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  • Ryan Wedding, Former Olympic Snowboarder On The FBI’s ‘Most Wanted’ List, Has Been Arrested – KXL

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    FILE – An image of former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, who is a fugitive and been charged with allegedly running and participating in a transnational drug trafficking operation, is displayed on a video monitor along with bricks of cocaine, foreground, during a news conference at the FBI offices in Los Angeles, Oct. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

    ONTARIO, Calif. (AP) — Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder who was among the FBI’s top fugitives and faces charges related to multinational drug trafficking and the killing of a federal witness, has been arrested in Mexico, top Justice Department officials said Friday.

    Wedding, 44, is accused of running a drug trafficking operation, and officials say he orchestrated several killings to further the drug crimes. He was on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, and authorities had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

    U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Wedding’s arrest in social media posts. Patel said Wedding was being transported to the U.S. after being apprehended Thursday night in Mexico, where U.S. authorities believe the former Olympian been hiding for more than a decade.

    “This is a huge day for a safer North America, and the world,” Patel wrote on the social platform X, “and a message that those who break our laws and harm our citizens will be brought to justice.”

    At a news conference in California on Friday morning, Patel said Wedding’s arrest was the result of international cooperation and praised Mexico’s government and “global partnerships” for their roles in the operation.

    “When you go after a guy like Ryan Wedding, it takes a united front, and that’s what you’re seeing here,” he said, describing him a “modern day El Chapo” who “thought he could evade justice.

    Patel held meetings in Mexico on Thursday and left Friday with two detainees, Mexico’s Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch wrote on X. He said the two detainees were a Canadian citizen who turned himself in at the U.S. embassy, as well as someone else who was among the FBI’s most-wanted and had been detained by Mexican authorities.

    A member of Mexico’s Security Cabinet, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, told The Associated Press that Wedding was the Canadian citizen who turned himself in.

    Wedding competed for his home country in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Olympic records show he participated in a single men’s snowboarding event, parallel giant slalom, finishing 24th.

    Wedding was charged in 2024 with running a drug ring that used semitrucks to move cocaine between Colombia, Mexico, Southern California and Canada. Authorities said his aliases included “El Jefe,” “Public Enemy” and “James Conrad Kin.”

    In November, Bondi announced that he had also been indicted on charges of orchestrating the killing of a witness in Colombia to help him avoid extradition to the U.S.

    Authorities said Wedding and co-conspirators used a Canadian website called “The Dirty News” to post a photograph of the witness so he could be identified and killed. The witness was then followed to a restaurant in Medellín in January and shot in the head.

    Wedding faces separate drug trafficking charges in Canada that date back to 2015, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

    Wedding was previously convicted in the U.S. of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to prison in 2010, federal records show. Federal prosecutors in 2024 said they believed Wedding, after his release from prison, had resumed drug trafficking under the protection of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico.

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    Grant McHill

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  • Multiple Tahoe athletes, including a 15-year-old, are named to US Olympic ski and snowboard team

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    2026 MILAN-CORTINA OLYMPICS. AND THIS MORNING, THE U.S. SKI AND SNOWBOARD TEAM HAS ANNOUNCED THE 97 ATHLETES WHO ARE GOING TO BE REPRESENTING THE U.S. IN NORTHERN ITALY. AND WE HAVE QUITE A FEW FROM THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA. SO WE’LL START WITH THE ALPINE TEAM. THREE WOMEN AND ONE MAN, ALL FROM TEAM PALISADES TAHOE. KEELY CASHMAN FROM STRAWBERRY HEADING BACK TO THE OLYMPICS. SO IS AJ HURT FROM CARNELIAN BAY AND NINA O’BRIEN OF SAN FRANCISCO. THOSE THREE GREW UP TOGETHER AND NOW WILL GO TO AN OLYMPICS TOGETHER. AS FOR THE MEN, BRYCE BENNETT OF TAHOE CITY ALSO GOING TO ANOTHER OLYMPICS IN CROSS COUNTRY. JAKE SCHOONMAKER OF TAHOE CITY IS AN OLYMPIAN ONCE AGAIN IN FREESKI WOMEN’S HALFPIPE. KATE GRAY OF CROWLEY LAKE AND THE MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN SKI TEAM, NOW AN OLYMPIAN AND SO IS 15 YEAR OLD ABBIE WINTERBERGER FROM TRUCKEE. SHE’S ON THE OLYMPIC FREESTYLE FREERIDE, AND SHE’S ALREADY BEING CALLED ONE OF THE RISING STARS OF THE SPORT. NOW LET’S GO TO THE SNOWBOARDERS. THREE MAMMOTH RIDERS ARE ON THE WOMEN’S HALFPIPE TEAM. THEY’RE LED BY TWO TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST CHLOE KIM OF TORRANCE, ALONG WITH B KIM OUT OF PALOS VERDES AND OUR OWN MADDIE MASTRO OUT OF WRIGHTWOOD IN SLOPESTYLE. WELCOME TO THE OLYMPICS, HANNAH NORMAN OUT OF TRUCKEE JUST TURNED 2020, I THINK. AND IN SNOWBOARD CROSS. HANNAH PERCY OUT OF TRUCKEE AS WELL. SHE’S 18 AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OF VERY NOTABLE NAMES THAT ARE NOT ON THE LIST THIS MORNING. JAMIE ANDERSON, THE TWO TIME GOLD MEDALIST AT A SOUTH LAKE TAHOE TRYING TO COME BACK OUT OF AFTER A THREE YEAR BREAK, TRYING TO QUALIFY FOR A FOURTH OLYMPICS. HER NAME NOT ON THE LIST THIS MORNING. AND THEN ALSO DAVID WISE OF RENO, WHO HAD TWO GOLDS AND A SILVER AND WAS GOING FOR HIS FOURTH GAMES IN FREE SKI SLOPESTYLE. SO 97 ATHLETES, ROUGHLY 220 ATHLETES WILL GO. SO IT’S A HUGE NUMBER OF ATHLETES FROM SKI AND SNOWBOARD, AND FOUR OUT OF TEN TEAM USA ATHLETES TOTAL ARE SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS. SO THIS IS A HUGE LIST MAKING IT OFFICIAL TODAY. SO NOW IMAGINE BEING THE PARENTS OF THESE ATHLETES, THOSE WHO HAVE NOT TRIED TO BOOK ANYTHING YET, TRYING TO SCRAMBLE TO GO SEE THEIR KIDS. A LOT OF EMOTIONS FOR SURE. A LOT OF EMOTIONS. AND IF YOU GO BACK FOUR YEARS AGO, WE WERE STILL IN PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS AND THOSE FAMILIES DIDN’T GET TO GO TO BEIJING. SO IT’S FOR THE FOR THESE ATHLETES, VERY JOYOUS, BUT ALSO

