The men’s snowboarding slopestyle final at the 2026 Winter Olympics will take centre stage on Wednesday, February 18, with fans eager to see some of the sport’s biggest names go head-to-head. Snowboarding, which made its Olympic debut in Nagano in 1998, may be relatively young compared with other Winter Games events, but it has already left a lasting mark on the athletes competing this year.
The event kicks off at 5:20 a.m. Eastern and will be broadcast live on USA Network and Peacock. For viewers without cable, streaming options are available through services like DIRECTV (free trial), Sling (promotions from $4.99), and Peacock.
Star-studded field in Livigno
Canada’s Mark McMorris will be one of the main attractions. The veteran rider is aiming for a fourth consecutive Olympic medal in slopestyle, having previously secured three silvers. McMorris’ participation was uncertain after a crash during Big Air training, but he bounced back in qualifying, earning third place.
Joining him is 20-year-old Dane Menzies of New Zealand, who has emerged as a surprise finalist, having impressed during qualifying rounds. Norway’s two-time world champion Marcus Kleveland hopes to land his first Olympic medal, while McMorris’ teammate Cameron Spalding, winner of the 2025 Crystal Globe, finished fifth in qualifying.
China’s Su Yiming, who won silver in slopestyle at Beijing 2022 and recently earned Big Air bronze at Milano-Cortina, is expected to deliver a show-stopping performance. Meanwhile, American Red Gerard, PyeongChang 2018 gold medallist, qualified in 11th place but comes into the final after back-to-back X Games victories, showing he remains a force to be reckoned with.
Scheduling challenges and weather delays
Weather has already disrupted the snowboarding events in Livigno. Heavy snowfall forced the postponement of the women’s slopestyle final to Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. local time. Other events, including men’s ski big air and freestyle aerials, were also delayed, highlighting the unpredictable conditions athletes must navigate.
The men’s final will feature three runs, with the top score counting for the medal positions: Run 1 at 12:30 p.m. CET, Run 2 at 1:00 p.m., and Run 3 at 1:30 p.m. CET. Fans around the world can catch the action through national broadcasters, including CBC in Canada, Discovery+ in the UK, Sky in New Zealand, and China Media Group in China.
A sport ready for the spotlight
Snowboarding continues to grow in popularity, blending athletic skill with creativity and style. Riders like Su Yiming and McMorris not only push the limits on snow but are also helping the sport reach a wider audience, bringing it closer to mainstream attention. As the final unfolds in Livigno, spectators can expect daring tricks, high-flying stunts, and a battle for Olympic glory that reflects the sport’s bold spirit.
The 2026 Winter Olympics men’s snowboarding slopestyle final promises to be a highlight of the Games, offering a thrilling mix of experience, youth, and raw talent on the slopes.
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