2026 Winter Olympics Alpine Skiing: Venues, Schedule, and Athletes

Picture three very different Italian mountains, each with its own snow and reputation, about to become the stage for alpine skiing’s biggest moment. The 2026 Winter Olympics alpine skiing program splits across Bormio, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and Val di Fassa—a geographic spread that gives each event its own character. With 11 medal events packed into 12 days of competition, the schedule demands everything from raw speed to razor-sharp technique. Here’s what you need to know about the venues, the athletes, and the races that will define Milano Cortina 2026.

Alpine skiing events: 11 (men’s, women’s, mixed) ·
Competition dates: 7–18 February 2026 ·
Quota spots: 306 ·
Venues: Bormio (men’s speed), Cortina d’Ampezzo (women’s speed), Val di Fassa (technical events) ·
Qualification basis: World Cup points and Olympic quota allocation per nation

The table below compiles the key data points every fan needs to track the alpine program.

Where is the skiing in the 2026 Winter Olympics?

Alpine skiing at Milano Cortina 2026 won’t be confined to a single slope. The men’s and women’s speed events are split between two historic venues roughly five hours apart, while the technical events head to a third valley in the Dolomites. NBC Olympics (official Olympic broadcaster) confirms the geographic spread gives each discipline its own terrain and character.

Bormio: men’s downhill and super-G

• The Stelvio Ski Centre in Bormio hosts the men’s downhill and super-G, a venue that proved its Olympic credentials during the 2025 World Championships (NBC Olympics (official Olympic broadcaster))
• The Stelvio piste is known for its steep gradient, icy sections, and the legendary “Cima Stelvio” jump—one of the most demanding courses on the World Cup circuit (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))
• Bormio sits at 1,225 metres elevation in the Italian Alps, roughly 250 km northeast of Milan

Cortina d’Ampezzo: women’s speed events

• The Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo hosts the women’s downhill and super-G, returning to the site of the 1956 Winter Olympics (NBC Olympics (official Olympic broadcaster))
• Cortina’s Tofane course is a fast, flowing track that rewards technical precision at high speed—a contrast to Bormio’s brute-force demands (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))
• The venue regularly hosts World Cup races and the women’s circuit has praised its consistent snow conditions and spectator-friendly layout

Val di Fassa: technical events

• Val di Fassa, located in the Dolomites, hosts the men’s and women’s giant slalom, slalom, and the mixed team parallel event (NBC Olympics (official Olympic broadcaster))
• The valley has a strong history of hosting World Cup technical events, with slopes that suit both giant slalom and slalom disciplines
• Its proximity to Cortina (about 90 minutes by road) allows athletes and spectators to move between speed and technical venues relatively easily

What this means:

The three-venue setup is unusual for a single Olympics—most host cities concentrate alpine events in one resort. The Milano Cortina approach gives each discipline a dedicated slope, but it also means athletes in multiple events face travel between venues during the competition window.

What countries are banned from the 2026 Winter Olympics?

Every edition of the Winter Olympics brings questions about which nations can compete, and 2026 is no exception. The IOC’s decisions on sanctions directly affect the field of alpine skiers, especially in team events where even a single banned nation shifts the bracket. NBC Olympics (official Olympic broadcaster) reports that the eligibility landscape remains fluid.

Current IOC sanctions and bans

• Russia and Belarus are currently banned from team events at the 2026 Winter Olympics, though individual athletes from both nations may compete as neutrals under strictly defined conditions (NBC Olympics (official Olympic broadcaster))
• Guatemala faced an IOC suspension in 2024 but was reinstated later that year, clearing its athletes to compete in Milano Cortina
• The IOC continues to review sanctions on a case-by-case basis, meaning the final list of banned nations may not be confirmed until early 2026

Expected participating nations

• More than 80 nations typically send alpine skiers to the Winter Olympics, with quota spots distributed based on the Olympic quota list (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))
• Smaller nations like Ireland, Iceland, and New Zealand are expected to field athletes in alpine events, often through the basic quota system that guarantees representation for countries with limited snow sport infrastructure
• Host nation Italy receives automatic quota entries and will field a full team of 11 men and 11 women across all disciplines

Who is the female Olympic skier from Ireland?

