This year’s Winter Olympics will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. From Feb. 6-22, the world’s top athletes will compete to showcase their talent, technique and dedication in 15 winter disciplines. The first Winter Games were held in 1924, and the United States is the only country to have won a gold medal at every Olympic Winter Games since. A new sport debuts at the 2026 Games, ski mountaineering, which includes men’s and women’s sprints, and a mixed relay. Here’s a preview of other events you don’t want to miss.
Alpine Skiing
The United States first competed in Olympic Alpine Skiing in 1936, and in 1948, Gretchen Fraser became the first American to ever win an Olympic Alpine skiing medal. Since then, Team USA has produced numerous gold-medal-winning skiers, including Mikaela Shiffrin, Bode Miller and Lindsey Vonn. The skiing events are designed to test competitors’ agility and lower-body strength. Skiers must navigate a series of gates at high speeds, making alpine skiing a fast-paced and exhilarating sport. Skiers can hit speeds of up to 95 miles per hour, and the tiniest shifting of weight can make a big difference, so immense precision and concentration are required.
Curling
Curling, often likened to “chess on ice,” originated in Scotland and first debuted as an Olympic sport in 1924. A match consists of 10 rounds, called “ends,” with each team starting with eight granite stones. The aim is to slide the stones closest to the center target to score the most points, and the final score is calculated once all 16 stones have been thrown. The 2026 competitions will feature men’s, women’s and mixed-doubles events. Curling is a high-strategy game that offers something slightly different than your average Olympic sport, though no less stimulating. It’s a strangely absorbing and hypnotic spectacle.
Figure Skating
Much like dance and gymnastics, figure skating lies in the realm of “artistic sports,” blending athleticism and artistry through powerful jumps, thrilling spins and graceful gliding. It remains the most watched and oldest Winter Olympic sport, with roots tracing back to 5,000 years ago in Northern Europe. The United States holds the record for the most medals won by a country in figure skating at the Olympic Games, with athletes Jason Brown, Ilia Malinin and Amber Glenn leading this year’s team.
Snowboarding
The United States dominates Olympic snowboarding, with athletes Chloe Kim, Nick Baumgartner and Redmond “Red” Gerard expected to impress in February. The sport’s origins lie in a toy invented in 1965 called a “snurfer” that was primarily marketed toward children. It gained traction after mass production helped pave the way for the modern snowboard. Snowboarding continued to gain in popularity and was added to the Olympics in 1998, with the snowboard cross added in 2006 and big air in 2018, further expanding the spectacle of the sport. Snowboarders are judged on precision as well as originality. They perform spins by rotating horizontally in the air, named by degrees (a “1080” is three complete turns).
Ice Hockey
The swish of a hockey stick, the glide of the puck down the ice, the rush of players skating frantically from one end of the rink to the other. Welcome to ice hockey — a lively and dynamic game you may not have watched before “Heated Rivalry.” Frequently prized for its constant action and intense speed, the game has been an Olympic sport since 1920. Men’s teams consist of 25 players, including 3 goalies, while women’s teams have 22. The United States women’s team is particularly strong, having medaled in every tournament, including gold in 2018 and silver in 2022.
In anticipation of the 2026 Winter Olympics Feb. 6-22, U-High students shared which events they’re most looking forward to watching.
“I’m most looking forward to watching the figure skating event because I am a figure skater, and I really enjoy watching it and how [the] sport can change over different Olympic years.”
— Lily Davidson, junior
“I’m most looking forward to figure skating and skiing. Figure skating because I think it’s really cool, and I really like the routines and the music. Skiing because I also think it’s really cool and it looks really hype.”
— Liam Evans, sophomore
“Figure skating, because I grew up watching it with my mother, and she’s a really big fan.”
— Lillian Matthias, ninth grader
“I’m most looking forward to curling probably, which is strange, but I really like it because it’s not necessarily about athleticism. I don’t really know what it’s about, but it’s just something that’s really cool and something I wouldn’t necessarily think would be a sport, and the fact that it’s in the Olympics is really, really cool.”
— Addy Johnson, senior
“I like seeing the figure skating ones. I just think the chemistry between the figure skaters and all the technique that they use is really amazing to watch.”
— Saanika Dutta, junior
“Snowboarding because I think it’s going to be interesting first off if Chloe Kim participates after her injury, and second off to see who takes the stage after her.”
— Venice Czarnecki-Lichstein, junior
“I’m looking forward to figure skating because I’ve been reading that this year’s US team is going to be especially strong.”
— Susan Augustine, librarian
“I’m most looking forward to skiing. I personally ski, so I find it relatable and pretty exciting.”
— Elon Kolambekar, ninth grader
“[I am looking forward to the] Figure skating and ice dance events. I’m very excited to see for ice dance Madison Chock and Evan Bates’ flamenco-inspired ice dance. That’s always super impressive to watch. I know they’re expected to perform that, and then I feel like everyone’s got to be excited for Alysa Liu’s Laufey program and then Amber Glenn’s ‘Like a Prayer.’ Of course I can’t wait to see what Ilia Malinin the ‘Quad God’ does this time. Always something exciting. Maybe a backflip.”
— Tal Neiman, sophomore
“I’m really excited for figure skating because I’m excited to see Ilia Malinin, Amber Glenn and Alysa Liu.”
— Alexa Morton, senior
