From Howelsen to Cortina: Steamboat’s Olympic Story Continues

By Alexa KaminskiBlog, Community February 26, 2026

As the world turned its attention to Cortina for the 2026 Winter Olympics, the energy in Steamboat Springs felt especially personal. Known proudly as Ski Town USA, Steamboat has long carried an Olympic identity that extends far beyond a single Games cycle. This year, nine athletes from Steamboat Springs represented the United States on the Olympic stage, joined by one Paralympian, reinforcing a legacy that has defined this mountain community for generations.

From the jumps at Howelsen Hill to international podiums, Steamboat’s pipeline of talent is no accident. Howelsen Hill is the oldest continuously operating ski area in North America and has produced more Winter Olympians than any other town in the country. Early mornings at Howelsen, dryland training in the summer, and thousands of repetitions on our champagne powder have shaped athletes who now stand among the best in the world.

The 2026 Winter Games once again showcase Steamboat’s depth across disciplines. The support structure behind these nordic athletes, especially the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, has created a culture where Olympic dreams are both ambitious and attainable. Coaches, volunteers, parents, and community members all play a role in turning potential into performance.

Among those who understand this journey firsthand is Ben Berend, co-lead of the Boyd and Berend Group and a 2018 Olympian in Nordic Combined at the 2018 Winter Olympics! Ben’s Olympic experience continues to shape his leadership both in sport and in business. This month, as Cortina 2026 unfolds, he has found meaningful and creative ways to celebrate Steamboat’s athletes and inspire the next generation.

Ben served as guest “conductor” for the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra during a special Olympic celebration concert. Partnering with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, the Symphony brought sport and music together for an evening that honored the Games and the athletes who represent this town on the world stage. Ben also embraced the role of emcee at Soda Creek Elementary’s “Opening Ceremonies.” Each class proudly carried the flag of a different country, transforming the school into its own international arena.

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Prior to the Games, Ben was recognized at the Ski Town USA Celebration and Torch Lighting Ceremony alongside generations of Steamboat Olympians. The ceremony included a video call to the nine current Olympic athletes and one Paralympian representing Steamboat this year. Hearing their voices from Cortina reinforced the connection between this small Colorado town and the global stage.

As we reflect on the 2026 Winter Olympics, Steamboat Springs once again proves that its Olympic heritage runs deep. It lives in the athletes competing abroad, in former Olympians giving back at home, and in the young dreamers carrying flags through elementary school hallways. In Steamboat, the Olympics are not just a two week event. They are part of the town’s identity, woven into its history, and passed forward to the next generation.