2026 FIS Freestyle World Cup event at Deer Valley rescheduled to Lake Placid and Waterville Valley

Due to challenging early season weather conditions, the 2026 FIS Freestyle World Cup events originally scheduled to take place at Deer Valley Resort from 16 to 18 January 2026 have been rescheduled to alternate venues. The Aerials competition will move to Lake Placid, while the Moguls and Dual Moguls events will take place at Waterville Valley Resort.

Insufficient snowpack and persistently warm temperatures, which are expected to continue into early January, have significantly impacted snowmaking efforts. Given the substantial snow volume, infrastructure, and operational resources required to safely deliver a World Cup caliber moguls and aerials venue, current conditions do not allow the event to be delivered at Deer Valley to the standards required for elite international competition.

With the 2025/2026 season serving as a critical Olympic qualification year, ensuring athletes have the best possible opportunity to compete, qualify, and perform at the highest level remains the top priority.

After thorough evaluation, relocating the competitions was determined to be the best path forward to protect athlete preparation, competitive integrity, and safety during this important phase of the Olympic cycle.

Deer Valley has hosted World Cup freestyle events for nearly three decades and brings a deep understanding of what it takes to meet international standards, including snow coverage, weather windows, venue build timelines, staffing, and safety protocols.

This season’s sustained warm temperatures, combined with an unusually early event date driven by the Olympic calendar, significantly reduced the available preparation window. Despite extensive efforts by mountain operations teams, conditions do not currently support the scale of snowmaking and venue construction required to deliver a World Cup level competition.

World Cup freestyle skiing remains deeply embedded in Deer Valley’s history and identity, and decisions regarding venue readiness are guided by a long standing commitment to responsible stewardship of the sport.

The FIS Freestyle Aerials World Cup will now take place in Lake Placid, replacing the originally scheduled Aerials Mixed Team event. Lake Placid will host back to back individual Aerials competitions on 11 and 12 January 2026, which will also serve as the FIS Freestyle Aerials World Cup Finals.

Lake Placid returned to the World Cup calendar last season with outstanding success, welcoming large on site crowds and delivering a vibrant, world class atmosphere for athletes and fans. Its proven infrastructure and strong community support make it an ideal host for the Aerials Finals.

The Moguls and Dual Moguls competitions will be relocated to Waterville Valley Resort and are scheduled to take place on 15 and 16 January 2026. Recognized as one of the birthplaces of freestyle skiing in the United States, Waterville Valley brings a rich legacy in the sport and has hosted successful World Cup events in recent seasons. Its deep freestyle roots and strong organizational experience make it a fitting venue for these competitions.

Further details regarding the respective competition programmes will be communicated in due course.

“While this year’s weather has created some challenges, our priority is ensuring athletes have the best opportunity to qualify for the Olympic Winter Games,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “We are grateful to both Lake Placid and Waterville Valley Resort for stepping up quickly and collaboratively to find the best solution. At the same time, Deer Valley Resort remains one of our most important and cherished partners. The legacy of hosting World Cups at Deer Valley is unmatched, and we look forward to returning to the resort next season.”

With these updates, the North American stretch of the 2026 FIS Freestyle World Cup remains strong, athlete focused, and fully aligned with Olympic qualification priorities. Deer Valley remains fully committed to freestyle skiing and to supporting athletes at the highest level, and looks forward to welcoming the World Cup back in the future.