Alpine Skiing Takes Centre Stage at Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026

Alpine Skiing as a Flagship Event at Milano Cortina 2026

Alpine skiing is set to be one of the most closely watched disciplines at the 2026 Winter Olympics , as the Milano Cortina Games showcase elite speed, precision, and technical mastery on Italy’s legendary mountain terrain. The competition will bring together the world’s finest skiers across classic Olympic formats, with global attention focused on both established champions and emerging challengers.

Star athletes such as Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn headline a field expected to deliver high drama and potentially historic performances.

Iconic Italian Venues for Alpine Events

The alpine skiing programme is split between two renowned Italian venues:

• Women’s events will be held at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d'Ampezzo , famous for its steep gradients and technically demanding sections.

• Men’s events will take place at the Stelvio Ski Centre in Bormio , home to one of the longest and fastest downhill courses in international skiing.

Both venues combine scenic grandeur with courses that test endurance, precision, and nerve at the highest level.

Training Runs and Early Medal Action

Alpine skiing competition begins even before the Olympic opening ceremony on 6 February 2026 . Official training runs allow athletes to adjust to course profiles and snow conditions.

• Men’s downhill training begins in Bormio on 4 February

• Women’s downhill training follows in Cortina on 5 February

The first alpine medal event arrives quickly, with the men’s downhill final on 7 February , followed by the women’s downhill final on 8 February , setting an intense early pace for the Games.

Mid-Games Events and Technical Battles

The schedule intensifies during the second week with team combined events , which blend downhill speed and slalom precision into a single competition day. These races highlight versatility and adaptability.

• Super-G finals : Men on 11 February , women on 12 February

• Giant slalom events : Held over the weekend, featuring two timed runs that reward consistency, line selection, and tactical discipline

These events often prove decisive in the overall medal tally.

Slalom Finals and Global Viewership

The alpine skiing programme concludes with the slalom events , traditionally regarded as the most technically demanding races:

• Men’s slalom final : 16 February

• Women’s slalom final : 18 February

All races will