Biggest fear at Olympics for big air competitors? 'Rickety' elevator ride up

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LIVIGNO, Italy – The scariest part of the big air competition for the free skiers and snowboarders participating in the event during these 2026 Winter Olympics wasn’t the jump itself.

That, by most accounts, was smaller than what the athletes typically traverse.

The elevator ride to the top of the man-made structure at Livigno Snow Park is a different story.

“It’s like the sketchiest part of the whole thing,” U.S. snowboarder Hahna Norman said. "You think we’re scared of the jump? No, we’re scared to go on the elevator. For sure.”

Six to eight people, including athletes, coaches and technical staff, pile into the metal crate at a time. The duration up to the top is about 90 seconds — save for any breakdowns or somebody accidentally hitting the emergency brake button.

Norman tried not to think about the ride while ascending.

“The thing was, like, rattling on the way up,” Norman said. “Maybe I’m not allowed to say this. I was definitely fearing for a second.”

Blasting 75 meters down the hill to the 5-meter jump into a 38-degree landing pitch requires conquering some fear of heights, all for the thrill.

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“That’s probably one of the scariest parts, going up the elevator,” U.S. men’s snowboarder Sean FitzSimons said.  

“You just try not to think about it, honestly,” he added, “try not to listen to the shudders.”

Lily Dhawornvej is not a fan of elevators to begin with.

“Especially that one,” the 16-year-old said. “It’s a little rickety.”

USA men’s snowboarder Red Gerard is no fan of big air to begin with. Throw in a shoddy elevator ride and …

“I’m happy to be done with it,” Gerard said. “I mean, it’s fine, they did an amazing job, building an elevator, but I’d rather take a chairlift up than an elevator.”

Going up a makeshift elevator is not rare for big air competitions in city centers or other sites that are not traditional mountainsides.

“It’s scary,” U.S. men’s snowboarder Jake Canter said. “It rattles.

“I survived, so I’m happy with that.”

The first ride was the scariest, USA free skier Rell Harwood said.

“No, it’s a little terrifying, for sure,” she said, “but we did it a ton so I got used to it, I guess.”

Her teammate and friend Marin Hamill actually enjoyed the elevator.

“I honestly think the elevator ride is pretty fun,” Hamill said. “You just stand in there with all your friends and ride up to the top.

“It’s really fun. All the girls are so nice and so fun. You can’t miss with an elevator ride.”

Tiny holes reveal the snow-covered Alps mountains, but can make one cross-eyed if stared through for too long, Great Britain’s Kirsty Muir said.  

“It’s a bumpy (ride),” she said. “It is quite weird. It’s a weird one.”

China’s Eileen Gu, who won silver in the free ski big air on Feb. 16, could only laugh nervously at the mention of the elevator, which broke during training when someone accidentally pressed the emergency button, apparently.

“The elevator’s great, other than that,” Gu said. “No notes.”

Just some deep breaths.