    Multiple Tahoe athletes, including a 15-year-old rising star, are named to US ski and snowboard team for the Milan Cortina Olympics

    Updated: 8:25 AM PST Jan 22, 2026

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    Northern California will be well-represented on the slopes for the Milan Cortina Olympics with multiple athletes from the Tahoe area competing. They include returning Olympians and rising stars. U.S. Ski & Snowboard on Thursday announced the full roster of 97 athletes who will represent Team USA in Northern Italy. Returning Olympians from the 2022 Beijing Olympics include Alpine skiers Keely Cashman from Strawberry, AJ Hurt from Carnelian Bay, and Bryce Bennett from Tahoe City. All are from the club Palisades Tahoe, along with Nina O’Brien, who is from San Francisco. The team also includes returning Olympic cross-county skier James “JC” Schoonmaker, who is from Lake Tahoe. For the women’s halfpipe in freeski, Kate Gray of Crowley Lake, representing the Mammoth Mountain Ski Team, and 15-year-old Abby Winterberger of Truckee, a member of the Olympic Valley Freestyle Free-Ride, have been named Olympians. Ahead of her Olympic debut, Winterberger is already being called one of the rising stars of the sport.Other first-time Olympians from Truckee are snowboarder Hahna Norman competing in slopestyle and Hanna Percy in snowboard cross. The women’s halfpipe snowboarding team includes three Mammoth riders: two-time gold medalist Chloe Kim from Torrance, Bea Kim from Palos Verdes, and Maddie Mastro from Wrightwood.Meanwhile, a decorated Olympian who grew up in Lake Tahoe, Jamie Anderson, did not make the cut. The snowboarder won two gold medals and a silver in previous Olympics and was aiming for a comeback after taking three years off from her sport to have two children.Another Olympian, David Wise of Reno, who has two gold medals and a silver, also failed to make the team. Outside of California competitors, this year’s Olympic team will feature skier Lindsay Vonn returning to racing at age 41 after a partial knee replacement, and Mikaela Shiffrin competing in her fourth Olympics. Shiffrin failed to win a medal in Beijing.Overall, the team has 50 women and 47 men who range in age from 15-year-old Winterberger to 44-year-old snowboardcross rider Nick Baumgartner. See the full list of athletes named to Team USA below, along with their hometowns, clubs, colleges, birthdates and past Olympic teams.2026 U.S. Olympic Alpine Team(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)Women*Mary Bocock (Salt Lake City, UT; Rowmark Ski Academy; Dartmouth College; 10/7/2003)Keely Cashman (Strawberry, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; Montana State University; 4/4/1999; 2022)Katie Hensien (Redmond, WA; Rowmark Ski Academy; University of Denver; 12/1/1999; 2022)AJ Hurt (Carnelian Bay, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; Dartmouth College; 12/5/2000; 2022)Breezy Johnson (Victor, ID; Rowmark Ski Academy; 1/19/1996; 2018, 2022)Paula Moltzan (Prior Lake, MN; Buck Hill Ski Team/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; University of Vermont; 4/7/1994; 2022)Nina O’Brien (Denver, CO; Burke Mountain Academy/Team Palisades Tahoe; Dartmouth College; 11/29/1997; 2022)Mikaela Shiffrin (Edwards, CO; Burke Mountain Academy/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 3/13/1995; 2014, 2018, 2022)Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail/Buck Hill Ski Team; 10/18/1984; 2002, 2006, 2010, 2018)Jacqueline Wiles (Aurora, OR; White Pass Ski Club; 7/13/1992; 2014, 2018, 2022)Isabella Wright (Salt Lake City, UT; Snowbird Sports Education Foundation; 2/10/1997; 2022)MenBryce Bennett (Tahoe City, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; 7/14/1992; 2018, 2022)Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro, VT; Cochran’s/Mount Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club; 3/27/1992; 2018, 2022) *Sam Morse (Carrabassett Valley, ME; Carrabassett Valley Academy; Dartmouth College; 5/27/1996) *Kyle Negomir (Littleton, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Dartmouth College; 10/3/1998)River Radamus (Edwards, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 2/12/1998; 2022)*Ryder Sarchett (Sun Valley, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; University of Colorado Boulder; 7/28/2003)2026 U.S. Olympic Cross Country Team(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)WomenRosie Brennan (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; Dartmouth College; 12/2/1988; 2018, 2022)Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN; Stratton Mountain School; 8/26/1991; 2014, 2018, 2022)*Lauren Jortberg (Boulder, CO; Mansfield Nordic Pro Team; Centre National d’entraînement Pierre-Harvey Team; Dartmouth College; 4/12/1997)*Kendall Kramer (Fairbanks, AK; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Fairbanks; 6/26/2002)Julia Kern (Waltham, MA; Stratton Mountain School; Dartmouth College; 9/12/1997; 2022)Novie McCabe (Winthrop, WA; Alaska Pacific University; University of Utah; 12/15/2001; 2022)*Samantha “Sammy” Smith (Boise, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; Stanford University; 9/22/2005)Hailey Swirbul (El Jebel, CO; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Anchorage; 7/10/1998; 2022)Men*John Steel Hagenbuch (Ketchum, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; Dartmouth College; 10/1/2001)*Zak Ketterson (Minneapolis, MN; Team Birkie; Northern Michigan University; 4/2/1997)*Zanden McMullen (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 5/31/2001)Ben Ogden (Burlington, VT; Stratton Mountain School; University of Vermont; 2/13/2000; 2022)James “JC” Schoonmaker (Lake Tahoe, CA; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Anchorage; 8/12/2000; 2022)Gus Schumacher (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Anchorage; 7/25/2000; 2022)*Hunter Wonders (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 8/7/1998)*Jack Young (Jay, VT; Green Racing Project; Colby College; 12/17/2002)2026 U.S. Olympic Freeski Team(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)HalfpipeWomen*Kate Gray (Crowley Lake, CA; Mammoth Mountain Freeski Team; 6/29/2006)*Svea Irving (Winter Park, CO; Winter Park Freeski Team; University of Colorado Boulder; 2/27/2002)*Riley Jacobs (Oak Creek, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; University of Colorado