Ascend and Conquer: Ski Mountaineering Arrives (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Milano Cortina, Italy – Organizers of the 2026 Winter Olympics revealed eight new medal events that promise to refresh the Games, highlighted by the debut of ski mountaineering as the first new sport since 2002.[1][2]
Ascend and Conquer: Ski Mountaineering Arrives
Athletes will hike up steep mountainsides with climbing skins on their skis, remove them for boot sections, then ski furiously back down in ski mountaineering races.[1] This demanding discipline traces its competitive roots to Switzerland in 1897 and gained momentum with world championships starting in 2002.
Competitions unfold in Bormio’s Valtellina Valley, sharing the venue with alpine skiing. Sprint events feature time trials that seed finalists into heats of six, each lasting about 3.5 minutes with 230 feet of elevation gain. The mixed relay pits one man and one woman per team against others over four laps and 460 feet of climb.[3] The U.S. team clinched its spot in a dramatic December qualifier in Utah.
Sliding Sports Gain Momentum with Team and Doubles Twists
Skeleton introduces a mixed team event where one man and one woman from the same nation race headfirst down the ice track on small sleds.[1] Luge follows suit with women’s doubles, allowing two women to share a sled in a feet-first descent, while the existing doubles becomes officially men’s only.
These additions promote gender balance in sports long dominated by men. Women’s doubles luge debuted on the senior World Cup circuit in the 2022-23 season. The changes expand opportunities without altering core formats dramatically.
Freestyle Skiing Doubles Down on Head-to-Head Action
Dual moguls brings parallel competition to freestyle skiing, where men and women navigate bumpy courses side by side, launching aerial tricks off two jumps.[1] Unlike solo moguls, present since the 1990s, this format heightens drama through direct matchups.
Athletes advance based on judges’ scores for speed, turns, and airs. The event complements traditional runs and underscores freestyle’s evolution toward spectator-friendly battles.
Ski Jumping Leaps Forward in Format and Inclusion
Women compete for the first time in individual large hill ski jumping, matching the men’s program alongside normal hill and mixed team events from Beijing 2022.[1]
Men’s ski jumping shifts to a super team format with pairs taking up to three jumps each, replacing the four-person team event. Organizers noted this makes races more dynamic and accessible for smaller nations.
- Ski mountaineering women’s sprint
- Ski mountaineering men’s sprint
- Ski mountaineering mixed relay
- Men’s dual moguls
- Women’s dual moguls
- Mixed team skeleton
- Women’s doubles luge
- Women’s large hill ski jumping
- Men’s super team ski jumping
Key Takeaways
- Ski mountaineering marks the first new winter sport since skeleton’s 2002 return.
- New events emphasize women’s participation and team formats across disciplines.
- Italy’s terrain suits skimo perfectly, with deep national roots in the sport.
These innovations blend tradition with fresh challenges, ensuring Milano Cortina 2026 delivers unforgettable moments amid Italy’s stunning Alps. What new event excites you most? Share in the comments.
