Milano Cortina 2026: Alpine skiing schedule set for the Games
Organizers have finalized the 2026 winter olympics alpine skiing schedule for the Milano Cortina program, laying out the order of speed and technical events, daily start windows in Eastern Time (ET), and contingency plans for weather and course maintenance. The program aims to balance athlete recovery, spectator access and television windows for North American audiences.
Event order and daily timing (ET)
The alpine skiing program will span the core competition period of the Games with a mix of speed events (downhill, super-G) and technical races (giant slalom, slalom), plus the combined. Morning and afternoon windows have been established in Eastern Time to help broadcasters and fans plan viewing.
- Speed events: typically scheduled in morning windows to take advantage of firmer snow. Expect start windows in the early-to-late morning ET range (roughly 4: 00 AM–9: 00 AM ET on most days).
- Technical events: usually slotted into mid- to late-morning and early-afternoon ET windows (roughly 9: 00 AM–3: 00 PM ET), with two-run formats spread across a single day or consecutive days depending on course layout.
- Combined events and finals: placed with flexible start times to accommodate weather and daylight, generally in late morning or early afternoon ET windows.
Organizers have emphasized consistent start windows so broadcasters can schedule lead-ins and viewers can follow marquee races without late-night or overnight surprises.
Practice runs, weather contingencies and athlete care
Training and official practice runs are built into the schedule in the days leading up to each discipline. Practice windows are prioritized for speed disciplines to allow multiple downhill rehearsals and safety inspections of the course. Where possible, officials have reserved buffer days to allow for run rescheduling in the event of high winds, heavy snow or warm temperatures that could soften the surface.
Competition administrators are keeping a close eye on weather models and will shift start times within the posted ET windows when necessary to protect athlete safety and preserve fair conditions. The schedule includes designated rest days for combined disciplines and back-to-back technical events to reduce the risk of fatigue-related injury and to give teams time to service equipment between runs.
What fans and teams should expect
Teams can expect a predictable rhythm: speed events in earlier ET windows and technical events later in the day. That predictability helps support athlete preparation routines and allows broadcasters and international audiences to plan prime coverage blocks in North America. Fans attending in person should check daily bulletins for any late adjustments tied to weather or operational needs.
For athletes, the finalized schedule provides clarity on training timelines and the sequence of medal events, which is particularly important for competitors who enter multiple disciplines. Coaches will use the confirmed program to finalize waxing plans, equipment rotations and travel logistics between competition venues in the Milano Cortina region.
The finalized timetable aims to deliver a tightly organized alpine program that balances fast, dramatic downhill racing with the technical nuance of slalom and giant slalom, all while accommodating the practical realities of mountain weather and international broadcast audiences. Viewers in Eastern Time should plan for early mornings and midday sessions for the biggest alpine moments.
