Get The Games: Ski Cross

How much do you really know about the disciplines our athletes compete in? To get you ready for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games opening ceremony, we’re launching a new series: Get The Games.

Across the next few weeks, we will be giving you an insider’s perspective on snowsport. The technical challenges, the speed, and what it’s really like in the start gate.

The Winter Olympics isn’t just skiing fast downhill—it’s a mix of speed, skill, style and more than a little bravery.

From blistering speed to gravity-defying tricks, these events are packed with skill, courage and the kind of wipeouts that make you watch through your fingers. 

Whether athletes are racing the clock, launching sky-high tricks or battling head-to-head on snow, each event brings its own unique thrill.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the must-know disciplines to help you watch like a pro.

SkiCross

Like snowboard cross, but on skis. Several racers battle it out downhill at once, with speed, strategy and bravery all playing a role.

Ski Cross is fast, fierce and unpredictable, pitting four skiers head-to-head on the same course. Athletes race down a track packed with jumps, rollers and banked turns, battling for position while trying to stay upright at full speed.

There are no style points here — it’s a straight race to the finish, with the top two advancing each round. With crashes, photo finishes and constant lead changes, ski cross delivers some of the most action-packed moments of the Winter Olympics.