Denver; 8/14/2003) *Abby Winterberger (Truckee, CA; Olympic Valley Freestyle Freeride Team; 5/1/2010)MenAlex Ferreira (Aspen, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 8/14/1994; 2018, 2022)Nick Goepper (Lawrenceburg, IN; Cork Tech Freeski; 3/14/1994; 2014, 2018, 2022)*Hunter Hess (Bend, OR; Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation; Salt Lake Community College; 10/1/1998)Birk Irving (Winter Park, CO; Winter Park Freeski Team; 7/26/1999; 2022)Slopestyle & Big AirWomenMarin Hamill (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah; 4/5/2001; 2022)*Rell Harwood (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah; 6/1/2001)*Grace Henderson (Madbury, NH; Waterville Valley BBTS; University of Utah; 4/28/2001)*Avery Krumme (Squamish, British Columbia; BC Freestyle Team; 8/23/2008)MenMac Forehand (Winhall, VT; Stratton Mountain School; 8/4/2001; 2022)Alex Hall (Salt Lake City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah; 9/21/1998; 2018, 2022)*Troy Podmilsak (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 8/23/2004)*Konnor Ralph (Helena, MT; Wy’East Mountain Academy; Salt Lake Community College; 1/27/2003)2026 U.S. Olympic Freestyle Ski Team, Moguls & Aerials(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)AerialsWomen*Kyra Dossa (Cleveland, OH; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah; 1/24/2004)Kaila Kuhn (Boyne City, MI; University of Utah; 4/8/2003; 2022)*Tasia Tanner (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard/Fly Freestyle; University of Utah; 7/26/2002)Winter Vinecki (Gaylord, MI; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah/St. Mary’s University School of Law; 12/18/1998; 2022)Men*Connor Curran (Cincinnati, OH; Park City Ski & Snowboard/Elite Aerial Development Program; Utah Valley University; 9/23/2004)*Quinn Dehlinger (Cincinnati, OH; Elite Aerial Development Program; Salt Lake Community College; 6/8/2002)*Derek Krueger (Cleveland, OH; Elite Aerial Development Program; University of Utah; 6/2/2003)Chris Lillis (Rochester, NY; Bristol Mountain Freestyle Team; University of Utah; 10/4/1998; 2018, 2022)MogulsWomenOlivia Giaccio (Redding, CT; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Columbia University; 8/15/2000; 2022)Tess Johnson (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Harvard Extension School; 6/19/2000; 2018)Jaelin Kauf (Alta, WY; Grand Targhee Ski & Snowboard Foundation/Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; University of Utah; 9/26/1996; Olympic Teams: 2018, 2022)*Elizabeth “Liz” Lemley (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Oberlin College; 1/22/2006) Men*Charlie Mickel (Durango, CO; Wasatch Freestyle/Durango Winter Sports Club; University of Utah; 7/6/2004)Nick Page (Park City, UT; Wasatch Freestyle; 8/1/2002; 2022)Dylan Walczyk (Rochester, NY; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 6/25/1993; 2022)*Landon Wendler (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Los Angeles Film School; 10/12/2000)2026 U.S. Olympic Nordic Combined Team(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)MenBen Loomis (Eau Claire, WI; Flying Eagles Ski Club; DeVry University; 6/9/1998; 2018, 2022)*Niklas Malacinski (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Colorado Mountain College; 12/7/2003)2026 U.S. Olympic Ski Jumping Team(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)Women*Annika Belshaw (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; University of Utah; 6/13/2002)*Josie Johnson (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 10/3/2006)*Paige Jones (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of North Dakota; 8/30/2002)MenKevin Bickner (Wauconda, IL; Norge Ski Club; 9/23/1996; 2018, 2022)*Jason Colby (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 3/30/2006)*Tate Frantz (Lake Placid, NY; New York Ski Education Foundation; 3/28/2005)2026 U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)HalfpipeWomen*Bea Kim (Palos Verdes, CA; Mammoth Snowboard Team; 1/25/2007)Chloe Kim (Torrance, CA; Mammoth Snowboard Team; 4/23/2000; 2018, 2022)Maddie Mastro (Wrightwood, CA; Mammoth Snowboard Team; 2/22/2000; 2018, 2022)*Maddy Schaffrick (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 4/29/1994)Men*Alessandro Barbieri (Portland, OR; Tahoe Select Snowboard Team; 10/5/2008)*Chase Blackwell (Longmont, CO; Summer Action Sports Club; 2/27/1999)Chase Josey (Hailey, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; 3/31/1995; 2018, 2022)Jake Pates (Eagle, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 7/30/1998; 2018)Parallel Giant SlalomWomen*Iris Pflum (Minneapolis, MN; G Team; 7/13/2003)MenCody Winters (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 4/20/2000; 2022)SlopestyleWomen*Lily Dhawornvej (Frisco, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 8/14/2009)*Hahna Norman (Truckee, CA; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 10/26/2004)*Jess Perlmutter (Millburn, NJ; Killington Mountain School; 12/2/2009)Men*Jake Canter (Evergreen, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 7/19/2003)Sean FitzSimons (Hood River, OR; Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation; 9/22/2000; 2022)Red Gerard (Silverthorne, CO; 6/29/2000; 2018, 2022)*Ollie Martin (Wolcott, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 6/15/2008)Snowboard CrossWomenStacy Gaskill (Golden, CO; International Snowboard Training Center; University of Colorado Boulder; 5/21/2000; 2022)*Hanna Percy (Truckee, CA; Gould Academy Competition Program; 7/7/2007)*Brianna Schnorrbusch (Monroe Township, NJ; Gould Academy; University of Utah; 1/30/2006)Faye Thelen (Salt Lake City, UT; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Westminster College; 3/24/1992; 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)MenNick Baumgartner (Iron River, MI; 12/17/1981; 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)*Nathan Pare (Bethel, ME; Gould Academy; 2/1/2005)Jake Vedder (Pinckney, MI; International Snowboard Training Center; 4/16/1998; 2022)Cody Winters (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 4/20/2000; 2022)*Denotes first-time Olympian See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    Northern California will be well-represented on the slopes for the Milan Cortina Olympics with multiple athletes from the Tahoe area competing. They include returning Olympians and rising stars.

