By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. Jan 30, 2026)
El Dorado County, CA — As the 2026 Winter Olympic Games open in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on Feb. 6, a remarkable contingent of athletes rooted in the Tahoe and Truckee region will represent the United States on sport’s biggest winter stage.
Residents of the Sierra Nevada and surrounding communities have long cultivated world-class skiing and snowboarding talent. This Olympic cycle is no exception: eight athletes with direct ties to Tahoe and Truckee have secured places on Team USA’s 232-member roster, marking a point of regional pride for local sports fans.
Regional Standouts Ready for Italy
Among those heading to Italy are several familiar names from Palisades Tahoe and the broader Tahoe ski community:
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Bryce Bennett (Tahoe City) — A veteran alpine speed skier competing in downhill and Super-G, Bennett makes his third Olympic appearance.
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Keely Cashman (Strawberry) — A technical giant slalom and super-G competitor returning for her second Games, known for her consistency on the World Cup circuit.
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AJ Hurt (Carnelian Bay) — Alpine ski racer and long-time U.S. Ski Team member also heading back to the Olympics.
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Abby Winterberger (Truckee) — At just 15, Winterberger is the youngest Tahoe-area athlete on the team and among the youngest U.S. freeski competitors in Italy this year.
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Hahna Norman (Truckee) and Hanna Percy (Truckee) — Both earned Olympic berths in snowboarding disciplines, reflecting the depth of snowboard talent emerging from the region.
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JC Schoonmaker (Tahoe City) — Cross-country skiing representative with World Cup experience.
“The community support in Tahoe and Truckee has been incredible from the start of our journeys,” Winterberger said in a statement shared with regional media. “It’s an honor to bring that spirit with me to the Olympics.”
Olympic Impact
Team USA’s roster for Milan-Cortina marks one of the largest U.S. Winter Olympic contingents in history, with 232 athletes spanning disciplines from alpine skiing to snowboarding and cross-country events. For California alone, 19 athletes will compete across various sports, with Tahoe-area competitors accounting for nearly half of those from the state’s mountain regions.
Local ski clubs, training programs, and community support networks have played a significant role in developing these athletes. Palisades Tahoe’s development programs and Truckee’s grassroots clubs continue to be pipelines for Olympic-level talent, a legacy that spans generations and inspires young winter athletes across El Dorado County and beyond.
Looking Ahead
The Winter Olympics run Feb. 6–22, with U.S. athletes competing in events broadcast nationally on NBC and Peacock. As finals unfold, locals will be watching closely as Tahoe and Truckee natives pursue Olympic medals and personal bests on the world stage.
