Uber Launches 'Snowmobile' Tours to Dolomites for 2026 Olympic Spectators
For a limited time during the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, visitors to Cortina can experience the breathtaking Dolomites through a novel 'Uber Snowmobile' service. This initiative allows Olympic tourists to book snowmobile rides to the base of the iconic Three Peaks of Lavaredo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located just 23 kilometers from the competition venues.
Partnership with Local Tour Operator
The service is a collaboration between Uber, the official ride-hailing sponsor of the Games, and Snowdreamers, a Cortina-based winter activities company run by Olympic torchbearer Giulia Baffetti. Starting in February, free tours are offered on weekends to those in town, with bookings exclusively available through the Uber app. Baffetti emphasized the goal of providing tourists with a unique mountain experience, stating, "We want to give an experience to the tourists, so they can feel the mountains in a different way."
Tour Details and Safety Features
The 'Uber Snowmobile' tours include a transfer bus ride for up to eight people from Cortina to the snowmobile departure point. Participants then follow an instructor-led line of snowmobiles along a 7-kilometer route to the peaks. Key safety features include mandatory helmets, heated handgrips, and a red emergency stop button for passengers to use if the vehicle veers off course or they feel unsafe. The ride reaches speeds up to 40 kph, with drivers instructed to slow for cross-country skiers and sledders.
Environmental Considerations and Popularity
Snowmobiling is permitted only in a limited area to protect the delicate environment of the Dolomites. The Three Peaks are a popular destination for hikers and climbers in warmer months and for winter activities like cross-country skiing. Initial tour slots sold out quickly, prompting Uber to add more, according to spokesperson Caspar Nixon. The Associated Press tested the one-hour tour ahead of its launch, noting sightings of deer and wolves along the route and the stunning view of the peaks rising from the fog.
Tourist Reactions and Additional Insights
Saher Deeb, an Israeli tourist celebrating his 29th birthday, described his first snowmobile experience as "perfect" after the ride. The tour also includes a loop around Lake Antorno on the return journey. While the Dolomites offer impressive views from Cortina, getting up close provides an even more awe-inspiring perspective, as highlighted during a clear sunny day in town.
