Griffin Briley, a 19-year-old skier from Park City, Utah, has joined the USA Skimo national team as the sport prepares for its official Olympic debut at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. Briley, a four-time Junior World Champion, represents a rising generation of American athletes as the discipline moves from backcountry roots to the global Olympic stage.
Olympic Debut in Milano Cortina
The inclusion of ski mountaineering in the Olympic program was confirmed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on July 20, 2021, when the organization unanimously approved the sport for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. According to USA Skimo, the sport's addition to the Olympic program marks a significant milestone for a discipline that has long enjoyed popularity in Europe but is currently experiencing rapid growth in the United States and other nations.
Ram Mikulas, President of the US Ski Mountaineering Association (USA Skimo), expressed enthusiasm regarding the decision, stating that the announcement is fantastic news. Mikulas noted that the organization is grateful to the IOC, the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF), and the nation of Italy for facilitating the sport's inclusion in the Games.
Olympic Race Formats
The Olympic program for ski mountaineering will feature three specific medal events: a men's sprint, a women's sprint, and a mixed gender relay. The total athlete quota for the sport has been set at 36 competitors, with the spots divided equally between male and female athletes.
One of the key Olympic formats is the sprint race, which is described as a fast-paced, fixed-course event. These races typically last approximately three minutes and consist of an uphill skiing section, a booting section where athletes hike on foot, and a descent around designated race gates. The courses ascend up to 262 vertical feet. The sprint format utilizes a time trial to establish seeding into a bracket, where six racers compete against one another in successive rounds until a final six determine the podium.
Growth and Preparation
The relay race, also featured in the Olympic program, follows a format similar to the sprint but involves teams of athletes. In this format, team members take turns completing the course in a continuous circuit to reach the finish line.
USA Skimo officials stated that the growth of the sport in the United States has acted as a catalyst for its inclusion in the Olympic Games. The organization is currently working with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to prepare for the upcoming Games. This preparation includes developing organizational and high-performance plans, as well as increasing funding efforts to propel American athletes into the top international ranks.
Utah's Briley Joins National Team
Among the athletes positioned to represent the United States is Park City native Griffin Briley. Representing the Park City Skimo club, the 19-year-old has already established an elite competitive record as a four-time Junior World Champion.
Briley is supported by sponsors including Atomic, ATK, and Pierre Gignoux carbon ski boots. He has identified the Shoehorn race in Montana as his favorite US Skimo event and maintains the personal mantra, "all is possible" or "we arrive." Briley cited adventure and the exploration of both the environment and his own personal capacities as his primary inspirations for competing in the sport.
A New Chapter for Skimo
The transition of ski mountaineering to the Olympic stage represents a new chapter for the sport. USA Skimo continues to work with various stakeholders, including volunteers, race directors, and resort venues, to facilitate the continued development of uphill skiing and competitive racing across the United States.
