Growing up ski racing in Park City, Utah, I always looked up to the older athletes who were making dreams come true on the Olympic stage. Superstars like Ted Ligety and Megan McJames were the talk of the team room as we booted up before training. What I didn’t fully realize back then was just how special Park City and Utah as a whole are to developing world-class winter athletes.
Utah’s culture of athletic excellence is immersive. On any given day in Park City, it’s normal to see elite athletes rollerskiing along Highway 224, training at the Utah Olympic Park or grabbing some much-needed downtime at Urban Sailor Coffee. Growing up ski racing in Park City, that environment made high-level sport feel like just something we do. Big goals were visible, tangible and happening all around.
Before the 2002 Winter Olympics, Utah invested in infrastructure that gave local athletes access to world-class training facilities within a short drive. The Utah Olympic Park offers everything from a bobsled track to Nordic and freestyle jumps and an aerials pool. The Utah Olympic Oval provides year-round ice for speed skaters, and Soldier Hollow delivers perfectly groomed Nordic trails. Add in U.S. Ski & Snowboard Center of Excellence, and you have a system designed to support athletes physically, technically and medically.
Let’s not forget about the Winter Sports School in Park City, aschool with a colorful history. From its early days in the old miners' hospital to later years operating out of the Utah Olympic Park, including the period when I attended classes there, the Winer Sports School has now progressed to the point where it has its own school building. Its unconventional calendar allows high school athletes to train full-time during the winter without sacrificing academics. School runs from mid-April through mid-November, freeing up the snow months for on-snow development and strength training.
Utah Athletes to Watch at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Alpine Skiing
Mary Bocock (Salt Lake City)
A Rowmark alum and Salt Lake City born and raised, all Utahns are excited to see Mary compete in her first Olympics. She and her little sister Elisabeth both qualified for the U.S. Ski Team in the same season, and there will no doubt be no louder cheer section than the Bococks in Cortina this February.
Bella Wright (Salt Lake City)
A Snowbird Sports Education Foundation alum and Olympic veteran, Bella is the sweetheart of Utah’s downhill skiing culture. Her artistic helmets always steal the show as she glides down courses cool as a cat. Don’t let her tagline of Hells Bells deceive you. She’s the first one doling out autographs at the finish line and is always supportive of up-and-coming athletes, greeting everyone with a smile.
Cross Country Skiing
Rosie Brennan (Park City)
Keep an eye out for Park City native Rosie Brennan. Rosie trained for years on local trails before relocating to lower-elevation training grounds in Anchorage, Alaska. Her determination, endurance and steady athletic mindset shine through on any course she races, making her a consistent and respected presence in the field.
Moguls
Nick Page (Park City)
Nick has become a consistent presence on the World Cup moguls circuit. Known for his powerful turns and amplitude in the air, he continues to represent Park City while staying deeply connected to the local freestyle community that helped shape his style.
Ski Jumping
Josie Johnson (Park City)
With the Utah Olympic Park quite literally in her backyard, it’s no surprise that young gun Josie has climbed quickly through the ranks of U.S. ski jumping. She represents the strength of Park City’s development pipeline, combining technical precision with confidence on some of the sport’s biggest hills.
Paige Jones (Park City)
Calm, technical, and consistent, Paige brings years of international experience to the jumping hill. A steady competitor under pressure, she embodies the discipline, longevity and focus that Park City ski jumping programs are known for producing.
Snowboardcross
Faye (Gulini) Thelen (Salt Lake City)
A veteran of multiple Olympic cycles, Faye continues to prove her grit and staying power as a new mom in one of winter sports’ most demanding disciplines. Her experience and race savvy make her a tough competitor on any course, especially when conditions get rough.
Keith Gabel (Ogden, UT)
A decorated para-snowboarder, Keith has earned multiple Paralympic medals and continues to push the limits of adaptive snowboarding, showing the world what Utah terrain and training can produce.
Freeski / Slopestyle
Alex Hall (Park City & Switzerland)
Known for creativity and progression, A-Hall’s skiing reflects the combination of Utah and Swiss freeski cultures in which he grew up. Whether in competition or free skiing, he continues to push style and technical boundaries.
Troy Podmilsak (Park City)
A quiet powerhouse with massive tricks, Troy has steadily raised the bar in slopestyle. His ability to deliver under pressure makes him one of the most exciting athletes to watch as the field continues to progress.
Marin Hamill (Park City)
An Olympic veteran with a playful and unmistakable style, Marin blends technical mastery with personality on snow. Her skiing is as confident as it is creative, making her a fan favorite on any course.
Rell Harwood (Park City)
Rell has been a steady presence on the international freeski scene. Known for her strength and control, she brings reliability and experience to every start gate.
Aerials
Tasia Tanner (Park City)
A strong aerialist with deep roots in Park City’s freestyle programs, Tasia brings precision, confidence, and consistency to every jump. Her progression reflects the technical depth of Utah’s aerials pipeline.
Speedskating
Casey Dawson (Park City)
A long-track specialist with relentless endurance, Casey’s rise reflects countless hours logged at the Olympic Oval. His ability to sustain speed over distance has made him a standout on the national and international stage.
Luge
Matthew Greiner (Park City)
A product of the Wasatch Luge Club, Matthew’s success highlights Utah’s strength in sliding sports. His technical control and familiarity with the Utah Olympic Park track continue to pay dividends in competition.
Ashley Farquharson (Park City)
Powerful and composed on the track, Ashley represents Utah’s continued presence in Luge. Her calm approach and consistency under pressure make her a force to watch as competition intensifies.
Local Athletes to Watch in the Years Ahead
In alpine skiing, Elisabeth Bocock continues a strong Utah racing tradition following her three older siblings, who all attended and skied at Rowland Hall. She has been steadily building momentum at the national level since 2022. Her progression reflects the long-game approach common in Utah programs, where consistency and development are valued as much as podium results.
Team Macuga is well worth watching over the next four years. Lauren, an alpine speed skier, Sammy, a ski jumper and Ali, a moguls skier, have all been on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard for several years. Lauren will miss the 2026 Games due to injury. Even so, her path continues to highlight what Utah’s alpine environment can produce, and her story is far from finished. All three athletes are products of Utah’s development systems, benefiting from early access to high-level coaching, facilities, and competition.
Listen to Lauren's podcast episode on Last Chair here.
Utah continues to prove itself as a powerhouse for winter sports, producing athletes who train, grow and thrive in a culture built upon excellence. From seasoned Olympians like Ted Ligety to rising stars, the state’s combination of world-class facilities and community ensures that Utah will be shaping the next generation of winter sportschampions. As the 2026 Games approach, keep an eye on these names as they’re just the beginning of what’s to come.
How To Support Our Athletes From Home
If you're looking for a fun way to support our Utah-based athletes from here in Utah, make sure to head up to the Utah Olympic Park on Friday, February 6, from 6-10PM to celebrate and cheer on our athletes on the big screen. More details here!
