DAILY COUNTDOWN - Olympic dreams become reality as Ski and Snowboard events take centre stage
Feb 07, 2026·ilovesnow:format(webp))
The wait is over, after years of preparation, qualifications and Olympic dreams taking shape, Milano Cortina 2026 springs into action with a compelling opening day across the FIS disciplines.
From the Stelvio slope in Bormio and the iconic Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina, to the creative playground of Livigno Snow Park, the endurance-testing tracks of Tesero, and the historic hills of Predazzo, the first day promises a full-spectrum showcase of Olympic skiing and snowboarding, defined by speed, stamina, style and nerve.
Competition follows yesterday’s spectacular Opening Ceremony, where 95 athletes proudly represented FIS disciplines as the Games were officially declared open, setting the tone for two weeks of world-class winter sport. In the days leading up to the ceremony, athletes had already been testing venues and conditions, with several disciplines completing qualification rounds, heightening anticipation as Milano Cortina 2026 shifts decisively from preparation to performance.
Four sets of medals will be awarded on the opening day, with podiums up for grabs in Alpine Skiing Men’s Downhill, Cross-Country Skiing Women’s 10km + 10km Skiathlon, Snowboard Men’s Big Air, and Ski Jumping Women’s Normal Hill Individual.
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What’s New at Milano Cortina 2026
Milano Cortina 2026 introduces a series of important innovations across the FIS Olympic program, reinforcing progress, equality and sporting spectacle:
Team Combined makes its Olympic debut in Alpine Skiing
Equal race distances for men and women in Cross-Country Skiing
Dual Moguls added to the Olympic Freestyle Skiing program
Women’s Large Hill event introduced in Ski Jumping
Men’s Super Team debuts in Ski Jumping
Across the Games, a total of 57 Olympic podiums will be awarded in ski and snowboard disciplines.
FIS disciplines and events at Milano Cortina 2026
Alpine Skiing – 10 events (5 men, 5 women): Downhill • Super-G • Giant Slalom • Slalom • Team Combined Slalom
Freestyle Skiing – 15 events (7 men, 7 women, 1 mixed team): Moguls • Dual Moguls • Aerials • Mixed Team Aerials • Big Air • Slopestyle • Ski Cross • Halfpipe
Cross-Country Skiing – 12 events (6 men, 6 women): Sprint Classic • 10km Interval Start • Skiathlon • Team Sprint Free • 4x7.5km Relay • 50km Mass Start Classic
Ski Jumping – 6 events: Normal Hill Individual • Women’s Large Hill • Mixed Team • Large Hill Individual • Men’s Super Team
Nordic Combined – 3 events: Individual (Normal Hill) • Individual (Large Hill) • Team Sprint
Snowboarding – 11 events (5 men, 5 women, 1 mixed team): Big Air • Slopestyle • Parallel Giant Slalom • Snowboard Cross • Mixed Team Snowboard Cross • Halfpipe
Medal Events
Day 1 – Saturday, 7 February
11:30 Stelvio - Alpine Skiing - Men’s Downhill - Results
13:00 Tesero - Cross-Country Skiing - Women’s 10km + 10km Skiathlon - Results
19:30 Livigno – Snowboard - Men’s Big Air – Results
19:57 Predazzo - Ski Jumping - Women’s Normal Hill Individual - Results
Full Olympic schedule available here.
Athletes & Storylines to Watch
Alpine Skiing – Men’s Downhill
Italy’s Dominik Paris embraces the “good pressure” of racing a home Olympic downhill as men’s Alpine Skiing launches on one of the most demanding tracks in the world.
The Stelvio slope has shaped generations of champions, and for Paris, Milano Cortina 2026 represents a rare opportunity to chase Olympic glory without crossing continents, a stark contrast to his previous Games.
Cross-Country Skiing – Women’s Skiathlon
Overall World Cup leader Jessie Diggins (USA) begins what she has already described as her final Olympic chapter.
At 34, the American arrives in Tesero chasing performance rather than labels. With another Crystal Globe within reach, Diggins’ race on fthe first day of the Olympics could set the emotional and competitive tone for a farewell Games built on resilience and experience.
Snowboard – Men’s Big Air
Defending Olympic champion Su Yiming launches his Olympic sequel under the lights in Livigno.
The 21-year-old headlines a deep qualification field and is aiming to become the first back-to-back Olympic gold medalist in men’s Big Air. After stepping away from competition following Beijing 2022, Su has returned revitalized, topping the early-season FIS standings and re-establishing himself as the rider to beat.
Norway’s Mons Røisland, silver medalist in 2022, is the only other athlete in the field with prior Olympic Big Air podium experience.
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Ski Jumping – Women’s Normal Hill
All eyes turn to Predazzo as Nika Prevc arrives as the dominant force in women’s ski jumping.
Leading the World Cup standings by a commanding margin, the Slovenian enters her first Olympic Games as one of the clearest gold-medal favorites across any discipline. Saturday’s Normal Hill competition will award the first women’s ski jumping medals of Milano Cortina 2026.
Through My Eyes | A Special Letter
As part of the I Love Snow Olympic campaign, Day 1 also shines a light beyond results and podiums, focusing on the personal journeys that lead athletes to the Olympic stage.
In Through My Eyes / A Special Letter, selected competitors share intimate reflections on preparation, pressure and what it truly means to compete at the Games.
Today’s feature spotlights Annika Sieff, whose Olympic journey is deeply rooted in Predazzo, where she has trained for most of her life.
For Sieff, competing on home hills is more than an Olympic appearance, it is the continuation of a lifelong bond between athlete, place and passion.
I Love Snow
“I LOVE Snow – Passion Beyond Limits” brings fans closer to the athletes and stories that power snow sports across every FIS discipline - Olympic and Paralympic alike. The promise: authentic, emotional storytelling that turns moments into lasting fandom beyond Milano Cortina 2026.