Ski Hearter: Seeking a Path of Passion

The road to Cortina 2026 runs straight through Ikon Pass destinations. From alpine gates in North America to freestyle courses in Utah, these mountains host the best in the world as they chase dreams of the world’s biggest stage and race toward history. For Mikaela Shiffrin, the winningest alpine skier of all time, the results are more than podium placements – they’re proof that passion fuels greatness. Throughout every turn, she reminds us that, to be the best, skiing must come from the heart.

Mikaela’s Prequalifying Races

Mikaela Shiffrin training at Copper Mountain Resort in Copper Mountain, CO. © Brett Wilhelm

Copper Mountain, Colorado – Nov 27–30, 2025
Thanksgiving weekend delivers the Stifel Copper Cup presented by United Airlines. With men’s Super-G and Giant Slalom and women’s Giant Slalom and Slalom, it’s the first domestic World Cup stop of the season and a must-watch moment for Mikaela. Copper’s Center Village keeps the energy going with concerts, bib draws, fireworks, and more.

Mont Tremblant, Quebec – Dec 6–7, 2025
Women’s Giant Slalom returns to Tremblant with two days of high-energy racing. As Mikaela carves into her build-up for Cortina 2026, fans can experience the action alongside Kids Ski Free week and a lively base area full of festivities.

St. Moritz, Switzerland – Dec 12–14, 2025
The iconic Engadin valley sets the stage for three classic women’s speed races: back-to-back Downhills followed by a Super-G. For Mikaela, St. Moritz is both a proving ground and a celebration of ski racing tradition.

World Cup & Olympic Prequalifying Events at Ikon Pass Destinations

Dolomiti Superski – Nov 21, 2025 to Mar 15, 2026
Italy’s Dolomite peaks host a packed slate of competition: Skeleton and Bobsleigh in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Alpine Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom in Carezza, men’s Alpine Ski World Cup Downhill and Super-G in Val Gardena, Ski Cross in San Candido, men’s Alpine Ski World Cup Giant Slalom and Slalom in Alta Badia, and Cross-Country Tour de Ski stages in Dobbiaco and Val di Fiemme. At Kronplatz, the women’s Alpine Ski World Cup Giant Slalom takes center stage.

As February arrives, Cortina and Val di Fiemme welcome Cortina 2026 qualifying competitions across Alpine Skiing, Nordic Combined, Ski Jumping, Skeleton, Bobsleigh, and more. The season closes with women’s Alpine Ski World Cup Downhill and Super-G in Passo San Pellegrino, followed by the Paralympic Games.

Copper Mountain, Colorado – Nov 27-30 & Dec 19–20, 2025
Over Thanksgiving weekend, the Stifel Copper Cup presented by United Airlines delivers the season’s first domestic Alpine World Cup stop, featuring men’s Super-G and Giant Slalom alongside women’s Giant Slalom and Slalom. Just weeks later, the spotlight shifts to freestyle as the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix returns to Copper’s iconic 22-foot Superpipe. The world’s top skiers and riders will throw down one of their final Olympic qualifying runs, where style meets pressure under Colorado skies.

Deer Valley, Utah – Jan 16–18, 2026
The Intermountain Health Freestyle International presented by Stifel lights up Deer Valley’s famed Champion and White Owl runs. Men’s and women’s moguls, dual moguls, and aerials unfold under the lights in a can’t-miss spectacle. This stop is the final send-off before the freestyle team departs for Cortina 2026.

Kitzbühel, Austria – Jan 2026
The Hahnenkamm is the ultimate test: the legendary Streif downhill, treacherous turns, and deafening crowds. Kitzbühel remains a centerpiece of alpine racing and a preview of the intensity athletes will bring to the world’s highest stage.

Mt Buller, Australia – Aug 30, 2025
The FIS ABOM Mogul Challenge celebrates its 30th edition, renaming the course in honor of Olympic champion Jakara Anthony. A Southern Hemisphere showcase that bridges continents in the buildup to Cortina 2026.

Solitude, Utah – Dec 6–7, 2025
The Salt Lake City SKiMo ISMF World Cup debuts as the first of its kind on U.S. snow and serves as a Cortina 2026 qualifying event for the newly added discipline of ski mountaineering.

From the steep speed tracks of St. Moritz to the night-lit moguls at Deer Valley, Ikon Pass destinations host the defining competitions before Cortina 2026. These are more than just races – they’re moments of passion, pressure, and perseverance. With Mikaela leading by heart, every turn is proof that the best way forward is to Ski Hearter.

The Final Destination: Cortina d’Ampezzo

Passion, heart, purpose, vision – everything coalesces in Italy for the 2026 Games. Cortina d’Ampezzo, part of Dolomiti Superski, has long stood at the heart of international ski competition. Home to the iconic Olympia delle Tofane course, Cortina first hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956 and will once again set the stage for women’s alpine skiing in 2026.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is also a place of milestones for Mikaela Shiffrin. She claimed her first Super-G World Cup victory here in 2019 and captured Alpine Combined gold at the 2021 World Championships. Alongside these triumphs, the venue has tested her resilience, underscoring both the challenges and the rewards of racing on one of the sport’s most legendary landscapes.

Please note: Hosted competitions often impact regular operations. Please contact destinations directly to inquire about changes in operation surrounding race schedules.

© Brett Wilhelm