    U.S. Ski & Snowboard on Thursday announced the full roster of 97 athletes who will represent Team USA in Northern Italy.

    Returning Olympians from the 2022 Beijing Olympics include Alpine skiers Keely Cashman from Strawberry, AJ Hurt from Carnelian Bay, and Bryce Bennett from Tahoe City. All are from the club Palisades Tahoe, along with Nina O’Brien, who is from San Francisco.

    The team also includes returning Olympic cross-county skier James “JC” Schoonmaker, who is from Lake Tahoe.

    For the women’s halfpipe in freeski, Kate Gray of Crowley Lake, representing the Mammoth Mountain Ski Team, and 15-year-old Abby Winterberger of Truckee, a member of the Olympic Valley Freestyle Free-Ride, have been named Olympians. Ahead of her Olympic debut, Winterberger is already being called one of the rising stars of the sport.

    Other first-time Olympians from Truckee are snowboarder Hahna Norman competing in slopestyle and Hanna Percy in snowboard cross.

    The women’s halfpipe snowboarding team includes three Mammoth riders: two-time gold medalist Chloe Kim from Torrance, Bea Kim from Palos Verdes, and Maddie Mastro from Wrightwood.

    Meanwhile, a decorated Olympian who grew up in Lake Tahoe, Jamie Anderson, did not make the cut. The snowboarder won two gold medals and a silver in previous Olympics and was aiming for a comeback after taking three years off from her sport to have two children.

    Another Olympian, David Wise of Reno, who has two gold medals and a silver, also failed to make the team.

    Outside of California competitors, this year’s Olympic team will feature skier Lindsay Vonn returning to racing at age 41 after a partial knee replacement, and Mikaela Shiffrin competing in her fourth Olympics. Shiffrin failed to win a medal in Beijing.

