Excitement surrounds the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics (MICO 2026). For the 2026 Games the use of traceable and responsibly sourced wood is a key part of the event with PEFC-certified Italian forests at the heart of its sustainability aims. The region of Trentino-Alto Adige, with its commitment to certified wood construction, is leading the charge to combine sustainable forest management with the regeneration of Italy’s Alpine communities. Local wood from the Trentino region, including timber recovered following Storm Vaia, is transforming an environmental challenge – caused by the bark beetle – into a symbol of resilience, circularity, and long-term legacy.
From Alpine Forests to Urban Architecture
The Fabio Canal Cross-Country Ski Stadium in Tesero has undergone major redevelopment in preparation for the 2026 Games. Designed according to a ‘build-to-last’ philosophy, the project places strong emphasis on creating a legacy facility that will continue to serve the local community long after the Games end. The redevelopment of the stadium’s two existing buildings was carried out by Stroppa Costruzioni Srl, using cross laminated timber (CLT) panels selected for their light weight, strength, and low environmental impact, alongside laminated fir and larch wood. All timber used in the project came from PEFC-certified sources, reinforcing the region’s commitment to sustainable construction.
The Trentino wood supply chain extends beyond the Alps to include major urban Olympic projects. XLAM Dolomiti, a leader in Italy’s structural timber sector, made a significant contribution to the Milan-Cortina Olympic works. Using exclusively PEFC-certified wood, the company was involved in the construction of the Athletes’ Village in Porta Romana, Milan and demonstrates how certified timber can meet the demands of large-scale, high-profile urban developments.
The Athletes’ Village includes structural mass timber and following the Games, the development will be transformed into Italy’s largest affordable student housing project. Built on a former railyard, the village comprises six new mass-timber residential buildings alongside two restored historic structures. The design draws on the site’s industrial heritage and Milan’s streetscape. Once converted, the village will offer 1,700 student beds, opening for the 2026-27 academic year and ensures a long-term legacy beyond the Games.
Education, Craftsmanship, and Circular Economy
Beyond the sporting architecture and facilities, MICO 2026 has created opportunities for social development and environmental education. The ENAIP Vocational Training Centre in Tesero collaborated with the Autonomous Province of Trento to produce furnishings for the Olympic venues.
Fourth-year woodworking students designed and built furniture for the lounge at the Tesero Cross-Country Ski Stadium, using local PEFC-certified wood also affected by bark beetle infestation. These pieces were made using a material that, despite having turned blue due to the fungus carried by the insect, was recovered and used as a symbol of resilience and a circular economy. All the furniture made by the school used PEFC-certified wood.
ENAIP Tesero also holds a unique distinction being the first school in the world to obtain PEFC Chain of Custody certification. Since 2017, the school has trained students in craftsmanship, and in the full certification and traceability process. During their fourth year, students actively manage the certification procedures themselves. Students also created a unique artwork in collaboration with renowned local artist Marco Nones. The installation, on display in Tesero for the duration of the Olympics, is made from the same blue-stained wood. This sculpture is PEFC-certified and serves as a tribute to Olympic values, local craftsmanship, and the resilience of forests impacted by Storm Vaia, which devastated millions of trees across the region in 2018.
A Lasting Legacy for Communities and Forests
MICO 2026 is global sporting event with millions watching live in person, on television and via various media platforms. PEFC-certifed wood is playing a valuable structural and visual role, demonstrating how natural resources can be transformed into sustainable architecture, with lasting environmental, economic, and social value for local communities for years to come.
