The Olympic Winter Games returned to Italy’s Cortina in 2026, but winter itself largely stayed away. The traditional ski venue is suffering acute water and snow shortages, and the festive spirit around the Olympics was somewhat dampened by empty pistes and the sense that the promised sustainability had not been delivered. The effects of climate change are immediately evident among the snow cannons, bobsled tracks, and the newly constructed Olympic village. Smaller ski regions are being forced to close, while large ski areas with infrastructure are becoming so expensive that many can no longer afford to visit them. In addition, abandoned ski venues leave scars in the European landscape and challenges for communities that once lived off winter tourism. This film reveals what happens when winter disappears, leaving entire regions fighting for their futures.