Winter 2034 Olympic planning underway as Park City, Summit County leaders debrief Italy’s Games

City and county officials participated in the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games Observer program. Photo: Courtesy of Jodi Emery/Park City Municipal Corporation

Park City, Utah — Park City and Summit County leaders are already preparing for the 2034 Winter Olympics after traveling to Italy to observe planning and operations for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

City and county officials participated in an observer program during the international event, bringing back lessons on logistics, infrastructure, transportation, and visitor experience that could shape Utah’s preparations for 2034.

Speaking to local officials, Acting Park City Manager Jodi Emery said one of the biggest takeaways was the importance of collaboration.

“What we came back with was really a general sense that collaboration, coordination, and communication allows for a connected experience,” Emery said. “That’s what is so vital to the Olympic experience.”

Olympic growth since 2002

Emery highlighted how the scale of the Winter Games has expanded since Utah last hosted the Olympics during the 2002 Winter Olympics.

In 2002, about 2,399 athletes from 93 nations competed across 116 medal events in 16 disciplines. By comparison, the 2026 Games featured roughly 2,900 athletes from 93 nations, with new sports continuing to be added to the Olympic program.

The reach of the Olympics has also grown dramatically in the digital era. The Milano-Cortina Games received more than 650,000 broadcast hours, millions of online viewers and billions of social media engagements worldwide.

“This is a global stage in every respect,” Emery said.

Geography and sustainability

One of the most striking contrasts between the Italian host region and Utah is geography.

In Italy, venues were spread across hundreds of miles of mountain terrain, creating what Emery described as “logistical silos.” By contrast, Utah’s venues, with many clustered around Park City, sit within a much tighter footprint.

That proximity is a major advantage, but it will also put intense pressure on local infrastructure, she said.

“Because our venues are so close, we’re going to have a lot of pressure on Park City and Summit County’s infrastructure,” Emery said.

Lessons from Italy showed that the spectator journey often begins long before fans arrive at a venue, sometimes traveling across regions.

“Transit isn’t just a good idea, it’s the only way to ensure that our residents, workforce, and volunteers can actually move while the world is here,” Emery said.

Another key takeaway from the observer program was sustainability.

Rather than building permanent facilities that could sit unused after the Games, many Olympic planners now prioritize temporary infrastructure that can later be dismantled or repurposed.

Emery said planning early allows cities to specify modular materials that can later be reused for local projects such as parks or public works facilities.

“The most sustainable Games are those that don’t overbuild,” she said.

Lessons from Italy

During their visit, the officials attended several Olympic events to observe the spectator experience firsthand.

Summit County Manager Shayne Scott described watching how organizers responded quickly to issues, such as muddy walkways near a luge venue that were covered with wood chips overnight to improve conditions.

“That flexibility to adapt and improve the visitor experience was impressive,” Scott said.

He also noted that operational success during the Games will depend on clear coordination between city, county, and regional agencies.

Local leaders will need to answer key questions early, Scott said, including which agencies control transportation routes, how congestion will be handled, and how responsibilities will be shared.

Planning for 2034

With eight years until the Games, Emery said planning will be a long-term effort. “Planning for 2034 is an endurance event,” she said. “We’re running a marathon, not a sprint.”

City and county leaders are working toward several near-term goals, including establishing an interlocal agreement between Park City and Summit County, identifying regional legacy projects, and clarifying roles with the Utah 2034 Olympic organizing committee

Within the next two years, officials also plan to participate in the observer program at the 2028 Summer Olympics to continue learning from host cities.

Ultimately, Emery said the goal is to ensure the Olympics leave lasting benefits for the community.

“By the time we reach the 2034 closing ceremonies,” she said, “our organization should be stronger, more resilient, and better at serving our residents than when we started.”