The 2026 Milan-Cortina Games are officially here, and it’s time to bring that "Après-Ski" energy into your living room. Being an avid skier all my life and having worked for a professional hockey team as a past career, the Winter Olympics are my hands-down favorite. 

1. The Menu: Nor Cal Comfort with Italian Flair

Focus on high-quality, local ingredients with a winter twist.

• Artisanal Hot Cocoa Bar: Serve locally sourced chocolate with "slalom" peppermint sticks and gourmet sea salt.

•  The "Olympic Rings" Antipasto Board: Use five small bowls for the rings. Fill them with black olives (black), sun-dried tomatoes (red), blueberries (blue), yellow bell peppers (yellow), and green grapes (green). Surround them with prosciutto, salami, and Parmigiano-Reggiano chunks.

• Polenta Fries: Cut firm, chilled polenta into sticks and air-fry or bake them until crispy. Serve with a Gorgonzola dip (classic Milanese cheese).

• Biscotti & Espresso: Perfect for the early morning events if you’re watching live from a different time zone!

•  The Bar: Serve light drinks like Aperol Spritzes or chilled Peroni during the day, and Italian and California wines for evening events.

2. Living Room Games With Kids

Keep the energy high between the big heats:

• Sock Skating: If you have hardwood or tile floors, host a "figure skating" spin-off in festive socks.

• Paper Plate Curling: Slide paper plates across the floor to hit a tape-marked target in the kitchen.

• Medal Tracker: Use a whiteboard to keep a live tally of the top five countries.

3. Pro-Hosting Tips

• Tech Check: Ensure the schedule is set in advance and all tech is in good working order.  Arrange seating so everyone has a clear view, and it's best to have TVs on in the kitchen and other rooms as guests move throughout the house. 

• Let The Games Begin: Give every guest three "Medal Stickers" (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) when they arrive. Have a whiteboard or a large piece of paper on the wall listing three specific events of the day. Ask guests to place their stickers under the country or athlete they think will win. This creates instant "skin in the game." At the end of the session, the guest with the most accurate "Podium" wins a prize, like a bottle of Italian Prosecco or a bag of gourmet chocolates. It turns passive watching into a competitive group activity.