    Overall, the team has 50 women and 47 men who range in age from 15-year-old Winterberger to 44-year-old snowboardcross rider Nick Baumgartner.

    See the full list of athletes named to Team USA below, along with their hometowns, clubs, colleges, birthdates and past Olympic teams.

    2026 U.S. Olympic Alpine Team
    (Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)

    Women

    • *Mary Bocock (Salt Lake City, UT; Rowmark Ski Academy; Dartmouth College; 10/7/2003)
    • Keely Cashman (Strawberry, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; Montana State University; 4/4/1999; 2022)
    • Katie Hensien (Redmond, WA; Rowmark Ski Academy; University of Denver; 12/1/1999; 2022)
    • AJ Hurt (Carnelian Bay, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; Dartmouth College; 12/5/2000; 2022)
    • Breezy Johnson (Victor, ID; Rowmark Ski Academy; 1/19/1996; 2018, 2022)
    • Paula Moltzan (Prior Lake, MN; Buck Hill Ski Team/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; University of Vermont; 4/7/1994; 2022)
    • Nina O’Brien (Denver, CO; Burke Mountain Academy/Team Palisades Tahoe; Dartmouth College; 11/29/1997; 2022)
    • Mikaela Shiffrin (Edwards, CO; Burke Mountain Academy/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 3/13/1995; 2014, 2018, 2022)
    • Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail/Buck Hill Ski Team; 10/18/1984; 2002, 2006, 2010, 2018)
    • Jacqueline Wiles (Aurora, OR; White Pass Ski Club; 7/13/1992; 2014, 2018, 2022)
    • Isabella Wright (Salt Lake City, UT; Snowbird Sports Education Foundation; 2/10/1997; 2022)

    Men

    • Bryce Bennett (Tahoe City, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; 7/14/1992; 2018, 2022)
    • Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro, VT; Cochran’s/Mount Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club; 3/27/1992; 2018, 2022)
    • *Sam Morse (Carrabassett Valley, ME; Carrabassett Valley Academy; Dartmouth College; 5/27/1996)
    • *Kyle Negomir (Littleton, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Dartmouth College; 10/3/1998)
    • River Radamus (Edwards, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 2/12/1998; 2022)
    • *Ryder Sarchett (Sun Valley, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; University of Colorado Boulder; 7/28/2003)

    2026 U.S. Olympic Cross Country Team
    (Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)
    Women

    • Rosie Brennan (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; Dartmouth College; 12/2/1988; 2018, 2022)
    • Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN; Stratton Mountain School; 8/26/1991; 2014, 2018, 2022)
    • *Lauren Jortberg (Boulder, CO; Mansfield Nordic Pro Team; Centre National d’entraînement Pierre-Harvey Team; Dartmouth College; 4/12/1997)
    • *Kendall Kramer (Fairbanks, AK; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Fairbanks; 6/26/2002)
    • Julia Kern (Waltham, MA; Stratton Mountain School; Dartmouth College; 9/12/1997; 2022)
    • Novie McCabe (Winthrop, WA; Alaska Pacific University; University of Utah; 12/15/2001; 2022)
    • *Samantha “Sammy” Smith (Boise, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; Stanford University; 9/22/2005)
    • Hailey Swirbul (El Jebel, CO; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Anchorage; 7/10/1998; 2022)

    Men

    • *John Steel Hagenbuch (Ketchum, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; Dartmouth College; 10/1/2001)
    • *Zak Ketterson (Minneapolis, MN; Team Birkie; Northern Michigan University; 4/2/1997)
    • *Zanden McMullen (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 5/31/2001)
    • Ben Ogden (Burlington, VT; Stratton Mountain School; University of Vermont; 2/13/2000; 2022)
    • James “JC” Schoonmaker (Lake Tahoe, CA; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Anchorage; 8/12/2000; 2022)
    • Gus Schumacher (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Anchorage; 7/25/2000; 2022)
    • *Hunter Wonders (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 8/7/1998)
    • *Jack Young (Jay, VT; Green Racing Project; Colby College; 12/17/2002)

    2026 U.S. Olympic Freeski Team
    (Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)

    Halfpipe
    Women

    • *Kate Gray (Crowley Lake, CA; Mammoth Mountain Freeski Team; 6/29/2006)
    • *Svea Irving (Winter Park, CO; Winter Park Freeski Team; University of Colorado Boulder; 2/27/2002)
    • *Riley Jacobs (Oak Creek, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; University of Colorado Denver; 8/14/2003)
    • *Abby Winterberger (Truckee, CA; Olympic Valley Freestyle Freeride Team; 5/1/2010)

    Men

    • Alex Ferreira (Aspen, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 8/14/1994; 2018, 2022)
    • Nick Goepper (Lawrenceburg, IN; Cork Tech Freeski; 3/14/1994; 2014, 2018, 2022)
    • *Hunter Hess (Bend, OR; Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation; Salt Lake Community College; 10/1/1998)
    • Birk Irving (Winter Park, CO; Winter Park Freeski Team; 7/26/1999; 2022)

    Slopestyle & Big Air
    Women

    • Marin Hamill (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah; 4/5/2001; 2022)
    • *Rell Harwood (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah; 6/1/2001)
    • *Grace Henderson (Madbury, NH; Waterville Valley BBTS; University of Utah; 4/28/2001)
    • *Avery Krumme (Squamish, British Columbia; BC Freestyle Team; 8/23/2008)

