The snow has settled, and for America’s skiers, the ever-competitive race to earn a ticket to Italy has ended. On Thursday morning, U.S. Ski & Snowboard confirmed the members of Team USA, just ahead of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games start date.
“This is a deep, experienced, and incredibly motivated alpine team that has earned its place on the Olympic stage,” said chief of sport Anouk Patty, in a statement. “From Olympic champions and World Championships medalists to athletes making their Olympic debut, every skier on this roster has proven they can perform under pressure.”
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Marco BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images
(Marco BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)
The Racing Team
The alpine racers include several medal favorites. Superstar Mikaela Shiffrin, of course, appears poised to earn hardware at the Winter Olympics in slalom. But Shiffrin has also shown strength in giant slalom during the World Cup events this winter, with several finishes in the top ten.
Meanwhile, Lindsey Vonn could write the final chapter of an unbelievable comeback story. Last season, she returned to ski racing at age 40, finishing the circuit off with a big silver medal in Sun Valley, Idaho. This winter, she’s dispelled any doubts that she can perform on the world stage: of the eight World Cup events she’s competed in, she’s claimed seven podium finishes, including two wins. Other skiers, like Paula Moltzan and Breezy Johnson, demonstrate the depth of the women’s team.
The men are gearing up, too. Ryan Cochran-Siegle claimed a historic second-place finish in December at the Beaver Creek downhill, marking the first American podium in the event since 2014. He’s also an Olympic silver medalist. River Radamus has snuck into the top ten at a handful of World Cup giant slaloms preceding the Olympics, and nearly landed on the podium in giant slalom at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games.
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Dustin Satloff/U.S. Ski and Snowboard/Getty Images
(Dustin Satloff/U.S. Ski and Snowboard/Getty Images)
The Freeski Team
Openings on the freeskiing team, which covers halfpipe, big air, and slopestyle, were hotly contested this year. Just look at the Olympic medalists Colby Stevenson and David Wise, both of whom didn’t earn a spot (qualification, for the most part, was determined based on World Cup results).
In their stead, however, are plenty of standouts.
For instance, the men’s halfpipe team could prove dominant. Hunter Hess, a first-time Olympian, claimed three World Cup podiums to earn his spot on the team. During the 2023-24 season, Alex Ferreira won every single halfpipe competition he entered, an unprecedented feat. Nick Goepper, the former slopestyle star, is hoping to snag his first Olympic medal in a new-to-him discipline.
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As always, Eileen Gu, of China, remains the one to beat in the women’s halfpipe event (and the other freeski competitions, for that matter). Svea Irving, who had a strong showing during the 2024-25 season, appears to be Team USA’s best shot.
The other half of the freeski team, the slopestyle & big air skiers, includes Olympians, Olympic medalists, and X Games medalists. Alex Hall is the reigning Olympic slopestyle champion. Marin Hamill placed second behind Gu at the recent slopestyle World Cup in Laax, Switzerland. Troy Podmilsak has a shot at Olympic glory in big air, the event where he’s won an X Games medal and shines the most.
“The athletes who have made this team have risen to the top of their class and performed under immense pressure, preparing them for the situations they will face in Livigno,” said Skogen Sprang, the freeski team’s program director, in a statement. “I am very proud of this group and excited to see what they can accomplish in the next few weeks in Livigno at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.”
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Slopestyle & Big Air
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Jessie Diggins of USA competes during the Individual Sprint Quali of the FIS World Cup Cross-Country Oberhof on January 17, 2026 in Oberhof, Germany.
Other Disciplines
Cross Country
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Samantha “Sammy” Smith
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Aerials
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Moguls
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Elizabeth “Liz” Lemley
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Nordic Combined
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Ski Jumping
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Related: Does Skiing Matter When The World Is Burning?
This story was originally published by Powder on Jan 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Powder as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
