Australian Olympic Committee announces new partnership with Australia's leading ski resorts ahead of 2026 Olympic Winter Games

On the eve of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) today announced a new partnership with Australia’s leading alpine destinations, with Mt Buller, Thredbo, and Vail Resorts - including Perisher, Mt Hotham and Falls Creek - appointed as Official Ski Resort Suppliers of the Australian Olympic Team.

The collaboration brings together Australia’s Olympic movement and the nation’s premier ski resorts with a shared objective to grow participation in winter Olympic sports, strengthen pathways from grassroots to elite competition, and deepen collaboration between ski resorts, Snow Australia and the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA).

Through this collaboration, the AOC and resorts will deliver a coordinated program of fan engagement, community celebration and athlete inspiration across the Australian snowfields to promote the 2026 Olympic Winter Games and establish opportunities post-Olympics with Aussie fans and rising stars.

As part of the sponsorship, the ski resorts will host Milano Cortina 2026 Watch Parties, provide unique fan engagement competitions as well as deliver joint AOC, Snow Australia, Interschools and OWIA events as part of 2026 Olympic Day in June. The AOC, Snow Australia, OWIA and Ski Resorts will have a pool of lift passes to give away during the Australia winter, inviting Aussies to have a go at winter Olympic sports.

Australian Winter Olympic Team Chef de Mission, Alisa Camplin AM OLY, said the collaboration represents an important step in building a stronger and more connected winter sport ecosystem in Australia.

“Australia’s ski resorts play a critical role in introducing people to winter sports and nurturing future Olympians.

“This sponsorship allows us to work together to inspire participation, celebrate our athletes, and connect fans to winter Olympic sports from the slopes to the world stage,” she said.

Snow Australia CEO, Michael Kennedy said: “Australia’s snow resorts are fundamental to our sport. They are where participation begins, events are delivered and high performance pathways are made possible. Our long-standing partnerships with resorts underpin everything we do.

“We are excited to work together to use the Olympic Games as an opportunity to connect more Australians with winter sport,” he said.

Olympic Winter Institute of Australia CEO, Geoff Lipshut said: “The ski resorts are the lifeblood for all our snowsport athletes who aspire to be part of the Australian Olympic Team. “Each of the resorts in our country have contributed to the pathways and international success of the athletes who compete in ski and snowboard.

“Without our ski resorts, our athletes could not do what they are going to do at Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games over the next weeks,” he said.

Mt⁠ Buller Marketing Manager, David Clark said:“As the home mountain for dozens of Olympic careers, Mt Buller is thrilled to be supporting the Aussie Olympic Team in 2026.

“We couldn't be more proud to cheer on athletes who've started out with our Ski & Snowboard School, Interschools competitions, and seasonal programs. We wish the entire team the very best of luck in Milano Cortina.”

Thredbo Ski Resort General Manager, Stuart Diver said: “Thredbo Resort has supported Australia's Winter Olympians for many years, from hosting internationally recognised on-snow events to providing state-of-the-art training facilities at Australia's most awarded ski resort.

“Being appointed an Official Supplier to the Australian Olympic Team represents the next step in that journey. We're so proud to play a role in helping athletes prepare, perform, and progress on the world stage, while inspiring and supporting the next generation of Australian winter sports talent.”

Vail Resorts' Senior Manager Brand + Experience, Emily Smith said: “Vail Resorts Australia, including Perisher, Australia’s largest ski resort, Falls Creek, home to some of the country’s best beginner terrain, and Hotham, renowned for its challenging slopes, have each helped nurture generations of winter athletes.

"From first turns and grassroots programs to elite training on world class moguls and snowboard cross courses, our mountains have long supported Australia’s pathway to the podium. That's why becoming an Official Ski Resort Supplier of the Australian Olympic Team is a sponsorship we’re incredibly proud of, and we’ll be cheering on every athlete competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina.”

The sponsorship will run throughout 2026 and aligns with broader efforts by the AOC, OWIA and Snow Australia to grow awareness, participation and performance across Australia’s winter Olympic sports.