It’s been an extended 4 years and, ultimately, we’re on the cusp of one other second when, nonetheless briefly, the world past two-seaters and resort parking heaps will care about snowboarding. The Winter Olympics are virtually right here, child.
Racing and ski racers are gearing up as they put together to go to Italy, pursuing glory on the highest degree. Within the spirit of all the joy that’s positive to observe, right here at POWDER, we’ve determined to weigh in on the occasions and skiers we’ll be watching.
The 2026 POWDER Picture Annual is right here! Search for a print copy on a newsstand close to you, or click on right here to have a duplicate shipped on to your entrance door.
Picture: Maja Hitij/Getty Pictures
Halfpipe
Ian Greenwood, Author: For me, it’s all about halfpipe.
As soon as a showstopper, the extremely technical self-discipline has, in recent times, felt like a sideshow to different freeskiing occasions. That makes some sense. I’m a diehard ski fan, however after watching knowledgeable halfpipe run, I’m so dizzy from all of the spins that I barely know what’s happening.
The upcoming Winter Olympics, although, ought to show that halfpipe is greater than an arcane artwork. This time, there’s loads of drama.
First, let’s speak in regards to the males’s comebacks. America’s Nick Goepper has transformed to the stunt ditch within the second chapter of his profession, following a formidable slopestyle run. The problem of that transfer is difficult to understate. In trendy freeskiing, most halfpipe skiers solely ski halfpipe—it’s a demanding occasion that requires plenty of consideration, including weight to Goepper’s Olympic marketing campaign.
Then, there’s Gus Kenworthy, who was raised in Telluride, Colorado, however is competing for the nation the place he was born, Nice Britain. Following the 2022 Beijing Olympics, he retired, presumably closing the chapter of his life targeted on skilled snowboarding. Now, although, he’s again, taking one other shot at Olympic glory in halfpipe. For these of us who grew up watching him throw tips on the massive display screen, that’s a giant deal.
On the ladies’s aspect, the all-consuming narrative surrounding China’s Eileen Gu might unfold in so many thrilling methods. She’s the reigning Olympic halfpipe champion (she additionally received massive air and took second in slopestyle on the final Winter Video games) and one in all snowboarding’s greatest names. Will she take gold once more? Can an Olympics first-timer, just like the American Svea Irving, usurp Gu from the throne? I, for one, can’t wait to seek out out.
The perfect bits of the Olympics aren’t the icy programs or blistering speeds. It’s the human storylines. And in that division, halfpipe is poised to be a standout.
Marco BERTORELLO/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
The Ski Racing Squad
Matt Lorelli, Senior Editor: Let’s be sincere. I in all probability received’t sit down to observe many Olympic occasions dwell. I’ve acquired my very own snowboarding and work to do.
With that stated, I would like Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn to win Olympic Gold Medals, maybe greater than something I’ve wished associated to skilled sports activities in a very long time. It feels bizarre to be patriotic proper now, however you’ll be able to wager your left ski I’ll be beating my chest and chanting “USA” if these two GOATed girls convey dwelling some {hardware} from Milan-Cortina.
Greatness is enjoyable to observe.
I’ll take a look at all the freestyle occasions, too, however I don’t essentially really feel excited to observe, if I’m being fully sincere. I’m extra excited to observe issues like The Freeride World Championships and Pure Choice Ski in March.
Who is aware of. Perhaps I’ll get swept into the Olympic spirit after Andrea Bocelli belts out a banger on the Opening Ceremony on February sixth.
Go Workforce USA! Pulling for you all.
The Bizarre Ones
Max Ritter, Gear Editor: To me, the Olympics have at all times been an enormous supply of nostalgia. Rising up, the timing of the Winter Video games normally coincided with my household’s annual ski journey to Lake Placid (aka the very best week of the yr). It positive helped that the realm was dwelling to each the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, steeped in winter sports activities lore. I’ve fond reminiscences of visiting the Olympic amenities, watching athletes coaching for ski leaping, bobsled, luge, skeleton, biathlon, and, in fact, alpine racing–even getting signatures and excessive fives from worldwide Olympians visiting for a couple of weeks of coaching camp on off years. In fact, dropping into the icy steeps of the 1980 downhill course on Whiteface’s Skyward and Cloudspin runs actually places Olympic-level ski racing into perspective.
The worldwide spirit of the video games at all times me probably the most, particularly rising up in a German household–it helps that German athletes are absolute weapons in terms of winter sports activities, with 287 medals ultimately depend, third on the earth solely behind Norway and Workforce USA. Watching nations battle it out for Olympic glory by no means will get outdated, and I’m psyched to see the aggressive spirit once more this yr.
When it comes to precise sports activities? I’m going to faucet the bizarre ones. The pace, thrill, and potential for catastrophe in ski racing is cool and all, however it’s acquired nothing towards issues just like the sheer madness of ski leaping, skeleton, or luge, and the mind-boggling athleticism of biathlon and cross-country spring occasions. Even the considered a Nordic dash has me redlining at my desk.
Lastly, I’ll say that I’m truly fairly excited to observe skimo racing make its Olympic debut. It’s been a couple of years since we’ve seen a brand new sport enter the world stage like this, and although it’s super-duper dorky (women and men in Lycra working uphill to make horrible ski turns down a closed course), it can absolutely be entertaining. I imply, hey, even the official Olympic intro video for the game has me laughing already.
Picture: VCG by way of Getty Pictures
Slopestyle, Skimo, and the Relaxation
Izzy Lidsky, Author and Photographer: Name me un-American, however like Matt, I possible received’t be watching many occasions dwell, given I’ll be doing my very own snowboarding in Japan whereas the Olympics are occurring in a couple of weeks. Nevertheless, I’m not completely tuning out, and the factor that will get me most excited to catch highlights and replays is much less one particular occasion and extra the large exhibiting of completely unbelievable feminine athletes competing in snowboarding this yr.
Usually talking, I do love watching park snowboarding and am notably excited to observe Rell Harwood, Marin Hamill, and Olivia Asselin compete in slopestyle this yr. All three of them have fairly insane model and expertise. Eileen Gu can be, in fact, a favourite to observe, and I’m fairly stoked to see what she places collectively and if she decides to interrupt any extra information whereas she’s at it. Though a lot of my stoke for slopestyle is for the gals, I’d be mendacity if I stated I wasn’t stoked to observe Alex Corridor, Birk Ruud, Mac Forehand, Jesper Tjader, and Henrik Harlaut.
I’m a bit extra a fan of slopestyle as a sport to observe than halfpipe, however there are a few of us competing in halfpipe that I’m excited to observe for one cause or one other. I grew up watching Gus Kenworthy in movies, so his entire comeback has been fairly cool to see, and I’m curious to see how issues shake out for him (and if he adopts any canine, anybody else bear in mind Sochi?). I’m additionally stoked to root for my dwelling mountain skiers, Birk and Svea Irving, who’re from Winter Park, Colorado, and Hunter Hess, who grew up snowboarding Mt. Bachelor.
Lastly, like Max, I’m fairly darn psyched to observe Skimo. It’s a hilarious sport and, like lots of different sports activities carried out in Lycra, additionally tremendous hardcore. Workforce USA’s qualifying story was improbable, too, with Jackson Gap skier Anna Gibson popping out of mainly nowhere and qualifying, and I’ll absolutely be rooting for her and Cam Smith.
Associated: How The 1956 Winter Olympics Modified “Every part” In Cortina, Italy
