As the 2026 Winter Olympics unfold across Milan, a cadre of athletes with deep Vermont roots are carving out their own Olympic stories on the world’s biggest winter sports stage.

Standing out among them is Ryan Cochran-Siegle from South Burlington, the seasoned alpine ski racer from Vermont known for his blend of fearlessness and finesse. Early in the Milan-Cortina Games, he delivered a top time in downhill training.

 Image courtesy of Getty Images

In the cross-country trails, Ben Ogden of Landgrove, Vermont carries the Green Mountain State’s hopes into another Olympic appearance. 

At just 16, Jess Perlmutter — while originally from New Jersey — embodies the Vermont boarding spirit, training at Killington Mountain School and proudly calling Vermont home is competing in slopestyle snowboarding.

Paula Moltzan, 31-year-old Alpine skier and medal favorite for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics. While a native of Prior Lake, Minnesota, she is an "official" Vermonter, having graduated from UVM.

Also making her Olympic debut is Margie Freed, another UVM graduate who has earned her place on the U.S. biathlon team.While she is a native of Apple Valley, Minnesota, she is a prominent "Vermont-tied" athlete through her education and professional training.

Luke Brown is a 30-year-old biathlete for Team USA and a key member of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project in Craftsbury, Vermont.

Nina O’Brien is a 28-year-old Alpine skier for Team USA competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics. While she is a San Francisco native, she is considered a "Vermont-tied" athlete because she graduated from the Burke Mountain Academy in East Burke.

Sean Doherty is a 30-year-old biathlete for Team USA competing in his fourth consecutive Winter Olympics in 2026. Doherty lives in Albany, Vermont, and does the bulk of his training at the Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho.

Jack Young is a 23-year-old cross-country skier for Team USA competing in his first Olympics at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. A native of Jay, Vermont, he is considered one of the most surprising and rapid risers on the U.S. Nordic circuit.

Jessie Diggins , 34-year-old cross-country skier for Team USA competing in her fourth and final Winter Olympics in 2026 is one of the most prominent "Vermont-tied" athletes.

 Image courtesy of Getty Images

Julia Kern is a 28-year-old cross-country skier for Team USA competing in her second Winter Olympics in 2026. A native of Waltham, Massachusetts, she has become an adopted Vermonter through her long-term training at Stratton Mountain School (SMS)

Lauren Jortberg is a 28-year-old cross-country skier for Team USA making her Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Games. A native of Boulder, Colorado, she has established deep roots in the Vermont ski community through her professional training and collegiate career

Mac Forehand is a 24-year-old freestyle skier for Team USA and a gold-medal favorite at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Although born in Connecticut, he is a primary member of Vermont's Olympic contingent, having moved to the state at age 14 to attend the Stratton Mountain School

Maxime Germain is a 24-year-old biathlete for Team USA making his Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Games. While born in Juneau, Alaska, and raised in Chamonix, France, he is a primary member of Vermont's Olympic contingent through his military service.

Deedra Irwin is a 33-year-old biathlete for Team USA and a staff sergeant in the Vermont Army National Guard.

Mac Forehand is a 24-year-old freestyle skier representing Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina.

Olivia Giaccio is a 25-year-old freestyle mogul skier for Team USA competing in her second Winter Olympics at Milano-Cortina 2026.

Chloé Aurard-Bushee is a 26-year-old ice hockey forward representing France at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Although she is a native of Villard-de-Lans, France, she is considered a "Vermont-tied" Olympian because she moved to the state at age 16 to attend Vermont Academy in Saxtons River.

Julia Mesplède is a 23-year-old ice hockey forward from Bordeaux, France, who is currently competing for her native country in the 2026 Winter Olympics. She is recognized as a "Vermont-tied" Olympian as she is a senior at the UVM.

Kristýna Kaltounková is a 23-year-old ice hockey forward and a breakout star for Czechia in the 2026 Winter Olympics. While she is a native of Vlašim, she is a notable "Vermont-tied" Olympian as she moved to the state at age 15 to attend Vermont Academy in Saxtons River.

Laurence St-Germain is a 31-year-old Alpine skier for Team Canada competing in her third consecutive Winter Olympics in 2026. While she is a native of Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Quebec, she is a celebrated "Vermont-tied" athlete as a former star of the UVM Ski Team.

Image courtesy of Getty Images 

Mikaela Shiffrin is a 30-year-old Alpine skiing legend competing in her fourth Winter Olympics at Milano-Cortina 2026. Although a Colorado native, she is closely tied to Vermont as a graduate of Burke Mountain Academy in East Burke.

Opening Ceremony Viewing Party - Cochran's Ski Area

February 6, 3pm - 8pm

The viewing begins immediately following the $5 Friday Night Lights skiing and riding session

Olympics Watch Party — South Burlington Public Library

 February 13, 12:00 – 5:00 pm
The South Burlington Public Library is hosting a free Olympics watch party for the Opening Ceremonies and events, featuring: curling, skeleton, snowboarding, hockey and men’s free skate. They’ll also have an Olympic-themed display and a scavenger hunt highlighting Vermonters competing in Milan-Cortina.

February 21, 5pm - 6:30pm
Join us at the library social hour on Saturday, February 21st to watch the Winter Olympics and make custom buttons! Want to celebrate your favorite athlete or make your own gold medal? This is the place for you!
Champlain College Library

🏔️ Smugglers’ Notch Winter Games (Feb 8–22) — Olympic-Inspired Fun

📍 Smugglers’ Notch Resort
While this festival isn’t a direct Olympic watch party, the resort’s Smuggs Winter Games happens during the same time as the Olympics (Feb. 8 – 22) and features family-friendly winter competitions and activities that mirror the spirit of Olympic contests — ideal for locals who want to celebrate winter sports together.

❄️ Rutland Winterfest (Feb 20–24)

📍 Rutland County, Vermont
📅 Feb. 20 – 24, 2026
Rutland Winterfest invites the community to a full week of winter fun with free and low-cost activities — ice sculpting, fat-bike races, snow games and more. This festival is a great backdrop for Olympic-watch gatherings and celebrations as the Games wrap up.