Ski mountaineering will make its Olympic debut this year, the first winter sport to do so since 2002. Skeleton, luge, ski jumping and moguls are also getting new events.

There is a good reason why Courchevel, the star of the Trois Vallées, commands a premium over other ski resorts: everything is here in great quantity – from Michelin stars to karaoke bars – and decent snow is guaranteed.

Ski mountaineering originated not as an organized sport but as a means of survival. For thousands of years, people have worn skis due to the practical need to traverse mountainous or hilly terrain during the snowy winter months.

If you think downhill skiing is a challenge, wait until you see skimo, a brand-new ski event set to debut in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games. In this event, participants wearing specialized lightweight skis and carrying a backpack and other equipment run uphill.

You'll see many of these on television for the 2026 Winter Olympics too.