PARK CITY, Utah — As the U.S. women's alpine ski team gears up for the Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, in 2026, the state of Utah will be prominently represented on the international stage. Nearly half of the 11 athletes on the U.S. women's roster have direct ties to Utah, whether through their hometowns, training facilities, or extensive experience on the Wasatch slopes. From legendary athletes like Lindsey Vonn, who calls Park City home, to emerging talents nurtured by local ski programs, the influence of Utah's ski racing community is unmistakable. The Olympic alpine events, which include downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, and team combined, will take place on the challenging Olympia delle Tofane course. Known for its steep and demanding terrain, this venue will serve as a fitting backdrop for a U.S. team that blends seasoned veterans with a new generation of skiers honed in Utah's competitive environments. Lindsey Vonn, one of the most recognizable names in alpine skiing, is making a notable return to the Olympics at the age of 41. Now a resident of Park City, Vonn has remained actively involved in the local ski community through initiatives like the Lindsey Vonn Foundation and the Winter Sports School. Despite suffering a torn ACL just a week prior to the Olympics during a World Cup race in Switzerland, Vonn's competitive spirit remains undeterred. Her extensive history at Cortina, where she has won six World Cups, positions her as a strong contender in downhill and super-G events, as well as a stabilizing force for the younger athletes on the team. Isabella Wright, a Salt Lake City native and a product of Snowbird’s renowned race program, is another athlete to watch. Having made her Olympic debut at Beijing 2022, Wright has rapidly ascended the World Cup rankings. Her impressive performance in 2023, which included a seventh-place finish at the World Cup Finals in Andorra, highlights her growing confidence and consistency. She currently holds multiple top-10 downhill finishes, emphasizing Snowbird’s success as a breeding ground for elite talent. Breezy Johnson, although originally from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, received her foundational training at Rowmark Ski Academy in Salt Lake City. As the reigning world champion in downhill and gold medalist in the team combined, Johnson is poised to further solidify her place as a leading contender during the Olympics. Her ability to perform under pressure makes her a valuable asset to the U.S. team. Katie Hensien, who has strong ties to Park City through her parents, has made her mark as a technical-event specialist. After winning the 2022 NCAA slalom championship, she has continued to develop her skills, most recently achieving a fourth-place finish in the 2024–2025 season. Hensien’s consistent performances signal her emergence as a reliable scorer for the team in slalom and giant slalom events. Mary Bocock, another rising star from Salt Lake City, exemplifies Utah's burgeoning impact on women's alpine skiing. A product of both the Snowbird race program and Rowmark Ski Academy, Bocock claimed the 2022–23 NorAm Overall title, which secured her entry into the World Cup circuit. Her best finish so far has been 18th in super-G at St. Moritz, and she currently ranks 27th globally in that discipline, showcasing the depth of talent emerging from Utah. The Utah-connected athletes join established names such as Mikaela Shiffrin, Paula Moltzan, Nina O’Brien, and Jacqueline Wiles, enhancing the U.S. women’s team's strength and identity. Although Lauren Macuga, another Park City skier, is sidelined this season due to a knee injury, her past achievements, including winning a bronze medal in super-G at the 2025 World Championships, underline the talent pool in Utah. As the women’s alpine schedule unfolds from February 8 to 18, Park City and the larger Utah ski community will not just be spectators; they will actively cheer for their own. The events will be held on the challenging slopes of Cortina, where the U.S. team, fueled by a rich legacy and supported by a formidable training infrastructure, will aim for Olympic glory. The women's Olympic alpine schedule is as follows: downhill on February 8, team combined on February 10, super-G on February 12, giant slalom on February 15, and slalom on February 18. With Utah's deep-rooted connections to the sport, this year's Olympics are set to be a remarkable chapter in the state's storied skiing history.