Olympics opening ceremony in Milan lacked snow but featured a nearby snow show

The Milan opening ceremony included a da Vinci–inspired cauldron, designer outfits and Mariah Carey but did not have snow; nearby, Slava Polunin’s special edition of Slava's Snowshow at Teatro Strehler produced paper snowfall for packed audiences through Feb. 22.

The Milan Winter Olympics opening ceremony delivered several high-profile moments yet did not include actual snow. Temperatures in the city were near 50 degrees Fahrenheit (about 10°C) on the day. A smaller cultural event on the sidelines recreated snowfall indoors. Slava Polunin’s special edition of Slava's Snowshow played at Teatro Strehler while the Games were under way. What we know: - The opening ceremony featured elements such as a Leonardo da Vinci–inspired cauldron, designer outfits and a performance by Mariah Carey, but it did not provide real snow. - Slava's Snowshow, created by Slava Polunin, uses paper snow and has toured more than 60 countries since 1993. - Polunin, age 75, presented a special Olympic-linked version at Teatro Strehler running through Feb. 22, and the show drew full houses. - Performances relied on improvisation and included clowns, audience interaction, playful scenes set to familiar music, and large colored globes at the finale. Summary: The main Olympic spectacle in Milan offered grand visual and musical highlights but lacked natural snow, while an intimate theatrical production recreated snowfall with paper and theatrical effects for local audiences. Slava's Snowshow continued at Teatro Strehler through Feb. 22, the last day of the Games.