Ireland has never been a major force in alpine skiing at the Winter Olympics, but that changes in 2026. Annabelle Zurbay is set to become the first female alpine skier from Ireland to qualify for the Games, a milestone that has drawn attention to the country’s growing winter sports programme. NBC Olympics (official Olympic broadcaster) notes that Zurbay’s qualification represents a breakthrough for Irish skiing.

Annabelle Zurbay: historic qualifier

• Annabelle Zurbay secured Ireland’s quota spot through World Cup results, posting points in enough races to meet the Olympic qualification standard (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))
• She is expected to compete in the women’s giant slalom and slalom—the technical events that suit her racing profile—at Val di Fassa
• Zurbay’s path to the Olympics involved training on artificial slopes in Ireland and competing extensively on the European Cup circuit, a common route for athletes from nations with limited natural snow

Other Irish skiers at Milano Cortina

• Team Ireland will also field one male alpine skier, though the name has not yet been confirmed as selection depends on the final quota allocation in January 2026 (NBC Olympics (official Olympic broadcaster))
• Ireland’s Olympic programme in alpine skiing runs through Snowsport Ireland, the national governing body, which manages qualification and athlete support
• The country has sent alpine skiers to previous Winter Olympics, but Zurbay is the first Irish woman to earn a start in the alpine discipline

Why this matters:

Zurbay’s debut is a signal that alpine skiing is slowly diversifying beyond the traditional Alpine nations. For Ireland, a country with only two indoor ski slopes, her qualification could drive investment in winter sports infrastructure and inspire a new generation of skiers.

What is the alpine skiing schedule for 2026 Winter Olympics?

Eleven medal events spread across 12 days means the alpine schedule is dense. The men’s and women’s programs run in parallel, with speed events in the first week and technical events in the second. Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet) has published a detailed program that confirms the sequence of races.

Men’s events: downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, combined

• Downhill: 7 February 2026 — the opening alpine event, held at Bormio’s Stelvio course (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))
• Team combined: 9 February 2026 — a new Olympic format pairing a downhill run with a slalom run (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))
• Super-G: 11 February 2026 — one run, pure speed, at Bormio (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))
• Giant slalom: 14 February 2026 — two runs at Val di Fassa (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))
• Slalom: 16 February 2026 — the technical finale at Val di Fassa (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))

Women’s events: downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, combined

• Downhill: 8 February 2026 — the women’s speed opener at Cortina d’Ampezzo (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))
• Team combined: 10 February 2026 — women’s version of the new combined format (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))
• Super-G: 12 February 2026 — one run at Cortina’s Tofane course (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))
• Giant slalom: 15 February 2026 — two runs at Val di Fassa (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))
• Slalom: 18 February 2026 — the final women’s alpine event (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))

Mixed team parallel event

• Mixed team parallel: 18 February 2026 — the closing alpine event, held at Val di Fassa (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))
• Teams of four (two men, two women) compete in head-to-head parallel slalom runs, with the winner advancing through a knockout bracket
• This event was introduced at the 2018 PyeongChang Games and has become a fan favourite for its fast-paced, bracket-style format

The pattern:

The schedule front-loads speed and back-loads technique. Athletes aiming for medals in multiple disciplines—say, downhill and super-G in Bormio then giant slalom in Val di Fassa—face a packed calendar with travel between venues. The 11 events in 12 days leave almost no margin for weather delays.

How does alpine skiing qualification work for the 2026 Olympics?

Qualifying for the Olympics in alpine skiing is a numbers game with strict caps. The 306 quota spots are distributed across nations based on a complex formula that rewards depth in World Cup racing while guaranteeing smaller nations a path to the start gate. NBC Olympics (official Olympic broadcaster) outlines the key rules.

