Winter Olympics 2026 chaos as heavy snowfall forces Livigno halfpipe and aerials postponement ahead of Verona closing ceremony

Heavy snow suddenly changed the mood at the Winter Olympics. In Livigno, important freestyle skiing events had to be delayed, leaving athletes and fans waiting in uncertainty. The halfpipe and aerials competitions were postponed on Thursday after thick snowfall covered the venue and made conditions unsafe. Even with the delay, Olympic organisers stayed calm. They said the Games would still end on Sunday without any major problem. The men’s aerials qualifiers and final were moved to Friday from 10:30 CET, while the men’s halfpipe qualification runs were pushed one hour later.

When the snowfall slowed in the afternoon, officials confirmed that the women’s halfpipe qualifiers would begin at 19:30 CET, with the final planned for Saturday evening as the closing freestyle skiing event. At the same time, weather also affected other sports. In Anterselva, biathlon organisers had to arrange a single shared training session for both men and women before expected snowfall later in the day. In Tesero, thick snow covered the mountains during the Nordic combined team sprint, hiding the beautiful Val di Fiemme view behind a white curtain.

International Olympic Committee Spokesperson Mark Adams Explains Weather Delays Across Livigno and Olympic Venues

Olympic officials made it clear that such problems are normal in winter sports. Speaking at a press conference, International Olympic Committee spokesperson Mark Adams said, “Snow is an occupational hazard of winter sports.”

He further explained, “They are well used to dealing with delays, changes and bad weather… We are used to it, and the federations are used to it. It is something we have to work with, unfortunately.”

Livigno, a remote Alpine resort near the Switzerland border and often called “Little Tibet,” has seen weather-related Olympic changes before. Moving events because of snow or wind is common in most Winter Games. Earlier this week, organisers also postponed the women’s snowboard slopestyle medal event and the start of freestyle aerials competitions.

Despite these repeated changes, the overall Olympic schedule remains on track. The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics closing ceremony is still planned for Sunday in Verona, starting at 20:00 CET.

For now, athletes continue to adjust, wait, and stay ready. In winter sports, the weather is always part of the competition.



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