Lila Lapanja Olympic Watch Party – Women’s Slalom, Alpine Skiing
Feb 18, 2026 | 12PM - 5PM
Diamond Peak Ski Resort
Local Incline Village-based professional ski racer Lila Lapanja has realized a life-long dream and qualified to compete in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Cortina, Italy.
Diamond Peak Watch Party for Lila’s Races
Lila will compete in the Women’s Alpine Skiing Slalom event, scheduled for February 18, 2026, starting at 1 a.m. PST. Diamond Peak Ski Resort plans to host a Watch Party in the Loft Bar at the resort at 12 p.m. that afternoon and rescreen both run 1 and run 2 of the Women’s Slalom competition. It’s expected to take up to 2 hours for all of the athletes to complete each run, depending on conditions. Food and beverages are available for purchase.
Lila’s Local Legacy
Lila grew up on the slopes of Diamond Peak Ski Resort, first learning to ski at age 2 when her parents scattered Easter eggs around the bunny slope and challenged little Lila to pick them up while wearing skis. She fell in love with the sport quickly and ultimately found a supportive environment with the Diamond Peak Ski Team as her junior ski racing career took off.
Lila began her professional ski racing career on the U.S. Ski Team, winning four U.S. National Championship titles along the way. After years of competing on the World Cup, Europa Cup and NorAm race circuits as an independent racer from the U.S., she switched affiliations to ski for her father’s home country of Slovenia two years ago, with the goal of qualifying for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Recent success on the Europa Cup ski racing circuit this winter led to her inclusion in the Slovenian Alpine Skiing Olympic team – a dream she has fostered from a very young age.
“Hopefully, people will remember me as not only one of the best athletes to come out of our town,” Lila said, “But also how this place shaped my values, recognize how amazing of a feat that is in such a small place, and be proud that we live in an area with the resources to raise champions of all kinds.”