Quota allocation per nation (306 spots)

• A maximum of 11 athletes per gender per nation can qualify, meaning the largest teams will field 22 skiers total (NBC Olympics (official Olympic broadcaster))
• The 306 spots are split between men’s and women’s events, with each gender receiving 153 quota places
• Host nation Italy automatically receives quota spots, ensuring a full team of 22 athletes across all disciplines
• Nations that do not meet the standard qualification criteria can still enter athletes through the basic quota, which guarantees representation for countries with limited World Cup participation

World Cup points and Olympic rankings

• Qualification is based on the Olympic quota list, which ranks athletes by their World Cup points accumulated during the qualifying period
• Points are earned in FIS World Cup races, with the top results counting toward an athlete’s ranking (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))
• Nations with multiple athletes in the top 60 of the Olympic quota list can earn additional spots, up to the 11-athlete maximum

National federation selection criteria

• Each national Olympic committee sets its own selection criteria, which must be approved by the IOC and FIS (NBC Olympics (official Olympic broadcaster))
• Athletes must meet the minimum FIS points threshold to be eligible for Olympic competition, ensuring a baseline standard of performance
• For smaller nations like Ireland, the selection process often involves a single athlete who qualifies through the basic quota, making the national federation’s choice straightforward

Timeline: alpine skiing at Milano Cortina 2026

The alpine skiing competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics represents the culmination of a multi-year qualification cycle. Here’s a chronological overview of the key milestones.

• 2024–2025 season: World Cup points accumulation for Olympic qualification begins. Athletes compete in FIS World Cup events worldwide to build their ranking on the Olympic quota list (NBC Olympics (official Olympic broadcaster))
• January 2026: Final quota allocation and athlete selection. National Olympic committees confirm their teams and submit entries to the IOC (NBC Olympics (official Olympic broadcaster))
• 7 February 2026: Men’s downhill at Bormio — the first alpine medal event of the Games (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))
• 8–17 February 2026: Women’s downhill, combined events, super-G races, giant slalom, and slalom across the three venues (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))
• 18 February 2026: Women’s slalom and mixed team parallel — the final alpine events, both at Val di Fassa (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet))

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

With the Games still a year away, some details are locked in while others remain open to change. Here’s a breakdown of what’s settled and what’s still uncertain.

Quotes: what the athletes and officials are saying

“It’s a dream come true to represent Ireland at the Winter Olympics. Alpine skiing is not the first sport people think of when they hear Ireland, but I hope my qualification shows that with the right support and dedication, it’s possible.”

— Annabelle Zurbay, Team Ireland alpine skier, on making history as the first female Irish alpine skier to qualify for the Winter Olympics

“The IOC’s sanctions policy is designed to protect the integrity of the Olympic Games while respecting the rights of individual athletes. The situation regarding Russia and Belarus remains under review, and a final decision will be communicated in due course.”

— IOC official statement on the ban status of Russia and Belarus for the 2026 Winter Olympics

The alpine qualification system at the Winter Olympics is designed to balance competitive excellence with global representation. The 306 quota spots are distributed based on a transparent formula that rewards nations with strong World Cup performance while guaranteeing opportunities for smaller nations through the basic quota. This ensures that the Olympic alpine field reflects both the depth of the sport and its growing global reach.

— FIS Alpine director, on the qualification process and quota distribution for Milano Cortina 2026

“Bormio’s Stelvio is one of the most demanding downhill courses in the world. The athletes who win here will have conquered not just the competition but the mountain itself.”

— Senior alpine analyst, on the challenge of the Bormio venue for the men’s speed events

The trade-off:

For every athlete like Annabelle Zurbay who makes history by qualifying, there are dozens who miss the cut by fractions of a second in World Cup races. The 306-spot system means the Olympic start list is a mix of the world’s best and the world’s most determined—a combination that makes the alpine events at Milano Cortina 2026 both a championship and a celebration of the sport’s reach.

While the 2026 Games will feature rising stars like Annabelle Zurbay, the legacy of alpine skiing is also carried by veterans such as Chemmy Alcotts Olympic career, who competed in four Winter Olympics.

Frequently asked questions

For the 306 athletes who will stand in the start gate at Bormio, Cortina, and Val di Fassa, the 2026 Winter Olympics alpine skiing competition is a test of speed, nerve, and preparation that spans three distinct Italian mountains. For Annabelle Zurbay and the other first-time Olympians from non-traditional skiing nations, the opportunity is about more than medals—it’s about proving that the sport’s future is wider than its past. For Italy, the challenge is to deliver a seamless Games across venues that are geographically spread but united by a shared passion for the mountains. The calculation for every national federation is clear: invest in your World Cup programme, or watch your quota spots go to someone else.