Alpine Skiing at Milano Cortina 2026

Why the Stelvio Is the Most Feared Course on the Planet

No downhill course carries more psychological weight than the Stelvio in Bormio. With its icy, relentless pitch and bone-rattling compression turns, this is where reputations are made or shattered — and in February 2026, it plays host to what could be the most stacked alpine skiing competition in Olympic history.

Alpine skiing at Milano Cortina 2026 features 11 medal events spread across five disciplines: downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, and the combined. Men’s and women’s events mirror each other, plus a mixed team parallel event that debuted in Beijing and returns with refined rules this time around. Races are split between two venues: the speed events (downhill and super-G) run on the Stelvio in Bormio, while the technical events (giant slalom, slalom, combined) take place on the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina d’Ampezzo — a track with its own storied legacy from the 1956 Games.

How the Racing Works

If you’re tuning in for the first time, here’s what separates the disciplines. Downhill is pure speed: one run, gates set wide apart, athletes routinely exceeding 140 km/h (about 87 mph). Super-G is similar but with tighter turns — think of it as a downhill with more technique. Giant slalom and slalom are the technical events, featuring two runs on the same day where times are combined. The margins are razor-thin: slalom medals often come down to hundredths of a second.

The combined event pairs a shortened downhill run with a slalom run, testing versatility. It rewards athletes who can bridge the gap between speed and precision, and it often produces surprise medalists.

The mixed team parallel, which pits nations head-to-head in a bracket-style format, is fast-paced and TV-friendly. Each team fields two men and two women, racing simultaneously on parallel courses. It’s chaotic, dramatic, and a genuine wildcard for countries with balanced rosters.

What Makes This Cycle Different

Marco Odermatt of Switzerland has dominated the World Cup circuit across multiple disciplines, posting numbers that rival the peak years of Hermann Maier. His giant slalom consistency is almost mechanical, and he’s added super-G victories with increasing regularity. He enters Milano Cortina as the clear favorite in at least two events.

For the United States, the alpine squad is in a fascinating transition. Mikaela Shiffrin, now 30, remains the most decorated World Cup racer in history and still competes at an elite level in slalom and giant slalom, though her recovery from injury has shaped her 2025-26 season. On the men’s side, River Radamus has emerged as a legitimate giant slalom contender, while veteran Ryan Cochran-Siegle still harbors podium ambitions in super-G.

Keep an eye on the Austrian and Norwegian teams, which have reloaded with young talent. Manuel Feller remains Austria’s slalom ace, while Norway’s Lucas Braathen — who took a sabbatical and returned under Brazilian colors — adds one of the Games’ most compelling storylines.

Insider Nuance

Course inspection is an underrated part of alpine racing. Athletes get limited runs on the actual Olympic course before race day, and how well they memorize each gate, transition, and shadow matters enormously. The Stelvio’s final pitch into the finish is notoriously tricky in flat light. Don’t be surprised if weather delays or course holds become part of the narrative — that’s the nature of racing outdoors at altitude in the Dolomites.

Athletes to Watch

Mikaela Shiffrin (USA, Slalom / Giant Slalom) — The all-time World Cup wins leader, Shiffrin brings unmatched technical precision and remains a medal threat in both slalom and giant slalom despite managing her workload carefully in 2025-26.

Marco Odermatt (SUI, Giant Slalom / Super-G) — The reigning Olympic giant slalom champion has been the most dominant all-around skier of this quad, winning the overall World Cup title three consecutive seasons.

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR, Downhill / Super-G) — After a devastating knee injury in early 2024, the Norwegian speed specialist has fought back toward form and will test his recovery on the Stelvio course he knows well.

River Radamus (USA, Giant Slalom) — The Colorado native has steadily climbed the World Cup rankings and delivered top-ten finishes in giant slalom, making him America’s best bet in the discipline.

Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI, Super-G / Downhill) — The Swiss veteran won super-G gold in Beijing and has continued posting elite speed results, entering her fifth Olympics with legitimate multi-medal potential.

Venue Spotlight

The Stelvio course in Bormio is widely considered the most technically demanding downhill track on the World Cup circuit, featuring a 1,010-meter vertical drop with sustained gradients that push athletes beyond 140 km/h. Cortina d’Ampezzo’s Olympia delle Tofane, which hosted the 1956 Winter Games, stages the technical events amid spectacular Dolomite scenery. Both venues have undergone significant upgrades for 2026, including modernized timing systems and expanded spectator areas.