Chloe Kim, Snowboarding
Chloe Kim, Snowboarding

At the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics, snowboarding and freestyle skiing are once again expected to be two of Team USA’s strongest medal-producing sports. Historically dominant in these disciplines, the United States enters the 2026 Games with a deep pipeline of Olympic champions, X Games stars, and rising young talent.

Most freestyle and snowboard events will be staged at Livigno, a high-altitude venue known for its terrain parks and natural halfpipe-friendly geography. Aerials events will be held in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Read more: Team USA Alpine Skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics: Roster, Schedule, How to Watch, And Medal Outlook

Snowboarding: Team USA Overview

Snowboarding has been one of Team USA’s most reliable Olympic medal sports since 1998, particularly in halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air.

Key Snowboarding Events

  • Men’s & Women’s Halfpipe

  • Men’s & Women’s Slopestyle

  • Men’s & Women’s Big Air

  • Snowboard Cross

  • Mixed Team Snowboard Cross

Athletes to Watch (USA)

  • Chloe Kim – Two-time Olympic gold medalist in halfpipe and one of the most dominant athletes in Winter Olympics history. If healthy, she is the clear favorite in women’s halfpipe.

  • Shaun White – While officially retired from competition after 2022, he remains a cultural benchmark; the 2026 men’s halfpipe team will be defined by the post-White generation.

  • Red Gerard – Olympic gold medalist and consistent podium threat in slopestyle and big air.

  • Jamie Anderson – One of the most decorated female snowboarders ever, with multiple Olympic medals in slopestyle.

  • Nick Baumgartner – Veteran leader in snowboard cross, especially relevant for the mixed team event.

The U.S. snowboard roster is overseen by USA Snowboard, under the broader USA Ski & Snowboard umbrella.

Read more: 2026 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey USA (Men & Women): Schedule, How to Watch

Freestyle Skiing: Team USA Overview

Freestyle skiing has become another medal engine for Team USA, especially in halfpipe, slopestyle, big air, moguls, and aerials.

Key Freestyle Skiing Events

  • Men’s & Women’s Freeski Halfpipe

  • Men’s & Women’s Freeski Slopestyle

  • Men’s & Women’s Freeski Big Air

  • Moguls & Dual Moguls

  • Aerials & Mixed Team Aerials

Athletes to Watch (USA)

  • Eileen Gu – Though not competing for the U.S., her dominance shapes the competitive landscape the Americans must navigate.

  • Alex Hall – Olympic gold medalist and one of the most creative freeskiers in the world, especially dangerous in slopestyle and big air.

  • Birk Ruud – A major rival whose presence underscores the level of competition Team USA faces.

  • Jaelin Kauf – World Cup moguls standout and Olympic medal favorite.

  • Chris Lillis – Olympic gold medalist in aerials and a cornerstone of the mixed team event.

Team USA’s freestyle program is widely regarded as one of the deepest in the world, particularly in park and pipe disciplines.

Competition Schedule Window (What U.S. Fans Should Know)

While exact event times will be finalized closer to the Games, snowboarding and freestyle skiing typically follow this Olympic rhythm:

  • Qualifications: Feb. 6–8

  • Finals & medal events: Feb. 8–18

  • Park & pipe finals often air late morning or early afternoon ET due to Italy’s time zone

  • Medal rounds frequently appear in NBC primetime highlight windows

Fans should monitor:

for confirmed Eastern Time listings.

How to Watch Snowboarding & Freestyle Skiing

All U.S. coverage for snowboarding and freestyle skiing at the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics is provided by NBC Olympics.

Read more: Team USA Schedule at the 2026 Winter Olympics: Full Competition Calendar, Key Events, and How to Follow

Official Streaming Platforms (Highly Recommended for Article Links)

Peacock (Official Olympic Streaming Partner)
https://www.peacocktv.com/sports/olympics

  • Live coverage of every snowboard & freestyle skiing run

  • Full replays, finals-only feeds, and athlete highlights

  • Works without cable (mobile, smart TV, web)

NBC Olympics – Snow Sports Hub
https://www.nbcolympics.com/snowboarding
https://www.nbcolympics.com/freestyle-skiing

  • Daily schedules (ET), start lists, results

  • Free highlights, live streams with TV login

NBC Sports App
https://www.nbcsports.com/apps

  • Optimized for live morning sessions and medal finals

Medal Outlook for Team USA

  • Strongest gold-medal potential:

    • Women’s snowboard halfpipe (Chloe Kim)

    • Men’s freeski slopestyle & big air (Alex Hall)

    • Moguls & aerials (multiple U.S. contenders)

  • Depth advantage:
    Team USA’s ability to place multiple athletes into finals gives it a significant edge under Olympic judging formats.

Final Analysis

Snowboarding and freestyle skiing remain cornerstone sports for Team USA at the Winter Olympics. With progressive venues in Livigno, elite American depth, and a judging system that rewards creativity and amplitude, the U.S. is positioned to once again rank among the top medal-winning nations in these disciplines at Milano Cortina 2026.