2026 Freestyle World Cup Returns to Waterville Valley

Waterville Valley, NH -- The Intermountain Health Freestyle Cup presented by Stifel is coming to Waterville Valley Resort on January 15–16, 2026. This premier event will bring the world’s top freestyle athletes to New Hampshire for one of the most important competitions of the season, serving as the final World Cup stop before the 2026 Winter Games.

“We have tremendous respect for Deer Valley and the incredible work they do hosting world-class events. Snow conditions are unpredictable and is something every resort understands, we appreciate the immense effort they put into their mountain. We’re honored to step in and proud that Waterville Valley can rise to the occasion. Hosting an event of this scale on a compressed timeline is no small task, but our staff, partners, and community are fully committed and excited to come together quickly to deliver an exceptional experience for athletes, fans, and organizers alike.” said Tim Smith, President and General Manager of Waterville Valley Resort.

With less than one month to go, Waterville’s mountain operations, snowmaking, grooming, and event teams are going all hands on deck to prepare the venue and deliver a world-class competition worthy of the sport’s elite. This year marks the third consecutive time Waterville Valley has hosted the Freestyle Cup on Lower Bobby’s Run. As the birthplace of freestyle skiing, there is no better place to honor the sport’s legacy than here in the Valley.

Admission to the Intermountain Health Freestyle Cup is free, and Waterville Valley Resort is making it even easier for spectators to take part in the excitement with specially priced lift access throughout the event. Foot Passenger Lift Tickets on the Valley Run Quad are available for just $20 per day, offering convenient uphill and downhill access to the competition venue. For guests looking to experience the entire mountain, Full Mountain Lift Tickets are only $26 per day, providing access to all open lifts via skis or snowboard—an exceptional value representing an 80% savings off regular window pricing.

BIRTHPLACE OF FREESTYLE SKIING

Waterville Valley’s connection to freestyle skiing runs deep. In 1969, the resort launched the first freestyle instruction program in the United States, forever changing the trajectory of the sport. Since then, Waterville Valley has been coined the birthplace of freestyle skiing.

Since 1969, Waterville has hosted several world-class freestyle ski competitions, including the Freestyle National Championships, National Open Championships, and the Hot Dog Competition: National Championships of Exhibition Skiing. Many legendary freestyle skiers played significant roles in the development of the ski resort, including Wayne Wong, Doug Pfeiffer, and Nick Preston.

MEET SOME OF THE ATHLETES

JAELIN KAUF
Jaelin Kauf comes to Waterville Valley, undoubtedly one of the most dominant forces in the sport. She is the reigning Olympic silver medalist and the 2024–25 FIS Freestyle Crystal Globe winner in moguls, dual moguls, and overall standings. Kauf, the 2025 dual moguls world champion, is widely known as the fastest woman on the World Cup circuit.

TESS JOHNSON
Tess Johnson made history early in her career as the youngest athlete named to the U.S. National Team and the youngest to earn a World Championship medal. A 2018 Olympian, Tess captured silver in dual moguls at the 2025 World Championships and currently leads the World Cup standings.

NICK PAGE
Nick Page was the highest-ranking American male at the 2022 Olympic Games, finishing fifth overall. After placing third in the world last season, Nick followed up with a fourth-place finish at the 2025 World Championships in moguls and is currently ranked third in the world.

OLIVIA GIACCIO
Olivia Giaccio is a New England native from Redding, Connecticut. A top-10 finisher at the 2022 Olympic Games, Olivia is known for earning some of the highest air scores on the World Cup circuit due to her exceptional degree of difficulty. She has already podiumed in both moguls events this season.

KASEY HOGG
Hailing from Kensington, New Hampshire, Kasey Hogg has strong New England roots. Last season, she continued to elevate both her consistency and technical level. Currently ranked seventh in the world, Kasey represents the next generation of elite freestyle talent.

ABOUT WATERVILLE VALLEY RESORT

Waterville Valley is a four-season resort set on 540 private acres surrounded by 360° of National Forest. Sitting atop the 4,004-foot Mt. Tecumseh, “New Hampshire’s Family Resort” features 265 acres of skiable terrain, a vertical drop of 2,020 feet, 62 trails, 12 lifts, and 74k of groomed Nordic terrain, plus dining and activities in the Town Square as well as a variety of lodging options, including country inns, condominiums, and all-suite hotels.

For more information, visit waterville.com.