FEATURES

Page 46
The 2026 Olympics in Pictures

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Peter Ashley Profile
Growing up in Jackson, Wyoming, in the 1960’s was all about doing it all. Hunting, fishing, alpine and Nordic. Then Peter Ashley began to specialize in cross country which took him to collegiate racing, coaching on the U.S. Ski Team and a long career at Fischer, where he influenced the no-wax wave.

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2026 Photo Annual

Page 78
Cochran’s Nordic Cross
Each April, when all the competitive racing is done, Cochran’s Ski Area hosts it’s one and only Nordic race. From Olympians to NCAA racers to high school standouts to moms and dads, everyone dresses up and lets their hair down for a rollicking rip through rollers and jumps, all devised by the inimitable Pennie Rand.

MASS START

Page 13
Editor’s Note
Track Changes

Page 14
Wax Box

Page 16
Essays
Paul Tolme reflects on the trail of late film director David Lynch, and Ellen Hollinshead gets creative in the winter that wasn’t.

THE SKINNY

Page 22
Beneath the Sheets
A European company is changing the face of manmade snow.

Page 28
Kids Birkie
The biggest ski race in America for the littlest skiers.

Page 32
Grooming Ambitions
Lisa Maloney chases the best and most innovative grooming practices and practitioners in North America to get the latest on what’s working in a changing climate.

DESTINATION

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Nevada’s Lone Nordic Center
Tim Hausermann shares how 20 little kilometers means so much to Nevada’s Nords.

THE FINAL STRETCH

Page 86
Perspective
Sue Wemyss has done it all in skiing. From alpine racing in college, to the U.S. Ski Team as a Nordic skier in the 1984 Olympics, to a book about America’s female Olympians.

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Photo Finish
A dogged finish.

On the cover: Ben Ogden, right, and Gus Schumacher, left, of the United States, celebrate after winning the silver medal in the cross-country skiing men's team sprint at the 2026 Winter Olympics. AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth