How Ski Mountaineering’s Hype Man Went From TikTok to NBC

February 17, 2026

The newest addition to the Winter Olympic Games almost doesn’t seem real.

Ski mountaineering starts with athletes running up the hill in their skis, with grippy “skins” on the bottom so they don’t slide backward. Then, they stash the skis in a backpack to hike even higher. At the top, they put their skis back on, and jump straight up in the air while dramatically ripping off the skins. Whoever can ski to the bottom first wins gold.

The sport is brand-new to some viewers, but others have been following one man’s ski mountaineering journey for years.

Max Valverde first got into “skimo” a few years ago, and he gained a large following on social media while documenting his attempt to make Team USA. Now preparing to join NBC as an analyst for the Winter Olympics, Valverde and his videos have gotten even more traction. FRONT OFFICE SPORTS