding road. We still arrived too late for the train to Bolzano. I spoke to some girls from Germany and the Netherlands.

The next train was in an hour, so I went in search of a beer. Found it in the hotel Goldenhof, owned by an Albanian from Macedonia. Beer was 4€. It was a long walk, shared a beer with the girls.

In Bolzano we were quite late (RE3760 23:26-23:39), got on the bus (10A, 3€) and to the B&B hotel, 60€, complicated check-in procedure at the kiosk, finally in bed, tired.

Sunday

I woke up before 6am, but I was too tired and stayed in bed few more hours, watched boarding. With bus, I moved to the train station (waited in between). The train went through 2 long tunnels in the Dolomiti (R17152, 11:0-11:45), Sud Tirol railways are not a part of FIP (colegue).

In Fortezza, my next train was canceled. One more hour to wait. Went out, bought cigarettes 6.8€ and a burger menu 10€.

I got on a train to Lienz (12:51-15:25), where I spoke to a German journalist. Outside was beautiful Alpine scenery for 2.5 hours. There I waited 20 minutes and on to the train to Villach, a bit over 1.5 hours.

In an hour, I took a short walk, and bought water for 2,25€. The last leg to Ljubljana lasted less than 2 hours, paid 12.4€. It was a bus instead of a train, while the station in Ljubljana is under renovation. My sister drove me home

For sure, the experience that I enjoyed. The atmosphere around the Olympics was seen all around. Again, I choose complex trip with 15 different transports, walked more than 50 km in 3 days (14 km, 28km, 8km). It wasn’t cheap, I was tired, but it was worth it.