Full List of Events & New Additions in Milano Cortina
New & Notable Sports
1. SkiMo at the Winter Olympics: A Sport for True Mountain Lovers
Most of us who ski know the feeling: that lung-busting climb on skins before the reward of a silky descent. For decades, ski tourers in the Alps have been doing it for fun, for fitness, or simply as a way of life. Now, for the first time, that same uphill-downhill adventure is heading to the biggest stage of them all: the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina 2026.
Welcome to SkiMo — short for ski mountaineering — the newest Olympic sport.
So What Exactly is SkiMo?
At its heart, SkiMo is simple: climb up a mountain under your own steam, then ski back down as fast as you dare. Of course, at Olympic level, it’s a little more polished. Athletes use feather-light skis and boots, skins that grip like magic carpet on the way up, and lightning-fast transitions when switching to downhill mode.
For its debut in Italy, the Games will feature:
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Individual races – long courses with big climbs and technical descents.
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Sprint races – short, intense, and frantic, lasting just a few minutes.
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Mixed relay – teams of men and women pushing each other to the limit.
Why It’s Worth Watching
If you’ve ever watched a ski tourer glide past you uphill while you’re gasping for breath, you’ll know how superhuman these athletes are. SkiMo combines the endurance of marathon running with the skill of alpine racing. Expect thrilling overtakes on the climbs, bold lines on the descents, and transitions so slick you’ll miss them if you blink.
Ones to Watch
The sport has long been dominated by Alpine nations — no surprise given the terrain. Look out for:
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Robert Antonioli (Italy): a homegrown hero with multiple world titles.
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Axelle Gachet-Mollaret (France): the queen of the uphill, a true legend in the sport.
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Oriol Cardona (Spain): lightning-fast in the sprints, guaranteed entertainment.
Team GB isn’t (yet) a SkiMo powerhouse, but who knows — Milano Cortina could plant the seed.
SkiMo might not have the glitz of figure skating or the speed of downhill skiing, but it brings something raw, authentic, and uniquely Alpine to Milano Cortina 2026. If you’re a mountain lover, this is one event you won’t want to miss.
2. Women Take Flight: Large Hill Ski Jumping at Milano Cortina 2026
There’s something magical about ski jumping. That moment an athlete launches into thin air, skis in a perfect V-shape, soaring further than seems humanly possible. Until now, though, one of the sport’s biggest stages — the large hill — has been closed to women at the Olympics. That all changes in Milano Cortina 2026.
A Long Time Coming
Women only made their Olympic ski jumping debut in 2014 at Sochi, and even then, they were limited to the smaller “normal hill.” For years, campaigners argued that women were ready — and more than capable — of flying from the bigger hill. At last, in Italy, they’ll get their chance.
Normal Hill vs Large Hill
Think of the large hill as the black run of ski jumping. Speeds are higher, airtime is longer, and distances can push past 140 metres. It’s not just about bravery; it’s about precision, style, and sheer nerve.
The normal hill, where women have competed until now, is exciting — but the large hill is where legends are made.
Athletes to Watch
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Maren Lundby (Norway): Olympic champion and one of the fiercest advocates for equality in ski jumping.
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Ema Klinec (Slovenia): a World Champion with flawless technique.
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Katharina Althaus (Germany): multiple-time Olympic medallist with the big-hill experience to shine.
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Team Japan: a perennial powerhouse, always in contention.
Why It Matters
When the first woman soars off the large hill in Cortina, it won’t just be about medals. It will be a defining Olympic moment — proof that barriers can fall as fast as records. For young girls watching around the world, it’s a message: the sky really is the limit.
3. Dual Moguls: The Freestyle Skiing Showdown
If you think moguls already look brutal, wait until you see dual moguls. Two athletes, side by side, hammering down a field of bumps at full tilt, throwing backflips off the jumps, racing not just the clock but each other. It’s head-to-head, it’s chaotic, and it’s coming to the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina 2026.
What Makes Dual Moguls Different?
Traditional moguls are a solo affair: one skier at a time, judged on speed, technique, and aerials. Dual moguls turn that into a knockout contest. Two skiers drop in together, the winner advances, and the loser is out. Simple, savage, and brilliant to watch.
Why Fans Will Love It
This is freestyle skiing turned up to eleven. The bumps test thighs of steel, the jumps demand fearless tricks, and the head-to-head format means no holding back. You’ll see crashes, comebacks, and photo finishes — all in the space of a few seconds.
Athletes to Watch
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Mikaël Kingsbury (Canada): the “King of Moguls,” and still the man to beat.
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Perrine Laffont (France): Olympic champion with style and consistency.
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Makayla Gerken Schofield (GB): bringing flair, tattoos, and personality to the moguls scene.
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Mateo Jeannesson (France): World Junior Champion — young, hungry, and ready to make a mark.