    Men

    • Mac Forehand (Winhall, VT; Stratton Mountain School; 8/4/2001; 2022)
    • Alex Hall (Salt Lake City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah; 9/21/1998; 2018, 2022)
    • *Troy Podmilsak (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 8/23/2004)
    • *Konnor Ralph (Helena, MT; Wy’East Mountain Academy; Salt Lake Community College; 1/27/2003)

    2026 U.S. Olympic Freestyle Ski Team, Moguls & Aerials

    (Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)

    Aerials
    Women

    • *Kyra Dossa (Cleveland, OH; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah; 1/24/2004)
    • Kaila Kuhn (Boyne City, MI; University of Utah; 4/8/2003; 2022)
    • *Tasia Tanner (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard/Fly Freestyle; University of Utah; 7/26/2002)
    • Winter Vinecki (Gaylord, MI; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah/St. Mary’s University School of Law; 12/18/1998; 2022)

    Men

    • *Connor Curran (Cincinnati, OH; Park City Ski & Snowboard/Elite Aerial Development Program; Utah Valley University; 9/23/2004)
    • *Quinn Dehlinger (Cincinnati, OH; Elite Aerial Development Program; Salt Lake Community College; 6/8/2002)
    • *Derek Krueger (Cleveland, OH; Elite Aerial Development Program; University of Utah; 6/2/2003)
    • Chris Lillis (Rochester, NY; Bristol Mountain Freestyle Team; University of Utah; 10/4/1998; 2018, 2022)

    Moguls
    Women

    • Olivia Giaccio (Redding, CT; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Columbia University; 8/15/2000; 2022)
    • Tess Johnson (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Harvard Extension School; 6/19/2000; 2018)
    • Jaelin Kauf (Alta, WY; Grand Targhee Ski & Snowboard Foundation/Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; University of Utah; 9/26/1996; Olympic Teams: 2018, 2022)
    • *Elizabeth “Liz” Lemley (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Oberlin College; 1/22/2006)

    Men

    • *Charlie Mickel (Durango, CO; Wasatch Freestyle/Durango Winter Sports Club; University of Utah; 7/6/2004)
    • Nick Page (Park City, UT; Wasatch Freestyle; 8/1/2002; 2022)
    • Dylan Walczyk (Rochester, NY; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 6/25/1993; 2022)
    • *Landon Wendler (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Los Angeles Film School; 10/12/2000)

    2026 U.S. Olympic Nordic Combined Team
    (Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)

    Men

    • Ben Loomis (Eau Claire, WI; Flying Eagles Ski Club; DeVry University; 6/9/1998; 2018, 2022)
    • *Niklas Malacinski (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Colorado Mountain College; 12/7/2003)

    2026 U.S. Olympic Ski Jumping Team

    (Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)

    Women

    • *Annika Belshaw (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; University of Utah; 6/13/2002)
    • *Josie Johnson (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 10/3/2006)
    • *Paige Jones (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of North Dakota; 8/30/2002)

    Men

    • Kevin Bickner (Wauconda, IL; Norge Ski Club; 9/23/1996; 2018, 2022)
    • *Jason Colby (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 3/30/2006)
    • *Tate Frantz (Lake Placid, NY; New York Ski Education Foundation; 3/28/2005)

    2026 U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team
    (Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)

    Halfpipe
    Women

    • *Bea Kim (Palos Verdes, CA; Mammoth Snowboard Team; 1/25/2007)
    • Chloe Kim (Torrance, CA; Mammoth Snowboard Team; 4/23/2000; 2018, 2022)
    • Maddie Mastro (Wrightwood, CA; Mammoth Snowboard Team; 2/22/2000; 2018, 2022)
    • *Maddy Schaffrick (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 4/29/1994)

    Men

    • *Alessandro Barbieri (Portland, OR; Tahoe Select Snowboard Team; 10/5/2008)
    • *Chase Blackwell (Longmont, CO; Summer Action Sports Club; 2/27/1999)
    • Chase Josey (Hailey, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; 3/31/1995; 2018, 2022)
    • Jake Pates (Eagle, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 7/30/1998; 2018)

    Parallel Giant Slalom
    Women

    • *Iris Pflum (Minneapolis, MN; G Team; 7/13/2003)

    Men

    • Cody Winters (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 4/20/2000; 2022)

    Slopestyle
    Women

    • *Lily Dhawornvej (Frisco, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 8/14/2009)
    • *Hahna Norman (Truckee, CA; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 10/26/2004)
    • *Jess Perlmutter (Millburn, NJ; Killington Mountain School; 12/2/2009)

    Men

    • *Jake Canter (Evergreen, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 7/19/2003)
    • Sean FitzSimons (Hood River, OR; Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation; 9/22/2000; 2022)
    • Red Gerard (Silverthorne, CO; 6/29/2000; 2018, 2022)
    • *Ollie Martin (Wolcott, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 6/15/2008)

