CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — As the 2026 Winter Olympics unfold across the Italian Alps, American skiing icon Picabo Street has emerged as one of the most prominent faces of the Games, transitioning from a legendary competitor to a vital media personality and cultural ambassador.
Breaking: Picabo Street Debuts as NBC On-Hill Reporter
In a significant career milestone, Street has officially joined the NBC Olympics broadcast team for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. Serving as the women’s on-hill reporter, the two-time Olympic medalist is providing expert analysis directly from the slopes. Her debut has been met with praise for her technical insight and her ability to articulate the high-speed pressures of the downhill and Super-G events—disciplines she once dominated.
Viral Moment: Teaching Snoop Dogg to Ski
Street captured global headlines this week in a lighthearted crossover event with rap icon Snoop Dogg. In a video that has since gone viral, Street took the “West Coast cool” legend to the Italian slopes for a private skiing lesson. The footage shows Street patiently guiding Snoop through the basics of alpine movement, a moment NBC utilized to bridge the gap between hardcore sports fans and pop culture audiences. “Teaching an old dog new tricks,” Street joked during the segment, which has become a highlight of the 2026 Games’ social media coverage.
The Legacy of a Downhill Legend
Born in Triumph, Idaho, in 1971, Picabo Street remains a foundational figure in U.S. Skiing history. Her storied career includes:
- 1994 Lillehammer Games: Won the silver medal in the downhill.
- 1998 Nagano Games: Captured the gold medal in the Super-G, completing one of the greatest comebacks in sports history following a series of debilitating knee injuries.
- World Cup Success: Secured back-to-back World Cup downhill season titles in 1995 and 1996.
Commentary on Lindsey Vonn’s Comeback
Beyond her reporting duties, Street has been vocal regarding the attempted comeback of fellow American legend Lindsey Vonn. Street recently referred to Vonn as an “absolute beast” following Vonn’s crash in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which threatened her return to the 2026 circuit. Street’s perspective as a pioneer who also battled career-threatening injuries has provided viewers with a unique depth of understanding regarding the physical toll of elite alpine racing.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics continue through February, Street is expected to remain a fixture of the daily broadcast, offering a bridge between the golden era of 1990s American skiing and the new generation of athletes competing in Italy.