Montana Is Stepping Into The Olympic Spotlight In 2026, Here’s Who To Watch

When the 2026 Winter Games kick off in Italy, Montana will have some hometown talent competing on one of the biggest stages in sports.

The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics will be held across northern Italy, with events spread between Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and several mountain venues in the Italian Alps. It is going to be fast, emotional, and full of moments that make you sit up on the couch and cheer. And yes, Big Sky Country will be part of that story.

From Whitefish to Team USA, Hockey Takes Montana to Italy

One of the biggest names carrying Montana pride to the Olympics is Jake Sanderson from Whitefish, who has officially been named to Team USA’s men’s hockey roster. For a state where outdoor rinks and frozen ponds are a way of life in winter, seeing a Montana native competing for an Olympic medal in hockey just feels right. Sanderson will be part of the U.S. squad taking on the best teams in the world, and you can bet plenty of Montanans will be following every shift.

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Helena Skier Set to Fly in Slopestyle and Big Air

Montana will also be represented on the slopes by Konnor Ralph from Helena, who has been named to the U.S. Ski and Snowboard team. He will compete in both slopestyle and big air, two of the most exciting and crowd-stopping events of the Winter Games. These are the events where creativity, huge jumps, and fearless tricks steal the show, and it is pretty incredible to think a kid from Helena will be throwing down on the Olympic stage in the Italian Alps.

The Paralympics Bring Another Montana Moment

And the Olympic story does not stop there. Katie Verderber from Helena will be representing the United States at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games as part of the U.S. curling team. While the Paralympics follow the Olympics, the level of competition and the emotional impact are just as powerful. Seeing Montana represented in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games is something worth celebrating in a big way.

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How to Watch and Cheer on Montana

You can watch the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics from February 6 through February 22, 2026, and the Paralympic Winter Games from March 6 through March 15, 2026, nationwide on NBC with full streaming coverage on Peacock. So whether you are tuning in for hockey, freestyle skiing, or curling, it will be easy to follow along and cheer loudly when Montana names pop up on your screen.

Because no matter where the Games are held, it always feels extra special when Big Sky Country is part of the story.