    Snowboard Cross
    Women

    • Stacy Gaskill (Golden, CO; International Snowboard Training Center; University of Colorado Boulder; 5/21/2000; 2022)
    • *Hanna Percy (Truckee, CA; Gould Academy Competition Program; 7/7/2007)
    • *Brianna Schnorrbusch (Monroe Township, NJ; Gould Academy; University of Utah; 1/30/2006)
    • Faye Thelen (Salt Lake City, UT; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Westminster College; 3/24/1992; 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)

    Men

    • Nick Baumgartner (Iron River, MI; 12/17/1981; 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)
    • *Nathan Pare (Bethel, ME; Gould Academy; 2/1/2005)
    • Jake Vedder (Pinckney, MI; International Snowboard Training Center; 4/16/1998; 2022)
    • Cody Winters (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 4/20/2000; 2022)

    *Denotes first-time Olympian

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  • 7-year-old snowboarder aims for sixth 100-day season

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    With Killington Resort officially open in Vermont, skiers and riders were excited to kick off their season on Thursday. Among them was Harley Ruffle, a 7-year-old who has gained thousands of followers on social media with his journey on a snowboard.Harley Ruffle is only 7 years old, but he has already completed five seasons of snowboarding for at least 100 days. His quick progress already has him riding with professionals. He first picked up a snowboard at only 2 years old. His family was at a ski shop for his older brother, but ended up leaving with another rider. Harley’s mom, Jill Ruffle, said she turned around and Harley had strapped himself into a mini snowboard. “We brought him into the store in a stroller and he’s on snow, balancing on a snowboard with absolutely zero problems,” she said. From then on, snowboarding was all he wanted to do. Harley is homeschooled and started going to the mountain as much as possible to practice. His mom said that while he began riding with the Killington Mountain School last season, he started with no formal training. She said right away she noticed Harley’s ability to quickly pick up new skills. He landed his first front flip at just 4 years old. “I just try it, and most of the time I get it,” Harley said. Since he began snowboarding, Harley has made it to the mountain a total of 678 days. One season, he was out for 172 days. Now, he is hoping for his sixth 100-day season this year. “That wasn’t something we set out to happen. It was just, again, his passion led to that,” said Jill Ruffle. Harley’s mom began posting videos of him riding several years ago to document his snowboarding journey. Since then, he’s gained over 26,000 followers and sponsors who have supported his progress, providing him with equipment and more. “He’s a goofy, happy little snowboarder,” she said. “I think they want to end up where — you know, see where he ends up on his journey.”Harley’s family has built a community through his snowboarding. He became family friends with professional snowboarders who enjoy riding with him. “Ever since I’ve known him, I swear it was before he could even talk, he was on a snowboard, you know, just smiling, doing his thing,” said professional rider Zeb Powell. Harley said he is happy to begin another season on the slopes. He said he has been waiting to get in his first runs for weeks, and with another year starting, he’s aiming for another 100 days on the mountain.

    With Killington Resort officially open in Vermont, skiers and riders were excited to kick off their season on Thursday. Among them was Harley Ruffle, a 7-year-old who has gained thousands of followers on social media with his journey on a snowboard.

    Harley Ruffle is only 7 years old, but he has already completed five seasons of snowboarding for at least 100 days. His quick progress already has him riding with professionals.

    He first picked up a snowboard at only 2 years old. His family was at a ski shop for his older brother, but ended up leaving with another rider. Harley’s mom, Jill Ruffle, said she turned around and Harley had strapped himself into a mini snowboard.

    “We brought him into the store in a stroller and he’s on snow, balancing on a snowboard with absolutely zero problems,” she said.

    From then on, snowboarding was all he wanted to do. Harley is homeschooled and started going to the mountain as much as possible to practice. His mom said that while he began riding with the Killington Mountain School last season, he started with no formal training. She said right away she noticed Harley’s ability to quickly pick up new skills. He landed his first front flip at just 4 years old.

    “I just try it, and most of the time I get it,” Harley said.

    Since he began snowboarding, Harley has made it to the mountain a total of 678 days. One season, he was out for 172 days. Now, he is hoping for his sixth 100-day season this year.

    “That wasn’t something we set out to happen. It was just, again, his passion led to that,” said Jill Ruffle.

    Harley’s mom began posting videos of him riding several years ago to document his snowboarding journey. Since then, he’s gained over 26,000 followers and sponsors who have supported his progress, providing him with equipment and more.

    “He’s a goofy, happy little snowboarder,” she said. “I think they want to end up where — you know, see where he ends up on his journey.”

    Harley’s family has built a community through his snowboarding. He became family friends with professional snowboarders who enjoy riding with him.

    “Ever since I’ve known him, I swear it was before he could even talk, he was on a snowboard, you know, just smiling, doing his thing,” said professional rider Zeb Powell.

    Harley said he is happy to begin another season on the slopes. He said he has been waiting to get in his first runs for weeks, and with another year starting, he’s aiming for another 100 days on the mountain.

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  • The 2024/25 Ski and Snowboard Season Returns to the Slopes of Banff Sunshine Village

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    BANFF, Alberta, November 7, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    The much-anticipated ski and snowboard season on Canada’s Best Snow has officially kicked off at Banff Sunshine Village. Friday, November 8, marks the beginning of seven months of skiing and riding during Canada’s longest non-glacial ski season at the premier resort in the Canadian Rockies. 

