The 2026 Winter Olympics are introducing ski mountaineering and expanding medal events in freestyle skiing, luge, skeleton, ski jumping, and alpine skiing. This marks the first new sport in nearly 30 years and adds 10 new medals, reshaping winter sports for the future.
The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are set to make history with the introduction of ski mountaineering and the expansion of medal events in existing sports. This marks the first new sport added to the Winter Games in nearly three decades, bringing a fresh dynamic to the competition.
The 2026 Games, which kicked off on February 6, will feature a total of 10 additional medals across various events. These changes not only enhance the diversity of the Games but also provide athletes with more opportunities to showcase their skills on the global stage.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new sport and expanded events at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Ski Mountaineering: The Ultimate Alpine Endurance Race
Ski mountaineering is the only new sport to join the 2026 Winter Olympics. Known as “skimo,” this sport combines climbing and skiing on rugged mountain terrain, pushing athletes to their limits. Competitors ascend the slopes on skis and by foot, navigating the challenging terrain before descending on skis. The first to cross the finish line wins.
The 2026 Olympics will include three medal events in ski mountaineering: men’s sprint, women’s sprint, and mixed gender relay. The sprints will cover over 250 feet of elevation, testing the speed and skill of athletes over a short but demanding course. The mixed gender relay will take place on a longer course of around 500 feet, with one male and one female athlete passing the baton as they complete the course.
Team USA has qualified two athletes, Anna Gibson and Cam Smith, who will compete in both the mixed gender relay and individual sprints. The competitions are scheduled for February 19 and 21, 2026, in the Valtellina Valley town of Bormio, Italy, coinciding with the alpine skiing events.
Freestyle Skiing: Dual Moguls – A Direct Face-Off
Freestyle skiing has been a part of the Winter Olympics since 1992, but the 2026 Games will introduce dual moguls for both men and women. This headline event features 30 athletes competing head-to-head on a specially constructed course.
In each round, two skiers will compete alongside each other, performing tricks and completing jumps as they race down the mogul field. Both athletes are judged on turns, speed, and air, with judges voting for the winner based on execution and performance.
Team USA is sending several athletes to compete in both the traditional and dual moguls events, such as Olivia Giaccio, Tess Johnson, Jaelin Kauf, Liz Lemley, Charlie Mickel, and Landon Wendler. The women’s finals for the dual moguls will take place on February 14, with the men’s event following on February 15.
Luge: Women’s Doubles – A Historic Debut
Luge has been a staple of the Winter Olympics since 1964, but 2026 will mark the first time women’s doubles are formally included. Traditionally a men’s event, women’s doubles now opens the door for female athletes to compete in multi-person sledding alongside mixed and men’s doubles.
The women’s doubles event will mirror the men’s format, with teams racing individually before their final time is calculated as the sum of two runs. The lowest time wins. Chevonne Forgan and Sophia Kirkby will represent Team USA in this historic event, marking their place in Olympic history.
Skeleton: Mixed Gender Team Relay – Speed and Strategy Combined
Skeleton has long been a fan favorite, featuring athletes hurtling down an icy track headfirst and prone. The 2026 Games introduce the mixed gender team relay, another first for the sport.
Each team consists of one male and one female athlete, both from the same country. Both athletes start in the same heat, one after the other, combining their individual times to determine the final result. Team USA’s Mystique Ro and Austin Florian will represent the U.S. with a shot at claiming gold on February 15.
Ski Jumping: Women’s Large Hill – Leveling the Playing Field
Ski jumping has a long history in the Winter Olympics, with the men’s large hill event dating back to 1924. Women’s ski jumping made its debut in 2014 with the normal hill event, but the large hill has remained off-limits for female athletes—until now.
The 2026 Games feature the first women’s large hill event, with athletes launching off a 400-foot ramp, showcasing their distance, speed, and style. Annika Belshaw, Paige Jones, and Josie Johnson will represent Team USA in this historic competition on February 15.
Alpine Skiing: Team Combined – A New Take on the Super Combined
Alpine skiing at the Olympics has evolved over the years, and 2026 introduces a team combined event that replaces the super combined. This event features pairs of athletes from the same country, racing both a downhill and a slalom portion of the course.
One athlete races the downhill, while the other competes in the slalom. The team with the fastest combined time wins the gold. Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin will represent the U.S. in the women’s event, while Kyle Negomir and River Radamus will race in the men’s event. The men’s inaugural event took place on February 9, with the women’s event following on February 10.
Why These Changes Matter
The addition of ski mountaineering and expanded medal events in existing sports mark a significant shift in the Winter Olympics. These changes reflect the evolving landscape of winter sports, promoting gender equity, advancing technical format innovation, and creating more opportunities for athletes and fans alike.
For Team USA, these new events offer additional chances to secure medals and distinguished positions on the world stage. Longtime favorites like Mikaela Shiffrin continue to push the envelope, while emerging stars have new platforms to shine.
These milestone additions not only diversify the competition but also invigorate the spirit of the Olympic Games, ensuring that the Winter Games remain fresh, dynamic, and deeply competitive for generations to come.
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