‘Incredibly special’: Sask.’s Mark McMorris set for fourth Olympic appearance in Italy

Regina snowboard star Mark McMorris will compete in big air and slopestyle at his fourth Olympics in Milan.

Regina snowboarder Mark McMorris has been named to Canada’s 2026 Olympic team for this year’s games in Milano-Cortina, Italy.

McMorris will be making his fourth Olympic appearance, meaning he will have competed in every men’s snowboard slopestyle event since it debuted at the 2014 Olympic games in Sochi.

“It’s incredibly special to be representing Canada at my fourth Olympic Winter Games. Every time I get the opportunity to wear the maple leaf on the Olympic stage, it means a lot, and I’m grateful to still be competing at a level where I can do that,” McMorris said in a news release on Monday.

“Being one of the veterans on the team now is something I really embrace — sharing my experience, helping guide the younger riders, and trying to set the standard both on and off the hill. It feels like a full-circle moment, and I’m proud to be part of this team.”

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He has won three straight Olympic bronze medals, making him the only athlete to be on the slopestyle podium at all three Games in which it has been included.

Now 32 years old, McMorris is regarded as one of the all-time snowboarding greats. His 24 medals at the Winter X Games, which includes a silver medal won last year, is a record for an individual athlete.

McMorris is one of six Canadians named to the roster, including Laurie Blouin (Quebec City, Que.), Eli Bouchard (Lac Beauport, Que.), Francis Jobin (Quebec City, Que.), Juliette Pelchat (Whistler, B.C.) and Cameron Spalding (Havelock, Ont.).

Canada has won 17 snowboarding medals since the sport was added to the Olympic program at Nagano in 1998. Eight of those medals have come in slopestyle and big air.

The snowboard big air competition at Milano Cortina 2026 will get started on February 5, prior to the opening ceremony, and continue to Feb. 9. The slopestyle events will follow Feb. 16-18. All snowboard events will be contested at the Livigno Snow Park.