    Grab your gear and Banff Sunshine Season Pass and head to the slopes of Banff Sunshine Village! Enjoy carving up Canada’s Best Snow amid the stunning Canadian Rockies.

    Located within Banff National Park, Sunshine Village is renowned for its world-class terrain, breathtaking alpine views, and an extended season that stretches from early November until the Victoria Day May long weekend (Monday, May 19, 2025). Sunshine Village offers over 3,300 acres of skiable terrain suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to expert thrill-seekers. Known for its dry, natural champagne powder, thanks to its high position on the continental divide, Banff Sunshine offers prime skiing and snowboarding conditions with seven months of consistent snowfall in the Canadian Rockies. 

    “We are thrilled to welcome guests back for an unforgettable season on Canada’s Best Snow,” says Kendra Scurfield, VP of Brand, Marketing, and Communications at Banff Sunshine Village. “With fresh powder falling on our Rocky Mountain slopes, we’re excited to deliver another amazing season this winter.”

    New this 2024/25 winter season, Banff Sunshine introduces the Super Angel Luxury Express. Sunshine Village is home to North America’s first six-passenger, heated luxury chairlift with Leitner-Poma of America’s EVO technology, reducing ride times and allowing skiers and riders more time to enjoy the slopes.

    Guests of Sunshine Mountain Lodge enjoy slopeside accommodations at the only ski-in, ski-out hotel in Banff National Park, where cozy luxury, après-ski relaxation, and breathtaking views await.

    Spend your ski and snowboard season on the slopes of the one and only Banff Sunshine Village, just 90 minutes west of Calgary!

    About Banff Sunshine Village: 
    Known for its all-natural snow, skiers and riders visit the premier alpine resort during its seven-month-long winter ski season, spanning from early November to late May. Starting late June, summer blooms up at Banff Sunshine Meadows, as Alberta’s natural wildflowers paint hundreds of untouched and preserved acres with a vibrant and colorful landscape. From skiing and riding on Canada’s Best Snow in the winter to hiking the Sunshine Meadows during the summer, Banff Sunshine is the ultimate year-round destination for nature enthusiasts. The fully serviced Canadian Rockies resort is open November 8, 2024, for winter operations.

    For more information about Banff Sunshine Village, please visit skibanff.com or email Kendra Scurfield, VP of Marketing, Brand and Communications at kscurfield@skibanff.com

    Source: Banff Sunshine Village

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  • New Six Pack, Heated Bubble Chairlifts Welcome Winter to SkiBig3 Resorts

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    BANFF, Alberta, October 22, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    With the welcome arrival of snowfall in southern Alberta, the resorts of SkiBig3 – Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort and Mt. Norquay – are excited to announce the debut of two new heated bubble chairlifts for the 2024-2025 ski and snowboard season. The additions at Banff Sunshine and Lake Louise Ski Resort, along with the existing Teepee Town LX Chair installed in 2014 at Banff Sunshine, mean SkiBig3 is home to all three of Canada’s heated bubble lifts.

    Banff Sunshine is replacing its original quad chairlift, Angel Express (circa 1988), with the resort’s first state-of-the-art six-passenger high-speed luxury express lift, complete with direct drive (for a smoother ride), heated bucket seats, footrests, and a yellow weather protection bubble. A collaboration with chairlift manufacturer Leitner-Poma, the Super Angel features the latest EVO premium technology, which eliminates the traditional gearbox operating system for a smoother, faster, quieter ride.

    Construction on the new Super Angel Express Heated Bubble Chairlift began on May 13, 2024. The unveiling of the new lift is tentatively scheduled for November 24, 2024.

    In alignment with Banff Sunshine’s commitment to sustainability, the beloved Angel Express chair was transported to Castle Mountain Resort in southern Alberta, where it will become that resort’s first high-speed lift. 

    Operations crews at Lake Louise Ski Resort have also been busy over the summer with phase two of the two-part Juniper Chairlift installation. The new Pipestone Express Chair, formerly called Upper Juniper Chairlift during early development, is a Doppelmayr high-speed six-person heated lift. The chairlift’s bottom terminal is situated just below the top of the Lower Juniper Chairlift, while the top terminal provides quick access to the base of the resort’s Summit Chair. The heated chair with blue-hued bubble and convenient footrests also offers better access to the Lake Louise Ski Resort’s West Bowl, including some of the most exciting and technical in-bounds terrain in Canada for intermediate to expert skiers and snowboarders. With the ability to transport 2,000 skiers and riders per hour and a ride time of just 6.6 minutes, Pipestone Express will help reduce congestion and maximize time for exploring the resort’s 4,200 skiable acres. 

    Lake Louise Ski Resort’s new Pipestone Express Chairlift is tentatively scheduled to open the first week of December 2024.

    SkiBig3 is excited to welcome guests to experience the future of skiing by unveiling these two new technologically advanced chairlifts for the 2024-2025 ski and snowboard season.

    Tentative Resort Opening Dates: 2024-2025*

    Banff Sunshine: Nov. 8, 2024

    Lake Louise Ski Resort: Nov. 8, 2024

    Mt. Norquay:  Nov. 2, 2024

    *All resort opening dates are tentative and weather permitting.

    HIGH-RES IMAGES: Visit the SkiBig3 Media Hub for stunning high-res images of all three resorts. 

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    Source: SkiBig3

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